BUDGET 2021 LITMUS TEST FOR GOVERNMENT

RS. 70.00 PAGES 80 / SECTIONS 7 VOL. 03 – NO. 07 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2020

PROGRESS DELAYS BY ON TRINCO CHANGING OIL TANKS HIGHWAY TRACKS »SEE PAGES 8 & 9 »SEE BUSINESS PAGE 1 »SEE PAGES 3 »SEE PAGE 5 GENERAL PREVENTIVE GUIDELINES For verified information on the coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any of the following authorities Suwasariya Ambulance Service 1999 Health Promotion Bureau Quarantine Unit 0112 112 705 1990 Epidemiology Unit 0112 695 112 Govt. coronavirus hotline 0113071073 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Wash hands with soap for 40-60 Wear a commercially available mask/ Maintain a minimum distance Use gloves when shopping, using Use traditional Sri Lankan greeting Always wear a mask, avoid crowded Hotline 0113456200-4 seconds, or rub hands with alcohol- cloth mask or a surgical mask at all of 1 metre from others, especially public transport, etc. and discard into at all times instead of handshaking, vehicles, maintain distance, and wash Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 based handrub for 20-30 seconds times in public places in public places a lidded bin lined with a bag hugging, and/or kissing hands before and after travelling Email [email protected] COLOMBO PORT COVID CLUSTER Essentials shortage looms BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA z Over 40 ships carrying essentials bypass Colombo The lack of adequate employees at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to handle the operations of the Colombo Port, Essential Food Commodities Importers another regional port, which would Abeygunawardena to immediately attend When asked what action would be particularly at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), has posed a and Traders’ Association (EFCITA) require the Government to transport to the issue within the SLPA as well as to taken to mitigate the shortage, the President G. Rajendran warned that there the containers to Sri Lanka from that look at the possibilities for expediting the Minister said that if nothing could be huge threat to the continuous supply of daily essentials to the would be a delay in supplying essential port, costing both time and money. process of unloading essentials. done immediately to solve the matter, local market, The Sunday Morning learnt. items if the unloading of containers is When contacted, Minister of Trade Dr. Gunawardana admitted that there the country would have to endure a food Over 40 vessels have already result, essential food importers fear delayed further. Dr. Bandula Gunawardana told The was an issue due to the current Covid- shortage, as there is no other option bypassed the Colombo Port without their containers would not arrive before The essential items aboard those Sunday Morning that he has requested 19 situation, as there was a shortage during a pandemic like this. unloading containers at JCT. As a their existing stocks are exhausted. 40 vessels are set to be unloaded at Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha of employees at the Colombo Port. Contd. on page 2 NOROCHCHOLAI EXTENSION The worst of times…CAPITAL HEIGHTS PUCSL delaying CAPITALRS. 34 MILLION HEIGHTS UPWARDSRS. 34 MILLION approval: CEB UPWARDS The Cabinet-approved Commission of Sri Lanka's CAPITAL HEIGHTS Norochcholai coal power (PUCSL) delay in approving RS. 34 MILLION extension project is languishing the project. VISIT OUR UPWARDSWEBSITE due to the Public Utilities Contd. on page 3 CAPITALVISIT HEIGHTS+94 OUR 763112233 COLOMBO UNI LAND RS.35SHOW APARTMENT MILLIONWEBSITE UPWARDSRS. 34 MILLION Lecturers BUDGET 2021 READY FOR INSPECTION UPWARDS write to PM; PROJECT NEARING+94 763112233 COMPLETION VISIT OUR Public, SHOW APARTMENT WEBSITE VISIT OUR UDA unfazed +94 763112233WEBSITE As the Urban Development media READY FOR INSPECTION SHOW APARTMENT www.capitalheights.lk Authority (UDA) remains firm on SHOW APARTMENT +94 763112233 taking over the Colombo University galleries READY FORREADY INSPECTION FOR INSPECTION land on Muttiah Road, university PROJECT NEARING COMPLETION lecturers submitted a letter to the PROJECT NEARINGPROJECT NEARING COMPLETION COMPLETION Premier in a last-ditch effort to save it. shut The isolation of Kaiser Street in Colombo has left its street vendors without a source of income Contd. on page 3 BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA PHOTO LALITH PERERA EXPORTING E-WASTE The Parliament gallery is to Earning revenue be closed to the public and media REOPENING SCHOOLS RESTRUCTURING JUDICIARY on Tuesday (17) when Prime from scrap Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa After consulting Capacity building z 24 tonnes shipped to Japan is to present the Government's Japan is to pay Sri Lanka for Budget proposals for 2021, as health authorities and technology key the gold and platinum it salvages well as during the upcoming The Ministry of Education stated that the The Justice Ministry is in the process from the Printed Circuit Boards debate on the proposals, The final decision on reopening schools for the of restructuring the judicial system given (PCBs) exported. Sunday Morning learnt. third academic term would be decided after that an estimated 5,000 cases are pending Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 3 consulting local health authorities. before the superior courts, The Sunday Contd. on page 3 Morning learnt. OTHER STATE FORESTS Contd. on page 3 Focus on nearly 1.5 m acres REPATRIATING SRI LANKANS z Development work will need EIAs: Environmentalists 300 persons BY SARAH HANNAN land that will come under threat, Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife especially since several circulars that and Forest Conservation, which repealed While the Government has released protected other state forests to a certain several circulars including the 05/2001 per week nearly 1.5 million acres of other extent have been repealed. circular that was providing protection to Around 300 Sri Lankans are to be repatriated state forests to be repurposed for The Ministerial Circular numbered unrecognised forest covers, became a hot on a weekly basis commencing this week, development work, environmentalists MWFC/1/2020 titled “Management topic of discourse since July this year. The Sunday Morning learnt. have expressed concerns over forest of other state forests” issued by the Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning NEWS Sunday, November 15, 2020 Contd. from page 1

of the SLPA are situated in these areas.” reduction in SLPA employees reporting to work, “The existing forest cover of Sri Lanka, that is 3%. Deforestation in my village has taken place Essentials... He told The Sunday Morning that in spite of mainly due to the quarantine curfew imposed 29.2% of the country, does not include the land over at least 50 acres of forest, which I believe Meanwhile, the SLPA said it expects a the issues, the SLPA was running the port 24/7. in the Gampaha District. extent that is under ‘other state forest’ lands. was done through the permits that were obtained significant loss in revenue due to the delays and “We need a large number of employees to “Even though employees can come to work These other state forests will be allowed to be by the divisional/district secretariats, referring drop in efficiency, which is yet to be calculated operate the JCT. The port’s activity revolved using their passes, they are not coming because repurposed for development work through the to land development.” by the authority. around the JCT and we had 30 Covid-19-positive there is no proper Covid-19 management authority of the divisional and district secretariats, Wijesinghe added that, given the Sustainable It is learnt that many ships that were supposed cases plus 200 first contacts. They have been programme at the port premises,” he stressed. whilst taking into consideration that no impact Development Goals (SDGs) and local to unload at JCT had bypassed and gone to other sent for quarantine. This is not a management Employees do not want to put their lives at is made to biodiversity and wildlife, and there is environmental protection policies and regulations nearest destinations instead, after reports of over issue. We have followed all required health risk. He said that while most of the gantry crane, no severe environmental damage. We have no as well as the election manifesto, this policy 30 employees testing positive for Covid-19 guidelines,” the Chairman reiterated, adding transfer crane, and other crane operators were connection to the alleged international agreement decision is totally unacceptable. emerged. The SLPA itself has requested some that though there were people available, the residing in the Gampaha District, since they or compact.” Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ) vessels to divert their destinations instead of authority needed specially trained people to were not reporting to work, the unloading of According to Harischandra, the Ministerial Chairman and Attorney-at-Law Ravindranath coming to Colombo directly, as there is a serious operate gantry cranes. shipments had been delayed. Circular No. MWFC/1/2020 that was issued Dabare and Executive Director Hemantha delay due to the lack of port employees. “We hope the operations will be returned to According to him, the delay in unloading on 4 November, repealed circular No. 05/98, Withanage, in a statement issued on Friday Nevertheless, SLPA Chairman Gen. Daya normal by next week, as 60% of employees shipments would result in a huge loss to the dated 1 July 1998, limiting the size of the forest (13), noted: “It’s very sad to see this Cabinet Ratnayake told The Sunday Morning that the have been in operation for the past two, three SLPA. lands managed by the divisional secretaries; and of Ministers direct the government officers to Colombo Port would not be closed under any days,” he added. “At present, the management is discussing the subsequent circulars 05/2001 dated 10 August deregulate forests which are public common circumstances and that the port had already “We requested some of the vessels to go. possibilities of calling for retired employees as 2001, which authorised the management of all goods, which will result in mass forest grabbing called retired employees, expecting to resume There will be delays. All other ports have similar a measure to continue port operations. But as of other forest lands to the Conservator General of which will also result in environmental operations within next week at a normal pace. issues. Some vessels have gone to take time. today (Friday, 13), none of the measures have Forest, and 02/2006, dated 17 May 2006, which destruction and disasters. We vehemently Admitting that there is a serious issue in Vessels that are coming from Europe, Africa, been implemented,” Niroshan noted. allowed the Conservator General of Forest to oppose this undemocratic move and demand handling port operations, Gen. Ratnayake said: and the Middle East are directly coming to He also alleged that at present, a number of release lands for non-forest purposes. the cancellation of the new circular, and to “We had a serious issue due to the coronavirus Colombo. Instead of coming here, they are now ships have been stuck at ports without being Rainforest Protectors of Sri Lanka Convenor give due respect to the available Forest Act (as situation. The port is situated in the worst area going to Singapore, Myanmar, or some other able to unload the shipments. Jayantha Wijesinghe meanwhile noted: “The amended) and to the National Environmental of the country, and the majority of port workers closer destination and on the way back, they total area of the remaining other state forest Act (as amended).” have lived in the Gampaha District as well as in will unload the containers.” lands in Sri Lanka is estimated to be close to Minister of Environment Mahinda the Bloemendhal, Modara, Mattakkuliya areas. Meanwhile, speaking to The Sunday Morning, Focus on... 1.5 million acres. That is about 5% of the total Amaraweera, speaking to The Sunday Morning, These areas have now been severely affected by All Ceylon General Ports Employees’ Union Explaining the circular that was issued, forest cover of the country. In the past, large- said: “Most of the forest reserves in Sri Lanka are the ongoing pandemic. Around 30% of workers (ACGPEU) Deputy General Secretary G. Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation scale deforestation occurred across the country, demarcated; there are sensitive environmental are from Gampaha and more than 600 quarters Niroshan stressed that there was around a 40% Secretary M.K. Bandula Harischandra stated: despite the goal of increasing forest cover by zones that we are presently identifying, which are also going to be demarcated in order to separate the land that is to be used by the people for development and cultivation purposes. We are working towards protecting the remaining forest cover and ensuring that wildlife too is protected.” Amaraweera added that the Environmental Protection Units that are established across the country will be tasked to keep a close watch on any encroachment, deforestation, or environmental destruction taking place going forward. The units will immediately report on such activities and take necessary action with the assistance of the relevant authorities, institutions, and, if required, ministries. Meanwhile, according to the findings of the Land Use Policy Planning Department (LUPPD), 33% of Sri Lanka’s land expanse is dedicated for agricultural industries. But only 12% of it is put to use productively. What the Government should be looking to do is to increase the productivity of the underutilised cultivation land. There is a 21% land expanse that could be repurposed and put to use for agriculture. Therefore, there is no immediate necessity to revoke circular 05/2001 for farmers to be afforded more land within protected forest areas. Earning revenue... Research conducted by experts on recycling and e-scrap salvaging note that a tonne of PCBs can contain up to 150 kg of precious metals. Sri Lanka exported its first consignment of e-waste to Ousei Kankyo Shoji Ltd. in Japan, an expert in e-scrap recycling, last Wednesday (11). The project was jointly implemented as a public-private partnership (PPP) in which the Ministry of Environment’s Central Environmental Authority (CEA), the Postal Services Department, and INSEE Ecocycle Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. were involved. “The Japanese company has agreed to pay Sri Lanka according to the weight of the gold and platinum it recovers from the PCBs that we have sent them. The exacts of the weights are yet to be determined, as it would only be notified after the salvaging process,” Minister of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera told The Sunday Morning. Amaraweera also took the opportunity to thank INSEE Ecocycle Lanka for continuously working with the Government to look at various methods to minimise the waste problem in Sri Lanka. The exported consignment of electrical and electronic waste that was shipped to Japan comprised three tonnes of PCBs, eight tonnes of plastic, and 13 tonnes of metal. “In October, marking World Post Day, the Department of Postal Services collaborated with the CEA to launch a CSR (corporate social responsibility) project to collect electronic waste, during which the public was requested to drop off their domestic e-waste, such as used or obsolete mobile phones, computers, televisions, radios, stereos, etc. at selected post offices,” CEA Chairman Siripala Amarasinghe stated. Amarasinghe noted that household and electronic waste was collected by 600 post offices from 5-10 October. – Sarah Hannan 300 persons... “We have planned to bring down one flight a week with expatriate Lankans,” Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Director – Media R.K.K.M.P. Randeniya told The Sunday Morning. He said the Covid-19 Task Force would monitor the ground situation and take further decisions. “The Task Force will observe and decide on whether to increase the frequency of flights, etc.” Randeniya also revealed that around 30% of those waiting to return had lost their jobs. “Around 15,000-18,000 have lost their jobs – about 30% of those remaining to be repatriated. There are about 45,000 still waiting to come back.” – Skandha Gunasekara the sunday morning 3 Sunday, November 15, 2020 SPOTLIGHT/NEWS

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA CENTRAL EXPRESSWAY PROJECT partnership (PPP) which was to be funded by the Asian Development Uncertainty looms over the Bank (ADB). construction of the long- delayed Central Expressway The long wait once again, as the Similarly, the RDA was to finalise Government has decided not Changing tracks awarding the construction contract to encourage debt-funded for the long-delayed Sections III projects considering the and IV of the CEP when President’s present financial situation of Secretary Dr. Jayasundara issued a the country. different directive. In August, the RDA was to Prior to calling for new bids, finalise the documents that would be the Ministry of Highways had cause further delays submitted to the Cabinet to get the obtained Cabinet approval to letters of intent or interest to the approval to proceed. Furthermore, receive technical proposals for the BOI for the two initiatives on a BOT the funding was said to be finalised elevated highway from the New basis, most of which were largely of in a way which would be more Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya, and an unsolicited nature. favourable to Sri Lanka. discussions were ongoing with Dr. Jayasundara has also The Cabinet of Ministers has the China Harbour Engineering instructed the Ministry of Highways already granted approval to consider Company (CHEC). and the RDA to issue a detailed the technical proposal from the Furthermore, a proposal received Request for Proposal (RFP) for the British consultancy specialist for the construction of the Central New Kelani Bridge to all parties Roughton for the construction Expressway Project’s (CEP) Section who submitted letters of interest of CEP’s Section IV. Roughton III from China and Section IV from to the BOI or the Ministry and was said to be the management the UK was about to receive Cabinet who were present at the meeting consultant of the CEP’s Stage IV approval. convened on the matter. and it will be partnered with a With the change of tracks, the As learnt by The Sunday local contractor. Several proposals CEP, which is moving at a snail’s Morning, the RDA had already received from local construction pace, would face a definite delay of received proposals from several companies are currently being three months due to the new bidding local and foreign companies for all evaluated by the authority to award process that began last week. In three projects, and proposals will the construction contract. addition, it will see a further delay be accepted within the next three The projects were a few approvals of around three months for the months. away to begin construction work, evaluation of the documents, it is and as told to The Sunday Morning, learnt BOT share in highways the RDA is awaiting Cabinet Moreover, once the evaluation Meanwhile, questions have also approval to immediately begin the process is completed, it will take been raised over the practicality A section of the Central Expressway construction of Sections III and IV another few more months for the of the BOT-based projects in Sri of the CEP. construction work to commence, Lanka, especially for the Central within the project in order to make In contrast, the BOT is recognised limits. Phase I (6.9 km) of the Initially, the Government’s plan and if the Government does not Expressway. the BOT method viable. as an apt solution for the proposed project has been planned from was to complete the construction of receive a BOT (build-operate- However, the RDA official noted elevated highway extending Orugodawatta to Rajagiriya and the CEP at the end of 2019 under transfer) project, then again, the that they doubt whether worthwhile from the New Kelani Bridge to Phase II (10.4 km) from Rajagiriya four sections. The construction of project would be delayed by another investors would invest in such Athurugiriya. to Athurugiriya. the 37.3 km stretch from Kadawatha year, a highly informed source If the Government’s debt a massive project without any Change of plans When contacted by The to Mirigama under Section I was attached to the Road Development capacity is shrinking, there contribution from the Government. Sunday Morning, Secretary to the delayed due to financing issues on Authority (RDA), who wished to are other ways to implement “If the Government’s debt As emphasised, the proposal Ministry of Highways R.W.R. the part of Sri Lanka to activate an remain anonymous, told The Sunday projects. Especially when it capacity is shrinking, there are for the elevated highway has been Pemasiri confirmed that the CHEC already committed loan by China. Morning. comes to the CEP, the question other ways to implement projects. channelled through the BOI as an investment proposal came through The construction of Section III Last week, in a letter addressed is whether the Government Especially when it comes to the investment project by the CHEC the BOI. He said the Ministry was was delayed by almost four years as to the Ministry of Highways and provides a sovereign guarantee CEP, the question is whether the for which the Ministry of Highways directed to provide the technical the two parties, Sri Lanka and Japan, the Board of Investment (BOI), or not Government provides a sovereign provides technical support. The total assistance. could not agree on the agreement Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Source from RDA guarantee or not,” the official value of the investment is said to The previous Government conditions. However, soon after the Jayasundara instructed the Ministry stressed. With all these concerns have been around $ 800 million. failed to complete a single new Government came into power and the RDA to call for fresh hanging about, the success of the The CHEC, which is also the highway during its tenure, and in November, Section III of the CEP proposals for the stretch from the As explained by subject matter projects still remains a question, the engineering contractor of the although it has been a year was opened for fresh biddings by New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya experts, when it comes to BOT- official added. Colombo Port City Project, had since Gotabaya Rajapaksa cancelling the ongoing discussions and also to accept bids for based projects, the investor expects The previous Government failed submitted the investment proposal was elected as President, the between Japan and Sri Lanka. Sections III and IV of the Central considerable revenue and therefore, to complete a single highway during for the construction of the elevated highway projects are yet to Section IV was to be constructed by Expressway. the applicability of the BOT method its tenure, and although it has been a highway as part of the Port City raise their heads China, but no agreement has been It is stated that the Government for the CEP is questionable, as year since Gotabaya Rajapaksa was development project and is also said signed as yet for its construction. will not encourage debt-funded the traffic in the highway – once elected as President, the highway to be connected to the Colombo Port According to the Secretary to During the past two years, The projects, annuity (a series of completed – would not be enough projects are yet to raise their heads. City, The Morning learnt. the Ministry, Cabinet approval had Sunday Morning has been reporting payments made at equal intervals) for the investor to cover up A serious concern is that if the The development of the four- been granted to receive the technical the consequences faced by the payments to meet revenue shortfalls, expenses. projects are delayed further, it is lane elevated highway, which is proposal from the CHEC. people as a result of the delays in or guaranteed traffic as these options It is also learnt that the doubtful whether the incumbent 17.3 km in length, was proposed in However, the Expressions of providing compensation for lands are not affordable. Government has suggested several Government would be able to 2015 in an attempt to improve the Interest (EOIs) have been called by identified and an overall delay in Furthermore, the letter states other investments such as the complete the projects during their road network for the heavy influx the previous Government for the completing projects, along with its that several parties have submitted construction of housing complexes tenure as well. of vehicles entering Colombo city same project as a public-private impacts to the national economy. Contd. from page 1

to the existing Norochcholai Coal Power Plant superior courts. My objective is that anything the Ministry is to make a presentation to the only deprives the needy students of a chance PUCSL delaying... is the best option the country has at present. heard, for example a fundamental rights case, Judicial Service Commission on this endeavour. to better education, but also endangers their Despite the project having been sent to the “At the moment, we are conducting the EIA should be heard in two months in terms of the – Skandha Gunasekara safety amidst the pandemic, which makes PUCSL over two months ago, it has failed report. Once it is completed, the construction Constitution, but it takes four or five years. I finding alternative housing nearly impossible,” to send its recommendations to the Ceylon would be launched,” he stressed. think if they can do it within six months and in the letter further states. Electricity Board (CEB), The Sunday Morning When asked why the CEB did not go for any event, hear any case before a period of one Lecturers write... Meanwhile, when contacted by The Sunday learnt. competitive bidding, the senior engineer year from the date of institution in the Supreme In the letter, the Arts Faculty Teachers’ Morning, UDA Director General Prasad Last year, then Minister of Power and explained that it was difficult to go for Court, we could be happy for the time being.” Association – Colombo University (AFTA- Ranaweera said the decision would not be Renewable Ravi Karunanayake submitted a competitive bidding, as the extension would He noted that currently, a case before the CU), the official trade union of the faculty, changed and the land would be acquired by the cabinet proposal seeking the approval of the be added by sharing the same infrastructure Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal could has urged the Prime Minister to reconsider the authority for development purposes. Cabinet to authorise the CEB to construct a and therefore, it was easy to go ahead with take as long as five years. decision to immediately seize the said property. He said that even though the university fourth unit with the capacity of 300 MW. This the existing company. “In the long run, my objective is to have any They stressed that the decision comes to opposed the decision, the land would be acquired was to be constructed as an extension to the – Maheesha Mudugamuwa case that comes to the Supreme Court and the the university as a surprise, as no other hostel and a new hostel complex would be built for Norochcholai Coal Power Plant (Lakvijaya Court of Appeal, be heard and done within a facility has been provided and the relevant the university in a separate location. Power Station) in Puttalam, using the same period of six months to one year. That is the idea. student and staff bodies have not been duly – Maheesha Mudugamuwa infrastructure in the same facility. Public, media... Now, it takes three, four, or even five years.” consulted in the process. Following the presidential election, the “The public gallery, as well as the press He said that it was up to the judiciary to “As a union concerned with ensuring access to Cabinet granted approval to expand the gallery, will be closed due to the coronavirus follow the Government’s plans to expedite education and safeguarding state education, we After consulting... Norochcholai facility in January this year. guidelines,” Secretary General of Parliament the legal process. have serious concerns regarding this decision, “Schools were scheduled to reopen on 9 When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Dhammika Dasanayake told The Sunday “Now, the ball is with the Supreme Court. which has been taken without providing another November, just after the G.C.E. A/L (Advanced CEB Chairman Eng. Vijitha Herath stressed Morning. They must find out, they must innovate, and we hostel facility at a time when the on-site functions Level) examination ended. However, with that the CEB is waiting for PUCSL’s approval He said that only the diplomatic community will provide everything they need. They must of the university are on hold due to the Covid-19 the present Covid-19 preventive measures, for the construction of the Norochcholai power would be present. adapt to the situation and embrace technology. pandemic,” the letter stated. we decided that reopening schools should be plant extension. “Diplomats will be allowed to attend. Other They must look at other jurisdictions and learn The UDA has decided to take over the 2.5-acre postponed for two weeks. However, according to him, once PUCSL than that, we expect the gallery to be quite how to optimise the situation and if necessary, land, where the Muttiah Road Hostel for Women “While the new date to reopen schools is approval is received, the CEB would refer it empty.” have restricted time for submissions like in and Differently Abled Students is located, to for now set to 23 November, we will have to the Attorney General (AG). The Budget debate is scheduled to commence foreign countries and skeleton arguments in carry out development activities. The Muttiah to consult the Ministry of Health and the Admitting that there is a delay in the at 1.40 p.m. on Tuesday. advance to submit, so that you don’t waste Road Hostel is one of eight permanent hostels Epidemiology Unit, and then take a decision Norochcholai extension, the CEB Chairman “It will go on until such time the Prime time.” of the University of Colombo, housing more on when it would be safe to bring students back stressed that the process couldn’t be expedited Minister concludes his speech and then, we Pertaining to smaller courts, Minister Sabry than 550 female students including differently- to school,” Minister of Education Prof. G.L. unless the approvals are received on time. will adjourn. There is no definite time. Maybe said that here too, the Government hoped abled students, a majority of whom are from Peiris explained. He added that the environmental impact about an hour or an hour-and-a-half.” to speed up hearings, as it could take up to the Faculty of Arts. Until such time, the Ministry and National assessment (EIA) and technical evaluation He said it would be a 21-day budget debate. a decade for a single case to be heard in a The Association has stressed in the letter that Education Commission (NEC) have taken of the 300 MW power plant were still being “The diplomatic core will only come for the criminal high court. the hostel is situated at a convenient location, has measures to continue with distant learning conducted, and once the reports indicate the Prime Minister’s budget speech on Tuesday. “When it comes to small cases, the idea is the capacity to accommodate a large number of modules that were followed during the first green light to the project, the CEB would go Thereafter, they won’t be coming. The galleries that trial cases are to be concluded in one year. students, is in close proximity to the faculty, and wave of Covid-19. ahead. would be closed throughout the whole budget In the trial courts, the Magistrate Court, High the safety of the locale make it an ideal place of When The Sunday Morning inquired from However, when asked whether the CEB process.” Court, and District Court, we are looking at residence for students. The hostel has also been Prof. Peiris about the accessibility of such would go for competitive bidding, he said He said these decisions would stand subject six months or just over a year and two years recently renovated by the university to provide methods of education, he stated: “We will there was no need for it, as there were several to any decisions taken by the Parliamentary up to the Supreme Court. At present, it takes better access to the differently abled students. continue with the Gurugedara TV programme resources the new power plant would use Business Committee. 10 years at the Criminal High Court and two “The hostel facilities serve the neediest that is televised over local TV channels, which commonly with the existing power plants and appeals take another five to six years. So, it is students from rural areas and are a vital resource will be conducted in all three languages. For therefore, going for competitive bidding would not at all satisfactory.” that ensures their uninterrupted education,” the those who do not have a TV, we have also only complicate matters. Capacity building... In addition, the Minister is also keen letter reads. looked at delivering lessons through radio “The CEB would act according to the Among the changes being contemplated are on introducing a digital element to the It is further stated in the letter that the programmes that will be aired through the Sri Electricity Act and the other applicable laws the inclusion of more judges to the benches Government’s endeavour, in an effort to University of Colombo currently does not have Lanka Radio Corporation, again in all three in the country,” Eng. Herath reiterated. of superior courts, as well as the introduction modernise the judicial process. adequate hostel facilities and is in the process languages. Then, we have the e-Thaksalawa All attempts to contact the PUCSL were futile. of new technological systems to expedite the Accordingly, hearings of cases on a digital of enhancing its hostel facilities. online learning programmes as well.” Meanwhile, speaking to , a senior engineer hearing of court cases across the board. platform such as Skype or Zoom have already “In light of the Government’s plans to Prof. Peiris noted that the curriculums from of the CEB, who wished to remain anonymous, Minister of Justice Ali Sabry told The Sunday been successfully tested. increase the annual intake of students to all Grades Three to 13 will be covered through these said that in a situation like this, the CEB Morning that his aim was to reduce the time “We have tried and tested the new digital state universities, this action that will result in programmes, adding that as for the students should go for the cheapest and easiest way of period of hearing a single case to a maximum court hearings and now await the approval of the curtailing the limited resources available to the who do not have access, schools will have to generating more electricity to meet the demand of one year. Judicial Service Commission,” the Minister said. university seems counterintuitive. Any move conduct lessons when they return. and therefore, the construction of an extension “There are almost 5,000 cases pending in the He said that the committee appointed by to seize the said property immediately not – Sarah Hannan 4 the sunday morning FOCUS Sunday, November 15, 2020

BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA SRI LANKAN MIGRANT WORKERS Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).” With an estimated 18,000 migrant He said that repatriation flights had begun workers losing their employment, operating as early as last Tuesday (10) with Sri Lanka is facing a sharp decline two flights coming into the country. in foreign remittances and is now “We are going to have another plan to A growing concern restart the repatriation process. In fact, compelled to look at mitigating its damage to the economy. we have already restarted the repatriation z Loss of jobs and foreign remittances process to some extent. On Tuesday Following the outbreak of Covid-19, Randeniya said the Government had already night, two flights came to Sri Lanka with Sri Lankan migrant workers, particularly restarted the repatriation process that was expatriates, one of which was from the those in the Middle East, have been seeking partially halted following the eruption of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with around to return to Sri Lanka, while a significant second wave of Covid-19 in the country. 275 people. In the future too, the Covid-19 number – approximately 30% of those “The Ministry of Finance and the Bureau National Centre (NOCPCO) will monitor waiting to return – having lost their jobs. have collectively prepared a plan, giving the local situation and grant approval in “There is a very rough calculation on this. priority to the domestic situation, as per accordance with the ground situation.” All the people waiting there (overseas) are the instructions of the National Operation Randeniya said the initial arrangements not categorised as those who lost jobs. These are to have a flight come down once a week numbers are very low – that is about 30% with expatriates, adding: “Due to the current of the total crowd remaining to return to Sri situation in Sri Lanka, we cannot bring Lanka. Maybe about 15,000-18,000. There We have to be mindful that the down flights every day, especially charter are more than 45,000 waiting to return,” countries that employed Sri Lankan flights. So, we will bring down a plane with Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment labour is also in trouble and their 200-300 Sri Lankans every week.” (SLBFE) Deputy General Manager and economies are not expanding…We will On Friday (13), Army Commander Director of Media R.K.K.M.P. Randeniya Sri Lankan migrant workers Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva are repatriated due to have to decide how we would be able to told The Sunday Morning. growing global health and accommodate those returning migrants officially announced that Sri Lankans He said that while the loss of jobs is a economic reasons for productive employment within the stranded overseas would be repatriated to worrying factor, steps have already been country the island systematically. taken by the Government to try to recover as well as the relevant recruitment parties framework to re-employ, as well as to get Senior economist Analysing the impact of the loss of jobs of some of the lost employment opportunities. and the employer to somehow re-employ service extensions for others.” Dr. W.A. Wijewardena migrant workers, former Central Bank of Sri “We have informed our missions abroad, them and ensure the availability of the legal Regarding the repatriation process, Lanka (CBSL) Deputy Governor and senior economist Dr. W.A. Wijewardena noted that Sri Lanka had been dependent on foreign exchange of migrant workers to bridge the trade gap. “Sri Lanka has been depending on migrant workers’ remittances for more than three decades. It is nothing new. We have been able to reduce the credit gap. Sri Lanka had a very wide trade gap of about $ 10 billion in the last five years. That trade gap had been narrowed by the remittances that had come to Sri Lanka down to about $ 3 billion. That has been a relief for Sri Lanka’s economy,” Dr. Wijewardena said. While acknowledging that the number of jobs lost is not very high, he said that Sri Lanka would now have to bring in measures to address its balance of payment (BOP) issues, which is made harder due to the drop in foreign remittances. “Our BOP is in a deficit, which means we have to use our foreign reserves to make the payment outside the country, and the situation will be worsened when we receive lesser amounts of foreign remittances. Although losing 15,000-18,000 jobs is not a very large number, it will affect the remittances inflow. So, when we don’t get the remittances from abroad, it means that now, we will have to introduce more exchange and import control to cut down the trade gap because from the other side, we have to make an adjustment there.” He said that Sri Lanka, while being aware of the fact that those countries that employed Lankan labourers too face economic difficulties at present, must now look at re-employing the returning migrant workers domestically.

We have informed our missions abroad as well as the relevant recruitment parties and the employer to somehow re-employ them and ensure the availability of the legal framework to re-employ, as well as to get service extensions for others SLBFE Deputy General Manager R.K.K.M.P. Randeniya

“In the short term, there is not much we can do. We have to be mindful that the countries that employed Sri Lankan labour are also in trouble and their economies are not expanding. As a result, they are not in a position to employ people from outside. We will have to decide how we would be able to accommodate those returning migrants for productive employment within the country.” Dr. Wijewardena predicted additional job losses for migrant workers in the days to come. Noting that it is mostly the Middle Eastern countries, as well as Singapore, South Korea, and the European Union that employ Sri Lankan labour, he said that these countries too are making internal adjustments to their economic contractions. “Internal adjustments will require them to employ more domestic labour instead of foreign labour. This will affect Sri Lanka very badly. That is why we must find ways of employing them in productive categories within Sri Lanka, after they return to the country.” Referring to the proposed pharmaceutical hub in the south of the island, Dr. Wijewardena commended the new venture and asserted that Sri Lanka must now seek new fields of expertise to expand to. “Any returning migrant worker who has been employed in high-tech industries outside Sri Lanka can be easily absorbed into this new pharmaceutical hub. On top of that, lots of people are being trained in Sri Lanka in biotechnology and biomedical science offered by private and state universities, and their numbers are increasing every year. As a result, the Hambantota pharmaceutical hub will not have any difficulty in hiring the required high-skilled labour force.” the sunday morning 5 Sunday, November15, 2020 SPOTLIGHT

CONTROVERSY OVER SUGAR PRICES

With the tax, the imported cost is BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA suddenly reduced the prices without around Rs. 125 per kilogramme. other countries as well. However, after the issuing the price reduction in a gazette,” We have agreed to give 50% of the drug issue popped up in Brazilian sugar, Concerns have been raised over the recent confusion over sugar prices, Sampath said, adding that it was the commodity to Sathosa to sell at Rs. 85. local importers ceased importing sugar with the sudden reduction of tax imposed on sugar and the Government’s responsibility of the CAA to investigate if But if the Government asks us to sell the from South American countries. inability to pass on the benefit to the public. On 13 October, the the price reduction has been passed on to entire stocks at Rs. 85, we will face a At that time, the Indian crop was massive Government scrapped the import duty on several essential items including the public. huge difficulty and it has been maintaining an excess for dhal, canned fish, big onions, and sugar. The ASLCO President also alleged that EFCITA President G. Rajendran the last three to four years due to the high the price reduction only helped limited production. Therefore, at present, sugar is Accordingly, a kilogramme of sugar was that the benefit of the price reduction was businessmen but not the public or retailers. mainly being imported from India. expected to be sold at Rs. 85. However, the not passed on to the people. Also highlighting the issues faced by issued by the Central Bank on 11 It is further learnt that the bottom price prices did not reduce even almost a month “Sugar for the controlled price is only the consumers, National Movement for November, it is stated that the wholesale of sugar at present is nearly $ 390 per since the tax was reduced. As a result, available at Sathosa outlets. There are Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) price of white sugar in Pettah was Rs. 100 tonne. But in case India stops releasing the the Government was urged to gazette the only around 500 outlets and our Chairman Ranjith Vithanage per kilogramme. excess to the market, the price could go wholesale and retail sugar prices. members cannot find sugar at alleged that the time period up by a rate of more than $ 600 per tonne Earlier in the week, the Consumer that rate anywhere else. There taken by the Government to A 9different story within a month. Affairs Authority (CAA) issued a gazette are over 500,000 hotels and gazette the reduced prices still The Sunday Morning noticed that the However, the importers are waiting till notification outlining the wholesale and restaurants and the members left questions remaining as to prices have come down to Rs. 100 from India announces whether to continue with retail prices of white sugar that was to cannot purchase sugar at that whether it was trying to help a Rs. 125 per kilogramme from the previous the export subsidy for the new season or come into effect from 10 November. price. Sugar is still sold at Rs. few large-scale businessmen. day (9), but it is yet to match the prices not. If the Indian Government is not giving The gazette states that the CAA, 135 at grocery stores. If we “The consumers had to wait stated in the gazette. the export subsidy for new crops, the price functioning under the powers vested in it get sugar for controlled prices, a month since the prices were Even though fingers were pointed at the will go up by another over $ 600-700 per by Section 20(5) of the Consumer Affairs we will reduce the prices reduced to get the benefit, importers, claiming that they have earned tonne. Authority Act No. 09 of 2003, orders that of bakery and sugar-related but still only a few have a huge profit from selling sugar at higher Therefore, the importers questioned as to no importer, distributor, supplier, or trader products,” Sampath stressed. benefitted,” he added. rates, despite the tax being reduced by Rs. why the Government of Sri Lanka removed shall sell, expose, offer, or display for sale It is now said that 90,000 It is still a question as to Meanwhile, Minister of 49.75, the importers have a different story the duty when the world market price is or supply for sale white sugar above the MT of sugar had been why such huge amount Trade Dr. Gunawardana said to tell. around $ 390 per tonne. maximum price. imported to the country when of sugar were imported that a tax will be imposed As told to The Sunday Morning, the However, when contacted by The Accordingly, the maximum retail price the import duty was scrapped, during this period and on sugar if the benefit of its importers have been releasing stocks Sunday Morning, Essential Food (MRP) of packed white sugar was set and that the importers had to why the Government price reduction is not passed brought down to the country before the Commodities Importers’ and Traders’ at Rs. 90 per kilogramme and unpacked pay around Rs 4.5 billion to suddenly reduced the on to the public. He has reduction of the tax and since they have Association (EFCITA) President G. white sugar at Rs. 85 per kilogramme, clear their consignments, he prices without issuing been quoted in media reports already paid the taxes by then, they were Rajendran said that importers have 90,000 while importers’ maximum wholesale price stressed. the price reduction in a saying that there is no point of unable to sell their stocks at the new rates MT of stocks imported with the tax and (MWP) was set at Rs. 80 per kilogramme. He challenged Minister gazette scrapping taxes if the benefit suggested by the Government. another 24,000 MT without the tax. Nevertheless, as alleged by the of Trade Dr. Bandula ASLCO President is not passed on to the people. Several importers, who wished to remain “With the tax, the imported cost is consumers, sugar was not available at local Gunawardana to find out Asela Sampath “Since doctors and other anonymous, questioned as to why the around Rs. 125 per kilogramme. We have markets for the prices gazette by the CAA. whether the prices of sugar entities are saying that sugar Government reduced the taxes and created agreed to give 50% of the commodity were reduced according to the must not be sold at low an issue within the country at a time when to Sathosa to sell at Rs. 85. But if the The benefit vanished? gazette notification in the local market. rates to the people, we will request the world sugar prices are increasing rapidly. Government asks us to sell the entire stock Speaking to The Sunday Morning, “It is still a question as to why such huge imposition of the taxes again,” the Minister As learnt by The Sunday Morning, sugar at Rs. 85, we will face a huge difficulty,” Association of Sri Lanka Canteen Owners amounts of sugar were imported during had warned. is being imported to the country mainly he stressed. (ASLCO) President Asela Sampath said this period and why the Government According to the daily price report from Brazil, Guatemala, India, and several Contd. on page 11

IMPENDING RICE SHORTAGE VS. WINNING THE PRICE WAR people of the country struggling to can only intervene to a small extent “We are going to shortlist the purchase rice at the ever-increasing when they have to deal with private small and medium rice mills price, the health needs of society stockade owners, they are faced in the country through a tender are also being affected. with a crisis on a daily basis, as procedure and we will release Just last week, farmers expressed they keep increasing the paddy paddy stocks for milling. The their concerns on not being able prices every day, when they know rice produced through these mills to cover the costs of cultivation there is a high demand from the will then be made available to THE RICE once they harvest the paddy in the market. the consumers through Sathosa coming weeks. “The paddy that we purchase and co-operative outlets at the “Right before the harvesting at say Rs. 76, once sent to the controlled price. The rice shortage season commences the Government market, has incurred a processing, and the price hike will only last stipulates a price point for stockade packaging, and transport cost up to a month until the next owners to purchase the harvest. between Rs. 30-40, which means harvest is reaped,” Secretary The pricing becomes so low we sell the stocks at the wholesale to the State Ministry of Paddy POT BOILS that once we sell the paddy at price of Rs. 120 per kilogramme at and Cereal, Organic Foods, that price, we find it difficult to the least,” Ranjith elaborated. Vegetables, Fruits, Chilli, Onion, settle loans that were taken for and Potato Cultivation Promotion; purchasing pesticides, fertiliser, Control price of rice for producer/miller as Seed Production; and Advanced and paddy seeds for cultivation,” of 4 November 2020 Technology Agriculture L.L.A. Padmawardana, a farmer from Variety Price Wijesiri told The Sunday Morning. Rajanganaya stated. White/red samba – steamed/boiled 94.00/kg Moreover, Wijesiri added This is mainly due to the (excluding suduru samba) that the recent circular that was Government not delivering on their issued in relation to providing promises to offer free fertiliser to White/red raw samba 94.00/kg free fertiliser for farmers has set farmers on time, which pushes White/red nadu – steamed/boiled 92.00/kg a condition, so that a farmer that them to take loans and make the (excluding mottai karupan and attakari) cultivates a hectare of paddy necessary purchases. White/red raw rice 89.00/kg land will be allocated 307 kg of The Sunday Morning contacted fertiliser, which will be issued for All Ceylon Small and Medium- Improving state free by the Government. Scale Rice Mill Owners’ For the free fertiliser that the Association President B.K. Ranjith paddy stocks Government is to issue to a farmer, on the issues they are facing at In an attempt to provide some the farmer will have to give 1,000 The paddy that we purchase PHOT ©FAO present due to the fluctuating relief, the Government, through the kg of paddy after the harvest to the at say Rs. 76, once sent to paddy purchasing prices and the Paddy Development Board, is to Government. the market, has incurred a wholesale of processed rice stocks. purchase paddy from all farmers “A farmer approximately BY SARAH HANNAN that are stockpiled with private processing, packaging, and “We purchase paddy on a going forward, so that they could harvests paddy stocks of 4,000- companies go up in price, placing transport cost between Rs. 30- daily basis for milling from the improve the current stock of 30,000 5,000 kg for a hectare of paddy Once again, the country is the millers in a difficult situation, 40, which means we sell the stockades, as we do not have metric tonnes up to 300,000 metric land. The Government supplies likely to face a rice shortage as they are unable to make any stocks at the wholesale price of storage silos for paddy. Although tonnes. them with free fertiliser and which is directly linked to the profit from processing the paddy Rs. 120 per kilogramme at the the CAA fixed a maximum price As a temporary measure irrigates the cultivation areas lack of a proper price controlling to rice and then having to sell it at least on 4 November, for four varieties, last week, a Cabinet decision for free as well. The farmer mechanism for paddy purchasing the controlled price communicated All Ceylon Small and Medium- we are unable to sell the end was made to acquire the paddy therefore has a responsibility to Scale Rice Mill Owners’ and wholesale and retail prices of through the Consumer Affairs Association President B.K. Ranjith product at that price because the stocks that were available with provide 1,000 kg of paddy to rice stocks. Authority (CAA). paddy purchasing prices are not the district secretariats and the the Paddy Marketing Board at Concerns were raised by paddy The temporary fixes that the controlled.” Paddy Development Board, which the controlled paddy prices set farmers and rice mill owners over Government introduces from implementation of a proper Ranjith questioned as to how was to be given to the small by the Government. This will the recurring crisis that they face time to time have now reached mechanism in paddy purchasing, they are to purchase paddy at Rs. and medium-scale rice mills for allow us to gather a paddy stock mid-cultivation cycle, where just a breaking point as farmers, rice milling, and releasing rice to the 76 per kilogramme and then bear processing, so that rice stocks can of approximately 300,000 metric three weeks to the next harvesting mill owners, and the consumers market at a controlled price. the costs of processing, packing, be made available through Sathosa tonnes as state paddy stocks,” day, there is a price increase in rice. are trapped in a price war that is Amid an economy that is and releasing it to the markets at and co-operative outlets at the Wijesiri opined. Moreover, the paddy stocks created due to the long overdue handicapped by a pandemic and the that cost. While the Government controlled price. Contd. on page 11 6 the sunday morning FOCUS Sunday, November 15, 2020

BY SARAH HANNAN COVID-19 Once again, the public is being pushed to decipher the very confusing technical statements of Covid-19 prevention measures that the health authorities have issued for each institution to disseminate, Re-emergence and explaining the restriction of service to the public. When the Western Province travel restriction was announced on Wednesday (11) evening, stating that no one was allowed mixed messaging to leave the Western Province starting from 10 p.m. the same day till Sunday night, z Stigma around the quarantine process but that people were allowed to enter the z Not the new normal of the first wave Province until Thursday (12) morning, there People going about their day-to-day activities was somewhat of a panic amongst the public. By now, the public is growing quite people to quarantine centres by separating the threat level of the virus. Sri Lanka is still and returning to Colombo for work at the Later, towards Wednesday evening, Army anxious about what will befall them next, family members, placing some of the family experiencing a cluster of cases which means Maradana Railway Station after the lifting of the Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva and given that a reassuring statement can by members in a vulnerable position. we are at Level 3 of the threat levels.” curfew imposed on the Western Province then Police Spokesperson Deputy Inspector evening be changed, halting the day-to-day Dr. Aluthge also reiterated that given the PHOTO LALITH PERERA General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana work that people are asked to get on with Most suited preventive measure nature of this virus and its recent mutation, issued separate statements on how the travel under the strict guidelines. Government Medical Officers’ Association the so-called herd immunity is not the most under lockdown, but later, realising the restriction would come into effect, whilst Amidst the second wave of Covid-19, (GMOA) Editor Dr. Haritha Aluthge stated: effective method to combat this disease. socioeconomic impact, we have now adapted promising that it is not a quarantine curfew “what is the new normal?” is a question that “By now, we have been advised by the World “The President has stated that this is a to isolating/imposing quarantine curfew and that is imposed, but that they were basically is not going to have a straightforward answer Health Organisation that the entire world healthcare emergency and any decision that restricting travel to control the virus from creating a buffer between the provinces that at this point. Therefore, The Sunday Morning will have to learn to live with the virus. They is taken by the Government to control the spreading, whilst keeping the country open are not considered high-risk zones and the spoke to the healthcare sector to understand have been issuing health guidelines and have spread of the disease is done after consulting for day-to-day activities,” Dr. Aluthge noted. Western Province, so that the spread of the where we stand, what needs to be done, and been revising accordingly; some countries experts in the healthcare field. During He added that the public should take virus would be minimised. the whole stigma that is built around sending can adapt to the said guidelines according to the first wave, we had the entire country responsibility and follow the given health guidelines accordingly and contribute towards minimising the spread of the disease. Co-ordination needs improvement Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) President Prof. Indika Karunathilake, noted that the approach of mass quarantine has created concerns and uncertainty among the general public as well as health workers. “Inter-sectoral co-ordination in the process is seriously lacking. This will negatively affect the trust of the general public and the morale of the health system. Criminalisation of disease leading to a reduction in self-reporting will hamper the preventive process.” He added that sensationalisation and stigmatisation by the media has worsened the situation. Using fear as a health promotional tool is totally incorrect and unacceptable, as it affects negatively by aggravating stigmatisation, he noted. “The process of quarantining, especially, should never be highlighted as a punishment but rather as a preventive healthcare measure, and in such a situation, it is very important to plan ahead to use our resources to the maximum benefit,” Prof. Karunathilake expressed. “The most important thing is to prevent infection among healthcare workers while minimising the casualties among Covid- 19-infected patients. With the exponential increase in numbers, it is vital to maximally utilise the limited resources available. PCR testing should be focused mainly on the suspected patients and surveillance should be strengthened through testing at outpatient departments and in-ward settings. It is important to take appropriate precautions to safeguard healthcare workers,” Prof. Karunathilake elaborated.

Issues in referring to quarantine facilities In the past, there have been various problems in taking such groups to quarantine. Such problematic situations were reported, especially in the transportation of garment factory workers. Those who voiced and protested against them also had to face the scrutiny of the authorities. However, after that, a family of medical professionals was also affected by the quarantine process, which created a backdrop of open opposition from medical professionals as well. With the increase in the number of patients identified in the country, quarantine has been limited to home quarantine and only infected people are being taken away. Now, patients are identified not only in the garment factories or fish shops. Infections are now being reported in various government and private institutions and among people at various levels of society as well. The problem is now affecting the families of many of those infected in various ways. Public Health Inspectors’ Union Sri Lanka (PHIUSL) Secretary M. Balasooriya, explaining the reason behind having to separate family members when sending them to quarantine centres, said: “Each family member may be placed in a different location depending on their circumstances. This disease is spreading more rapidly in society at this stage than other diseases. This condition can lead to other problems if the patient is left homeless. The surrounding people may accuse a patient of being at home. For such reasons, they have to be taken to a management centre.” Moreover, the public health inspectors have observed that there were many instances where even the closest relatives refuse to care for an infected person. “When an infected person is taken away, there must be a system in place to take care of the rest of the family. Apart from the health officers, there are a number of officers in the area such as a grama niladhari, a samurdhi development officer, or a social service officer. There are religious leaders and various voluntary organisations in social co-operation as well. There should be social discourse on these matters and they should be brought to the notice of higher officials and must be corrected. The main support in controlling such an epidemic is the support of the people and society,” Balasooriya elaborated. the sunday morning 7 Sunday, November 15, 2020 FOCUS

BY PUJANEE GALAPPATHTHI AND DINITHI GUNASEKERA In the midst of a pandemic, and the anxiety the general public is experiencing as a result, there is a tendency to neglect the issues faced by certain factions of society – SAFETY OF STREET CLEANERS AMIDST THE PANDEMIC keeping them out of sight and out of mind. Among these vastly neglected groups who toil day and night are street cleaners and garbage collectors. Speaking to a representative from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC), who wished to remain anonymous, The Sunday Morning found out that street sweepers and garbage collectors in the Western Province were required to work during the periodic Clad in quarantine curfews that were imposed, due to the essential nature of their work. These workers were provided with safety kits including masks, gloves, safety robes, and disinfectant by the CMC to equip them to do so safely. “We provide immunity-boosting drinks and other Ayurvedic products for our PHOTO ABANS workers to maintain their health at optimal orange, levels. During the curfew, we provided them with meals and safe accommodation yet invisible as well. Furthermore, we conducted PCR tests on our workers whenever necessary and depending on the results, we have taken the necessary steps to treat them, and safeguard their co-workers and families. If quarantining is required, due to a family member testing positive for Covid-19, we improve their capacity, by the name of A QUICK LOOK AT WHAT WAS SAID the labour that is hired.” take steps to provide each of these families ‘Parisara Mithuro’, through which we do Dr. Gunasekara further explained that with a grocery packet worth Rs. 5,000.” annual medical check-ups on each of these We conducted PCR tests on our programme to improve their the level of destitution some of within the last 25 years, there had been a All attempts to contact CMC Chief workers and make sure they are fit and workers whenever necessary and capacity these individuals are facing. Even general decrease in formal employment Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Dr. R.L. ready to work. depending on the results, we Western Province a quarantine centre is a luxury worldwide and increased contract labour. De S. Wijayamuni, to get further insight into “During the first outbreak of the have taken the necessary steps to Waste Management to them However, although the municipality is the health procedures put in place for CMC pandemic, we provided them PPE (personal treat them, and safeguard their Authority Director Nalin Political economist and OUSL subcontracted under private companies such workers, proved futile. protective equipment) worth Rs. 3 million, co-workers and families Mannapperuma senior lecturer Dr. Vagisha as Abans, the municipality is by default not When asked about the safety of garbage which included disinfectant, gloves, and CMC Deputy Commissioner’s Gunasekara responsible for payments to employees. collectors when handling different kinds of facemasks, with clear guidelines on how to Office Representative When the garbage collectors “At the time I was doing this study, one garbage disposed all around the Colombo use them. finally arrived after inquiring We are given sanitiser and private company’s workers were not given District, the CMC told us that in the case “During the second wave, we received Steps were taken through the numerous times if our area gloves as well. The authorities EPF and ETF and were paid only Rs. 550 of garbage disposal, in order to ensure PPE worth Rs. 8 million from the Japanese company to maintain optimum had residents who had tested have briefed us on how to per day, which consisted of 12-hour shifts. the safety of everyone involved in the International Co-operation Agency (JICA), safety for the street cleaners positive or who were in handle garbage and transport it. Currently, it is expected to have increased, process, they ensure the separate and safe which was distributed amongst workers in subcontracted under the CMC. quarantine, they wore masks Garbage from quarantine houses but probably not by a sizable amount. The disposal of possibly infectious waste. We the Western Province, and we are expecting In addition to gloves and masks, and gloves, but other than that, are separated and burnt interest of private companies is not to pay were further told that the Western Province more PPE worth Rs. 4 million from JICA in they are provided with face nothing outstanding Kotte area CMC sanitary employees high wages, but rather profit Waste Management Authority had issued the near future.” shields Dr. Shiromi worker Lionel K. generation. guidelines to all garbage collectors on the All attempts to contact the relevant Abans Chief Operations Muthukudaarachchi, “Street cleaners are constantly Manager M.P.J. Senevirathne resident of Ja-Ela The Municipal Council provides process by which this needs to be handled, authorities in the Kalutara and Gampaha us with drinks and meals during marginalised from society. It’s a real paradox, in line with the health guidelines of the municipalities, and Ja-Ela Provincial There are 6,000 sanitary A homeless street cleaning curfew times, and provides a Rs. as they are extremely visible yet invisible,” Ministry of Health. Council member Saman Palitha for workers in the Western Province woman I know told me that 5,000 economy pack monthly to stated Dr. Gunasekara. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, comment proved unsuccessful. involved in garbage collection, being taken to a quarantine some families who are placed in Abans Chief Operations Manager M.P.J. However, the residents of Ja-Ela had segregation, and transportation. centre with three meals a day quarantine From their lips Senevirathne confirmed that: “Steps were much to say. The Waste Management and a bed to sleep in does not Kotte area CMC sanitary A CMC sanitary worker in the Kotte taken through the company to maintain “It took weeks upon weeks for the Authority has a special sound like a terrible idea. That is worker Sinnaiya area, Lionel K., shared that there are new optimum safety for the street cleaners Provincial Council to visit our area for regulations to collect garbage now, because subcontracted under the CMC. In addition garbage collection. In fact, I had to contact of Covid-19. to gloves and masks, they are provided with one authority after another. Our area had a day in the life of a Colombo street cleaner” employees deployed through a bureaucratic “We are given sanitiser and gloves as well. face shields.” been under curfew since day one of the (2015) by Dr. Vagisha Gunasekara, a political process with ensured Employees’ Provident The authorities have briefed us on how to Western Province Waste Management second wave of Covid. economist and senior lecturer of politics and Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund handle garbage and transport it. Garbage Authority Director Nalin Mannapperuma, “When the garbage collectors finally international relations at the Open University (ETF) benefits, workers at private companies from quarantine houses is separated and speaking further on the matter, told us that arrived after inquiring numerous times of Sri Lanka (OUSL), outlines research such as Abans and CareKleen that supply burnt. Some of our colleagues from the special guidelines have been circulated if our area had residents who had tested done based on analyses of the lives of street street cleaning services under which the Kotahena and Keselwatta areas, which had through leaflets and audio and video positive or who were in quarantine, they cleaners in drastically distorted post-war Sri relevant municipality is subcontracted, and the majority of the Covid-19-positive cases, presentations on how garbage should be wore masks and gloves, but other than that, Lanka. workers under other separate manpower were made to take PCR tests and some safely handled during the pandemic. nothing outstanding,” expressed a resident Her research largely involves street companies that hire daily-wage labourers. of them and their families were placed in He further said: “There are 6,000 sanitary of Ja-Ela, Gampaha District, Dr. Shiromi cleaners she had befriended over time. “Those under private companies are more quarantine. We worked during the curfew as workers in the Western Province involved Muthukudaarachchi. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Dr. common, as they are cheaper and can be well, and during these days, we were given in garbage collection, segregation, and Gunasekara shared that there are several dispatched upon request unlike in formal food by the Municipal Council.” transportation. The Waste Management Visible but invisible types of street cleaners: the Municipal employment which enables the involvement Authority has a special programme to The paper titled “Orange is for oppression: Council street cleaners who are government of a union, which upholds accountability for Contd. on page 11

Female inmates and children Riot in March resulted in Among the Department of Prisons’ Covid-19- inmate deaths Covid-19 goes behind bars infected inmates, the majority that was reported Even during the first wave of Covid-19 in the this time were female inmates. The Sunday country, the prison system was affected and z Three dedicated Morning asked the Prisons Commissioner General prison visits had to be halted while there was Thushara Upuldeiniya as to what measures are also a food shortage that the inmates faced since treatment centres in place to ensure they are receiving medical their families were not allowed to visit them. This allocated for inmates care and that the rest of the female inmates resulted in riots in March at the Anuradhapura and children are separated or quarantined Prison, where inmates became restless when z New inmates sent accordingly to ensure the disease does not their food supplies ran out, and due to the spread. congestion in the said prison, the inmates had on mandatory Responding, Upuldeniya said: “We have demanded that they be sent home to protect 14-day quarantine at converted the Pallansena Prison in Negombo themselves from contracting the virus. to treat female inmates and children that test Amid the operation to take control of the Bogambara and Boossa positive for the virus, and then we place under situation by prison officials and then the special quarantine any female inmate or child who task force that was deployed, two prisoners were BY SARAH HANNAN comes into contact with the Covid-19-positive killed as they attempted to escape the prison A group of inmates that was transferred to the Bogambara Prison for Covid-19 quarantine and to inmate. Moreover, the Prison Hospital Ward premises by scaling the walls, whilst several The Department of Prisons is once again undergo PCR tests and health screenings, last Thursday (12) launched a protest on the roof of the in the Welikada Prison Complex too has been others sustained injuries and were admitted to challenged by the spread of Covid-19 in complex demanding their PCR testing be expedited converted into a Covid-19 treatment and the Anuradhapura Hospital. a few of its prisons, with the amount of quarantine centre.” infected persons this time hitting record place this time to ensure the wellbeing of Development Authority (UDA) in order officers and wardens too are now working numbers. the inmates. to convert it into a shopping precinct and later able to settle the matter and calm on a shift basis and they too undergo the Given the present virulence of the virus, “We were following the health guidelines cultural park, was reacquired to move them down. Just because they protest, we necessary health screenings routinely. the prisons system in Sri Lanka has to that were issued to us when the first wave inmates for the purpose of quarantining cannot take them back to Welikada Prison. “When inmates test positive for the now look at decongesting the prisons and took place. Therefore, the virus wouldn’t them. We will keep them in that facility until virus after the PCR tests, we transfer ensuring that any inmate who comes into have been transmitted by a person that Last Thursday (12), a group of inmates their quarantine period is completed and them to the Kandakadu Treatment Centre, contact with a Covid-19-positive inmate is was remanded. Since the beginning of the that was transferred to the Bogambara they are cleared by the health authorities as Gallala Treatment Centre, and Welikanda separated and placed under quarantine in a first wave of Covid-19, we placed new Prison for Covid-19 quarantine and healthy before transferring to the respective Treatment Centre through the Covid-19 separate unit/prison until the necessary PCR inmates in a separate ward for up to 14 isolation purposes and to carry out the prisons,” Upuldeniya noted. Prevention Task Force,” Upuldeniya testing is conducted, while being closely days in an attempt to prevent the virus from necessary PCR tests and health screenings, explained. monitored for at least 14 days. spreading.” had climbed onto the roof of the complex Strict health guidelines He added that the Bogambara Prison With the outbreak of what is now In the meantime, as the second wave of and launched a protest demanding to be With several inmates from the Welikada, Complex and Boossa High Security identified as the second wave of Covid-19 Covid-19 hit the country, the Department taken back to the Welikada Prison Complex Bogambara, and Matara Prisons in the Prison Complex are dedicated quarantine in the country, strict health guidelines have of Prisons had commenced the conversion and demanding that their PCR testing be recent weeks testing positive for Covid-19, facilities and any new prison admissions been issued for many institutions that deal of several prisons into quarantine centres/ expedited. the Department of Prisons is said to have are directed to these prisons before they with large crowds. isolation centres and treatment centres. “Most of these inmates who were imposed strict health guidelines. Movement are sent to the respective prisons at which The Sunday Morning spoke to Accordingly, the Bogambara Prison transferred to the Bogambara Prison within the prison premises is restricted to they have to serve their term. Commissioner General of Prisons Thushara Complex that was decommissioned and Complex are drug offenders, and they were ensure that the disease does not spread. Upuldeniya on the measures that are in vested under the authority of the Urban acting in a very unruly manner. We were Upuldeniya also noted that the prison Contd. on page 14 the sunday morning Sunday, November 15, 2020 EDITORIAL/POLITICS z SLPP’s budget for 2021 defeated in three local government bodies The Covid juggernaut z SLPP backbenchers hand over letter Even though the health authorities would like to make us believe that inviting Basil to enter Parliament the Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka is under control, the continuing spike in the death toll, as well as the number of patients infected with the z Corona talk in the lobby turns to virus, paints a very different picture. It seems the number of detections of Covid-19 cases is only stifled by testing capacity limitations with the Dayasiri, as security test positive Colombo District now on the threshold of an explosion of cases based on an estimate by the Colombo Municipal Council’s Chief Medical Officer z SJB still unable to rein in errant BUDGET 2021 that there could be upwards of 30,000 undetected cases in the city alone. If the authorities take the doctor at his word, serious questions are likely MPs of coalition partners to arise over the available capacity in hospitals to handle such a caseload over a short period. It also begs the question whether this 30,000, who at the moment may be asymptomatic, are going about their daily routines, The Government, led by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa oblivious to the possibility that they could be acting as super spreaders. and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, is currently facing For the good of the country, we hope the medical officer may be off the several battles – one in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic mark in his prediction, for if he were to be correct and even if just 10% and the other in the form of economic revival. Neither battle of this number needed hospitalisation, then a medical crisis of formidable seems to be showing signs of abating any time soon. LITMUS TEST FOR proportions is on the horizon. The Head of the Covid-19 Task Force, the Army Commander, made The Government is to face exempting most small and a startling revelation saying that out of the 48 fatalities so far, only five its litmus test on economic medium-scale businesses from had been attributed exclusively to the virus while the rest succumbed to management when it presents its VAT; removed income taxes on complications caused by the virus on existing immuno-compromised first official budget for 2021 this agriculture, plantation crops, conditions. These include heart disease, lung infections or weak lungs, Tuesday (17). livestock, and farm activity; diabetes, kidney or liver issues, etc. Based on this categorisation, it is The 2021 Budget that will be and removed the PAYE (pay as likely that 75% of the population over the age of 40 suffer from some presented by Prime Minister you earn) tax on information sort of pre-existing condition related to the above, thereby putting them Rajapaksa is expected to set the technology-related jobs and GOVERNMENT at heightened risk in the event of contracting the virus. All such patients tone of the Government’s policies foreign employment. are likely to require intensive care treatment. Whether the country has the for the year ahead. “By reducing the annual required infrastructure to provide such treatment is a matter for the health The Prime Minister, addressing interest rates on Treasury Bills authorities to deal with immediately. Parliament during the debate on and Treasury Bonds from 15% Over the past couple of weeks, the Government has come under heavy the 2020 Appropriation Bill last to around 5%, not only were we flak over the manner in which it has handled the evolving situation. It has Thursday (12), said that while able to reduce the pressure of done itself no good by continuing to deny that social spread has taken place, the International Monetary Fund interest cost, but we were also even in the face of mounting evidence of new clusters being created all (IMF) had projected a 4.6% able to disburse loans amounting over the place. As of last week, new, growing clusters have been identified negative growth by end-2020, to almost Rs. 250 billion to those in the police, the prisons, and the port in Colombo. We are at a loss to the Government would present a public and private entities that understand why the health authorities are seeking to deny the obvious when budget aimed at creating a modern were struggling. We were able to all evidence points to the contrary, with Sri Lanka now reaching the grim economy through the “Vistas of stabilise the exchange rate, which milestone of recording over 50 Covid-19-related deaths. It has also come to Prosperity” policy document. was steadily depreciating then at light that another 98 Sri Lankans have died of the disease overseas (at the “We have around the Rs. time of writing), most notably in Saudi Arabia, while awaiting repatriation. to not only 185 level and At the heart of the growing controversy is the manner in which the convert a to service the Government has handled key aspects of the crisis, such as the delay in negative foreign debt increasing testing capacity, expansion of quarantine facilities and quality economy to a of $ 4,200 of service provided by private entities, militarising the quarantine operation positive high million, thus to the extent that people think twice about informing the authorities when economic averting the symptoms appear, ad hoc provision of relief to those without an income, growth rate of country being corruption plaguing the relief effort, growing controversy over arbitrary 6%, but such classified into cremation of deceased victims, especially Muslims and Christians, irregular growth should a debt default repatriation of Sri Lankans abroad, appointing inexperienced individuals result in the status,” to key positions in the health set up, etc. eradication Rajapaksa had According to the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Government of poverty. I wish to remind this said. has so far spent Rs. 70 billion on Covid control measures which include House that this is the vision of the It is evident that the conducting PCR tests. This, however, pales into insignificance when ‘Vistas of Prosperity’ policy as Government led by President considering the amount the lowest income sector of the population has presented by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is well aware of the expended just to make ends meet over the past few weeks. According to Rajapaksa. I will present the need to keep the economy afloat. Central Bank data, people from lower income groups have obtained nearly proposals to create a modern While facing a re-emergence Rs. 700 billion in loans by pawing personal effects, predominantly jewellery. economy in our country through of Covid-19, President That is a full ten times of what the Government has spent on Covid control ‘Vistas of Prosperity’ to this Rajapaksa had said that it is the as well as public welfare measures during the pandemic so far. House, through the budget speech Government’s policy to keep the The people who have obtained these loans have done so not to party or 2021 on 17 November,” the Prime economy going while ensuring purchase fancy goods, but to merely put food on the table. Deprived of an Minister had said. all the activities including income, as the majority are daily wage earners, their last and only recourse According to the Prime employment, agriculture, and to funds is to pawn their belongings, and given the economic outlook, it is Minister, the IMF had projected fishing move forward. unlikely that they will ever be able to retrieve their precious belongings, as a 10.3% economic contraction The President had made the ability to repay in the short term – which is how the pawning system for India, a 1.9% growth for these remarks during the daily operates – is in serious doubt. China, and a 4.3% contraction discussion with the members Last week, residents in some of the biggest residential complexes in for the US, due to the Covid-19 of the Task Force on Covid-19 the north of Colombo came out in protest despite the lockdown effective pandemic. Prevention held at the Presidential in that area in order to bring it to the attention of the authorities that they The Prime Minister had Secretariat last Monday (9). were starving. These people claim that no relief has been provided to them said the new Government’s “We have three options in either in kind by way of the bag of food rations which has been valued accomplishments in 2020, even the face of the spread of the at Rs. 10,000 or by way of the Rs. 5,000 cash grant. When thousands of amidst many challenges, were pandemic. The first is to lock President Gotabaya Rajapaksa people in the most populous area of the commercial capital are crying out considerable, which include down the entire country by to be saved from hunger, it points to systemic failure. solving the unemployment issue imposing curfew. The second is party being defeated. each from the Janatha Vimukthi Meanwhile, on the other side of the same Colombo District, in Maharagama with nearly 40,000 people under not to do anything. Carrying our The 2021 budget proposals Peramuna (JVP) and an to be specific, an investigation has been launched by the District Secretary the programme tipped to be normal activities while controlling presented by the SLPP in independent group. pertaining to corruption allegations on the distribution of the Rs. 10,000 provided jobs, targeting 100,000 the disease is the third option and the Ampara Urban Council, However, six SLPP councillors ration pack. The contrast within the same district could not be starker. At people from the poorest families. we opted for that,” President had Ja-Ela Pradeshiya Sabha, and had voted against the budget a critical juncture like this, there should be zero tolerance for misconduct He had further noted that the said. Haldummulla Pradeshiya Sabha presented by their party. Three and those responsible for alleged corruption in Maharagama, as well Government had reduced VAT were defeated last Thursday. UNP councillors had voted in as negligence and dereliction of duty in Maligawatta should be swiftly (value added tax) and NBT Budget defeats The Ampara Urban Council favour of the budget presentation investigated and dealt with. (nation building tax) from 17% to However, the governing Sri consists of nine SLPP councillors, while the SLFP councillors had The other matter that requires swift resolution is the controversial issue 8% and increased the applicable Lanka Podujana Peramuna four United National Party voted against it. of burying Covid victims. One must keep in mind that no individual would turnover threshold for VAT to Rs. (SLPP) last week saw the budgets (UNP) councillors, three Sri The budget of the Ampara willingly contract this deadly virus. They fall victim through circumstances 25 million per month (it was Rs. presented for 2021 in three of the Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Urban Council was defeated by of which they have little control, other than wearing a mask and washing 1 million per month previously), local governing bodies led by the councillors, and one councillor 12 councillors voting against and hands. Therefore, those who contract the virus should not be ostracised six councillors voting in favour of and every effort must be made to remove the stigma attached to those who the proposals. fall victim to it. On the contrary, what is required on the part of the state Meanwhile, the budget apparatus, at least symbolically, is to offer sympathy and empathy to the presented to the Ja-Ela Pradehsiya victims. Matters are made worse when the State, on its own, decrees that Sabha that consists of 47 victims should be cremated irrespective of their religious beliefs. members had been defeated when Last week, the United Nations representative in the country weighed in four of the 23 SLPP councillors in on the matter, stating that the “common assumption that people who died the local government body voted of a communicable disease should be cremated to prevent spread is not against it. While 24 councillors supported by evidence”. voted against the budget For the record, it is yet to be proven that any one of the 52 million cases proposals, 18 councillors had recorded throughout the world, up to now, has contracted the disease voted in favour of it. through contaminated groundwater, which has been the so-called scientific However, the SLPP had basis for not allowing burials in the country. To date, Sri Lanka is the only faced its worst defeat in the country that disallows burials of Covid victims while every other country Haldummulla Pradeshiya Sabha. allows it. Therefore, it can be safely assumed that the denial of this basic Out of the 20 councillors in the right has more to do with politics than science. local government body, only three If the authorities are so concerned about groundwater contamination, councillors had voted in favour. have they looked into the steps in place to safely dispose of water used by Covid patients in remote hospitals and quarantine facilities located across Opposition concerns the country? What about the hotels and residences where Covid patients Nevertheless, the Government are detected and, most importantly, the laboratories handling testing? What overcame its first hurdle of about the safe disposal of used swabs and test kits that could potentially passing the 2020 Appropriation contain the virus? Bill in Parliament last week It is indeed a relief that sanity seems to have prevailed and the President without a vote. is reported to have instructed officials to identify a suitable land for burial However, the Opposition of Covid victims in accordance with their religious beliefs. parties raised objections over No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. the Government’s economic Fax - 011 2 673 441 management as well as its policy General - 011 5 200 900 implementation. Director Sales & Marketing - 077 3 866 143 It was Tamil National Alliance Circulation Manager - 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367620 (TNA) Jaffna District MP E-mail - [email protected] M.A. Sumanthiran who raised questions over the legality of 9 EDITORIAL/POLITICS

of his security officers had tested The Committee on Parliamentary positive that day. Business was chaired by Speaker Jayasekera had said that while Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena. PCR tests were conducted on Others present were Deputy several police personnel from the Speaker Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, Cinnamon Gardens Police who Leader of the House Dinesh were providing security to his Gunawardena, Chief Opposition official residence, several tests Whip Lakshman Kiriella, Mahinda have turned out Covid-19-positive Amaraweera, Susil Premajayantha, results. Wimal Weerawansa, Mahinda Hearing this, a few governing Samarasinghe, Rauff Hakeem, party parliamentarians had turned Gayantha Karunatilleka, Anura BUDGET 2021 to humour by inviting other Kumara Dissanayake, and Mano government MPs to sit with the Ganesan. Minister, saying he was infected. Secretary General of Parliament While some of the government Dhammika Dasanayake and MPs had laughed, others had Deputy Secretary General and physically moved away from Chief of Staff Neil Iddawela were Jayasekera. also present. However, after having a good Finally, the Speaker on Thursday laugh with the governing party announced that the Committee LITMUS TEST FOR MPs, Jayasekera had said that on Parliamentary Business had the police officer who had tested decided to debate the Appropriation positive was involved in providing Bill for 2021 for 21 days and security to his residence and was not 19 days as stated in the news not his personal security detail. release. Push for Basil SJB MPs at PCoI A group of parliamentarians Meanwhile, several Opposition representing the SLPP have SJB members were summoned GOVERNMENT heading to the lowest in the region commenced a campaign to collect before the Presidential Commission to 9% of GDP from 13% during the signatures to a letter inviting the of Inquiry (PCoI) on political Yahapalana Government,” he had party’s Founder/National Organiser victimisation last week. said. former Minister Basil Rajapaksa to Five SJB MPs arrived at the enter Parliament. PCoI last Monday to give evidence The collection of signatures . for the letter had commenced last Accordingly, MPs Harin Thursday and by Friday morning Fernando, Nalin Bandara, J.C. (13), the letter had collected close Alawathuwala, Mayantha to 20 signatures mainly from the Dissanayake, and Sujith Sanjaya backbenchers from Parliament. Perera arrived at the commission. “You created the political party They had recently filed a that has now become the largest complaint with the Commission to political party in the country after Investigate Allegations of Bribery winning three national elections or Corruption (CIABOC) over the like the local government, alleged misconduct of the PCoI on presidential, and general election political victimisation. within a short period of four The Commission had thereafter years. You gave life to the party summoned the five SJB MPs, and organised it from the setting accusing them of making up of the village-level organising defamatory remarks on the PCoI. committees to the senior office SJB General Secretary MP bearers. Therefore, we are unable Ranjith Madduma Bandara had to think of the Sri Lanka Podujana told the media that the Commission Peramuna without you,” the letter had not conducted an inquiry on had stated. the five MPs who were summoned SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne “However, the party’s Founder is over the matter. still not in Parliament. We believe Instead, the PCoI had informed Wickramaratne had accused the that your entry to Parliament is the group that the matter had been Government of making changes to vital for the country’s economic forwarded to the Court of Appeal. the taxation policies without the development and to ensure the The SJB is continuing with its required legislation being brought active participation of the Sri grassroots-level campaign for to Parliament during this year. Lanka Podujana Peramuna in the the programme on building an Only the VAT rate could be process. Therefore, we request opposition for the people. changed and no other rates can be you to enter Parliament as soon as It is in this backdrop that changed without the approval of possible,” the letter had added. Kalutara Mayor Ameer Nazir the Parliament. Galle District MP Sampath and 11 other local government He had also cautioned that Atukorala had signed the letter first members joined the SJB after when the revenue drops, the poor and it includes the signatures of meeting with Opposition Leader are under pressure and there is a SLFP MPs Angajan Ramanathan Sajith Premadasa. possibility for revolutions to occur. and Cader Masthan. SJB MPs Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, “Hence, it is the responsibility of Kumara Welgama, and Ajith P. every government to make sure Perera had also attended the event. revenue is increased to serve the poor of the country and that the ACMC undecided rich needs to be taxed, so the poor The SJB last week received shall live without burdens. All of an official communication from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa us can live in harmony; we need a one of its coalition partners, the more equal society,” he had added. All Ceylon Makkal Congress the Appropriation Bill for 2020 the months of April and May. also pointed to the difficulties According to Wickramaratne, the (ACMC) on Tuesday (10), presented to Parliament. “None of those were public faced by the public in the battle for Government had failed in terms of informing them that the party The MP alleged that it was a services. But all those expenditures survival. generating income, and borrowing could not take action against two Bill intended to cover up various were done, expenses were met, The Samagi Jana Balawegaya also needs the approval of Parliament of its members who voted for the illegalities that had been purported developmental activities were (SJB) noted that the people have on its limits, as borrowings have 20th Amendment last month until in this country. carried out. All this is in violation pawned gold worth Rs. 643 billion increased by Rs. 1,230 billion without Party Leader Rishad Bathiudeen “The Bill that is before us is of the very strict limitation imposed for loans so far, an amount which proper approval. “In other words, it was able to preside over a not only a strange Bill, but it is an by the provision of the Constitution is higher than the Government’s is Rs. 5.8 billion a day. In terms of meeting on disciplinary action. act to cover up various illegalities that says for specific public income tax revenue. the GDP, it will reach Rs. 16 trillion “I wish to inform you that that have been purported in this service only. So, there is a blatant SJB MP Kabir Hashim said the in 2020. As the country is heading the political authority of the country,” Sumanthiran had said violation of the Constitution by this Government’s tax revenue has towards negative growth, how can party is either handicapped or during the Second Reading debate Government and what is worse, reduced to Rs. 400 billion. the GDP go up as indicated by the unable to take any decision with on the Bill. for the period 1 May to 31 August, “This shows how difficult it is Treasury?” he had questioned. regard to the conduct of the said He had noted that an there was no resolution under for the people. On the other hand, He had emphasised that the parliamentarians at this juncture, in Appropriation Bill must be debated Article 152,” he had pointed out. the unpaid credit cards amount is country needed to face these SLPP Founder/National Organiser view of the fact that the Leader of and approved prior to the financial According to Sumanthiran, 41% and this amounts to Rs. 15.8 challenges openly without hiding former Minister Basil Rajapaksa the All Ceylon Makkal Congress year for which it applies and it was the Minister of Finance had said billion. However, the Government data. “In the first quarter, there Full debate is unavailable to preside over the only then that the Executive could twice that the President was acting keeps saying that the country is was negative growth of the meeting to deliberate on the matter obtain the approval of Parliament under Article 150 Subsection 3 functioning smoothly. If that’s economy; this quarter should reach However, in the run-up to the due to him being incarcerated over to draw from the Consolidated which authorised expenses, and the case, why are people pawning approximately to 17-18%. Annual 2021 Budget presentation this a court case,” ACMC Secretary Fund, borrow, and generally argued that under Article 153, the this much gold?” Hashim had growth is expected to be a 6-9% week, the Opposition locked horns General S. Subairdeen had written administer the finances of the President could only authorise questioned. negative growth.” with the governing party over the to SJB General Secretary Ranjith country. spending for public services until He had said the Government’s Wickramaratne also drove a number of dates allocated for the Madduma Bandara. “Article 148 of the Constitution the expiry of three months from the move to reduce income tax revenue point to all legislators when he budget debate. The ACMC had stated that very clearly says that the date of which the new Parliament was a short-sighted move. “The had said that parliamentarians Opposition members last the party had taken serious Parliament will have full control was summoned to meet. standard is that a government’s tax have a responsibility towards the Monday (9) raised objections to note of the conduct of the two over public finance. No tax rate “Originally, the new Parliament revenue should amount to 20% of people of this country and not attempts by the Government to parliamentarians. However, or any other levy will be imposed was summoned to meet in GDP. We maintained this at 10%, towards the President. “People are limit the 2021 Budget debate to 11 the ACMC said, given the by any local authority or any other May 2020. Thereafter, after the but this Government reduced it to the sovereign in a republic, and days, citing the current Covid-19 circumstances, the party could only public authority except by or Election Commission postponed less than 10%,” he had said. political representatives have been situation in the country. The move, inform the SJB on the matter after under the authority of law passed the elections; it was put off until The MP had noted that the elected by the people. Therefore, it if implemented, would reduce the release of Bathiudeen. by Parliament or of any existing 20 August. Nevertheless, the Government had asked for a is the duty of the parliamentarians the number of days the budget The SJB had taken disciplinary law. So, there is no law until now very limited authorities that a covering approval for expenditure to stand by the Constitution and proposals are debated. action against eight MPs who voted passed for the financial year 2020 constitution gives a president is it had already incurred by protect the freedom and the rights When the Committee on in favour of the 20th Amendment, that the Parliament has approved. during a period of dissolution; he presenting the Vote on Account. of the people.” Parliamentary Business met on after it had decided to vote against What was approved were certain can only authorise expenditure for “This has never happened before,” Monday, the Government had it at the SJB parliamentary group resolutions under Article 150 public services and nothing else,” he had added. Covid in the lobby proposed the 11-day limit, but the meeting. The SJB had called on Subsection A2. Those resolutions he had noted. Meanwhile, SJB MP Eran SLFP General Secretary Minister Opposition legislators had said the its coalition parties to take further do not permit levying of taxes or “It is bad enough that this is Wickramaratne had said in Dayasiri Jayasekera last week month-long debate which was held action against errant MPs as well. borrowing by the Government,” the coming in the month of November Parliament that since this became the centre of attention in each year should remain unchanged The Fort Magistrate’s Court MP had said. for this financial year; it is blatantly Government came into power, the the parliament lobby for MPs. and the necessary number of days on Friday further remanded He had noted that there had been revealing to us that what has taxes on the poor have increased Last Thursday, the governing should be allotted for the Second Bathiudeen until 25 November. a pressing need to make payments, been expended is far beyond the while the taxes on the rich have party MPs’ lobby in Parliament Reading and Committee Stage. Bathiudeen was remanded on 20 to spend, and to make grants to the authority that the Constitution been brought down due to political was quite entertaining when a The Committee on Parliamentary October following his arrest by the general public who were affected in gives the President,” Sumanthiran exigencies. “As a result, the discussion on the current Covid-19 Business was scheduled to meet Criminal Investigation Department several areas, such as disseminating had added. economy has gone to an abysmal situation in the country resulted in last Thursday to make a final (CID) at a residence at Ebenezer the relief of Rs. 5,000 to families in Meanwhile, the Opposition had state, with national revenue a revelation by Jayasekera that one decision on the matter. Place in Dehiwala. 10 the sunday morning VIEWS Sunday, November 15, 2020

BY PUJANEE GALAPPATHTHI Focus on stabilising the economy economic development, and welfare for the people. HARSHA ABEGUNASEKARA he Budget for the upcoming year – 2021 – will be presented to Parliament this Further, the Government FOUNDER AND CEO OF HELP.LK Tuesday (17) by Prime Minister and Minister is expected to put forward This will be quite a different Budget; T suggestions to revamp of Finance Mahinda Rajapaksa. Speaking at a the fact is that we can't expect normal the business sector and allocations as Covid has put so much media briefing held in October, Secretary to the disintegrated businesses in pressure on the whole economy. This Ministry of Finance S.R. Attygalle stated that he general. Budget must focus on stabilising the expects the upcoming budget deficit to be 9% of While this is still a hot economy. We may see a huge bump GDP this year, however, hopes that the budget topic masked with a great in allocation for health because of the deficit will be stabilised at 4.5% of GDP next year deal of expectations and upcoming Covid-19 vaccine. despite the challenges that may come up. uncertainty, this week, The Sunday Morning took to Debt crisis and declining BUDGET 2021 It is believed by national policy framework the streets to assess the GDP to the fore professionals that the Budget “Vistas of Prosperity and expectations, opinions, and will be in line with President Splendour” focusing on hopes of the general public in ASOKA RODRIGO – ENTREPRENEUR Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s people-centric development, reference to the 2021 Budget. I believe the 2021 Budget needs to remedy the current debt crisis and the WHAT DO declining GDP and should mainly be yy It is crucial to strengthen the Paddy allocations for the defence sector should dedicated to rebuilding the economy after Marketing Board to compete with paddy be diverted to the health sector, which the damage caused to it by Covid-19. mill giants to keep the rice prices under will substantiate the expenses in battling I believe the following factors should be control Covid-19 YOU EXPECT? y y included in the upcoming Budget: y Farm gate purchases must be y Abolishing the failed provincial council yy At least by mid-2021, the national yy A cut in imports of consumer goods the Ceylon Transport Board (CTB) and encouraged by supermarket chains, the system will also help reduce government carrier will need a bailout for its revival, which can be produced locally is a railways to strength and ease state sector Corporate Wholesale Establishment expenditure and on opening the airport for tourists, must. I also believe promotions in the public transport (CWE), and co-operative outlets to yy A monthly compulsory reduction of concessions must be provided to the industrial and agricultural exports sector yy Alternative incentives should be minimise middlemen in the supply 5% from all private and state sector travel and hotel trade to get tourism to increase production is vital provided for foreign currency chain, to reduce consumer prices employees’ salaries could form a fund back on track yy Adequate funds should be allocated to remittances and foreign investments yy A substantial cut in excessive budgetary to repay local borrowings of the State, during the year 2021; with this 5% saving and a nominal interest to be paid back in monthly installments during the year 2022 Compromise on luxuries and provide relief ALANKI KISHANI PERERA LAW GRADUATE, ENTREPRENEUR, AND ARTIST Almost all individuals are impacted due to the prevailing economic crisis in Sri Lanka and many are left unemployed due to the pandemic. It is important that those unemployed are provided with job opportunities within local industries such as tea, fishing, and agriculture. I do believe that the economic strain put forward by Covid-19 will be reflected in the Budget since it has severely impacted the economy of Sri Lanka in almost every way. However, at the same time I believe that relief should be granted to low-income families who are in financial distress. It is possible to provide relief by compromising on expenses and luxuries that aren’t necessary, such as vehicle permits, because this is a period of extraordinary challenges that require extreme measures and compromise. With regard to changes in the Budget for the coming year, an increase in taxes for nonessential items might be a possibility. Revamp tourism SHEHANI SENANAYAKE MANAGEMENT STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KELANIYA I do believe that the biggest focus of the 2021 Budget should be to fix the issues that were caused by Covid-19. In my opinion, firstly it should provide for the agricultural and fishing sectors, and provide more funding for small businesses around the country. There are also many people in the private sector that lost their jobs due to the pandemic and some of these people are the sole income bearers of their families. While taking steps to financially support these families, it is also the duty of the Government to provide them with suitable jobs. Another important thing is to revamp tourism in full swing. I believe this is a great opportunity to reinstall our approach to tourism; as it is one of our biggest incomes, we must not be afraid to sink a substantial amount of money into it while taking a few risks. We can follow some of the mechanisms carried out by giant tourist destinations such as Korea. The Korean Government included the aspects of their country that they wished to advertise to the world through entertainment, in the form of reality shows, movies, and even aspects of the K-pop industry. This was a brilliant strategy, and it is the best one for Sri Lanka to follow to get tourism back on track. Local is the way to go NIMESH ATTIGALLE MANAGEMENT STUDENT The upcoming Budget is the next biggest conversation amongst most people. The interesting thing is that we expect this Budget to fix all our problems, provide for the health sector, the agriculture and development sector, and stabilise the economy. But all it’s going to do is make us wonder why we expect a set of power- hungry senior citizens sitting in decision- making positions to do anything but disappoint us for the rest of our lives. Ideally, this Budget must allocate for the development sectors of the country, support the farmers and small businesses, and fund the local businesses to avoid depending on the rest of the world for spices, rice, and, buttons. If this global pandemic taught us anything, it is to strengthen local resources and build up our local industries. Contd. on page 11 the sunday morning 11 Sunday, November 15, 2020 FOCUS

NATIONAL BUDGETS Falling short on delivery? BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA in investment and tourism; this have been falling and the economy more money and make credit was followed by the coronavirus has been stagnating. The budgets cheaper with reduced interest rates, When promises are not fulfilled, pandemic in early 2020. The have not been managed well even while fiscal policy stimulants, in what is the need for a budget every Standing Lending Facility Rate though the past governments addition to increasing government year? This is the question asked by (SLFR) was also held at 5.5%. promised to bring down the spending, stimulates aggregate almost every citizen of the country. The Services PMI (Purchasing budget deficit to 4% of GDP demand. Rich countries have come Governments over the years have Managers’ Index) in Sri Lanka (gross domestic product),” Dr. to the limit of monetary policy made endless promises during edged down to 54.3 in September Wijewardena stressed. restraints. Developing countries, the annual budget presentation in of 2020 from 56 in August, but CBSL Monetary Policy while they have some space to cut Parliament, but in reality, only half still pointed to strong growth in Consultative Committee Chairman down interest rates, have fiscal or even less were fulfilled during the the services sector, as the economy Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne predicted, policy limitations. Literally, both past many decades. gradually returned to pre-pandemic while speaking to The Sunday worlds are facing limitations.” Whilst having no national Budget levels. Sri Lanka had no tourists in Morning on an earlier occasion, Meanwhile, speaking to The presented for 2020, the country’s September 2020, the same as in the that the world economy will go Sunday Morning, Advocata Chief citizens are now once again awaiting previous five months, due to the into recession this year and the Sri Operating Officer (COO) Dhananath a national Budget for 2021 this termination of all passenger flights Lankan economy, which is also Fernando said the current financial week. and ship arrivals into Sri Lanka from integrated with the global economy, situation in Sri Lanka is tight, as The Appropriation Bill for the year 18 March 2020 amid the coronavirus will have to face its consequences. debt servicing cost and expenses 2020 was passed in Parliament last pandemic. were fulfilled at a substantial level communicated in budget speeches “Unlike the previous global have gone up because of the health Thursday (12) without a vote, and is while 2% of the promises were to what is implemented, in both financial crisis, which had no effect crisis with the additional moratorium due to be presented to Parliament by Budget 2019 unfulfilled fulfilled partially. expenditure proposals and policy on developing countries like Sri given by the Government. Prime Minister and Finance Minister Since, as mentioned earlier, no The promises made in the 2019 proposals. Their analyses found that Lanka because of the capital inflows “It is more likely to get worse in Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday budget was presented for 2020, let Budget that were not fulfilled many expenditure proposals have its coming to developing countries from the coming couple of years as well. (17); the subsequent budget debate us evaluate the promises made in the included the amending of labour allocations reduced every year. In developed countries, all countries If there is a vaccine, then they will will continue until 10 December. Budget 2019. laws to allow part-time, flexible 2019, 41% of the policy proposals will be hit by what is happening in have to spend money for the vaccine The Budget is being presented The Budget 2019 promised hours, and home-working, etc. to tracked by the platform were not the world now,” Prof. Abeyratne too. At the same time, our income to Parliament at a very uncertain something for everyone; from facilitate more women becoming implemented. stressed. has been reduced. Since people are period, mainly due to the economic the allocations for religious active participants in our economy; He said that the Sri Lankan not earning because of Covid-19, crisis faced by the country as a result development to allowances for removing the minimum employment Unfavourable backdrop Government is taking both monetary they pay less taxes; and even before of the Covid-19 pandemic. persons with disabilities, housing requirement imposed on companies “The Government is going to policy and fiscal policy measures to Covid-19, the Government had loans for newly married couples, engaged in IT (information present the Budget for 2021 against mitigate the impact of the virus on given tax concessions to boost the Economic indicators international scholarships, housing technology) services to be eligible the background of a weak global the economy. economy,” he said. According to Trading Economics loans for expatriates, and many for the special additional deduction economy and challenging domestic “Typically, the governments take This would mean the Government statistics, the inflation rate in Sri more, to including allocations of 35% on the salary expenses fiscal conditions exacerbated by the short-term measures which are has a rocky road ahead in ensuring Lanka remained unchanged at 4% for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) incurred; making it mandatory Covid-19 pandemic, and therefore, called monetary policy stimulants they stick to their Budget 2021 in October 2020, the same as in Project, development of school for all entities manufacturing an effective oversight of the budget and fiscal policy stimulants. promises whilst also tackling the September. Food inflation slowed to infrastructure and Rs. 25 billion or importing single-use plastics implementation process for the Monetary policy stimulants create impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. 10% from 11.5%, reaching a five- for the development of university (as defined by the Central Financial Year 2021 would be vital,” month low. In contrast, non-food infrastructure, building an arts and Environmental Authority) to register stated Verité Research Assistant cost increased 1.3%, after a 0.9% crafts village for female convicts with the Ministry of Industry and Analyst Lahiri Jayasinghe at an rise in September. On a monthly to the construction of new fisheries Commerce before 1 September online briefing recently. basis, consumer prices edged up harbours in Point Pedro and Pesalai, 2019; allowing a deduction on Commenting on the economy 0.1%, after a 0.7% rise in September. and many others. corporate tax worth 50% of the being affected by Covid-19, senior The Central Bank of Sri Lanka Nevertheless, as pointed out by a salary cost of the mandatory three economist and former CBSL Deputy (CBSL) kept its benchmark interest think tank based in Colombo, around months of maternity leave granted Governor Dr. W.A. Wijewardena rate unchanged at 4.5% at its 29% of the proposals in the Budget to mothers; and revisiting and said the local economy has been October meeting, saying economic 2019 were fulfilled. simplifying the licensing mechanism severely affected by the global recovery is expected to pick up According to the “Budget for the processing of desiccated economic downturn at a time when speed despite the latest increase in Promises: Beyond Parliament” coconut and coconut chips. it was already suffering due to the coronavirus cases. platform of Verité Research, the According to Verité, in 2019, failure of successive governments to The CBSL cut interest rates by progress of over 40% of the budget the platform tracked 37 promises take concrete actions to strengthen a total 350 basis points since May proposals were undisclosed while worth Rs. 100,875 million from the economy, and the impact of the last year, when the deadly Easter around 8% of total promises were the 2019 Budget. According to it, Easter bombings last year. Sunday attacks triggered a slump broken. Another 8% of proposals there is a divergence from what is “All macroeconomic indicators

Contd. from page 10 Contd. from page 7

that she had found syringes, used plasters, What do... and bandages in the waste, disposed of by satellite clinics with absolutely no Spotlight on ingrown economic industry and ensuring the safety of the regulation, that are operated privately. development Clad in... people when the country is open for These people are unaware of what they are SHYAM UDAYASIRI international trade. Another CMC sanitary worker Sinnaiya, in the open, exposed to all elements,” she in contact with. However, they are provided MARKETING MANAGER also from the Kotte region, shared: “We expressed. with protective gloves and rubber boots by This year’s Budget is definitely going Compensation for caretakers work during the pandemic; during the “I noticed, when I was shadowing them the municipalities. Some time back, I have to be focused on Covid-19 and how we PREMALATHA PERERA curfew, there is no difference. We are for long hours for my research, that there is personally scolded some street cleaners can live with it for the rest of the year SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER given masks and gloves every day and nothing that separates them from the larger I’m acquainted with, advising them to without letting our economy go to the The Budget should provide for better we are required to request for sanitiser if world. As the Italian philosopher Giorgio aptly wear the provided protective gear. dogs. This is not an easy task because provisions for small business owners we are running out. According to the new Agamben would call it, it’s ‘a bare life’. In response, they used to tell me ruefully this means a majority of our finances and offer more funding for elders’ homes guidelines we were provided, we have to Insignificant things such as finding a toilet in Sinhalese to try and stand on the tarred should be allocated to the health sector and orphanages. The funding for these collect the garbage from quarantine centres or a place to have your lunch are issues roads for an hour or so under the scorching and medical research. However, the institutions right now are miniscule and in yellow garbage bags which were also they face on the daily. sun with it all on.” country needs to focus on ingrown caretakers are not duly compensated for provided to us, and we have to disinfect it “A homeless street cleaning woman Dr. Gunasekara noted that these economic development at this point in the incredible work they do either. Besides as well before destroying it. The Municipal I know told me that being taken to a individuals are granting a very important order to survive a global crisis such as this, I believe the health sector should Council provides us with drinks and meals quarantine centre with three meals a day service amidst the pandemic situation, this one in the future. I also believe we be facilitated, including the indigenous during curfew times, and provides a Rs. and a bed to sleep in does not sound like a assisting to manage and contain day-to-day need to focus on developing the tourism medicine sector. 5,000 economy pack monthly to some terrible idea. That is the level of destitution life, working at the frontlines. families who are placed in quarantine.” some of these individuals are facing. Even a quarantine centre is a luxury to them.” Volunteerism and community Contd. from page 5 Plethora of hardships co-operation Dr. Gunasekara noted that the average Cause for concern In an exchange with renowned volunteer be created to fulfil the rice requirement of street cleaner is predominantly elderly, at “Recently, as I was passing through group The Robin Hood Army, we were The rice... the country until the next harvest. This will least 50% are above the age of 60. Many Wijerama, I saw a group of street cleaners informed that due to the limitations According to Wijesiri the present stock give the Government an advantage to keep of them are reportedly from outstation and seated at a concrete corner having their imposed to control Covid, widespread of 30,000 metric tonnes of paddy will only the rice prices under control, thereby giving are victims of multigenerational structural lunch. For them, the concrete is their table,” public distribution of meals is temporarily produce rice stocks that would fulfil 20 the farmer a better price for their paddy and poverty. related Dr. Gunasekara. limited. A notable contributor to this is the days of the country’s consumption. If the releasing the consumer from the burden of Meanwhile, some have children who She added that although she commends limited functionality of eateries in general, farmers step in to improve the state paddy having to purchase rice at higher prices when are unable or unwilling to attend to them. the employment of the elderly, it is from which the team collects food to be stocks as suggested, then a buffer stock can there is a shortage in stocks. “A lot of street cleaners I have met have concerning that the type of labour they do distributed to the needy. children who are suffering from substance and the corresponding wages do not allow “It is easy to put the total burden on the abuse and addiction and these elderly step them to take care of themselves sufficiently. Government but communities need to be A bitter tasting... up to support the family with a steady flow The fundamental concerns are their health more open-minded and help each other out The members of the association on Factories Ltd. (NFCSF), India’s production of income. All this money would at times and nutrition. in this pandemic situation,” remarked Dr. Wednesday (11) had agreed to provide from 1 October to 5 November climbed to be given towards the wellbeing of their The most affordable food that is available Gunasekara. 50% of white sugar stocks for Rs. 85 per 425,000 MT, up 32% from the previous year. grandchildren. anywhere are carbohydrates and sugars. Civil societies and charities and kilogramme to Sathosa. “As the EFCITA Speculation heightened indicating that India “Some are homeless and the By default, the nutrition of individuals in neighbouring communities can play a President, I can’t insist on them (member may export as much as six million tonnes demographics are of people of all these socioeconomic strata is very poor and vital role in assisting the less privileged by importers) selling their stocks by incurring this season, easing a global deficit that has ethnicities and religious beliefs with no therefore, they are more prone to diseases. stepping up and engaging in the simplest losses,” he stressed. supported prices. noticeable distinction – what was common Diabetes in particular can be predicted to mechanisms, like the distribution of Meanwhile, commenting on the issue, In the meantime, Indian Minister of is their poverty-stricken background. be quite prevalent among them, suggested day-to-day medicinal supplements like Minister of Trade Dr. Gunawardana told Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has They are at the very bottom strata of the Dr. Gunasekara. Studies are yet to be done koththamalli, vitamin C tablets, and even The Sunday Morning that the decision to been quoted as saying that the Indian Central socioeconomic ladder – which results on the nutrition and health factors affecting additional meals to boost their immunity. remove the tax on sugar was taken by the Government is not considering an extension in a vicious cycle. Usually, there is no these street cleaners. We tried to reach out to the Ministry of Ministry of Finance and they did not get in of its export subsidy for the 2020/21 sugar escape, unless in a rare case of exceptional They are at very high risk of contracting Health and the Government Spokesman touch with the Ministry of Trade prior to season. The Indian sugar industry has warned ambitiousness,” noted Dr. Gunasekara. Covid due to the nature of their work and about the measures taken by the taking the decision. of a “vertical collapse” in the sector due to These elderly individuals are physically even more so because they are ageing. Even Government to ensure the health and safety “The sugar prices were reduced to avoid a excessive stock – the ramifications of which deteriorated and they lack sufficient vitality during curfew, they are out and about duly of these individuals, but were unsuccessful. certain group of businessmen earning huge may be felt in the years to come. Reportedly, to land a position in the job market for a engaging in their tasks. Additionally, they “I have great respect for these individuals profits,” he said, adding that the CAA should this has been cited as the issue that has better source of income and so settle for are dealing with garbage which is highly who choose to work when they can easily monitor whether the prices have been reduced shaken the sugar industry before the start street cleaning. Equal weightage is not concentrated with germs. Most of the time, consider themselves invalid and resort to as per the recent gazette notification. of an otherwise good season. given to labour in Sri Lanka due to its the contents of this waste are unknown and vagrancy. It is a choice they have made According to the United Nations Comtrade capitalistic views, contrary to the “socialist” with much more waste being disposed of despite their age, health condition, and the Indian imports International Trade Database, Sri Lankan label on Sri Lanka, added the expert. in bulk such as medical waste, the risk is harshness of what they are required to do. As per Indian media reports citing the imports of sugars and sugar confectionery “In regular desk jobs, we have roofs doubled. Above all, they are braving it all out amidst National Federation of Co-operative Sugar amounted to $ 257.48 million in 2017. above our heads, but street cleaners are out “One woman I spoke to recently told me a pandemic,” concluded Dr. Gunasekara. 12 the sunday morning FOCUS Sunday, November 15, 2020

BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA companies, such as a tax cut. It’ll be good if ESTATE WORKERS the Government can assist the companies. The plantation sector workers have But the Government can order the RPCs gone yet another year without to make this increment. In fact, these seeing their daily wages increase companies are paying outside daily workers and their standard of living further Rs. 1,000.” deteriorating amidst the Covid-19 Lamenting the disregard of repeated pandemic. Continue gulping requests of the Government to make the increment, Suresh said that while they had President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his the option to resort to trade union action to election campaign, pledged to increase the compel the change, they would not resort to daily wage of a plantation sector worker to such actions given the current situation in Rs. 1,000. the country. Thereafter, the incumbent Government, bitter cuppa “Repeatedly, they have promised to make in the run-up to the parliamentary elections this increment. The Prime Minister also in August, also promised to implement the for more at the next Collective Agreement told Parliament that they would make it Rs. wage increase for the estate sector to a daily discussions with the plantation companies. 1,000. We are reminding, requesting, and wage of Rs. 1,000. “This extra Rs. 250 has been promised pressuring the Government to do so. We However, up to date, no such increment for the past five years. Even the previous have the option to initiate trade union action. has been made, despite direct requests from Government failed to give it. But now, the But it is not a time to do these things. The the Government to the Regional Plantation cost of living has gone up in 2020 when economy is weak. As a responsible trade Companies (RPCs) to do so. compared with 2015, so the Rs. 250 is union, we think that this is not the time to “The Government doesn’t need to give essential. If the Government is able to get resort to such measures. We must serve the instructions to give Rs. 1,000 because the the Rs. 250 increment, then we can start country and serve the people. As a country, Collective Agreement already allows for a negotiations next month for the Collective we must co-operate.” daily wage of Rs. 750. So, the Government Agreement at Rs. 1,000.” The Minister of Labour, speaking to The only has to instruct to give an additional He said that the minister in charge of Sunday Morning on an earlier occasion, Rs. 250,” National Estate Workers’ Union labour too had made a request from the said that he had instructed the RPCs to General Secretary Vadivel Suresh told The plantation companies. implement the wage hike within a period of Sunday Morning. “We had discussions with Labour Minister Because of the coronavirus situation, we the Government and the President can order two weeks. He said that the timely increase in wages Nimal Siripala de Silva, and he asked for are waiting for the Government to call on the RPCs to increase to Rs. 1,000 and then “I have given them two weeks to now would allow the unions to bargain two weeks but two weeks have passed now. us for another meeting. Our stance is that in turn, provide some sort of benefit to the make the increment. I shall decide on a course of action if they failed to do so. I will not reveal what steps I will take in such a situation, as it would forewarn the companies,” Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva told The Sunday Morning. Planters’ Association of Ceylon Chairman Bathiya Bulumulla said that plantation companies could not violate the Collective Agreement. “We are in a Collective Agreement. If we are to adhere to the Government’s request, then we will have to abrogate the Collective Agreement and get into some other system. Right now, we are within the Collective Agreement with the unions. So, we can decide on a new wage model only during the next negotiations in January. The Government has merely made a request but we are in a Collective Agreement. So, we cannot violate the agreement by heeding to the Government’s request.” He said the regional companies would have to deliberate with the unions at the next round of negotiations for the Collective Agreement in January. “We have to bargain with the unions and come to an agreement. We have already submitted several proposals where some have not been agreed to by the unions. We have to sit with the unions and discuss this. The new wage model will give more than Rs. 1,000 for a worker. It should be a win-win for both parties. It will be a productivity-based model.” In addition, he said the RPCs had taken steps to look after the estate workers during the lockdown period. “We are not charitable organisations. People who are working with the company, we will look after them. People who are working outside the estates, those institutions should look after them. We are the only industry which continued to work during the Covid lockdown. We were providing them with whatever facilities were required for the workers throughout estate co-operative societies. We have not kept anyone hungry. The RPCs have looked after the people.” However, the Institute of Social Development claimed otherwise, charging that estate workers are suffering, even now, without proper infrastructure and finances. Institute of Social Development Executive Director Muthulingam Periyasamy asserted that the living conditions were extremely poor and that the pandemic had only made matters worse as home quarantine was not humanly possible for the estate workers. “With regard to their living conditions, especially under the Covid-19 regulations, it is a very dire state. We must understand that a majority of the estate workers still live in line-rooms without any toilet or water facilities. So now, when these people are being asked to self-quarantine at home, how are they to survive without water and proper sanitation facilities? They have to go outside to find water or to use the toilet. They don’t have any kind of savings or wealth and they don’t even have a reserve fund, so there is no proper way to care for the sons and daughters who returned to the estates.” He said the plantation companies also failed to provide adequate support for the estate workers. “The estate management also does not do anything and continues griping that they don’t make any profits. The companies are gaining, the Government is gaining, but the estate workers are losing. What they gain from foreign income is not reaching the poor estate workers who do all the work. Some companies, to be on the safe side, provided loans to the estate workers on the condition that it will be deducted from their salaries. So, what is the companies’ contribution? What has been spent additionally under these extreme circumstances?” He charged that only a handful of estate worker families received the Rs. 5,000 allowance given by the Government. Contd. on page 14 the sunday morning 13 Sunday, November 15, 2020 hot seat BY SARAH HANNAN YOUTH AND SPORTS MINISTER The youngest Rajapaksa in Parliament and the youngest Cabinet Minister of the present Government has been under severe If we have loopholes in criticism by the well-seasoned politicians and the public who have the system, then people will play out the system. RESTRUCTURING been very vocal about the choices he has made in appointing certain You cannot blame an individuals to committees and entrepreneur for playing councils, be it the sports sector or the youth sector. This week, The out a weak system. So, Sunday Morning managed to sit if there are loopholes for SPORTS SECTOR for a full-length interview with them to play with, then it the Cabinet Minister for Youth and is the system that needs to Sports Namal Rajapaksa, to set the records straight and ask him some be blamed questions that the public has been eager to hear the answers and AND CREATING explanations to. Below are excerpts I will support any of the interview. association that will think You said that you are looking to out of the box. It may be restructure the entire sports sector by building a dialogue with all stakeholders night races; it may be a to add value in taking the industry different sporting event. OPPORTUNITIES forward. What is the expected outcome Associations have to work of these dialogues? The expected outcome of these dialogues towards improving their is to introduce a structure. What Sri sporting events Namal Rajapaksa Lanka’s sport sector is lacking is structure. I believe we have the talent, we have the What plans do you have to improve the infrastructure; maybe for certain sports, track and field events and ensure proper we have a lack of resources. But what We need to have a sponsorship and training is offered? is lacking in Sri Lanka is a structured mechanism to look after The high-performance sports centre will system. This is the biggest challenge have tier one, tier two, and development that I had when I took over the Ministry, the rest of the sportsmen squads and will look after those athletes which is why I invited people like Mahela and women. What I and their needs. But I agree that there is a (Jayawardene), Kumar (Sangakkara), propose, and have shortcoming in the rural areas, which we Kasturi (Chellaraja Wilson), Supun have to approach, and we have to identify (Weerasinghe), Dilantha (Malagamuwa), already started from the those athletes and help them. Whoever Sanjeewa (Wickramanayake), Julian Hambantota District joins the high-performance centre will be (Bolling), Rowena (Samarasinghe), and looked after. Rohan (Fernando) to join the Sports Secretariat, is to have a Then we need to have a mechanism to Council to formulate a proper structure district sports fund with look after the rest of the sportsmen and to improve performance and develop the district corporates, where women. What I propose, and have already sports sector. started from the Hambantota District they can participate and Secretariat, is to have a district sports fund What are the suggestions that the Sport be part of the sports fund with district corporates, where they can Council have brought to the table during participate and be part of the sports fund. your meetings? Matters will be addressed district wise, I must take this opportunity to thank and we’ll address issues such as the these individuals for volunteering to set provision of a pair of football spikes or up this Sports Council on my request. All any equipment or providing them transport these people are very busy in their own facilities for them to participate in national respective fields. For example, Mahela sporting events. Jayawardene is involved in the IPL (Indian Under the 13th Amendment, sports Premier League) at this time and Kumar became a devolved subject. There is more Sangakkara has his responsibilities towards power with the provincial governments the MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) and than the Central Government when it all the others are leading figures in the comes to sports development or rather the corporate sector. But they all allocate time development of sports. to attend the Sports Council discussions Only the ones that get selected to the that take place on a weekly basis, to national squads work with the Central revamp the sporting structure in Sri Lanka Government; the school teams are looked and also work on the Sports Act and at the after by the relevant schools and the same time, on the Budget for 2021. Education Ministry, and the rest are from Basically, we have given the mandate the provincial sector. What I am trying to to the Council through the State Minister do is bridge the gap and bring these three to restructure the sporting system in the organisation structures under one proper country as well as to look at the necessary structure. budgetary allocations required, and to put We have invited the corporates based in in place a long-term plan in intervals of PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE each district to step in and assist us and be five, 10, and 15 years on high-performing part of the district sports fund. Also, we sports. These are a few of the areas that we have were projects that were abandoned by soon as possible. will bring them all to one digital platform We have appointed a National Selection been working on in the past three months. them, and I remember the previous We are conducting investigations over by early next year, which will establish a Committee that will be responsible for Hopefully, in a couple of weeks, we will be Sports Minister went to Kilinochchi and these allegations and we need to ensure monitoring mechanism. picking the national selectors and coaches, able to work on the Sports Act and open it commissioned the ground, but it was never justice is served, because allegations of and to set up transparent selection criteria for public opinion. utilised. this nature do not damage individuals, it The Sugathadasa Stadium is in very bad when it comes to national selections. At the I believe it is not the minister’s Act, but it The last Government did not start any damages the image of Sri Lanka Cricket shape. What plans does the Ministry moment, we do not have criteria and each is the Sporting Act and the entire sporting projects. They only announced that an and the entire sports sector of the country. have for it? sport has its own criteria and sometimes, fraternity should be responsible and have international stadium will be established Sri Lanka Cricket is known around The Sugathadasa Stadium has become it depends on the selectors or the relevant the right to contribute towards drafting it. in the Northern Province. Then, they the world, so I am sure the Police is a huge burden; the Treasury has to pump association that has been elected. announced that the stadium will be keen on completing the investigations, Rs. 16 million monthly to pay salaries for What we are looking at now is to have What purpose does the corporate sector established in Polonnaruwa – that was and we have advised them to conduct the staff at three stadiums – Sugathadasa, a proper structured selecting process, personnel serve as members of the said the exact Government that criticised the these investigations impartially, with no Bogambara, and Nuwara Eliya. which will ensure that no athlete will be Sports Council? Sooriyawewa Stadium and the Dambulla interference, to follow the due process, and We have to think of restructuring the left out and there will be transparency in Sri Lankan sports lack corporate culture. Stadium. based on the findings, to take a justifiable Sugathadasa Stadium and we have looked the selection process when it comes to Anywhere in the world, sport is an industry, We need to rethink how we are going to decision. at a couple of options. One is to get the selecting the national pool. but for Sri Lanka, it has become a burden. spend money on such infrastructure. But Football Federation involved in putting That selecting procedure will have to go If you look at all the infrastructures that definitely, we have a larger plan to develop Will you be strictly enforcing the Sports the football stadium to good use, because through the Sports Council, so they will be we have built, the Government is finding it sports infrastructure. We are looking at Betting Act to put an end to the alleged it is the Football Federation that brings in given the mandate to oversee the selection very difficult to maintain it. In the media, developing sports schools and laying 130- corruption that is rooted in the sports the highest revenue for the stadium. So, process and ensure that the selections are you see news of some stadiums being metre synthetic tracks in 10 schools. In sector? we are looking at sharing the property done in compliance to the listed criteria, abandoned, not being used, not maintained addition, Kurunegala, Torrington, and the At the end of the day, it is all about how with the Football Federation. Then, we and then send it to the Ministry. properly; that is simply because we do not Alfred Duraiappah Stadium will also be you structure your sports. So, if we have a have the Sri Lanka Cricket Board which So, all this time the associations selected have a corporate structure; revenue needs fitted with synthetic tracks. proper Sports Act covering all sectors and is part of the Khettarama Stadium, so we their own selectors and the minister just to be generated through this infrastructure. Down Kirimandala Mawatha, we are have anti-corruption regulations embedded might as well get them involved fulltime placed the signature on it and it is the If there is revenue generation, then looking at establishing a high-performance in it, then we do not have to worry about it. in maintaining and putting the stadium to association which selected the team, which naturally, the people in sports will get paid sports centre to accommodate field events But if we have loopholes in the system, use, rather than the Government taking was presented to the minister in writing, and the infrastructure will be maintained. such as javelin and shot put, long and high then people will play out the system. on the full burden in maintaining such which he signed off on. What I am expecting from corporate Sri jump. These projects have been included in You cannot blame an entrepreneur for sections. There was no proper following up or Lanka and those who are involved in the the next Budget and we are working on the playing out a weak system. So, if there are We have to refurbish the athletics tracks a mechanism to do national selections. I Sports Council is to set up a corporate procurement at present. loopholes for them to play with, then it is and the ground. I am looking at talking personally believe that we should have structure, where we look at new models Probably by January or February, we the system that needs to be blamed. to the Football Federation to get them proper national selection criteria for all of revenue; like franchise models, sports will be able to commence work on these When the Sports Act is enacted, it will involved in the development work of the sports. tourism, and the manufacturing of sporting projects. allow the people involved in the sports Sugathadasa Stadium, to make it their If a person has the IAAF (International equipment, sports gear, and sports goods. At the same time, we will see through sector and the associations to be more home ground. Amateur Athletic Federation) qualification I believe sports can even be turned into an to completion the projects that were transparent. The swimming pool and indoor or world rankings in tennis, badminton, and industry that generates $ 1 billion per year. abandoned or stalled during the last You cannot target individuals or their complex need to be considered under a other such sports, I believe they should be Government. businesses and bring acts or laws to a different marketing model. The indoor allowed to be part of the national squad. There are four projects that were country. All these allegations are brought sports complex can be turned into a very Even when it comes to team sports, we initiated by the previous Government. Allegations were made against the out targeting one individual, that will not good revenue-generating model, as we should have compulsory tournaments for Will you see these projects to their Cricket Board and the cricketers help sports. have ample space around it. For that, we all team players to participate in to qualify completion? during the pre-election period. Would The corruption has to be out of sports; are looking at a public-private partnership. for national squad selections. For example, All those projects were actually you be investigating the matter further? the match-fixing and other forms of corrupt Even Bogambara, we will do a synthetic in rugby, we have to select the sevens initiated during former President Mahinda Investigations are going forward and I practices need to be halted by strong anti- track, and with regard to Nuwara Eliya, squad out of the 15s squad. You can’t look Rajapaksa’s term in office in 2013. But am sure that the Police Department and corruption regulations, which need to be again, we are looking at a public-private at a 15s tournament and select our national unfortunately, the last Government did the Attorney General’s Department are implemented. But it cannot be addressed partnership. sevens squad. nothing to continue those projects. These looking to conclude the investigations as looking at one individual person. Contd. on page 14 14 the sunday morning HOTSEAT/FOCUS Sunday, November 15, 2020

Contd. from page 13 take Kasturi, Supun, Julian, Sanjeewa, Premier League (LPL) tournament? Dilantha, and Rohan, have been When you take the LPL, that type of contributing a lot. They have been more event can work within a travel bubble. active than any member in the Sports The world has proven that it works – the RESTRUCTURING SPORTS... Ministry I must say. Indian Premier League is a good example Every Monday, they have allocated time and India’s tour of Pakistan is a good How will you improve the utility of in Sri Lanka, if they work on a proper allocates a considerable amount of time to discuss the formulation of the sporting example. All over the world, they are racing tracks to promote motor sporting management structure. to take part in the weekly Sports Council structure and their office will be ready holding matches under this method. It is events in the country? discussions. But I admire his commitment soon. We cannot forget the contribution tested and proved to be successful; it is I think the Sri Lanka Motor Sporting Will you be bringing back the night towards the Council, as every Monday at 6 of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army not going to be a big issue for us. Association has a problem themselves, so races that were very popular during your p.m., they have a conference meeting and Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, who has been In terms of rugby, yes, New Zealand they have to sort their internal disputes. I father’s tenure as President? Mahela has been part of that conversation very involved with most of the decisions and Australia are conducting matches; it is have had discussions with them, and they They became too popular. The association every Monday, whether he has a match or that are taken during the council meetings, proven that you can move forward in life need to get their act together. has to decide that and I will support any not. regardless of the other responsibilities that even with a pandemic. So, it is about time At the same time, there are enough tracks association that will think out of the box. His contribution towards the have been assigned to him in preventing that Sri Lanka also moves with the new (motor racing), but whether they are up It may be night races; it may be a different developments that are taking place in the the Covid-19 outbreak in the country. normal lifestyle. to the required standards is a question. I sporting event. Sports Council is tremendous; he is a very Lt. Gen. Silva ensures that he allocates The person who was advising us about have expressed my interest to the Drivers’ Associations have to work towards structured person and is very methodical the necessary time to take part in the taking health precautions, the World Association to allocate a track for them in improving their sporting events, because in what he does, which I believe needs to sports-related discussions with the council Health Organisation (WHO) Secretary Tissamaharama, the Ranminithenna track, they get elected annually, and most office translate to Sri Lanka’s sports sector. members. The entire Council is working General, has also contracted Covid-19, so so that the association can base themselves bearers spend a lot of money to get elected, I believe that Mahela and the team in very hard. I must say that they are doing he advised us on what measures need to there and do their training. so they have to work. I will help them to the Sports Council can assist us in taking this on a voluntary basis and do not get be in place. Motorsports is a very expensive sport to make their sporting events a reality. forward the restructuring plan. anything out of it. At the end of the day, We need to learn from our mistakes, pursue at this stage, so we need to get more what we get is self-satisfaction when the and see how we can incorporate inter- sponsors involved and improve the level of How will Mahela Jayawardene be able to How involved has Kumar Sangakkara country wins medals or sets records. organisational structures and create safe professionalism of the drivers. So far, their focus on the Sports Council activities as been with the Council, given that he is bubbles where we can continue with our response to the discussions and suggestions Head of the Council? the MCC President? Was this just a PR How are you working with the challenges sporting activities, tourism, or any other has been positive. I thought the IPL will create an issue stunt? that are presented by this pandemic, sector and open up the country. I am sure that motorsports can be with the Government for getting Mahela I must say that all the members of especially having to stage team sports That is the only way forward for the a foreign revenue-generating venture involved in the Sports Council, as he this Sports Council, even when you events such as the upcoming Lanka country and for its people.

Contd. from page 7 Covid-19... Managing the congestion The Sunday Morning then asked the Commissioner General as to how the prison system is going to decongest the already overcrowded prisons and whether the persons arrested over violating the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Act are also admitted to the prisons. Responding, Upuldeniya noted: “We are setting up temporary shelters within the prison premises and are moving inmates to them to ensure they can follow social distancing regulations. The arrests that are made for violating the Quarantine (and Prevention of Diseases) Act and laws are handled by the Police Department entirely and they are held in lockups. So, we do not have to worry about the overcrowding that would have been caused by them.” Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera had issued instructions to the Police Department on measures that can be taken to decongest the prisons. Apart from that, Minister of Justice Ali Sabry PC and State Minister of Prisons Reforms and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle have been in discussions with the Prisons Department on looking at measures to decongest the prisons. “Dr. Fernandopulle is also in discussion with the Ministry of Health and the relevant sections on ensuring that the necessary healthcare facilities and the healthcare staff would be allocated to the treatment centres that have been set up. She is very keen on the wellbeing of the prisoners and, as a doctor, she understands the gravity of the present pandemic and how it affects them,” Upuldeniya noted.

Contd. from page 12 Continue gulping... “During the initial Covid-19 lockdown, the President allowed the agriculture workers and the plantation workers to work. This was for two reasons – one was to sort out the food shortage crisis and the second reason was to gain foreign exchange; especially tea prices went up. So, we, as a non- governmental organisation, provided assistance to the workers and even the companies provided masks and safety gear. But ultimately, the workers didn’t get anything – no special payment or bonus. At the time, the sons and daughters of the plantation community, who work in Colombo, came back to the estates but none of these families received the Rs. 5,000 allowance. Many people in the plantation sector didn’t get it. They would call us and say that they hadn’t received any welfare from the State or the Government.” He then pointed out that yet another government had failed to address the key issues faced by the estate sector workers. “Before they came to power, this Government promised to increase the daily wage to Rs. 1,000. Before the presidential election too they promised it. But after that, because of the Covid- 19 pandemic, even the alliance party of the Government – the Ceylon Workers’ Congress – is not raising this issue in a prominent way. Very recently, around three weeks ago, the trade unions, i.e. the National Estate Workers’ Union and the Ceylon Workers’ Congress, had a dialogue with the Government where the Government promised to make this increment but after that, nothing happened.” the sunday morning 15 Sunday, November 15, 2020 SPORTS Who wants the LPL in this hour?

From left: SLC Vice President and LPL Director Ravin Wickramaratne, SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva, and SLC President Shammi Silva

BY REVATHA SILVA many technicians coming from abroad, battering of 23 matches played within (Boxing Day) at Centurion and 3 series in South Africa. It is not the particularly India, undergoing the Health just 21 days? January 2021 at Johannesburg. franchise league cricket that sustains Ministry-stipulated quarantine measures the cricketing image of the country; it is y yy Training for a 22-member national squad yy After three full weeks of T20 league y Here are some of the issues the public after reaching Sri Lanka? international Test cricket that does. as well as the officials need to observe began in Kandy on Friday (13). The cricket, their only means of preparation with regard to the Lanka Premier League yy Some support staff members are arriving training is being held for 10 days until for Test cricket is the three-day game yy LPL will bring a lot of money into the (LPL), which is to begin at Hambantota in Sri Lanka only this weekend. Sunday (22). they will play against South Africa for country and it can form a symbolic the South African Invitation XI from start in our post-Covid-19 sports, one on 26 November. yy It is true that the LPL’s venue, the yy Then the players who are participating 20-22 December at Benoni. can argue. But, is the flow of that y Hambantota Mahinda Rajapaksa in the LPL will leave straight to y Are the players, both local and foreign, money directed towards any long-term Stadium, is said to have about 10 pitches Hambantota whilst the rest return to yy On a positive note, though, the LPL plus the support staff, the massive betterment of the sport or to line the in the middle but can they survive the Colombo. could raise the spirit of local cricket grounds staff, the TV crew, and so pockets of a few top-brass officials fans and mark the much-needed start yy If they are to undergo 14 days of involved in that? of international cricketing action in the quarantine in the Hambantota bio- country. yy Who wants the LPL so badly in this secure bubble, it will be on 5 December hour; the country or some selfish that they are supposed to come out of yy But the urgency of the LPL organisers individuals? quarantine. But the LPL is scheduled to Sri Lanka Cricket and its event rights start on 26 November. In that case, they holders Innovative Production Group yy If it is held for the latter reason, our can actually quarantine for only five (IPG) looks precariously ill timed and young and agile Sports Minister will days. reckless too. have to rethink whether this kind of event can support his long-term yy If their bio-secure bubble began yy For, it yields all its participants to obey objective of establishing a strong sports operating from 13 November, then rigorous health restrictions during a industry in Sri Lanka. they can only be ready to play the second wave of the pandemic here LPL exactly on the day their 14-day while exposing them to an overtly yy Is it for overall development or to create quarantine is over; 26 November. unnecessary danger of being infected by a leeway for corruption? the coronavirus. yy The LPL is to go on till 16 December. yy If the Minister errs in his judgement, he The Sri Lanka national Test team is to yy At the same time, it has a possibility of too will inevitably be considered part LPL event rights holder IPG’s leave for South Africa on 17 December hampering proper Test cricket training of those who will be responsible in the Chairman Anil Mohan for two Tests starting on 26 December for Sri Lanka before a rare and historic whole process in the end.

by placing the queen on e1 with 1.f4. THE CHESS Let’s have a look at the twin, a mirror image CORNER of the first problem with the same stipulations. by Dulan Edirisinghe Not all twins are identical well) 2... Kxd8 (2... Qxd8 3. Bh4+) 3.Bb6! Qxb6 The concept of under-promotion is a huge checkmate in two with the white queen on a7 examples show that chess is a very exact game In chess compositions, “twins” are two or more (3...Nc3+ 4.Ka5) and it’s a stalemate. favourite among composers. However, despite instead of h7. Again 1.f8=Q is out of the question, in which the smallest difference in a position can problems that are slight variations of each other. Now, let’s welcome its twin by moving the its aesthetic promise, there are very few real and this time 1.f8=B doesn’t work either. What create a totally different solution. Most of the time, these positions are identical, black knight one square to the left. motivations for under-promoting. Stalemate works is 1.f8=R! Kd6 2.Rf6#. Here’s a curious little brain teaser involving except for a subtle change in the positioning of avoidance is the most popular one. Requiring For the third part of the problem, a further twins in which logical reasoning and retrograde a single piece. The solutions are often related the unique skill set of a knight is another. Werner change is made with the black king now placed analysis take centre stage. thematically. The success of the whole endeavour, Speckmann used all the tricks of the under- on c6. therefore, is determined by how tantalizingly promotion trade to make the following set of different the solutions are. twins work. Consider the following problem.

Place the white queen on a legal square and play a white move that stalemates black How about placing the queen on d1 and playing 1.c4? Shouldn’t the solutions be mirror images too? A word of warning: These White to play and draw problems are generally of the “gotcha” nature, F. Kovác (1952) and composers set various traps and red Now obviously, the previous trick doesn’t work Place the white queen on a legal square herrings to catch the lazy solver. So where’s White to play and mate in two moves and play a white move that stalemates (1.fxe7+ Kxe7 2.d8=Q+ Kxd8 3.Bb6 Qxb6 is not a black the catch? stalemate). But a new opportunity presents itself. Now 1.f8=Q works. 1...Kb5 2.Qfc5#. We inevitably overlook the fact that it is 1.d8=Q+ Qxd8 2.fxe7+ Qxe7 (2...Kxe7 3. White to play and mate in two moves For the final part, the white king is moved to The key phrase is you have to out the white impossible for the white queen to move to White to play and draw Bh4+) 3.Bc5! Qxc5 and it’s a stalemate again. Speckmann (1963) c4. This is probably the most difficult one of the queen on a “legal” square. Since none of the the right side of the king. Hence, the correct F. Kovác (1952) It is astonishing how such a small change in 1.f8=Q is a stalemate. So white under- bunch. After promoting the f-pawn to a bishop, pawns have moved, there is no way for the solution is placing the queen on a1 and The solution is quite delightful. 1.fxe7+ Kxe7 the position of a knight can lead to different promotes with 1.f8=B Kf6 2.Qf5#. a rook and a queen, respectively, now it’s time white queen to escape the first rank. playing 1.a4! 2.d8=Q+ (funnily enough, 2.d8=B+ works as stalemates. For the second part of the problem, try a to get a knight. 1.f8=N Kd6 2.Qc5#. These Well done if you found the correct solution Ghost selectors? England The duration of Sri Lanka national tour of SA in cricket selectors, headed by Ashantha doubt! de Mel, has long expired and the new England’s white-ball names for the panel are yet to be tour of South Africa (SA), ratified by the Sports Minister. Before which starts at the end him, the National (overall sports) of the month, was at risk Selection Committee and the National by Friday (13) of being Sports Council have to advise the called off, unless the Minister, it is learnt, to do so. When Cricket South Africa (CSA) everybody was waiting to hear the Members’ Council ratified new names of the selectors, a national the interim board, squad was named last week for the which was appointed next South Africa tour. Who picked by South African that squad is one heck of a problem. Sports Minister Nathi And next is the pretty long time the Mthethwa (pictured) Sports Ministry has taken to ratify the two weeks ago. new names of the new panel. Sunday,sports November 15, 2020 Dinith Pathiraja ‘Personality’ in tennis Lack of leadership qualities ON COURT known and used definition. their teammates to achieve higher things. A But there is another definition that refers to Whilst personality is important in team sports, lament that is heard widely these days from “a celebrity or famous person”. But in sports, it becomes especially vital in individual sports. most coaches is the fact that players with The word “personality” is widely used it is the former meaning which is of most This is because of the fact that when it is an leadership qualities are few and far between. in different circumstances to have different importance, for obvious reasons. Personality individual sport, it is only you and you alone The reasons for this could be numerous. But meanings. It is defined in two contexts in can manifest in different ways and actions, on the field of play. In team sports, personality sociologists will be more qualified to speak the dictionary, and “the combination of especially in the field of sports. Understanding manifests itself in the form of leadership. on that topic than this writer. characteristics or qualities that form an these nuances is important to move forward Individuals who have an outgoing personality individual’s distinctive character” is the most in this particular discussion. always tend to be more vocal and tend to push Playing before a crowd

One’s personality is of prime importance in an individual sport like tennis. Here is Avika Kelegama during the HNB and Hutch-sponsored Sri Lanka Clay Court Nationals held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association in Colombo in August PHOTO ISHAN WANNIARACHCHI

This aspect of personality becomes absolutely vital in individual sports. Since the sport of tennis, which is our main focus, falls into that category, personality is extremely important in it. Outgoing and gregarious personalities often seem to thrive in tennis. This is because of the fact that tennis players at the top – and for that matter, even young and junior players – need to perform their craft in front of crowds. Some players seem to relish the opportunity to “show off” their skills and seem to perform even better when there is an audience. But other players simply seem to wither and have problems adapting themselves to that atmosphere. Shouting ‘come on’ How do these personality traits manifest themselves on the tennis court? For example, when watching a tennis match, it is possible to see some players trying to “gee” themselves up by shouting “come on” after a good point. They do this loudly and openly. But on the other hand, some other players tend to not show any expression and seem to do the exact same thing, but without any outward showing of emotions. There is no right and wrong in this situation. It is what works for the player best that needs to be done. Taking two examples from the present superstars in the game of tennis, and comparing them makes an interesting comparison. Djokovic vs. Federer For the purposes of this article, let us compare Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. Without any doubt, Djokovic has the more outgoing personality. He is always ready to show his emotions openly. In fact at the recent US Open, he got himself disqualified by showing his emotions too openly and not being able to control them. On the other hand, Federer is definitely quieter on court. That does not mean in any way or form that he has less of a personality on court. It is simply that he is more introverted and prefers to keep his emotions more in check. Here, most of the time, both commentators and fans are always guessing as to what he is thinking of, as he himself rarely gives anything away. But once again, the emphasis should be on doing what works for the player and not try to do something which either makes the player uncomfortable or makes him/her irritated. Shouting for no reason In this regard, there is an interesting phenomenon that has been happening in Sri Lanka tennis since recently. This, by the way, is especially prevalent in the junior most age groups of the Tennis10s (or Under-10) category. There some players tend to shout “come on” after every point and then also drag it out for about two, three seconds, and they often shout it at the top of their voice. Apart from the fact that this would probably be in breach of the “sportsmanship” rule in the sport, this could also make the player unnecessarily tired as he/ she is shouting for absolutely no reason. Only natural reaction can do In certain cases, the player is doing it whilst picking the tennis ball up as well. That is obviously not a natural reaction. The player is doing it either because he/she has seen someone else doing it or because the coach has asked him/her to do so. This is exactly what should be avoided. Therefore, we can see that personality is very important in tennis. That is as long as it’s the natural reaction of the player and not a contrived one. In other words, personality is good but having too much of it might land the tennis players in trouble.

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SRI LANKA NEEDS SYSTEMS, NOT PEOPLE »SEE PAGE 3 Sunday,business November 15, 2020 Progress on Trinco oil tanks z Three discussion rounds with India ‘successful’

BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR The Government expects a positive outcome from its discussions with Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) on reclaiming fuel storage tanks in Trincomalee as the latest rounds of discussions were “successful”, according to Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila. After Sri Lanka’s direct discussions we spoke to LIOC Managing Director with the Indian Government on Manoj Gupta, who stated that the reclaiming the 25 tanks currently Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) leased to LIOC ended unsuccessfully, would be interested in utilising some the Government began negotiations tanks in the Upper Tank Farm (UTF) with LIOC through the Indian High and discussions are in progress to Commission in Colombo. achieve mutually acceptable solutions. “Discussions with regard to getting He added that utilisation of the back the Trincomalee oil tanks that are tanks in the UTF following repair/ Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila Aerial view of the Trincomalee oil tanks with the LIOC are in progress. We are refurbishment could serve as a good matter to enable the exploration of However, he refused to divulge more assured the Sri Lankan counterpart could store 12,000 tonnes of fuel, not disclosing anything to the public as example of mutually beneficial bilateral long-term solutions that benefit all details due to the “inter-governmental that the High Commission would hold bringing the total capacity of the tanks it would jeopardise our ultimate goal. corporation. stakeholders, and mutually beneficial nature of these discussions”. discussions with LIOC, the lessee of to 1.2 million. After the British left the But I can tell you that there have been “However, refurbishing 84 tanks commercial co-operation,” he added. Even though the Indian Government the fuel storage tanks in Trincomalee. country, only 15 tanks were used by three rounds of discussions – they were from the WWII (World War II) era will Furthermore, he noted that LIOC has not been in favour of giving 25 The Trincomalee oil tanks, built by the CPC while the rest was taken over successful and we are optimistic of involve considerable expenditure and is committed to the adherence and fuel storage tanks in Trincomalee back the British, were never used to its full by the surrounding wilderness. Out of the outcome,” the Minister told The any such agreement will have to be implementation of the decisions taken to Sri Lanka, the new Indian High capacity after Independence in 1948. the 101 tanks, one was destroyed in Sunday Morning Business. agreed between the two Governments. by the Governments of India and Sri Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal The farm initially had 101 tanks built an Air Force plane crash in the 1960s. For further details on the discussions, LIOC has an open approach on this Lanka. Bagley has been more receptive and with steel one inch think. Each tank Contd. on page 2 Budget to decide future Treasury bond for of import restrictions z Relaxation for agriculture and confectionery this week?

BY MADHUSHA SriLankan Airlines THAVAPALAKUMAR z Aimed at settling SriLankan’s debt to Ceypetco Budget 2021, which will BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR be presented to Parliament on Tuesday (17), will determine The Treasury plans to assist the future of the prevailing national carrier SriLankan Airlines stringent import restrictions to settle its long overdue debt to that have proven to be Ceylon Petroleum Corporation highly controversial among (CPC), another state-owned economists and the general enterprise, by issuing a treasury public. bond, The Sunday Morning “Budget 2021 will decide Budget 2021 will be presented to Parliament on Tuesday by PM Business learns. whether to continue the and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa CPC Deputy General Manager import restrictions on to the restrictions will be done of this year, compared to the – Finance Varuna Nilanga next year or to relax them this in a manner that would same period last year, and Weerasooriya told us that this year. I do not know anything not hurt local industries. this includes dairy products, decision was taken by the Treasury as of now. We have to wait Meanwhile, the Chairman vegetables, and sugar and recently, considering SriLankan’s and see what the Budget of the Import Section of confectionery products. Their large outstanding payments to holds for the import sector,” the Ceylon Chamber of import expenses grew by CPC, which has been weighing Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Commerce told us that 12.5%, 26.4%, and 40.6%, on CPC’s financial performance Weerasooriya stated that the that “it is a Cabinet decision” assets by Rs. 211.64 billion and Gunawardena told The Sunday discussions were held respectively. over the years. Treasury is yet to communicate and did not provide any further total liabilities exceeded its total Morning Business last week. between importers and Commenting on this, the “SriLankan Airlines currently to CPC the debt amount that will information. assets by Rs. 273.36 billion. However, in September, government authorities on Import Section Chairman owes CPC Rs. 48 billion. Since be settled by the treasury bond. SriLankan has been a loss- SriLankan owes about $ 220 State Minister of Finance this matter. stated the main reason was April, we have not received any When we asked SriLankan Airlines making airline for over 10 years. million to Bank of Ceylon while and Capital Market and State “Primary focus when that imports came into the payments from them due to Chairman Ashok Pathirage to The airline recorded a loss of Rs. to People’s Bank it owes about Enterprise Reforms Ajith easing the restrictions country before the import the prevailing situation and its confirm this and whether the bond 40 billion in the financial year $ 187 million. It is learnt that Nivard Cabraal told local gradually would be on foods restrictions were captured impact on the aviation industry. will settle SriLankan’s debt to CPC (FY) 2017/18, the highest annual interest is being paid on time media that import restrictions like agricultural products later into the statistics. The But they have been flying completely or partially, he stated loss since Emirates’ departure while the capital payments are are a temporary measure to and confectionaries,” the next reason provided was that repatriation flights; for that we that there are some developments, from its management in 2008, being dragged on for years. avoid a possible foreign Chairman added. when there was some leeway are supplying Rs. 2 million worth but that he can neither confirm when it was a profit-making entity. These long-standing debts to state exchange crisis in the country However, despite import given after the lifting of the of fuel, monthly, since April,” nor deny them. According to a recent audit report, banks are hindering SriLankan’s and that restrictions would be restrictions that have been initial lockdown, importers Weerasooriya added. Meanwhile, when contacted by during the first quarter of 2020, development plans, while on the eased phase by phase when in place since the initial local imported more than usual. SriLankan Airlines’ monthly The Sunday Morning Business SriLankan Airlines incurred a net other hand, state lenders too are sufficient foreign exchange outbreak of the pandemic Nevertheless, he added that CPC bill alone was about $ 14 to find out when the bond will loss of Rs. 47 billion along with facing difficulties when loans that flows into the country. in March, several import these products are still under million, with only $ 6 million out be issued and when the payment an accumulated loss of Rs. 326 are unlikely to be serviced in the Cabraal added that categories recorded a growth import restrictions. of it being paid each month before will be made to CPC, Treasury billion. The company’s current near term occupy their loan books. the gradual easing of during the first three quarters Contd. on page 2 the local Covid-19 outbreak. Secretary S.R. Attygalle stated liabilities exceeded its current Contd. on page 2 Export Villages expected to save $ 1 b

Banking shares BY UWIN LUGODA companies. It will have the dual initiative, which was prepared The Government is looking to goal of developing rural production by the local Trade Ministry, invest Rs. 5 million for each of the The recently approved Cabinet within a formal enterprise model stated that they planned for the EPVs according to the proposal, proposal to set up Export and link those with the export EPVs to cover sectors such as and is planning to obtain Rs. trading low Production Villages (EPVs) around supply chain, as well as to upgrade agriculture, fisheries, mechanical, 6 million from the Treasury to Sri Lanka is expected to save the local production industries as and services, and thereby set a develop them. The shares of seven of ComBank’s lowest traded 93.90 last Wednesday, which country $ 1 billion in the next four import replacements,” said the sustainable existence of those However, this was not the first the nine leading banks in price of Rs. 94.70 reported was lower than the Q4 2019 years, learns The Sunday Morning programme proposal which was Export Villages by entering into time such a plan was implemented, Sri Lanka are trading below during the quarter ended share price of HNB which Business. presented by Trade Minister Dr. future trade agreements with top- as in 1977, a similar programme even the lowest prices they 31 December 2019. During was well above Rs. 100 mark The project proposal for the Bandula Gunawardana. level export companies. was introduced in pursuit of recorded at the end of last this quarter, the highest share at Rs. 153. The highest voting initiative that was approved by the The Government aims to The proposed programme is set economic liberalisation policies, by year, signifying the state price was recorded at Rs. 104. share price reported during Cabinet of Ministers on 3 November establish cluster villages making to utilise the required allocations the Government in order to develop of the economy as well as For the first nine months of this quarter was Rs. 188, stated that the Government plans to similar products for export and from the Sri Lanka Export the country. This programme the pressure on the banking this year, ComBank recorded which is more than double reduce Sri Lanka’s dependency on provide opportunities for them to Development Board (EDB) and was initiated in 1980 under the sector. a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs its current prices. The PAT imports of raw material for export be exposed to the market as well as is subject to the guidance of the Ministry of Trade, with an aim to Commercial Bank of 10.595 billion, a reduction of of HNB for the first nine purposes and save the country $ 1 provide opportunities and support Ministry of Trade. According to create employment and enhance Ceylon PLC, the largest 5.60% compared to the same months of this year was Rs. billion between the years of 2021 for the producers to minimise the the cabinet proposal, the Ministry the income and standard of living private bank in Sri Lanka, period last year. 7.7 billion and it represented and 2024. issues they may face when starting expects to establish a 1,000 EPVs of the rural people in addition to shares were trading at Rs. Meanwhile, Hatton a drop of 3.8% Year-on-Year “The programme is set to link a formal business or exporting in total, and is going to need the encouraging foreign exchange 68.90 on Wednesday (11), National Bank PLC (HNB) (YoY). up existing agriculture, fisheries, goods. combined resources of both the earnings. which was much lower than shares were trading at Rs. Contd. on page 2 and services sectors to export The cabinet proposal for the public and private sectors. Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning business NEWS/VIEWS Sunday, November 15, 2020 ECT: Open and competitive Budget 2021: SOE reforms bidding please BY ADVOCATA INSTITUTE could relieve debt burden As reported on numerous media sources, a leading BY PATHFINDER FOUNDATION years. The current initiative is pushing for the the lack of fiscal space and the possibility of a option for the general public than raising taxes Indian consortium is the front runner to develop the professionalisation of the management of debt crisis highlights the unsustainability of the or cutting priority expenditure. stalled East Container Terminal (ECT) in the Colombo The Government of Sri Lanka has SOEs through rigorous recruitment schemes Government being the employer of first resort. Consideration should also be given to Port. An agreement was reached during the tenure announced that it will implement and capacity-building in order to promote Sri Lanka’s post-colonial history involves the categorising state-owned assets into those of the former Government to develop the ECT in reforms and strategies to prudent decision-making and operational commitment of successive governments to which can be sold outright, such as the Hilton collaboration with the Governments of India and Japan. revive state-owned enterprises efficiency. create unproductive public sector employment. and Hyatt hotels. A second category could However, the progress of the terminal development (SOEs), while maintaining its The upgraded management teams will However, the current highly constrained be assets that can generate considerable was stalled due to various reasons. policy decision to discontinue be called upon to develop medium-term fiscal space calls for a radical rethinking of financing for the Government through the The Advocata Institute welcomes the decision of privatisation. strategic plans which identify growth the traditional approach of the Government sale of minority stakes. For instance, the sale the administration to resume the stalled project. The strategies, including through business process being the employer of first resort. of 10-15% of Bank of Ceylon and People’s significance of the Colombo Port is driven by its large Effective implementation of the proposed engineering, mergers, and amalgamations. Historically, successive governments Bank would generate a considerable amount volumes of transhipment to India, which now accounts reforms would increase the value of SOEs. These new business models are expected have been unwilling or unable to introduce of money. Part of this can be allocated to the for about 70% of the total quantity of shipments. It is However, an important issue to be addressed to respond to emerging opportunities in the economic reforms that would increase gainful employees of the institutions. Furthermore, beneficial that both countries continue to strengthen this is whether this creates an opportunity to raise post-pandemic world and meet challenges employment outside the government sector. if these stakes are sold through the stock relationship through trade and economic partnerships. financing for alleviating the country’s onerous particularly in relation to logistics and supply For SOE reforms to be effective, there should market, the listing regulations would result However, we would like to provide input on two debt burden. The crushing effects of this debt chain resilience. Each SOE will also be be complementary policies which generate in disclosure requirements which would main policy areas surrounding this project, in order for burden on the people of this country has been expected to develop robust key performance productive employment opportunities improve corporate governance. There could policymakers and the public to evaluate the efficacy demonstrated by the constrained response of indicators (KPIs). In addition, monitoring throughout the economy. be a third category of public assets for which of the upcoming arrangement. the Government in protecting its people and mechanisms are to be established at the line the Government can decide there should be Accountability through competitive bidding their livelihoods during the pandemic. ministries and Treasury. Reform agenda no change in ownership structure. The key concern of the Government when entering Sri Lanka’s fiscal stimulus, as a percentage An important gap in the proposed reforms The agenda for reforming SOEs includes A separate vehicle can be created (similar to any kind of public-private partnership such as the ECT of GDP, has been significantly lower than relates to pricing policy. The largest proportion improved corporate governance; appointment a sinking fund) into which the sale proceeds development process should be to ensure that it will comparator countries. The Central Bank of Sri of the losses incurred by SOEs is attributable of competent CEOs; recruitment of qualified can be credited. These funds can be earmarked produce value for money. The commercial partner Lanka (CBSL) and a well-capitalised banking to pricing policy. Economic services (Ceylon professionals for procurement, finance, solely for the purpose of debt management. selected should be the most capable of producing this system have been able to step into the breach. Petroleum Corporation, Ceylon Electricity human resource development, and other The timing of such transactions should be outcome. An open tender process would allow a more However, the impact of the burden imposed on Board, Sri Lanka Transport Board, Sri Lanka key management positions; adoption of determined by the improvement in market efficient allocation of resources by using competitive the capital adequacy of the banking system will Railways, and National Water Supply and realistic pricing policies and investment conditions. It would be timely to commence pricing as a tool to reflect real market sentiments and only be known after the moratoria are lifted. Drainage Board) are provided below cost. strategies; institutionalising performance thinking about such an initiative at a time pave the way for better utilisation of resources. The Government’s success in containing the There is a considerable body of empirical audit and financial management controls; when sentiment and confidence, at home and Tax concessions pandemic (during March-September 2020) research which demonstrates that such and expenditure management. abroad, are being boosted by the emergence The ECT provides a unique competitive advantage was a major positive factor in coping with its subsidies are a very inefficient means of The success of it depends on taking of a vaccine, which is over 90% effective. for the operator. The risk in this investment is unprecedented effects, particularly through supporting the poor and vulnerable. In practice, tough decisions. It is also noteworthy that The Pathfinder Foundation believes that relatively low, given that the Port is already the early opening up of the economy. they tend to benefit higher income groups governments such as those of Norway and the Budget Speech on 17 November 2020 established. The South Port (deepwater port) is This note argues that the Government’s disproportionately. Abu Dhabi have refused to provide additional provides an opportunity for the Government well known and has been in existence for six to efforts to reform SOEs create an opportunity It is more effective to provide a social safety financial support to their national airlines, to elaborate on such a programme that offers seven years. The Port is also strategically located to address the onerous debt burden by selling net through a well-designed, targeted income even though these two jurisdictions have the prospect of reducing the debt burden in a with only a four-hour deviation from the major east- public assets. Where the Government intends transfer scheme, and the highly inefficient two of the largest sovereign wealth funds in manner which contains the pain inflicted on west shipping route. Additionally, its competitor, to retain control, it can consider selling (poorly designed and poorly targeted) the world. Yet, Sri Lanka, despite its parlous the people of Sri Lanka. Such a programme the Colombo International Container Terminals minority stakes. However, there is a strong Samurdhi programme should be reformed state of public finances, has not been able to will also transmit a positive signal to investors (CICT) is running close to capacity. Finally, there case for the sale of assets like the Hilton and to achieve this objective. This would provide take tough decisions in relation to its national and creditors, both at home and abroad, as is a very limited employment multiplier effect that Hyatt hotels, once market conditions become greater leeway for adopting pricing policies carrier. The successful implementation of SOE well as to rating agencies, thereby increasing this project can create. more favourable. The emergence of a vaccine that do not impose an unsustainable burden on reforms will reduce the burden on the budget the credit worthiness of the country. The private returns are significantly higher than that is 90% effective is likely to accelerate the Government budget and/or balance sheets and strengthen state bank balance sheets. In (The Pathfinder Foundation is a the cost of capital factoring in-country and project the hotel and tourism sectors bouncing back. of state banks. The current subsidy-based addition, the valuation of these enterprises non-profit, non-partisan research risk. Taken together and based on the publicly The Government is seeking to introduce a model of delivering economic services is no will be enhanced and the opportunity will and advocacy think tank which has available information, the case for tax holidays on holistic programme of reform for improving longer affordable, given the highly constrained be created to consider very seriously how a promoted market-oriented economic this project is weak. Further consideration must the management of SOEs. In doing so, there fiscal space and the debt dynamics which programme of asset disposal can contribute policy reforms in Sri Lanka since 2008. also be placed on the precarious fiscal situation that is merit in drawing on the Statements of Intent threaten the wellbeing of the people. to alleviating the unsustainable debt burden. Readers’ comments may be sent to www. the country is presently in and the need to mobilise (SOIs) drawn up by the major SOEs in recent The Pathfinder Foundation is concerned that This course of action would be a less painful pathfinderfoundation.org) more tax revenue. The Advocata Institute calls upon the Government to strengthen oversight and accountability through an open tender process. We believe that such a policy IFC and Australia create 12,000 jobs for Sri Lankan women direction would be more conducive to reaching the administration’s vision of a more productive and A two-year partnership, known and growth. a 21% rise in the number of women Women’s participation in Sri providing opportunities for women prosperous Sri Lanka. as SheWorks Sri Lanka, has led Launched in March 2018, the in leadership roles. Six companies Lanka’s labour force remains in non-traditional roles and male- to a 12% increase in the number partnership has seen SheWorks saw an 8-60% increase in the share low at 34%, less than half that dominated sectors, including in Key points of women employed by 15 of companies implement 97 of women in middle management. of men. Furthermore, women in corporate leadership,” said Advocata Institute welcomes the decision to resume the country’s leading companies, gender-smart actions focused “For growth to be truly inclusive, the 20-40 age group are the most Australian High Commissioner the stalled project of developing the ECT equating to over 12,000 more on increasing women’s business strengthening opportunities for disadvantaged, securing only to Sri Lanka David Holly. “These The economic benefits of developing the ECT women in the workforce, IFC leadership, ensuring recruitment women in the workforce is a must 30% of jobs in the private sector, companies set an example for is significant to both Sri Lanka and India and the announced last week. and retention of female talent, and SheWorks companies have reflecting women’s increased care others to follow in promoting management of this relationship is crucial Initiated by Women in Work, exploring employer-supported shown how advancing workplace responsibilities that are associated greater gender equality across The Advocata Institute believes that a tax holiday a partnership between IFC (a childcare, promoting anti-sexual equality also improves business with marriage and childbearing as the country.” should not be granted owing to the advantageous member of the World Bank Group) harassment mechanisms, and outcomes,” said IFC Country well as other entrenched social Representing over 170,000 location of the Port of Colombo and the Australian Government, supporting women in the supply Manager for Sri Lanka and the norms. employees, the 15 companies Implementing an open tender process is essential to SheWorks Sri Lanka is aimed to chain. Maldives Amena Arif. “We look “SheWorks has delivered spread across Sri Lanka’s priority signal to investors needed to drive future expansion create more equal and respectful The partnership also led to a forward to seeing other Sri Lankan significant ‘gender shifts’ in Sri industries such as garments and that a fair process will be followed workplaces for women and men one-third increase in the number companies step up and embrace Lanka’s workforce that have apparel, tourism, information (The Advocata Institute is an independent in the country’s workforce, while of women board directors in the gender equality agenda in the ultimately improved the corporate technology, banking and finance, policy think tank based in Colombo, Sri Lanka) also boosting business productivity SheWorks companies as well as workplace.” bottom line. More companies are and conglomerates. Contd. from page 1

Progress on... It has not been objectively looked at. They period this year coupled with a tax on fuel price recorded in the last quarter of 2019 which companies functioning in a number of districts In 2003, Sri Lanka leased the Trincomalee oil should lift it completely and provide us some prices. Restricted travel during the lockdown was Rs. 76.80, while the highest price NTB were based on a wide range of products, rather tanks to LIOC for 30 years, which expires in 2033. sort of a licence or permit to import so the period and less movement around the country, shares reached was Rs. 85. than on agricultural products alone. The Sunday Morning Business reliably learnt Government would have an advanced idea even after the removal of the lockdown, made DFCC Bank PLC shares closed at Rs. 66.60 However, a research study done by the former that after the end of the lease agreement, Sri Lanka on import expenditures,” the Chairman noted. CPC cater to a reduced demand at its current last Wednesday, well below the lowest share Agrarian Research and Training Institute (ARTI), is not willing to renew the agreement as they want Sri Lanka introduced import restrictions price point, the profit component of which is price of Rs. 86.10 during 4Q19. The highest price now the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research to develop the storage tanks for local purposes. initially on nonessential imports in late March, a question. DFCC Bank witnessed during the same period and Training Institute (HARTI), in 1990 to Reclaiming storage tanks in Trincomalee which was later expanded to all imports “When a profit-making business sells more was Rs. 99.90. Pan Asia Banking Corporation evaluate the programme, highlighted that the or commencing joint ventures with LIOC on excluding fuel and pharmaceutical products and more products, it brings them more profit. PLC closed at Rs. 12.70 on Wednesday, which EPV strategy had not worked in the rural setup Trincomalee oil tanks are long-pending requests and subsequently, raw material required for But when a loss-making business sells more is a little higher than the lowest share price of as expected. The main reason was its inability to made by Sri Lankan authorities from consecutive export purposes and construction materials too products, it creates more losses. In our case, Rs. 12 recorded during the last quarter of 2019. establish self-sustained commercial organisations Indian Governments and the LIOC. Nevertheless, were exempted. we have been pumping less, so our losses However, it is lower than the highest share price of village producers with the required capacity none of it progressed. In 2017, then Minister of Nevertheless, certain food and beverage came down and turned into a net profit in of Rs. 13.70 reported during the same period. to stay involved in the competitive market in Petroleum Chandima Weerakkody initiated talks category products were allowed to be imported fact,” Weerasooriya told us two weeks ago. Seylan Bank PLC’s shares closed at Rs. 32 the long run. with LIOC, proposing a joint venture pertaining during that time. Following this, on 15 April, on Wednesday, below the lowest share price of This initiative was revisited in 2019, when to 84 storage tanks in Trincomalee as LIOC uses the Government announced import restrictions Rs. 49.30 recorded during Q4 2019. The highest the former Primary Industries and Social only 15 tanks out of 99 existing tanks. Even though on items such as rice, flour, sugar, liquor, and Banking... share price recorded during this period was Rs. Empowerment Minister, Daya Gamage stated this proposal received the Cabinet of Ministers’ apparel products, extending restrictions to 15 Shares of Sampath Bank PLC were the only 60. Meanwhile, Union Bank of Colombo PLC that Sri Lanka was in discussions with the World approval and was discussed with LIOC, it was July which was once again extended until banking shares that were trading above the closed at Rs. 11.40 on 11 November, which Bank to obtain a $ 250 million loan to set up abandoned subsequently. The discussions were further notice. However, apparel imports are Rs. 100 mark on Wednesday when it closed is higher than the lowest share price of Rs. 8 5,000 EPVs across the country in order to boost renewed once again by the present Government now permitted with a high cess per kilogramme. at Rs. 128, which is again less than the lowest recorded during Q4 2019. Nevertheless, it is the nation’s export sector. During the 2019 as Sri Lanka had no methods to store fuel when price of Rs. 152.30 reported from the quarter still lower than the highest share price of Rs. Global Spice Road Symposium in Colombo, he there were negative international oil prices during ended 31 December last year. During this 13.30 recorded during that quarter. explained that the villages will be linked with the peak of the pandemic in the second quarter of Treasury bond... quarter, the highest share price reported was (MT) 33 specialised agro and fish processing zones this year. Therefore, the Government is looking Following the closure of the Bandaranaike Rs. 176.90. Sampath Bank recorded a PAT which are currently being set up in the country. for methods to ensure that they do not miss similar International Airport (BIA) on 18 March, of Rs. 5.09 billion for the nine months ended The new proposal also looked to help opportunities to store fuel at comparatively lower SriLankan Airlines had to remain on the ground 30 September 2020, a decline of 22% in PAT Export Villages... exporters who are being impacted by the prices in the future. apart from a few cargo flights. Few days after, compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The core idea of the major strategy of the Covid-19 pandemic and the import restrictions Sources noted that the CPC managed to store SriLankan began operating rescue flights that The bank recorded a PAT of Rs. 1.12 billion EPV programme was to organise production in which followed. The Central Bank reported fuel in two tanks with a capacity range of 20,000- brought in stranded Sri Lankans from around the during the third quarter this year, a drop of villages directly for the export market. Under this that imported consumer goods only amount to 25,000 tonnes in Jaffna and Puttalam during the world. In addition to this, SriLankan operated 53.8% compared to the same period last year. programme, it was expected to start production 19.8% of total imports, while 57% of imports are peak of the global pandemic. rescue flights for several other countries, bringing National Development Bank (NDB) was based on advanced and secure marketing intermediate goods for production. One example their nationals back home. trading at Rs. 75.30 on Wednesday, when it arrangements such as supply contracts for specific of this comes in the form of the confectionery Meanwhile, the seven-week islandwide was trading at Rs. 97.50 during the last quarter products at pre-agreed prices. The products were industry which has experienced a 340% special Budget to... lockdown necessitated by the local outbreak of 2019. The highest share price recorded expected to be directly purchased by export commodity levy on block fat and margarine Speaking further, the Chairman said that of Covid-19 has resulted in CPC recording a during this quarter was Rs. 112. NDB’s PAT companies. The avoidance of involvement of in June. The industry, directly and indirectly, import restrictions as a whole should be net profit of Rs. 830 million in the first three during the third quarter of this year was Rs. intermediaries in the process of marketing was employs over 600,000 people while exporting to lifted and free trade should be allowed quarters of this year, following a loss of Rs. 9 4.5 billion, up by 34% compared to the same expected to bring about higher prices and more over 55 countries and bringing in $ 100 million in as the impact on importers is significant. billion in the same period last year. period last year. benefits for the producers. export revenue to the country annually, according “I do not think the Government looked at the According to CPC, this was mainly due to Meanwhile, Nations Trust Bank (NTB) The EPV programme was expanded and to the Lanka Confectionery Manufacturers total impact of import restrictions on the country. less fuel pumping during the corresponding shares were at Rs. 59.90, lower than the lowest became more popular by the late 1980s, and EPV Association (LCMA). the sunday morning business 3 Sunday, November 15, 2020 INSIGHT

By Dhananath Fernando The first time I saw a vending Sri Lanka needs machine as a little boy I was awestruck. I insert coins and pick the product I want to consume and the machine automatically serves it! I had a thousand questions systems, not people as to how it operated. First I thought there must be a z man inside the machine who Time to stop looking for heroes or magicians, and start looking for systems sees what I order and counts because of the absence of a token system is to have a system to set should be able to see the broader the money and serves me queue system. up systems and fix systems. It has picture and matters from a holistic from behind the machine. Many political scientists to start from the top, to the bottom, approach. For example, from I was confused as to how interpreted the mandate received covering all aspects of the system. the perspective of prioritising the machine identifies the by His Excellency the President as Another common mistake in healthcare, extending the a mandate for a “system change”; attempting to set up systems lockdown for a few more weeks value of the coin and notes; to set up processes and procedures is trying to fix one system at a makes sense as it would help as a kid, I myself got the to ensure things operate smoothly time. Though it looks practical, a contain the virus to an extent. values of the coins mixed and conveniently without any governance system even in a small However, this would be at the up. Since both the products interruptions and delays. One country like Sri Lanka is very expense of the growth of our and coins are together, what common mistake we often make is complicated. Taking one problem already hampered economy. In if someone steals the entire just trying to establish a “system” at a time works in some cases but a complex world, everything machine at night? How do without setting up a “system to set in this case when you take one is interconnected and system they refill the bottles and up the system”. It is the same as case at a time the other systems changes need to take a look at how do they collect the placing a man behind a vending mount an opposition to this and an overall view, with a sound cash? All sorts of questions machine instead of automating it. bring down the system that we 360-degree understanding of the were crossing my mind. Over the years, we have tried try to fix. That is why we need story. There is a proper system established to run the vending machine with precision, rapid reform across all sectors of As this author has been saying to set up the “system” just like clockwork. Later on, I realised there is by using muscle power and the governance system, setting up even before the Covid-19 a proper system established to brute force or relying on the which is much larger in scale. Simply, we did not have high-level institutions to “set the pandemic, a system change is not run the vending machine with negotiation skills and the When the cases were limited and “systems” to “set up systems” and system” right. going to make leaders popular. In precision, like clockwork. In other influence of those with close numbers were small, it was at a throughout, the attempt was to “set Of course, appointing fact, it will make them unpopular words, there is a system in place political connections, rather scale where people’s skills were up systems” by appointing people trustworthy skilful humans in the short run. However, over to run a system. Today, when I than setting up institutions to able to manage it with somewhat we believe are trustworthy and is a main element of a system time, gradual successes will pave see a vending machine I am not ensure checks and balances strict mobility controls. competent. Of course, appointing transformation, but the the path for them to become surprised. I am only surprised as to However, we did not have trustworthy skilful humans is mandate of the trustworthy legends. why it is not commonly available Over the years, we have tried to the systems in place to face a a main element of a system people has to be to “set up a Setting up systems is an art like in Sri Lanka. set up the “system” just by using pandemic on a larger scale and to transformation, but the mandate system” to “run the system” many other subjects. It is a rare If I compare Sri Lanka to a muscle power and brute force or study it scientifically and increase of the trustworthy people has to instead of just setting up the art which requires knowledge in vending machine, most often we relying on the negotiation skills testing capacity. We diverted our be to “set up a system” to “run the system to react based on the diverse fields and management place a human behind the machine and the influence of those with focus and could not reduce the system” instead of just setting up incidents taking place skills to implement it. Sri Lanka is instead of “setting a system” to close political connections, rather lead time for testing and increase the system to react based on the at a crossroads with an opportunity run the “system”. Then, we fail than setting up institutions to accessibility. We did not have the incidents taking place. Setting up systems starts from to revamp the “systems” and “set miserably and wonder where we ensure checks and balances. As a institutions and mechanisms to When it comes to business and institutions. Those institutions up a system” to “set up systems”. got things messed up. As a result, result, unsurprisingly, none of the collectively enforce guidelines investment, things are no different. should function independently, Only time will tell whether we we fall back to square one and systems have proven sustainable to overcome a health crisis and One main challenge faced by most transparently, and democratically capitalised on it, or in simpler point fingers at each other and nor have they delivered the as a result, we have to depend on Sri Lankan entrepreneurs when while ensuring equal opportunity terms, whether we placed a man pass the responsibility to former expected results. It has only given our muscle power by transferring they enter joint ventures with to everybody. Institutions should behind the vending machine or politicians who have been in office us hit-or-miss results, sometimes most of the responsibilities to our overseas companies is that the be open and accessible to all sorts whether we automated it. and sometimes the blame game positive but mostly negative. respected tri-forces and the Sri foreign company requests 51% of of ideas on a selected issue before (The writer is the Chief ends with the common citizen A good case study for the above Lanka Police. Even after the first the shares. The reason is, if there they reach the decision-making Operating Officer of Advocata being the culprit when things would be the containment of the round experience of a Covid-19 is a legal dispute, being a minority level. Checks and balances have Institute. He can be contacted go really wrong. Often we tell Covid-19 pandemic. Sri Lanka cluster at the Sri Lanka Navy, we shareholder, the investment would to be ensured. That is how we via [email protected]. ourselves at crowded places: “Why outperformed the rest of the world couldn’t avoid a second cluster in not be worthwhile due to the time understand all sides of the problem The opinions expressed are the can’t people just stay in the line?” in its first phase. However, we the Sri Lanka Police which was and money they have to spend to and reduce the margin of error in author’s own views. They may not without understanding that people have drastically lost our grip and at the forefront of the Covid-19 resolve the case in Sri Lanka’s our decision-making process in necessarily reflect the views of don’t stay in the line not because the momentum we previously had battle according to the structure of notoriously slow legal system. The public policy. the Advocata Institute or anyone they don’t like staying in line, but in this second wave of the virus containment. first step to fixing the judiciary People who establish systems affiliated with the institute) Tea industry must rise to the Covid challenge

BY NIMESHA DISSANAYAKA towards high-value products that have “health benefits” – healthier Sri Lanka is identified as one of green, functional, and herbal tea the most vulnerable middle-income blends – are likely to take place countries to the economic fallout post Covid-19. from the Covid-19 pandemic. A key channel through which Way forward vulnerabilities are heightened Several initiatives have been relates to a country’s export adopted by the government to earnings. While Sri Lanka is not minimise the negative impacts of highly exposed to global supply Covid-19 on the tea supply chain chain disruptions, its dependence including permitting work on tea on a limited basket of exports and estates and moving the Colombo export destinations is of concern. Tea Auction to an online platform. Sri Lanka’s export agriculture However, the present situation sector – dominated by tea, rubber, of the tea industry demands that and coconut – is among the Sri Lanka reassesses its sectoral impacted sectors. They account policies to increase the sector’s for 20% of total export earnings long-term resilience. annually, with tea exports alone More attention must be paid to accounting for about 12%. value addition, including moving By the time Covid-19 hit, towards herbal and health-based Sri Lanka’s tea production and products. This will require a export earnings had already comprehensive reassessment of been on a declining trend over the long-term prospects for Sri the past few years. The adverse Figure 1: Channels of transmission of the Covid-19 shock on tea supply chains Lanka’s tea industry. Introducing weather conditions and long- SOURCE: AUTHOR’S ILLUSTRATION BASED ON THE FAO REPORT “COVID-19: CHANNELS OF modern production technologies, term structural issues such as TRANSMISSION TO FOOD AND AGRICULTURE” (2020) enhancing technical skills and labour shortages and lack of fostering innovation, together with technological application have and international logistics weather conditions and low improvements in warehousing and affected production levels over systems, and exporters who fertiliser applications, restrictions packaging facilities and quality time. With the first wave of the cater to both the domestic and on labour movements and the assurance throughout the value pandemic, the vulnerabilities of international markets. Any transport of intermediate inputs due chain, are critical areas to be the tea sector were exposed. Now, disruptions to any of these to Covid-19 too contributed to this addressed. Covid-19 should be Sri Lanka and most of the main elements will likely affect the tea decline. viewed as a wake-up call and an tea buyers are experiencing a industry either through shocks on There has been a reduction in opportunity for all stakeholders to second wave which can have far- the supply side, trade flow, the the volume of shipping as a result are, however, short-run benefits, (-18%), Turkey (-14%), Russia collectively drive growth in the tea reaching negative consequences demand side, or a combination of of shrinking global trade due and will dissipate as Sri Lanka’s (-6%), (-22%), and Syria (-24%), industry. than previously anticipated. all these (Figure 1). to the drop in demand resulting key competitors return to normal showed a significant drop in their *This article is based on IPS’ In this context, this article According to the Food and from Covid-19 and the drop in oil levels of production. import quantities during the first (Institute of Policy Studies) “Sri- discusses the impacts of Covid-19 Agriculture Organisation (FAO), prices in 2020. Highly plugged From the demand side, quarter of 2020. However, by Lanka: State of the Economy on Sri Lanka’s tea industry and the the supplies of labour-intensive into international trade via global international price fluctuations, September 2020, the situation 2020” report on “Pandemics and different mitigation strategies the agricultural products in low- logistics systems, Sri Lanka also changes in purchasing power, and changed and major buyers such Disruptions: Reviving Sri Lanka’s Government can adopt to revive income countries are more encountered delays in shipments consumer preferences could affect as Turkey, Iran, and Russia are Economy Covid-19 and Beyond” the industry. prone to be badly affected due and clearance processes in ports. the tea sector. Although Sri Lanka showing slight growth in their tea (The writer is a Research to Covid-19. Sri Lankan tea too However, a significant drop in has not yet experienced import imports. Assistant at IPS. She holds a BSc Covid-19 and Sri Lanka’s showed a significant decrease in production and exports from its restrictions by any of its tea Furthermore, Sri Lanka’s tea [Hons] in Agricultural Technology tea sector tea production during the first and main competitors due to Covid-19 buyers in the world including the trade is in a disadvantageous and Management, specialised in The tea supply chain second quarters of 2020 compared has enabled Ceylon tea to attract a most affected countries by Covid- position since its exports are Applied Economics and Business comprises diverse elements, to the same quarters over the past higher price within a short period. 19, importing volumes of major primarily in the black tea segment, Management from the University including producers, processors, few years (Figure 2). While this A depreciating rupee also gave tea buyers have shown decreases. All which is likely to see a further of Peradeniya. She can be reached distributors, importers, national can be mainly attributed to extreme exports a price advantage. These major buyers of Ceylon tea, Iraq drop. Shifts in consumer preference via email through [email protected]) 4 the sunday morning business EDITORIAL/DIGITAL Sunday, November 15, 2020 Holding out till vaccine arrives The big news on the pandemic front this week was Pfizer’s be looking at a vaccine as the only Used in combination, rapid testing equal. While richer countries can announcement of encouraging progress on its Covid-19 solution to the pandemic. could serve as an early alert to afford to use this moment to change vaccine. While the light at the end of this tunnel may have The bottomline is that resource- potential new infection clusters. to better economic strategies and finally appeared, for countries like ours, there is little cause to poor settings such as ours would We must buy time by pushing to sustainable systems, Sri Lanka’s need to do much more to battle flatten the curve through whatever dire economic woes mean we can celebrate a vaccine that wouldn’t arrive on our shores until at Covid between now and when we means. Remember that science is barely afford to subsidise those least late 2021, and even then must be preserved in ultra-cold first have vaccine access. We cannot working at breakneck speed. The people who need it the most, temperatures, posing a massive logistical challenge that we’d afford to lose control of this; we world now knows much more much less face the challenges of be hard pressed to surmount. RNA vaccines, like the Pfizer cannot restore any semblance of about how the virus behaves and the lockdown that we may find one, require colder storage; there are, however, multiple other normalcy without pushing towards THE progresses than it did when we first difficult to avert. vaccines in development, including in India, China, and Russia, eliminating the virus. Slowing went into lockdown; health experts Some of the Government’s which are more suited to the storage and transport conditions down the spread through universal HEADLIGHT have more access to information and economic policies have not helped of the developed world, should their efficacy be proven. mask wearing, distancing, and hand data on the treatment and handling either. Just this week, the Central washing allows us to extend the time experts have called for four times of patients; the medical world is Bank released startling data on The vaccine news, while great, the UK have already booked access between now and a vaccine. as much to deal effectively with collaborating better every day. gold-pawning debt and credit card must be taken in context. The task of to the first production tranches to Aggressive testing and tracing the current spread. Sri Lanka is These are all benefits of controlling defaults during the last six months manufacturing and distributing the their own populations. There is no is the only sure way we can tackle looking at other complementary spread, which we must do with which reflect the daily economic vaccine to cover a large portion of likelihood of equitable distribution the pandemic, but Sri Lanka interventions that help break the better testing and sensible handling. struggles of the low to middle- the world’s population would take – for the better part of next year, has been struggling to ramp up chain of transmission, including the The World Economic Forum’s income segments. Promising years; Pfiser, for example, would poorer countries won’t have PCR testing capacity. We have rapid antigen tests which are said Klaus Schwab has referred to this vaccines and resets mean little have the capacity to manufacture adequate vaccines to vaccinate even maintained levels around 10,000 to be faster, less expensive, and pandemic as the great reset the to people struggling with the 1.3 billion doses in 2021 and rich their most vulnerable segments. tests per day since this second less technical and technological- world was in need of, but as resets devastating consequences of the countries like the US, Japan, and Given those timelines, we shouldn’t wave began, when public health resource-heavy than PCR testing. go, not all countries are created pandemic. SMEs urged to digitalise Female labour to survive pandemic can drive digital BY UWIN LUGODA important to their business continuity, Consumer’s point of view and about half of them had set up a Galpaya stated that they found that The Covid-19 pandemic has website for their enterprise.This not a very few people in Sri Lanka are forced businesses from retail and only included standalone websites, but willing to engage in e-commerce. She manufacturing to service providers also social media pages. explained that they were more likely transformation to re-evaluate their business models “40% of businesses use the internet to use online platforms to search for home” (WFH). Industries and the workforce holds far more where the traditional “in-person” and or social media for various activities in new businesses, rather than using that institutions that considered benefits than just increasing “social” setting is the norm. The new their business, and they all stated that it platform to purchase anything. By this an impossibility have capacity. It brings balance, norm, however, has paved the way was an important tool for their business. “They are more likely to go Damitha been forced to make it work, fresh ideas, and diversity for corporates to incorporate a bigger Many of them used it for marketing and physically and complete the transaction Jayasinghe for at least part of their into workplaces. It uplifts portion of their business process with to receive orders online.” rather than completing the e-commerce workforce. economies and individual an innovative “contactless” method of The research went on to state that journey by paying online as well.” With this comes the unique standards of living to have delivering their products and services. the software used by these SMEs were Despite this, according to Facebook opportunity of addressing the two, instead of one, person Similar to bigger corporates, small mainly focused on sales, accounting, Sri Lanka Policy Programmes Manager A pivotal development by shortage of tech talent – by in the family with steady and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and enterprise resource planning. Yasas Abeywickrama, Sri Lankan the onset of the pandemic increasing the participation employment. also have to adapt to this new norm in However, only one-fifth of these consumers have been making more of has been the dire need for all of women in the workforce. Speaking from my role at order to survive in the current economic enterprises utilised softwares to give a shift towards digitalisation since the things digital. It has pushed In Sri Lanka’s IT industry the technology company I climate. This has led many Sri Lankan them operational efficiencies. first outbreak of the virus in March. industries to use technology alone, female participation represent, it is harder than SMEs to look at digitalising as their The research later took 29 indicators During the online event, to get in line with the new hovers around the 25% ever to source good talent. lifeline. of ICT used by these enterprises, such Abeywickrama spoke about a research demands of the market by mark, although around 50% 99x has grown during the Digitalisation and digital tools have as how they talk to their suppliers, how they conducted to understand Sri bringing about rapid digital of IT graduates from local pandemic and recruitment proven they can benefit SMEs, with a they get orders, what are the types of Lanka’s potential for digitisation in transformation within their universities are women, many of good tech talent remains 2019 economic survey of Singapore’s devices they have, and can the SMEs order to aid the local businesses better organisations, from how they of whom emerge top of their challenging, even more so first quarter finding that firms who are contact their employees through ICT. during the pandemic. The research, manage their day-to-day class. than at the start of the year. adopting digital tools increased their Galpaya stated that they then asked an which was done in July 2020, had operations to the way they A key reason for the drop- The workforce has grown value by 25% and their productivity by algorithm to group these enterprises into surveyed 500 consumers to understand sell their products. off of women once they enter by nearly 70 people this 16% on average. two groups: High ICT use SMEs and their side when it comes to SME To bring about this the workforce has been the year and despite retaining During a webinar titled “Use of low ICT use SMEs. digitisation. paradigm digital shift is the inability to maintain a work- our employees, as seen by Digital Platforms for SMBs (small and She explained that from this they saw They found that around 56% of requirement for tech talent, life balance. Often, especially an attrition rate at single- medium businesses)”, State Minister that only 30% of SMEs in Sri Lanka consumers said that social media had a resource that was scarce in cultures such as ours, digit figures, we still find of Samurdhi, Household Economy, can be classified as the high ICT use helped them discover new businesses, to begin with but for which women are expected to be ourselves needing more tech Microfinance, Self-Employment, category. She went on to state that out of which 43% stated that the demand has skyrocketed the foundation upon which talent than ever. and Business Development Shehan high ICT use strongly correlated with businesses they discovered were in the last several months. family life is built. Pressures Semasinghe highlighted the importance SMEs expanding into larger enterprises. local SMEs. Abeywickrama stated Globally, data and software of the workplace coupled Rapid solution to of digitalisation for the SME segment Therefore, it further highlighted the that the research also showcased that development roles are leading with the responsibilities shortage of tech as well as the importance of SMEs to importance of digitisation when it consumers are now having a tendency the way as some of the most of home create a situation talent Sri Lanka’s economy. comes to enterprises growth, achieving to support local SMEs during their in-demand jobs, making IT near impossible to juggle, Engaging this untapped The Government of Sri Lanka has efficiency, and their ability to reach time of need, and therefore have one of the few industries especially if no external help half of the workforce, who recognised SMEs as the backbone other markets. begun to move away from larger to increase hiring since the is available. are educated and industry- of the economy, as it accounts for Galpaya stated that these high ICT corporations. start of the pandemic, as per ready, could be a rapid more than 75% of the total number using SMEs have roughly 2.9 or three “69% of the consumers we surveyed a Covid-19 impact analysis Mutually beneficial solution to the shortage of of enterprises, provides 45% of times the monthly income compared to said that they moved from their report released by specialist WFH holds benefits tech talent. WFH comes employment, and contributes to 52% of low ICT using SMEs. This is due to the previous providers to local SMEs, recruiter Randstad. for both employees and with its own challenges and the gross domestic production (GDP), branding and advertising that high ICT and 70% of these SMEs were found Yet, a scarce pool of employers. Employees benefit it is up to employers to rise according to the National Policy use opens up. through social media.” tech talent leaves even less from higher flexibility, more to the challenge and create Framework for SME Development. “71% of high ICT users advertise on He stated that in the survey, 58% resources to go around – and time to spend with and care flexible work environments “I think from the looks of the current more channels and are able to have a of the consumers stated that they also with increasing demand at for dependents, zero commute conducive to supporting situation, this pandemic will prevail better relationship with the customer, used social media business pages far higher costs. The ever- time, and helps all employees, a more diverse, inclusive for a few more months, so more SMEs through things like loyalty programmes, to find business information, and increasing cost of tech talent not just women, achieve a workforce in the new normal. will have to move into digital platforms while only 25% of low ICT users 83% of them have stated that they is proving to be unsustainable better work-life balance. A Human resource to survive, and we need to help the advertise digitally, that also being have used some sort social media or and industries globally have case in point are countries professionals too play a key sector because they contribute a lot to limited to less sophisticated levels of online messaging – such as Facebook, been struggling in their quest such as Denmark and role here in understanding the local economy,” said Semasinghe, advertising like mobile messages.” Messenger, and WhatsApp – to for digital transformation as Sweden. These countries have the changing IT employment speaking at the online event hosted by She stated that other advantages communicate with businesses. a result. the highest percentages of landscape and driving the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce on include the geographical diversity Moreover, Abeywickrama stated females working from home necessary organisational 11 November. high ICT users get when it comes to that 56% of the consumers also stated Does WFH hold the and boast the highest maternal change to build a broad pool During the event, Helani Galpaya, suppliers. In the research, it showcased that they find business content shared answers? employment rates. of talent, helping create more CEO of LIRNEasia, a Colombo- that about 50% of high iCT users had on social media more engaging, As per the Information and Overall, the WFH resilient corporates. Covid-19 based think-tank, stated that there has foreign suppliers and about 40% had adding: “We also found 66% of them Communication Technology development this year has has shown that flexible work been a significant improvement in suppliers from all over the country. have communicated with businesses Agency of Sri Lanka’s brought about closer-knit environments are not just Sri Lanka when it comes to internet Only about 3% of low ICT users have via Facebook, while 83% have (ICTA) National IT-BPM families and communities. feasible but, when properly use in the last few years, compared foreign suppliers. communicated through WhatsApp.” Workforce Survey 2019, The pandemic created the implemented, can also bring to a lot of our regional counterparts. She went on to state that even when the gender composition of space for companies to about a myriad of benefits However, she stated that according to it comes to bank accounts, 90% of high ICTA Sri Lanka’s IT workforce test out the feasibility of for employers and employees the recent research report the think-tank ICT users had dedicated bank accounts Finally, Information and has improved from 29% of WFH and the results are alike. The question that arises released in March 2020, titled “ICT for their businesses; while low ICT Communication Technology Agency female participation in 2013 in. A survey conducted by is if employers are willing (Information and communications users were more likely to use their (ICTA) Chairman Jayantha De Silva to 34% in 2018. While this is research company Gartner to accept this as the answer technology) access and use in SMEs in personal bank accounts. stated that SMEs in today’s context do a commendable achievement, with 317 CFOs and business to accessing great talent, by Sri Lanka”, the country has a long way Galpaya stated that SMEs that are not want to always remain SMEs, and in parallel, the demand for finance leaders found that increasing the participation to go. integrated into global value chains and instead want to expand into large-scale IT graduates has increased 74% plan to move their and engagement of the female She looked at the findings for Sri are able to sell their products or services companies. Due to this, and given the steeply from 6,246 in 2014 previously on-site workforce labor force, and to take the Lanka from their research which overseas are guaranteed to make more current environment, he stated that to 21,216 in 2019. With to permanently remote necessary steps within their included 32 other countries, while income, and at a macroeconomic level, digitisation is key for their survival as the onset of the pandemic, positions post Covid-19. organisations to make it a drawing from nationally representative it is a very valuable way to bring in well as growth. demand has increased further, Global giants have led the reality. samples of individuals and businesses. foreign revenue to the SME’s income. “As the lead agency in Sri Lanka with a possible slowdown of way with companies such as (Damitha Jayasinghe is Galpaya stated that in the research, High ICT users were more likely to for the implementation of ICT, we graduates due to interruptions Google, Twitter, Microsoft, the Chief People Officer of nearly 90% of businesses they surveyed have their main customers to be from see the importance of digitisation for to local universities and and Dropbox announcing they 99x, a technology company used their mobile phones for business the international market, depending on SMEs and the importance of SMEs to higher education institutes’ will allow employees to WFH co-creating well-engineered, activities, but only 65% of them have the sector, and had customers from all Sri Lanka’s economy. Due to this, we operations. for extended periods. innovative digital products a dedicated phone number for their corners of Sri Lanka. have laid out a road map for the future, Does another pandemic for the Scandinavian market. business. They also witnessed that She stated that especially with the and we are targeting to support a 100 development hold the Can we reignite the He counts over 15 years computer ownership among these ongoing pandemic, it is important for start-ups that are considered SMEs in answers? The need for social other half of the of experience in shaping SMEs were low. However, the ones SMEs to have an online platform to the next four years, when it comes to distancing has brought about workforce? workforces consisting of IT who own computers deem them even reach the local market. ICT.” the shift to “work from Drawing women back into professionals) the sunday morning business 5 Sunday, November 15, 2020 ECONOMICS Our foreign policy must be formulated by economists

By Dr. Nicholas Ruwan z Get away from frivolous matters Part 2 Dias and Niresh Eliatamby

“Was Kamala Harris’ grandfather a Sri Lankan?” That’s one of the key items trending on Sri Lankan social media these days. Not just among teenagers, but among educated Sri Lankans. Sri Lankans love to digress from reality and venture into a fantasy world. Right now, too many educated Sri Lankans are wasting time on an extraordinarily frivolous aspect of an election in a country half a world away. Meanwhile, we ignore what’s happening just next door, where a key election just took place in the north-eastern Indian state of Bihar, which has an important bearing on the Government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We also virtually ignore events taking place in Asian countries that have far more influence on Sri Lanka’s present and future – anti- monarchy protests in Thailand; crackdown on democracy in Hong renewable (solar) and electrical, and China, preventing higher tariffs. Kong; the naming of the new crown automotive and chemical industries Consequently, the countries of prince in Japan; political upheavals as shown in Fig. 1. Southeast Asia such as Vietnam in Pakistan…What matters most is In the last few years, India and were widely touted as trade winners. Currency Term Financing Facility concessions, tax incentives, and think tank of our own international the impact to Sri Lanka on trade, China have become more integrated. India may also be a beneficiary. (FTFF) is that the loan is not schemes can help boost exports, businessmen and women, together raw materials, markets, investment, For example, Chinese funding US restrictions on imports of attached to a project, and so the an effective measure would be to with academics who understand and yes – borrowings. has penetrated India’s technology textiles from China’s Xinjiang Government of Sri Lanka has the recognise and make competitive global economics and power In part two of this series, we market, pumping into India’s start- Autonomous Region can also freedom to use the loan money at its sectors in which India offers a politics. look at some of the key aspects ups, including Zomato, PayTm, benefit Indian textile exporters. On discretion. comparative advantage on the But what is most important of our economic reality vis-a-vis Big Basket, and Ola in trillions of 14 September, because of concerns Sri Lankan market. The research is that the decisions and advice our business world. Part one was US dollars; a think tank based in about abusive, illegal forced labour Sri Lanka and the US indicates export potential for of such a think tank should be published last week. Mumbai, which has profoundly in the area, these restrictions were The Trade and Investment machinery, mechanical equipment followed. It should not be a case integrated China’s giants into India’s imposed. With Xinjiang representing Framework Agreement (TIFA), and components, textiles, of some representative of a foreign India and China socioeconomic and technological approximately 80-85% of the signed by the US and Sri Lanka in automobiles, aeroplane, vessels, government or foreign company A key area that Sri Lankans ecosystem. cotton production in China, India Washington D.C. on 25 July 2002, and base metals as well as for their exploiting our corrupt political lack in-depth knowledge is the The recent clashes on the has substantial benefit from foreign offers a forum suitable for both goods. The findings of our study system and ignorant officials to take economics of India and China India-China border raised fears buyers trying to diversify their governments to engage in dialogue indicate that the export potential advantage for themselves and the individually, and the economic of a greater war. But this was an supply base away from China. more closely on many areas of exists. Furthermore, Indian export countries or companies that they relationship between India and exaggerated fear. Both countries Yet with rising global anti-China mutual interest. Fig. 3 shows Sri ability is potentially enhanced in the represent. China. We tend to oversimplify have leaderships that are far too feelings, India can potentially Lanka’s trade with the US. ship, boat, and floating market. Only then can Sri Lanka deal some things and believe that our mature to risk any type of major benefit from these wider geopolitical with other nations from a position island needs to choose between war, as both recognise the futility changes by implementing Sri Lanka and India Sri Lanka and China of strength, where we know who India and China, when we don’t and unnecessariness of such comprehensive structural reforms to In terms of bilateral trade, imports China became the biggest we are, who other nations are, what need to. India is the huge market and conflagration. Both countries improve its global trade ties. from India have increased with the source of imports in Sri Lanka in they want, what we want, and what source of raw materials next door. now are faced with difficulties to The Indian pharmaceutical signing of the FTA between the two 2016, outperforming India. The we can get from them in terms of China is already a global power. escape their respective nationalistic industry in volume ranks 14th, countries in 1998. Exports to Sri prices of Indian imports, however, business. Together, the two powers are leading sentiments, and de-escalating the and by value is the third-largest in Lanka from India have risen from surpassed marginally Chinese An important prerequisite of Asia’s rise. In actual fact, these two situation will take a little time. the world. In 2018-19, the country $ 600 million in 2001 to $ 4,495 imports in the following years. In this is that we also need to get our giants are intertwined economically More specifically, how every exported drugs worth $ 14 billion to million in 2018. Sri Lanka’s exports addition to the noticeable increase in country’s economic house in order. and share a close economic side replenishes the long-term the U.S. from the current $ 712 million are Chinese investments in Sri Lanka, We need to appear strong and relationship, although their political relationship between countries In order to discourage purchases potentially significantly increased India obviously wouldn’t like this believe that we are strong in order relations are often rather rocky due as strategic competitors is what of Chinese products, the Indian and bilateral trade expansion is scenario particularly well when to gain respect, instead of asking for to decades-old border disputes. matters. Of the two, India faces policymakers have also directed possible through facilitatory steps China can export to Sri Lanka more pity and being dealt with through more challenges: Prime Minister e-commerce giants, including and optimal utilisation of the two than India. Fig. 4 provides more derision. We’d like to describe this India-China Trade Modi, as part of a more general shift Amazon and Walmart’s Flipkart, countries’ agreement. information on this. as “economic nationalism”. Today, China’s trade balance to self-sufficiency and protectionism to show the country of origin Between 2000-01 and 2018-19, Over the past five years, almost with India has a surplus of almost with restricted military options, on products. Clearing products bilateral trade between India and 30% of Chinese imports to Sri Conclusion $ 60 billion. However, they are not faces increasing pressure to boycott imported via Alibaba and Tencent Sri Lanka grew about nine times. Lanka have been electronic Sri Lanka needs to rise above well established in their bilateral Chinese goods; a policy that is have also been delayed. Out of which, India’s exports to Sri products. A large number of raw unnecessary emotional sentiments negotiating process to tackle the precisely the right way to counter In the first half of 2019, Lanka amounted to $ 4.7 billion and materials – such as fabric and with regard to global politics, and Indian trade deficit. In India and China’s long-term danger. Indian trade diversion effects imports amounted to $ 1.5 billion; cotton – used in Sri Lanka’s garment always be aware of what would China, the shift in trade that would of Washington’s tariff war with the overall trade between these two industry are also imported from be good for our own country. protect future economic relations India and US China, as per a United Nations countries totalled $ 6.2 billion in China. Above all, we need to remember between the two countries, but India can increase its trade trade and investment report, gained 2018-19. that as a small economy, we need would allow India to reduce its footprint through the US-China approximately $ 755 million in In 2018-19, India’s top three HS-2 Economic nationalism all of these major powers – China deficits, was constantly discussed. trade dispute, especially in the additional exports, primarily of classifications exports to Sri Lanka Firstly, we need to recognise that as a source of raw materials and categories for which tariffs are chemical goods, metals, and ore. comprised 43% of total exports our ignorance of global economic investment; India as the huge China FDI (India) placed on China by the US. Trade which include mineral fuels, ships realities has been exploited by trading partner next door; and the China’s foreign direct investment disputes between Washington Sri Lanka’s debt which boats, and vehicles. The top the world’s great powers, without US as a major market. into India has increased and and Beijing have resulted in Before we start negotiating with three imports in India included boats exception, and will continue unless (The writers are Managing is aimed at the metallurgical, some producers pulling out of countries, we need to understand and ships, food-producing residues we put a stop to it by educating Partners of Cogitaro.com, a how much we owe them, and what and waste, and 56% of total imports ourselves. It started with the consultancy that finds practical type of debt that is, as shown in including coffee, tea, and spices. Portuguese, then the Dutch, French, solutions for challenges facing Fig. 2. India’s Sri Lankan exports lose and British, and continued after society and different industries. Since 2015, almost all Chinese their competitiveness to China’s Sri Independence. Dr. Dias is a digital architect loans were project loans, the major Lankan exports. It is expected that The lesson here is that economics and educationist based in Kuala portion being obtained for heavy- China would eventually overtake and global relationships should Lumpur. He holds a BSc in infrastructure construction projects India, especially for imports, as Sri not be left to ignorant politicians, Computing from the University through the Chinese Export-Import Lanka’s biggest trading partner. unscrupulous businessmen, or of Greenwich, a Master’s in (EXIM) Bank. These include the India ‘s commercial challenge today even foreign service professionals. Computer Software Engineering port of Hambantota, the Colombo- is primarily systemic. While tariff Sri Lanka needs to form a proper from Staffordshire University, Katunayake highway, and the and a PhD from the University airport of Mattala. The country was of Malaya. He is completing a not allowed to use the funds raised second doctorate in Business from these project loans for further Administration from Universiti purposes. Utara Malaysia [ruwan@cogitaro. The Government is not really com]. independent financially in relation Eliatamby is a lecturer in to the project loans (or any project marketing, human resources, and loans from the World Bank, the mass communications based in Asian Development Bank, or the Colombo. He is an author and Japan International Co-operation was formerly associate editor of a Agency). Therefore, these loans newspaper and editor of various provide little assistance in solving industry magazines. He holds an BOP (Balance of Payment) crises, MBA from London Metropolitan which were an ongoing problem in University and an LLM from Sri Lanka. Cardiff Metropolitan University A special aspect of the Foreign [[email protected]]) 6 the sunday morning business INDUSTRY Sunday, November 15, 2020

BY UWIN LUGODA “Globally, life insurers manage more firmly believed that digitalisation is paving than $ 20 trillion in assets and as much as the way for the future of Softlogic Life and Today’s insurance companies half of this is estimated to be in government the industry. His idea behind digitalisation and agents around the world bonds. But the yields from these have did not mean the automation of an existing are facing a whole new set of fallen dramatically. For example, in the US, paper process; instead, he stated that the complex challenges as a result 10-year bond yields have more than halved automation of a manual process would not of the Covid-19 pandemic. From Insurance since the end of 2019. The crisis also puts make sense in terms of transforming the navigating market uncertainty, pressure on non-government bonds which industry’s landscape to be foolproof. sales, policy administration, claims may cause credit concerns and may lead As for life insurance, Ahamed stated that management, and understanding to an increase in bond downgrades. All of digitalisation at Softlogic Life Insurance is consumer demands to servicing these factors can result in solvency ratio transforming all aspects of the life insurance challenges.” lifecycle, and not just the digitalisation of the them efficiently, the entire industry in a The report stated that prior to the point at which a policyholder purchases a has faced disruption. outbreak, much was said about the industry contract but right through the whole process. When looking at the response of insurers being well-capitalised and so insurers may Focusing on the life insurance lifecycle, he in different jurisdictions around the world, be starting from a position of strength as said digitalisation begins at the point where the stage they are at corresponds to where it relates to capital. However, risk-based potential customers are identified. Therefore, they are geographically and how far they capital approaches vary widely by country, Softlogic Life has set up a data science are through the timeline of the virus’ spread. pandemic which impacts how reactive the ratios are team to stay ahead in the life insurance In Asia, where the virus initially originated, to current market conditions. Other capital lifecycle’s stage of identifying prospects by insurers have taken quick action to respond approaches could be sensitive to bond profiling numerous key attributes. The use to the rapidly unfolding situation and are z How can Sri Lankan insurers survive downgrades. of data analytics is at the core of identifying currently assessing the long-term impact on As a result, insurers will need to closely opportunities where Softlogic’s sales teams the insurance market moving forward. and thrive amidst Covid? monitor solvency ratios in order to meet could leverage. Moreover, digitalisation is A study conducted by Swiss Re Group, economic, regulatory, and rating agency leveraged at the underwriting stage where a Swiss-based company that provides capital requirements. If market volatility certain cross-checks take place against reinsurance, insurance, and other forms continues and fluctuations persist, they may existing databases to profile similar risks. of insurance-based risk transfer, last July need to reassess their investment portfolios “This enables a seamless process estimated that the total premium volumes and exposures to potentially reduced of capturing the risks that need to be in advanced markets (life and non-life) will investment earnings as well as protecting underwritten and priced. The process of shrink by 4% this year and return to positive capital/security for policyholders and key proposals that come through agent channels growth of more than 2% in 2021; while in stakeholders. is completely paperless as it is done via an the emerging markets segment, premium application contained in the tab or device growth will remain in positive territory in Predicted challenges with the agent. The data is cross-checked both years, set to be up 1% in 2020 and 7% Covid-19 has brought an immediate and the policy is underwritten, thereby in 2021. cash and liquidity crunch to many business producing a policy to a customer within a When looking at countries like China, sectors, which have seen income streams short period of time.” which was the first to be impacted by dramatically dry up. However, liquidity is He stated that claims are taking a the pandemic, we see that some insurers a problem the sector rarely deals with, due seemingly easier process facilitated via have extended coverage on existing health to the basis of the insurance business model WhatsApp with tools available to read policies to cover treatment costs or provide being taking in premiums upfront, investing, claims via images sent by policyholders a Covid-specific death cover. One of the and growing the proceeds, meaning cash is or hospitals. Digitalisation is also set to country’s major life insurers, for example, almost always on hand. help cross-check claims with profiles and launched a special pre-compensation Despite this, the report stated that since integrate the settlement of claims with programme for existing policies and Covid has brought up unprecedented minimum waiting times. provided agents free 10 million policies challenges to societies, economies, and Ahamed highlighted that looking at the totalling ¥ 1 trillion (about $ 10,000 per businesses; it would not be a surprise if current environment, technology and talent policy) to be distributed to customers. Other the pandemic creates liquidity strains for are readily available compared to how it was health insurers have initiated “Emergency insurers. Therefore, cash management will two decades ago. He explained that insurers Response Plans” to ensure fast-claim likely be an issue that the sector should start need to invest wisely on whatever brings settlement for policyholders. Additional thinking hard about and acting upon. the most effective outcome and customer coverage has also been provided to millions “It’s likely that insurers are experiencing convenience. of healthcare workers and reporters working a number of asset, liability, and investment Jha, who spoke from the point of general in the worst-affected areas. pressures, simultaneously. Due to these insurance, was equally positive about how In countries like Italy, where the virus has all happening simultaneously, it makes technology has changed the way in which recently had a resurgence, major insurers this period extraordinary and potentially physical documentation has reduced and have already developed policies designed increasingly difficult for the sector.” how it has helped Fairfirst in underwriting specifically to protect policyholders from Firstly on the asset or inflow side, new business faster based on data gathered the risk of Covid as a standalone product business is trending downward in most on behavioural aspects. By leveraging or extensions on existing products. These products and markets, with both retail and digitalisation, he stated that pricing the risk policies are primarily aimed at businesses commercial customers looking to cut back is completely based on the availability of the and families and are contingent on being on expenditure. Meanwhile, many brokers data picked without any interaction with the diagnosed with the coronavirus. are struggling to operate in the current policyholder. environment, and are bringing through Jha and Ahamed also both agreed on the Local insurers considerably fewer new business proposals. fact that in this new normal, insurers will Looking at Sri Lanka’s insurance industry, The report stated that when you look at have to remodel their distribution strategies a report released by KPMG, a multinational existing policies, some customers, both to be more effective in this post-Covid era. professional services network, earlier this commercial and retail, have cancelled them In Sri Lanka’s insurance industry, a higher month, stated that during the first half of or just not paid their premiums. Commercial amount of distribution for both life and 2020, local insurers needed to re-engineer renewals in particular may have been general products is through agency channels. operating models to stay efficient in the The cover of the report released by KPMG earlier this month. delayed. At the same time, insurers have This, during a period of social distancing, post-Covid-19 era while having an eye on epidemics or pandemics. Taking the Tokyo healthcare providers and/or health insurers. given payment holidays and rebates for distribution through agents is deemed to the competitive edge. Olympics as an example, they stated that Free treatment, however, is not universal some products, such as motor insurance, reduce for safety reasons. They stated The first half of 2020 was reflective of a analysts estimated that the event will have a and these costs can be substantial. in some markets, leading to significantly that insurers need to realign distribution contracted growth of Sri Lanka’s insurance coverage of approximately $ 2 billion. According to the report, this has forced impactful liquidity complications. strategies to abide by social distancing and industry. The industry’s total recorded “It is likely that the reinsurance sector insurance companies to take multiple steps Secondly, on the liability/outflow penetrate the market via digital channels. premium was Rs. 95.16 billion, a scale down will bear some of the brunt here, as to stay relevant, with some also having side, payouts are undoubtedly set to rise “Insurers need to leverage technology of 2.79% in respect of the corresponding insurers claim back the costs of cover from taken initiatives to prevent the spread of the significantly. While the report stated that it to create distribution channels on a digital first half of 2019. As usual, general reinsurance over a certain threshold.” coronavirus by extending benefits to their is still unclear how much the situation could platform. Integration of IT infrastructure and insurance contributed the higher proportion The report highlighted two potentially big policyholders. eventually cost, payouts for the deaths that collaboration with other service providers is of the industry’s premiums recorded at areas to watch for non-life insurers. Firstly, “We see the Sri Lanka Insurance have occurred, as well as for health claims, a way in which insurers can distribute their Rs. 51.89 billion. Meanwhile, premiums trade credit insurance, covering businesses Corporation has covered all health and mental health, and many kinds of non-life products,” said Jha. for long-term insurance stood at Rs. 43.27 against debts that cannot be paid by their insurance policyholders with Covid-19 cover will grow. He further stated that revenues may billion. Life insurers grew their gross written customers or suppliers. This $ 11 billion tests, loss of life claim benefits, daily “This is before we even mention the take a dip due to the decreasing usage of premium by a mere 3.85%, a significant global market faces a challenge if increasing hospitalisation cash benefits and surgical elephant in the room which is business traditionally insured assets such as buildings, decrease from the corresponding period’s numbers of companies go out of business and hospitalisation due to Covid-19. Allianz interruption cover. In the wake of Covid-19, factories, and hotels resulting from new 9.94% in the first half of 2019. due to the impact of the pandemic, which Life Insurance Lanka has introduced we can also expect to see not only increasing working arrangements. Nevertheless, “A crisis such as Covid-19 affects all will lead to insurers facing rapidly spiralling hospitalisation expenses benefit, and claims but also increasing litigation over new types of businesses and risk taking business sectors – it also put a spotlight on claims. hospital daily cash for better protection payout disputes. These could be long, drawn by entrepreneurs will need insurance and insurers who can expect to be inundated The second area to watch out for is against Covid-19. Then AIA Insurance out, and costly. Even where an insurer wins therefore, revenue for general insurers will with general inquiries and claims across workers’ compensation claims, as the report Lanka has given free Covid-19 cover for a dispute, the loss adjustment expenses flow in from these new types of businesses. multiple different lines, whether that be for predicted a spike in workers claiming they all policyholders, and finally, Softlogic life could be considerable.” He explained that in response to the new health, life or non-life cover. Balancing the were not adequately protected by their Insurance has also extended their benefits to Meanwhile, insurers continue to have norm, general insurers will need to identify need for responding to this influx of activity employers against exposure to the virus pay all medical and life claims that relate to significant fixed outlays in terms of staff new techniques to underwrite risks that in the contact centres with a quickly shifting brought about by their normal working Covid-19.” compensation and payroll costs. The report could emerge in this post-Covid era. He remote workforce is an area that insurers are duties. Despite these negative impacts, the report pointed out that to date, the sector has not went on to state that cyber risk, medical working to address,” the report stated. “It is impossible to know at this stage stated that the crisis may also bring with it made any large-scale redundancies and insurance for tourists, and “work from how significant such claims could become. some long-term positive effects. The first of some have publicly stated their intention to home” (WFH) insurance are some of the General insurance But insurers offering this type of cover to these effects is set to be a rise in telehealth avoid layoffs at this time. areas that general insurers can focus on. The report stated that when taking employers may need to brace themselves, services, offering consultancy to patients Finally on the investment side, the low Jha stated that it was important to focus non-life/general insurance, they expect depending on how things develop,” the via phone or online video services, due to interest rate environment that Sri Lanka on the core business element in such the impact on claims to be relatively report noted. the pressure on health services. This could is currently in is expected to dampen unprecedented times; focusing on factors manageable. They explained that most Finally, it stated that the volatility and help healthcare reach more remote and less investment returns, which may also be hit such as underwriting and pricing risk insurers learned lessons from the SARS falling interest rates within the financial affluent populations including the under or by the ongoing volatility in the financial properly. He explained that reinsurers may (severe acute respiratory syndrome) markets will likely impact general insurers uninsured. markets. At the same time, there are dictate terms of underwriting such risks outbreak of 2003 and introduced exclusion from an earnings and solvency perspective. Secondly, the report stated that the potentially dramatic increases in derivative and thereby treat the insurer as an agent. clauses for communicable diseases and However, this impact is likely to be greater pandemic itself may cause more people to collateral requirements which could decrease Therefore, moving forward, insurers need epidemics/pandemics into most non-life for life insurers. reconsider their individual health insurance cash flow, and insurers may also experience to grasp their own original thinking to products such as business interruption and needs. It explained that in the wake of the dividend income reduction for some of the underwrite risk and price it to add value to travel insurance. Life insurance SARS epidemic, it witnessed a temporary assets in their portfolios. the policyholder. However, business interruption policies The impact on health insurance is hard spike in critical illness policy sales in Asia. “Clearly, the combined effects of these Finally, he stated that with the aging usually pay out only if physical damage to determine at a global level because the “We may see a similar phenomenon pressures could be significant and are likely population of Sri Lanka, general insurers occurs to an organisation’s assets or impacts will be very different country by post-coronavirus, with rising sales of health to grow over time. It is certainly true that the may need to innovate universal medical operations. Therefore, Covid-related claims country. This is due to the fact that the insurance, critical illness, and even life insurance industry is well capitalised and products as a response to trends in a post- may not be covered, but the report stated that number of actual cases and deaths could cover across the provinces in Sri Lanka as well diversified, but no one should be taking Covid world. there is potential for future disputes on this vary greatly between countries/regions, and well.” anything for granted.” “The regulator needs to increase the issue. As for travel insurance, it stated that it because of the varied make-up of health Furthermore, the report stated that the national recognition of insurance business in may offer cover if a customer is diagnosed coverage itself. current market volatility is creating more Way forward for local insurers order to reach the potential of the Sri Lankan with the virus before or during a trip, but The key issue faced by most countries difficulties for life and retirement insurers, The report stated that in order to insurance industry. Introducing systematic not for travel that is cancelled because of the is to enable rapid testing of individuals, with the life insurers feeling the brunt of understand the future of the local industry, measures like these is not something that pandemic, unless a customer has taken out a particularly people in vulnerable populations it. This is due to the long-term assets and they brought in industry veterans Fairfirst can happen overnight. It takes time and, premium “any cause” cover. such as the elderly or those with underlying liabilities that life insurers hold; therefore, Insurance Managing Director Sanjeev Jha with time being of the essence right now, The report goes on to state that event health conditions, especially compromised the movements in equities, interest rates, and Softlogic Life Insurance Managing insurers should be acting immediately where cancellations may cause an even greater immune systems. In most countries, this and credit spreads create tremendous asset Director Iftikar Ahamed to share their appropriate. We have been affected by the loss to insurers as some large events have testing is either provided by the respective liability management risks for life insurers insights on the matter. Black Swan theory, and the fear of the next policies that may cover them even for government or the costs are waived by as yield curves flatten. In the report, Ahamed stated that he pandemic will drive change.” the sunday morning business 7 Sunday, November 15, 2020 GEOPOLITICS

BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR The trade dispute between China and the US spread from mere tariffs to encompass In the first week of November, the business restrictions on individual hashtag #USelection2020 was companies and accusations of currency trending on local Twitter as Sri manipulation. China was viewed as a major Lankans were waiting anxiously, threat to American economic and security along with a gigantic international interests. audience all over the world, while Trade wars and excessive tariffs hurt the US’ presidential election results global GDP growth as it restricts the were dribbling in slower than movement of goods and services. It molasses with no clear indication also disrupts financial markets across the world, increases the World Trade of the winner. The wait finally Uncertainty Index, weakens the global ended on Saturday (7) night, economy through reduced confidence, and when Joe Biden was declared by deteriorates global investment outlook. It all mainstream US media as the did more bad than good. President-elect of the US. Biden has pledged to avoid any new trade agreements until they make major Captivated local audiences could be investments at home. Biden is anyway explained by the fact that the US and inheriting a cold trade war with China its foreign policies play a pivotal role in and if he makes any moves to ease US Sri Lanka’s economy, both directly and tariffs, they are going to face significant indirectly. However, while its foreign congressional opposition. As the Foreign policies vary from one president to another, Policy magazine puts out, Biden is for several decades, there were certain predisposed toward closer trans-Atlantic fundamental aspects of US foreign policy co-operation, but Republicans are likely that remained unchanged despite changes to criticise any efforts to remove Trump’s in leadership. tariffs on the EU’s exports or strengthen the Then came Donald Trump, who brought World Trade Organisation (WTO). in a slew of major changes to how America Nevertheless, analysts at the Swiss bank is run and its foreign policy, for better US President-elect Joe Biden is likely to Lombard Odier assume that Biden’s win revert to many of the Obama-era policies, or worse. Therefore, the implications of both internationally and domestically will reduce some trading uncertainty and this election were bound to be seismic, would lead to a more rational approach to intensifying the global attention on the bilateral trade, even if his team could prove result. as “hawkish” on China as Trump’s on other Now that Democrat Joe Biden has been matters. The Biden presidency certainly elected as the 46th President, there could would not put an end to the US-China trade be a new phase of foreign policies as war, but is expected to be a little “softer” well as domestic economic policies that on China, according to global economists, could differ significantly from the Trump Biden’s victory which means the impact on the global administration. economy is unlikely to be significant as it What does Joe Biden’s victory mean was during the Trump administration. for Sri Lanka? How would it impact our economy? The Sunday Morning Business Trans Pacific Agreement: this week decided to take a look at possible US better in or out? answers to these questions. According to the Council on Foreign GSP+ hanging by a ‘war Relations, a New York-based non-profit and Sri Lanka’s think tank, Trans-Pacific Partnership crimes’ thread (TPP), was the centrepiece of Obama’s The Generalised Scheme of Preferences strategic pivot to Asia. After 19 official (GSP) of the European Union (EU) is a rounds of negotiations and many more trade arrangement that allows developing separate meetings, the participating countries to pay less or no duties on their countries came to an agreement in October exports to the EU, while the GSP Plus is economy 2015 and signed the pact in early 2016. a special component of the GSP scheme The TPP was set to become the world’s that provides additional trade incentives be re-evaluated based on the country’s policy of targeting to reach net zero in the US Congress in 2008. Obama and largest free trade deal, covering 40% of the to developing countries already benefiting adherence with the UN’s human rights carbon emissions by 2050 and plans Biden also strengthened co-operation with global economy. The TPP text consisted from GSP. In return for these incentives, conventions, after Trump’s administration for a $ 1.7 trillion investment in a green India to fight terrorism in each of their of 30 chapters, covering tariffs on goods the recipient countries must ratify and had been paying little or no attention recovery from the Covid crisis would countries and across the region. There and services, intellectual property (IP) effectively implement core international towards Sri Lanka’s alleged human right reduce US emissions in the next 30 has been a tradition of bipartisan support rights, e-commerce rules, labour and conventions in the fields of human rights, violations. years by about 75 gigatonnes of carbon for better ties with India, and every US environmental standards, dispute resolution labour rights, environment, and good It should be noted that repealing the dioxide or its equivalents. Furthermore, President has made it better than what he mechanisms, and many other aspects governance. Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is Biden is much likely to join the Paris inherited from his predecessor over the last of global trade. Nevertheless, President Sri Lanka has been a beneficiary of the one of the key commitments made by Sri Agreement on climate change, making it two decades. Trump withdrew the US in 2017, leaving EU’s standard GSP since the scheme’s Lanka during the restoration of the scheme. a serious agreement once again. When the The Trump administration enjoyed a other countries to renegotiate and proceed inception, and it began to benefit from While the Act is yet to be replaced by world’s super power itself implements the great diplomatic relationship with India with the agreement. GSP+ on 15 July 2005. However, on international human rights obligations, recommendations, there would be pressure as it provided a counterbalance to China’s Harvard University Douglas Dillon 15 August 2010, the EU suspended Sri President Gotabaya Rajapaksa announced on other countries including Sri Lanka that dominance in Asia, best symbolised by the professor of government Graham Allison Lanka’s GSP+ status. According to BBC, on 4 January 2020 that Sri Lanka would adopted the Agreement to implement the friendship between Indian Prime Minister has told CNBC that Biden would want to the US Government under Barack Obama’s withdraw a proposed replacement law, recommendations. Narendra Modi and Trump. However, there sign the TPP as it would put around 40% of leadership had a public hearing in August reneging on pledges to the United Nations While implementing the international were certain tariffs imposed by the US the world economy on the side of the US 2010 as part of the GSP review process Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and recommendations would help the on Indian imports, resulting in reducing compared with China’s share of 18% or on a petition by US labour organisations the EU. Against this backdrop, revisiting environment, an immediate impact on India’s longstanding trade surplus with the 20% of global GDP. Biden has reportedly calling to remove Sri Lanka from the Sri Lanka’s key commitments would risk businesses and investors would be felt US. This intensified to such a level that said he would renegotiate the trade deal if list of beneficiaries. This is because the GSP+ scheme to Sri Lanka, once again. as international climate plans have to it was referred to as the mini trade war, a he’s elected. He had also told the Council Obama administration has been focusing European Delegation to Sri Lanka be translated into domestic regulations, reference to the main trade war between on Foreign Relations that while the TPP on the humanitarian crisis in the North Trade Concession Head Denis Chaibi, in increasing the expenditure for businesses. US and China, when India began imposing wasn’t a perfect deal, it was a good way for and pressing the Sri Lankan Government September this year, said that if there is a Furthermore, Sri Lanka will have to retaliatory tariffs on US imports to India. countries to come together “to curb China’s to take meaningful steps toward political positive situation in human rights, GSP+ recognise climate finance as a separate Indian Express added that there is no excesses”. reconciliation and press freedom. could be enjoyed by Sri Lanka till at least need and source of funding to address reason to believe that Biden will not According to Talking Economics of the The EU’s decision to withdraw 2025. But as said, this is only if there will its development challenges and improve continue the tradition, but of course, he Institute of Policy Studies Sri Lanka (IPS), GSP+ benefits from Sri Lanka was be no re-evaluation of Sri Lanka’s human energy efficiency, decarbonise electricity, will have his own style and nuances and the trade effects on excluded countries like based on the findings of a Commission rights commitments. and scale up markets for zero emission will put his stamp on the relationship. Sri Lanka will depend on three factors. investigation that identified shortcomings heating, which, of course, comes at a cost For the moment, it appears that the trade First, the geographical distribution of the in the implementation of three United Greater focus on climate change for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has to set aside relationship between the two countries country’s exports to TPP countries. Second, Nations (UN) human rights conventions: Trump withdrew from the Paris funds separately to adhere to the climate would prosper in the new Government, the similarity of export structures between International Covenant on Civil and Agreement, which committed the US and change recommendations. creating a desired boom as the tariffs on the excluded and those included in the Political Rights (ICCPR), Convention 195 other countries to keep rising global Indian imports may be reduced by the US agreement. Third, the tariff and non-tariff Against Torture (UNCAT), and Convention temperatures below 2 degrees Celsius. He Sri Lanka’s gain from administration, which would immensely barriers currently applied amongst the TPP on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), replaced Obama’s Clean Power Plan with India’s boom benefit India’s economy. countries. according to Democracy Reporting the Affordable Clean Energy rule, which We could leverage from our When Indian economy is booming, it “In 2014, TPP countries accounted for International, a non-partisan, independent, had weaker regulations and attempted neighbouring country India’s gain provides significant direct and indirect almost one-third of Sri Lanka’s exports. Sri not-for-profit organisation registered in to freeze the fuel efficiency standards if they are benefitting from Biden’s benefits to our country. Sri Lanka is likely Lanka will be significantly affected by the Berlin. imposed on new vehicles, and prevent administration. According to Indian to see an increase in Indian tourists and participation of its largest export market The removal of GSP+ had a significant California from setting its own emissions Express, much before he became India has long been the largest tourism in the TPP. This problem is compounded impact on Sri Lanka’s exports. The rules. Vice President in the Barack Obama generating market of the island nation. by Sri Lanka competing with some TPP country’s average annual growth of exports Trump’s climate change or administration, Biden had advocated a The Port of Colombo will see increased countries in the US market for similar to the EU before GSP (2001-2004) was environmental records have been a blessing stronger relationship with India. In fact transhipment cargo from India when products. Sri Lanka competes with TPP 11.5%. It rose to 16.4% in the GSP+ period for oil companies, but environmentalists in 2006, three years before he became the there is a surge in economic growth of partners like Vietnam, Mexico, (and) Peru (2005-2009). Since the loss of GSP+, this argue it was never beneficial for the planet. US Vice President, Biden announced his India. The increased cargo would create for the same products in the US market,” figure declined, hovering around 7.4% They were of the view that a second term vision for the future of US-India relations: more jobs in the local industry. Indian the report added. during the period from 2010 to 2014. The of Trump would be devastating for the “My dream is that in 2020, the two closest companies will establish joint ventures With the phasing-out of tariffs under EU restored GSP+ on 19 May 2017 after climate. Trump had criticised “prophets nations in the world will be India and the with local companies while Indian market TPP, Sri Lankan apparel exports to the Sri Lanka pledged to adhere with the UN’s of doom” and had called climate change United States.” will be a great place for local companies to US might be forced out of the market or human rights conventions. “mythical”, “non-existent”, or “an Although then Senator Obama was expand their operations. The benefits are to reduce the prices to remain competitive There is a likely chance that under Biden expensive hoax”. initially hesitant to support the Indo- numerous. vis-à-vis Vietnam, which will enjoy a duty administration, who was the Vice President Biden’s policies on climate change are US nuclear deal, Biden led the charge advantage. of the US during Obama’s administration, in stark contrast from that of Trump’s. and worked with both Democrats and Inherited trade wars and tariffs the GSP+ scheme to Sri Lanka might According to The Guardian, Biden’s Republicans to approve the nuclear deal Trade wars and tariffs were numerous It’s all upto Biden during the Trump administration and While Biden’s foreign policies might were part of Trump’s “America First” bring positive results to the Sri Lankan economic policy. Multilateral free trade economy, many other things are likely agreements (FTA) were a big “no no” to be negative to our country, such as during his period as the focus was merely revisiting Sri Lanka’s human rights on bilateral agreements. Trump launched commitments and the signing of the TPP. a trade war with China to reduce its trade Nevertheless, it will not be incorrect to deficit with the second largest economy assume that Biden is most likely to follow and re-negotiated the North American Free the foreign policy stance of Obama and Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that created a he might resume Obama’s initiatives trilateral trade bloc within Canada, Mexico, which were abandoned by the Trump and the US. administration. In terms of economic During his time in office, Trump impacts from Biden’s victory, Sri Lanka imposed tariffs on $ 370 billion worth of has to adopt a wait-and-see approach as Leaders from 10 of 12 prospective Chinese imports, beginning in mid-2018. the first step of Biden’s transition plan is to member states at a Trans Pacific Beijing retaliated in kind, putting tariffs tackle the pandemic in the US, where it has Partnership (TPP) Summit in 2010 on close to $ 200 billion of US imports. infected close to 10 million people. 8 the sunday morning business ADVERTORIAL/OPINION Sunday, November 15, 2020 Creative Technology United Motors Solutions receives Microsoft gold records Rs. 366 m competency Creative Technology Solutions (Pvt.) Ltd., an IT services and solutions group profit in Q2 provider, announced that it received a gold data United Motors Lanka PLC year. The year-to-date group revenue and margins in vehicle Considering the challenges platform, analytics, app (UML) recorded a profit profit recorded was Rs. 140 sales, aftersales, and lubricants at the moment with the import development, and DevOps of Rs. 366 million for the million compared to a loss supported by uninterrupted ban on vehicles in place, competency from Microsoft second quarter (Q2) of the of Rs. 185 million during business operations. On the UML said it will focus mainly Corp., demonstrating a fiscal year (FY) 2020/21, the comparable period in the expenses front, there was a on expanding its after-sales “best-in-class” ability compared to the Rs. 13.5 previous year. The second significant reduction in finance revenue, lubricant business, and commitment to meet Team Creative Technology Solutions headed by Duminda quarter EPS was Rs. 3.63 while cost due to the improved and the construction equipment Microsoft customers’ Prasad with Microsoft Sri Lanka and the Maldives Country million group profit in Manager Hasitha Abeywardena and the team Q2 of the financial year net asset value (NAV) as of 30 cash position and favourable sector. While employee safety evolving needs in today’s September 2020 rose to Rs. interest rates. It is noteworthy was the priority in these mobile-first, cloud-first to Microsoft Azure, Corp. One Commercial 2019/20. 128.24. that despite strict cost control trying times, the group said it world and distinguishing modernising and integrating Partner (OCP) Corporate The recorded group revenue UML Group CEO Chanaka measures undertaken across the continues to take all precautions itself within Microsoft’s applications, and making Vice President Gavriella was Rs. 4.3 billion for the Yatawara said the profit growth organisation, employee salaries to protect its employees and partner ecosystem. better use of their data. Schuster. “These partners quarter, up from Rs. 3.06 billion was driven by all-round remained unchanged, the the customers’ health and To gain Microsoft gold Creative Technology have a deep expertise that in the comparable period last performance from the increase in company said. wellbeing. competency, partners Solutions Head of Cloud puts them in the top of our must successfully Services Duminda Prasad partner ecosystem, and complete exams (resulting said: “We have been a their proficiency will help in Microsoft-certified Microsoft Partner since customers drive innovative professionals) to prove 2007, and a Microsoft gold solutions.” LB Finance branches conduct their level of technology competency represents The Microsoft partner expertise, and then a further deepening of network helps partners designate these certified our co-operation. Over strengthen their capabilities professionals uniquely to the years, we have built to showcase leadership blood donation drives one Microsoft competency, an extremely capable in the marketplace on the The Kekirawa branch of LB the creative talents of the Sri ensuring a certain level and experienced team latest technology in order to Finance recently celebrated its Lankan children so as to make of staffing capacity. They providing services to better serve customers and fourth anniversary with a blood them well-rounded, critical, also must submit customer Microsoft customers, many to easily connect with one donation campaign conducted and analytical adults. Under references that demonstrate of whom are Fortune 500 of the most active, diverse for the fourth consecutive year. the sustainability approach, LB successful projects, meet companies. A Microsoft networks in the world. “The staff members of the Finance works on planting in a performance (revenue gold competency further With over two decades branch wished to carry out excess of 50,000 trees around and or consumption/usage) strengthens our position of experience, Creative this donation to assist in the the country. With the national commitment (for most gold as a data platform and Technology Solutions national efforts to combat health component, LB Finance competencies), and pass application modernisation has over 700 employees the Covid-19 pandemic. works to stabilise and raise the technology and/or sales partner. We look forward with experience working Thus, 7 October 2020 saw an health of the citizens through assessments. to continuing to offer our for clients globally, enthusiastic turnout from the On donating blood, donors were each given a sapling to plant at home blood donations and investment Creative Technology expertise both locally and across various sectors Kekirawa branch staff and for plantation in rehabilitation centres. Solutions said it has globally.” including construction, voluntary donors. On donating, LB Finance PLC is licensed assisted numerous local “By achieving gold logistics, manufacturing, they were each given a sapling September 2020 to donate The CSR arm of LB Finance by the Central Bank of Sri and international clients competency, partners retail, finance, healthcare, to plant at home,” LB Finance blood alongside with the is primarily engaged in three Lanka (CBSL) under the scale cloud solutions have demonstrated the hospitality, mobile said. Piliyandala branch. This event areas: Future 1st, sustainability, Finance Business Act No. 42 seamlessly and in harmony highest, most consistent workforce, enterprise In the same vein, the Dampe saw many of the residents of and Health 1st. of 2011 and listed on the Main with their on-premises capability and commitment search, telecommunications, Sudharmarama Temple opened the area join the workforce in Under Future 1st pillar, LB Board of the Colombo Stock IT infrastructure and to the latest Microsoft CRM, eCommerce, and its doors to the public on 20 donating blood. Finance intends to develop Exchange (CSE). manage a smooth transition technology,” said Microsoft eLearning.

for their workers. RPCs and other By companies engaged in agro-based industries need to migrate into a new Jayampathy New international economic business model, focusing more on Molligoda sustainable agricultural practices and other development programmes of estates through infusion of increased This concept termed the “new order and Sri Lanka investments/management inputs. international economic order” is not ratio had been declining for the first Kong, South Korea, China, and continue once lockdowns are lifted. working population. With increased Secondly, surplus labour must a new one – it’s a “ 50-year-old” time since World War II, falling by Vietnam will be kicked away from Digitalisation of services, from incomes and savings, these workers be utilised in rural areas to create concept to promote the interests about five percentage points since still-lagging countries in South telehealth to online education to should be encouraged to invest in simple industries that produce light- of developing countries vis-à-vis 2008 to about 20% last year. As Asia, Latin America, and Africa. cashless transfers and emergency producing basic industrial goods consumer and basic industrial goods. developed countries in the early per IMF data above, they asserted The middle-income countries that assistance to support the vulnerable, to supplement their incomes. The The Government should intervene to ‘70s. This is relevant now because that this is not the first time that the were growing at about 4% per capita has been at the centre of country primary goal of the Government provide the know-how and help with the international economic order, world has deglobalised. Between annually before the global financial responses. here is to increase the purchasing importing the machinery and creating like an organism, continues to World War I and the eve of World crisis have been averaging 1% power of the predominantly rural markets domestically. There should evolve, especially in the context War II, world trade collapsed, and the growth thereafter. The developing Production-based and real agricultural workers. be active government intervention of the current pandemic situation. export-to-GDP ratio fell from a peak countries like Sri Lanka would have export-led growth strategy As for much-needed capital, in financial policy, finding export Many countries suffered the external of 16% in 1913 to just over 6%. to look for new growth models that Under the present circumstances, according to the Central Bank, markets, and making sure domestic shocks of Covid-19 without social Today’s deglobalisation was will evolve to have a more trickle- Sri Lanka cannot use neo-liberal commercial banks have already companies will be competitive in protection, public health systems, brought on by other factors. As we down effect to the bottom of the development policies. Neo-liberal granted approval of bank loans international markets. The more a plan to reach a sustainable real all know, new protectionist barriers pyramid and innovative poverty economics is an updated version to small and medium enterprises promising ventures that have export economy with quality jobs, etc. have been erected, due to trade reduction strategy programmes of the liberal economics of Adam (SMEs) totalling Rs. 130 billion potential should be subsidised, but How will Covid-19 affect restrictions imposed by US President aimed at looking after the livelihood Smith. The core of neo-liberal at 4% interest under a Covid relief assistance should only be based on developing countries, especially Donald Trump’s administration of poor people. The world under agenda includes “laissez faire” with assistance scheme during the period the export success and/or import Sri Lanka’s economic growth since 2017, targeted mainly at Covid-19 would be more inclusive no or little government intervention, from April to October 2020. In substitution. prospects? The answer will depend China. At the global level, they have and must follow a sustainable deregulation, privatisation, opening addition to capital formation, human Thirdly, once the above stages on how globalisation, meaning been partly offset by ongoing new development agenda. Today, we up of international trade and resources become the most important are successful, the workers’ know- increased trade and investments free trade agreements, such as the live in a world in which inequality investment, and certain forms of asset along with underutilised how and skill levels will improve to between the countries, evolves Economic Partnership Agreement between and within countries has monopoly. When we looked at the and cultivable, arable agricultural take on the third and next level of in the pandemic’s aftermath. The that the European Union and Japan grown as a result of the race of success stories of the developed land that could be put into use industrial production. The talented World Health Organisation (WHO), concluded in 2018. The question now businesses to the bottom and the countries, these countries, when they by deploying unemployed youth. youth, especially the ICT-savvy the International Monetary Fund is how the pandemic will influence working poverty among a vast were initially developing, followed Recent surveys have revealed that guys nurtured and supported by the (IMF), and other expert organisations the process of deglobalisation that portion of the workforce. “interventionist” policies. the total cultivated extents of the Government under the knowledge- claimed that there are large was already underway. One possible As economic difficulties mount, As we know, the necessary major crops tea and rubber under based economy could find more unknowns about how long it will scenario is that deglobalisation the inevitable growth of nationalism prerequisite for economic regional plantation companies foreign markets for their “BPO take to develop and deploy effective accelerates as countries and firms and “my nation first” politics will development is political stability. (RPCs) have drastically reduced by (business process outsourcing) back vaccines, the duration and likelihood reassess the benefits of trade against push companies to localise business Strong political leadership and end 2018 when compared with 1995 office work” such as accounting, of repeat outbreaks and lockdowns, the risks of import dependence. operations that favour national and having a powerful “executive figures, just after the privatisation of financial restructuring, and the and the eventual economic Alternatively, deglobalisation could regional supply chains, Eurasia presidential system” could establish plantations. expected foreign exchange income ramifications. be driven by China’s economic Founder Ian Bremmer asserted. this stability. This allows the correct (i) Tea: cultivated extent in 1995 – would be $ 3 billion (compared to According to former Chief transition. In that case, a few His view is that while China has economic policies to be implemented 88,227 hectares, 2018 – 69,201 tea of the US; $ 1.3 billion only) Economic Advisor to the developing countries would benefit successfully transformed itself into in a disciplined manner for an hectares per year. Furthermore, substantial Government of India Arvind at least for the medium term. an economic and technological extended period of time without (ii) Rubber: cultivated extent in 1995 markets will be created for Subramanian, there is every reason superpower, no one expected it to disruption. Once political stability – 58,453 hectares, 2018 – 35,508 consumer goods, machine tools, to worry that a historic process Economic convergence become a “soft power” superpower. is established, a bottom-up, three- hectares infrastructure, and energy because of deglobalisation is underway, through sustainable This crisis can change that, if China’s pronged approach like what the According to International Trade of the increasing purchasing power threatening to scuttle the growth development crisis diplomacy continues along successful Asian countries adopted Union Confederation General due to the increase in workers’ models of poor countries that Since the early 1990s, the world with the perception that Beijing has must be used for rapid economic Secretary Sharan Burrow, our incomes. previously used trade and investment had been witnessing an economic been far more effective than the rest growth. goal for recovery should be to In conclusion, if we are to truly as a path to economic development. “convergence”, whereby poor of the world in its response to the In the three-pronged approach, ensure the creation of more job fast track development initiatives to The IMF, which has called the countries finally were beginning to outbreak. first there must be clear policy opportunities and a new social improve the economic welfare of current situation “a crisis like no catch up with rich ones. Although The IMF claims that it is intervention to uplift the agriculture contract. Public investment in the the people of this country, we need other”, also slashed its growth some countries, especially in East possible to identify some points sector and regional-based care economy, education, and low- to start from zero- based primary forecast for the world economy, Asia, had already been converging for international prosperity. One industrialisation. This policy should carbon infrastructure can form the business development, while having expecting the global GDP growth in for a long time, only in the past of the positive features is the fact address land use plan reforms, backbone of stimulus that reduces an inclusive sustainable growth 2020 to be minus at -4.4%. three decades did this become a that technology is being used agricultural best practices, and inequality. Wage policy, collective strategy. This is the way forward. truly global phenomenon. In the widely to tackle the pandemic. focus on the entire value chain bargaining, and labour market (The writer is the Chairman Deglobalisation is hurting post-pandemic climate, we should Videoconferencing, remote for the produce, so as to increase regulation can revive demand of the Sri Lanka Tea Board and emerging economies expect a continued acceleration of desktops, and new social platforms the productivity and incomes of and income while putting an end the Former Deputy Chairman of Even before the pandemic, the deglobalisation. The growth ladder are powering remote work almost agriculture sector workers who to a business model that allows Bogawantalawa Tea global merchandise export-to-GDP used by Singapore, Taiwan, Hong overnight, a trend that may constitute around quarter of the companies to take no responsibility Estates PLC) Printed by the Kalukodayawa, Malwana Press & Published by Liberty Publishers (Pvt.) Ltd. 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7 ANY WEAKNESS IS SEEN AS UNMASCULINE: ARITHA WICKRAMASINGHE »SEE PAGE 2

TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED »SEE PAGE 3 Sunday,brunch November 15, 2020 Amanda Jayatissa on her new book My Sweet Girl and her book deal with Hodder & Stoughton BY NAVEED ROZAIS Jayatissa’s previous roommate’s murder which work was the self-published she is convinced is tied steampunk science-fiction into a terrible ordeal she UK publishing house Hodder I like to keep novel The Other One had in her childhood in Sri everyone grey in my which went on to win the Lanka. But as the story goes & Stoughton has acquired writing. I’ve always Fairway National Literary on, authorities aren’t even been a big fan of Competition 2017. The convinced that her roommate Sri Lankan author Amanda morally ambiguous Sunday Morning Brunch was real, to begin with. The characters. Everyone caught up with Jayatissa book ties in suspense and Jayatissa’s debut thriller, My believes they’re the to learn more about My the unreliable narration of hero in their own Sweet Girl. a complex character who Sweet Girl, in a two-book deal. story The UK and has grown up with coveted Senior Commissioning Editor Commonwealth (Hodder & opportunities, being a Sri Stoughton) release will be Lankan orphan adopted by an Eve Hall acquired UK and at the same time as its US American couple and given (Berkley) release. the very best but who has Commonwealth rights from gone and ruined it now and is ÄÄ Tell us about My trying to recover from it. Tawanna Sullivan at Berkley, Sweet Girl. ││ Contd. on page 2 My Sweet Girl tells the PRH US. My Sweet Girl will story of Paloma, a woman be published in ebook, audio, who swears she saw her and trade paperback formats in September 2021. PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA

BY NAVEED ROZAIS

hile the physical world can come to a standstill, Was 2020 has shown us, things like learning cannot. In times Driving innovation and learning like these, when almost every aspect through uncertain times of our lives has been disrupted, it is more important than ever to keep the torch of learning brightly burning. It is with this vision that the Department of Textile and Clothing UoM’s Technology of the University of Moratuwa came up with an exciting idea to keep its Fashion Design and Product Development students distance engaged in learning through their “social innovation project” Mora Craft Studio, a distance learning platform that engages with students learning interested in exploring new craft techniques. SL-born Australian Mora Craft Studio was spearheaded by a core team of Dr. Dinesh Palipana platform University of Moratuwa staff under the guidance of Department of Textile and Clothing Technology named Queensland's Head Professor Samudrika Wijayapala. The core team behind Australian of the Year “Don’t think about the named Dr. Palipana with the We also wanted Mora Craft Studio limitations. Think about the most recognition at a special to give the were Dr. Rivini possibilities” are the words Dr. presentation on Tuesday night adolescent Matharaarachchi, Dr. Dinesh Palipana, a Sri Lankan- (10), ahead of the national and youth Ayesha Wickramasinghe, born Australian, the first person Australia Day Awards in January. community a Dr. Sumith Gopura, with quadriplegia – a spinal "Dr. Dinesh Palipana way to maximise and Chinthaka cord injury that causes paralysis knows no barriers," Palaszczuk their time in a Dharmakeerthi. – to graduate from medical said to Brisbane Times, productive way “We exploited the school in Australia, said to us adding: "He is a truly inspiring by learning new trapped creativity of when we spoke to him early person and a much-deserved skills in the Covid-19 undergraduate last year. Thirty-six-year-old recipient of the Queensland lockdown period students from the Dr. Palipana seems to have Australian of the Year Award." instead of idling Fashion Design and proven his own words right In his second year of Product Development Dr. Rivini degree who were in by being named Queensland's med school on 31 January Matharaarachchi Australian of the Year. 2010, Dr. Palipana suffered lockdown in bringing A legal professional, a grave accident that altered their craft interests to life disability advocate, and his life. “When I was driving through this project,” all-round superhuman back to my place from my Dharmakeerthi explained, sharing who overcame all of life’s parents’, an hour-and-a-half that Mora Craft Studio reached obstacles, Dr. Palipana is away, I hit something on the students and larger society through also the Founder of Doctors road. Perhaps it was a water its YouTube channel, presenting with Disabilities Australia puddle, but we’re not sure. interesting Do It Yourself (DIY) (DWDA). He is a senior My car aquaplaned, I lost videos developed by students that resident at the Gold Coast control, and then it mounted an showed the development process of University Hospital. embankment”. craft-based products. Queensland Premier ││Contd. on page 2 ││Contd. on page 2 Annastacia Palaszczuk 2 the sunday morning brunch PEOPLE Sunday, November 15, 2020

acting as a deterrent and preventing men yy Sri Lanka has several crisis hotlines from seeking help because it conflicts The Movember Series for those in need of mental health with our conditioned idea of masculinity. support. If you, or someone you The motion of seeking help is seen as know is feeling suicidal or is weakness, and any weakness is seen as otherwise at risk emotionally or unmasculine. mentally, please reach out on the following hotlines: ÄÄ Do you feel this is an issue yy 1333: A 24-hour hotline by the men deal with on a global Any weakness Courage Compassion Commitment level? (CCC) Foundation, a not-for-profit It is something that is the case across organisation based in Sri Lanka the board. However, in certain cultures, and Australia to provide services where notions of masculinity are being in the areas of cancer and mental challenged and redefined on a regular basis, wellbeing you’re starting to see lots more change, with men being more forthcoming about is seen as yy 0112 696 666: A hotline by the their vulnerabilities and seeking help and government-approved charity understanding that this kind of vulnerability Sumithrayo that provides is not unmasculine in any way. confidential emotional support to those in need (in operation from 9 ÄÄ What is lacking in discussions a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) around mental health? unmasculine yy 1926: The 24-hour national mental The biggest thing lacking is that health line at the National Institute there just aren’t enough discussions and of Mental Health which provides conversation being had at all. There Aritha Wickramasinghe emotional support to those in need hasn’t been enough male leadership that until they can meet a mental health has stepped up to call for that kind of itself is a portmanteau of the Australian professional discussion. slang for moustache, “mo”, and This lack of discussion and lack of November). visibility on these issues is why we’re not Values that men are By encouraging men to get involved ÄÄ What do you think are seeing the change we need. brought up with are and grow their moustaches, Movember the biggest issues men reinforced consistently aims to increase early cancer detection, face in terms of health and ÄÄ What can we do to provoke throughout our diagnosis, and effective treatments, wellness? discussion and create safe lives including and ultimately reduce the number of Men are conditioned in society spaces for men to talk about when we’re not well, preventable deaths seen in men because to abide by certain concepts of what whether physically or their health, and particularly of health issues that have been left masculinity means, and the their mental health, openly? psychologically, acting unresolved for lack of awareness concepts and ideas of as a deterrent and Having more avenues for men to seek or reluctance to seek help and masculinity are linked help is very important. We also need to preventing men from treatment. with the idea of being seeking help provide more information on the resources This Movember, The strong and well at all available for mental health support. We also Sunday Morning Brunch sits times. This extends need more counsellors who are trained to down with several influential to not wanting respond to the challenges that many men face. Sri Lankan men for their to seek help or While we need to make more perspective on men’s health, advice when you’re resources available to everyone, we must building awareness, and uncertain for also particularly address the cultural PHOTO NATHAN MCDINE ON UNSPLASH what we can do to make fear of showing stigma on mental health in general, and in a difference. This week vulnerability. particular men’s mental health. We need BY NAVEED ROZAIS on the Movember series, These values to release more statistics on how mental we spoke with iProbono that men are health issues affect men. For example, While May is the official month designated to celebrate and raise Country Representative and brought up with more men die by suicide than women each awareness on men’s health issues, November has in recent years gained Equality Law Director Aritha are reinforced year. We need to ask ourselves how we can global popularity as a month to raise awareness and provoke discussion on Wickramasinghe on his views consistently throughout stop or reduce that. men’s health issues such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, men’s mental on men’s health issues, our lives including health, and men’s suicide. particularly men’s mental when we’re not well, ÄÄ What message do you feel is health. whether physically or most important to share this Known globally as “Movember”, the month-long initiative that encouraged men psychologically, concept of which was initially introduced across the world to grow their moustaches Movember? by Australian charity organisation The during the month of November to build iProbono Country Representative Don’t be afraid to seek help when you Movember Foundation, it began as a awareness on men’s issues (Movember and Equality Law Director Aritha need it. To seek help is a sign of strength Wickramasinghe and not a sign of weakness.

Amanda Jayatissa... UoM’s distance... Students mainly used home-based resources when they were in “Through this project, we the traditional publishing route in every Contd. from page 1 lockdown. They used whatever readily available pre and post- Contd. from page 1 expected to actively engage consumer apparel waste and technology they could to innovate sense of the word. I spent a lot of time A socially responsible fashion design undergraduates Paloma is one of those characters craft ideas and harness their creativity and energy trying to find an agent. There innovation and learning in their interests during the who’s very complex, sometimes toeing Chinthaka Dharmakeerthi have been a few writers who’ve been platform, Mora Craft Studio lockdown, allowing them to the line between meanness. I like to keep very successful without agents, but it’s advocates responsible fashion practise their crafts skills, and everyone grey in my writing. I’ve always understood in publishing that you need an and social innovation, keep their personal profile been a big fan of morally ambiguous agent on your side selling your book for highlighting responsible high, while adhering to the characters. Everyone believes they’re the you. My agent has done an amazing job of fashion, the importance of end-of-life circularity,” Dr. All the activities related to We developed the Mora hero in their own story. selling My Sweet Girl. sustainability, a circular Matharaarachchi shared, forming Mora Craft Studio Craft Studio idea to create There are several aspects of My Sweet I did a few queries, but I had my best economy, and responsible adding: “We also wanted to and delivering knowledge a pathway for fashion Girl that are, for me, a little personal. success on this Twitter pitch event, where consumption in the fashion give the adolescent and youth related to DIY videos design undergraduates at Some situations are what I’ve faced as a agents invited authors to pitch to them. I industry through the purposeful community a way to maximise were done online with the Department of Textile brown person living in the met my agent that way, and use of apparel industry their time in a productive way the extensive effort of the and Clothing Technology to US and navigating through even after we signed, I was waste – either pre-consumer by learning new skills in the initiative’s staff members, “interact” with the community, typically white American working on some revisions waste which are offcuts or lockdown period instead of finding every possible way to “inspire” them in order to spaces and dealing with of the book to strengthen excess fabrics in apparel idling.” to make this starter happen “innovate” new ideas things like exoticism. I am, by nature, the story before she shopped manufacturing, or post- The idea of Mora Craft Dr. Sumith Gopura Dr. Ayesha Wickramasinghe an avid reader the book around to various ÄÄ Your first book of thrillers and consumer waste that are slow- Studio was to keep students publishers. I’ve found moving apparel in the store or busy and engaged in learning University of Moratuwa’s initiate new projects under was science fiction suspense, especially the collaborative process and My Sweet psych suspense, so for used and worn-out garments – activities while practising curriculum and keeping extremely limited conditions, between authors, agents, and in a creative way to make value- their creativity. “When the students on track with their emphasising that even in Girl is a thriller. me it didn’t feel like editors as very impactful. too much of a crazy added products. In this way, universities were forced studies, Dr. Wickramasinghe troubled times, nothing is What was it like I was very lucky in that I Mora Craft Studio hoped to into distance learning mode, explained: “We developed impossible. switch. It felt very got an offer very quickly. switching genres? natural. In fact, I boost the social and economic all the activities related to the Mora Craft Studio idea to Now, with Sri Lanka in It was a lot of fun for Everything was done and wellbeing of the individuals forming Mora Craft Studio and create a pathway for fashion the midst of a second wave enjoyed it so much I agreed within a week. me to mix genres, I was in think I’ll be staying in along with the ecological delivering knowledge related to design undergraduates at of Covid-19 infections and a slump after my first book this genre, at least for wellbeing of the environment DIY videos were done online the Department of Textile just coming out of a slew The Other One. I had a ÄÄ What advice a while would you give other during the lockdown. with the extensive effort of and Clothing Technology to of curfews, the Mora Craft second book outlined but it The majority of the craft- the initiative’s staff members, ‘interact’ with the community, Studio is working on growing just wasn’t working out very aspiring authors based products featured on Mora finding every possible way to ‘inspire’ them in order to by adding a new phase to this well for me. I was hitting looking to get Craft Studio are made mainly to make this starter happen ‘innovate’ new ideas. This project through Mora Craft that terrible writer’s block that everyone published, especially the using textile-related materials and therefore, wishing for approach of Mora Craft Studio Horizon. dreads. I thought I’d work on something traditional way? including “waste” fabric, the students’ wellbeing also helped the Sri Lankan Mora Craft Horizon else for fun and this character Paloma just I think the first thing is to look at accessories, and used garments. during the lockdown,” Dr. craft go global. Through will enable designers, local took hold. making connections with the outside “Students mainly used home- Gopura said, adding: “In the Mora Craft Studio, part of craft industry experts, and I am, by nature, an avid reader of world. We have those opportunities to based resources when they were meantime, the Family Health the students developed their entrepreneurs to share their thrillers and suspense, especially psych connect now, opportunities we didn’t in lockdown,” Dharmakeerthi Bureau expected this creative entrepreneurial thinking as experiences and insights to suspense, so for me it didn’t feel like have even 10 years ago, like hopping on shared, adding: “They used work to be shared online for well.” the commercial, emotional, too much of a crazy switch. It felt very Twitter and connecting with other writers. whatever readily available pre the broader adolescent and The Mora Craft Studio and social values of craft and natural. In fact, I enjoyed it so much I Connecting with other writers, editors, and post-consumer apparel waste youth community to view initiative has provided a creativity and help students think I’ll be staying in this genre, at least agents, and people in the field made a and technology they could to and therefore, to keep them novel experience for both generate new business for a while. huge difference and got me thinking innovate craft ideas and harness engaged in learning.” academics and students to ideas and cultivate a strong beyond the options that I thought were their creativity.” Linking back to the communicate, collaborate, and entrepreneurial attitude. ÄÄ How did the book deal with available to me at the time. Hodder & Stoughton come Another piece of advice I would give about? young writers is not to hesitate to put a horrifying moment. Dr. Palipana during our February 2019 I’ve entered into a two-book deal themselves out there. Also, the more you “I was eventually cut out of the car interview. SL-born... and taken to the hospital. Coincidentally, “Disability is a social construct. It’s with Hodder & Stoughton which is for write the better you get. two standalone books in this suspense Contd. from page 1 the doctor who accompanied me in the only in our minds,” he continued. “There thriller category, starting with My Sweet ÄÄ What’s next? ambulance to the hospital was a doctor are people with full physical capacity Girl which will launch in the UK and the My Sweet Girl is scheduled to release As it was coming down, the nose hit that lectured me as a medical student. I that ultimately don’t live up to their full Commonwealth with Hodder & Stoughton in September 2021. I’m hard at work on the tarmac and the car began to roll, nose only recently met the firemen that attended potential. There are people like Stephen at the same time as it will release in the my second thriller. It’s a process which to tail. When it finally stopped, I tried the scene. They told me that the fire truck Hawking who change the way we think US with Berkley (which is an imprint of will take a year – from submission to to get out of the car, which was when also lost control when it approached the about the universe,” he added. Penguin Random House). getting it on the shelf. I realised I couldn’t move my legs or site of the accident. There must have been “Don’t think about the limitations. With My Sweet Girl, I went down fingers. I couldn’t feel them either. It was something on the road that night,” shared Think about the possibilities.”

the sunday morning brunch editorial [email protected] 011 5200900 the sunday morning brunch 3 Sunday, November 15, 2020 LIFESTYLE

I genuinely feel that things will pick up closer to the season. People will be looking forward to the break. There definitely won’t be as many gatherings as there used to because of social distancing, but I’m fairly optimistic that people will want to live a lot during this season Bakes By Bella Founder Melissa Dharmadasa

slightly, Dr. Samarasekara noted. “This year, the main issue is people are afraid to come out and go looking for decorations. They’re scared to move around so sales are mostly taking place online and they ask us to deliver. This has affected our supply chain somewhat, but this year, Edys is delivering decorations to our customers’ doorsteps.” The experience of 2020 and the struggle that has come with it has BY NAVEED ROZAIS inspired some to put more effort into their Christmas decorations. Dr. Samarasekara Covid-19 has tormented us shared that while some hotels are not throughout 2020, and sadly looks actively investing in Christmas decorations set to make us feel its impact on this year, opting for subtle decorations, our lives well into 2021. But as 2020 or reusing old decorations, some hotels Envisioning a have seized this time to go all-out and do draws to a close, and the holiday season approaches, we must now something new and inspiring with their think about what this 2020 holiday decorations. season is going to look like. “On the whole, many people are staying home safe and bringing out For Sri Lankans, who for the most part Christmas cheer by decorating their homes don’t celebrate Christmas as a religious early,” Dr Samarasekara said, adding: “In a festival, the holiday season is still a festive mid-pandemic way, it is a good thing because it’s bringing time with lots to do, lots to see, and lots to families together in a nice way.” eat. With Covid-19 and Sri Lanka’s second wave effectively locking us into our homes What’s Christmas and many of our key industries struggling, without the cake? the 2020 holiday season is set to look very Christmas is nothing without the different from years gone by. ever-popular Christmas cake and the sweet Hotels and the tourism industry have Christmas treats that come with Christmas. Bakes been some of the worst hit in the face By Bella Founder Melissa Dharmadasa of the pandemic, hitting at a time when Some key industries on celebrating the holiday season in 2020 shared that, for her, Christmas is always tourism had just bounced back from the more things locally,” Ukwatte said, the country, corporate and private events a huge deal. “I’ve already put up my 2019 Easter attacks. noting that the tourism industry is one are both not allowed to take place. Christmas tree at Bakes by Bella. It’s that largely uses local resources anyway, “If we stay at Level 3, we can’t have something that always cheers me up. At with approximately 95% of every tourism any Christmas celebrations,” Wijeyaratne Bakes by Bella, every year we put out a dollar earned staying within the country said, adding: “It all depends on how the range of Christmas-themed hampers, have in terms of outflow on imports. “Our total general public responds to these current Christmas cake, eggnog, and various other imports are very minimal, unlike other guidelines and if the threat reduces by Christmas goodies for sale. We’re still industries which have to import significant December.” doing that this year. As always, we’re also raw materials. We mainly import particular Wijeyaratne shared that the events doing customisable bakes for people to use beverages and spirits which are not made industry was slowly starting to pick up for their Christmas morning tables.” here and certain specialised food items.” ahead of the holiday season, with inquiries On a subdued mid-pandemic Colombo’s big city hotels are famous and bookings being made for events to lockdown, Melissa expressed hope. “I for their Christmas decor, from big take place in November and December. genuinely feel that things will pick up Christmas trees to lighting installations The second wave of Covid-19 saw the closer to the season. People will be looking

on the lawn to any number of innovative cancellation of all these events. “We’re forward to the break. There definitely decorations. Ukwattte shared that this The situation is constantly changing. now back to where we were in April won’t be as many gatherings as there used year, Christmas decor is likely to be There is also always the chance of the and May with zero work coming in,” to because of social distancing, but I’m more restrained than previous years. “We Government imposing another lockdown. Wijeyaratne said. fairly optimistic that people will want to I don’t see it being a great Christmas A lot of hotels are still undecided on season because we’re going through a will, of course, have a certain amount of Speaking on building the Christmas live a lot during this season.” Christmas decorations to suit the occasion whether to have big parties and New spirit during the upcoming holiday season, second wave of Covid-19. We’ll have Year’s Eve celebrations to come up with a kind of theme or and the traditional holiday season. It’s an Wijeyaratne shared that the media will important event in our calendar, but I think THASL President play a big role in making the Christmas concept and look at doing more home- Sanath Ukwatte based deliveries decorations in hotels, for the most part, will feeling come alive. “Electronic media CCRC President Harpo Gooneratne not be as extravagant as it has in the past.” especially can play a big role in creating the Christmas feel,” Wijeyaratne said, by Restaurants and nightlife with a kind of theme or concept and look at doing more home-based deliveries.” having choirs perform online and having over the holiday season Gooneratne, who is also the Founder online Christmas shows. He added: “The The big city hotel Christmas Colombo City Restaurant Collective and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Government also needs to play a part Speaking from the perspective (CCRC) President Harpo Gooneratne Harpo’s Hotels, Cafes, and Restaurants in keeping people’s spirits high. Lots of Sri Lanka’s big hotels, The Hotels weighed in on the upcoming holiday shared that the Harpo’s Group will be of people go through depression during Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) season, noting that restaurants and bars in doing a campaign along the lines of Christmastime because they are away President Sanath Ukwatte stressed that Colombo would each develop their own staying home and staying safe with from their families or have lost loved ones. it was now more important than ever campaigns and promotions for the holiday specialty dishes and have come up with Where the Government will need to work to follow the government guidelines, season. On a general note, Gooneratne great packages including all the seasonal to keep spirits high is through decorations including social distancing. Ukwatte shared that things are very uncertain. “The favourites like turkey and pudding, and and dressing up the streets so celebrations This year, the main issue is people are shared that large-scale celebrations and way we’re moving forward, every day is will focus more on delivery. “Personally, can still go on even without people afraid to come out and go looking for festivities are out of the question, though a new day, but if you actually analyse it, I I think most people won’t want to step out physically coming together.” decorations. They’re scared to move this doesn’t mean that there will be no don’t see it being a great Christmas season this season. They’ll want to stay home and On dealing with the pandemic, around so sales are mostly taking place celebrations. “Nevertheless, Christmas is because we’re going through a second not take unnecessary risks.” Wijeyaratne stressed that the power is online and they ask us to deliver with the general public to come through a holy event for Christians and must be wave of Covid-19. We’ll have to come up Gooneratne also shared that bar culture Edys Founder Dr. Edward Samarasekara celebrated, so we might have a sombre is likely to be very different this holiday this smoothly and safely. “Everything Christmas this year,” Ukwatte said, adding: season, especially since tourists and people is in our hands to control this, not “It’s a very difficult scenario to try and who travel back to Sri Lanka from abroad the Government’s. We should all be As bakers, Melissa shared that each plan around it, because the situation is for the holidays won’t be visiting. “I don’t responsible enough to follow guidelines, baker’s response to the season will be constantly changing. There is also always see big 31st night celebrations this year. to protect ourselves and those around us. based on their individual business and the chance of the Government imposing There won’t be DJs, bands, and parties like That’s the only way.” their clients. In the case of Bakes by Bella, another lockdown. A lot of hotels are still in the past. This year will be very low key. Melissa’s customer base knows that she undecided on whether to have big parties Making Christmas look the part “goes insane at Christmas” and that she’s We need to co-operate with the authorities. Decor alone is a huge part of and New Year’s Eve celebrations.” It’s very important that businesses adhere “always like that”. Ukwatte shared that across the board, Christmas festivities, from the simple to health regulations and understand the Christmas tree to the big installations put things were likely to be toned down this gravity of the situation. This is key because Creating the best season. “In Sri Lanka, Christmas is not a up in public areas. Decorations supplier if we don’t, we won’t have a Christmas next Edys Founder Dr. Edward Samarasekara mid-pandemic Christmas huge period traditionally, but combined year either. Covid-19 is something we have Sometimes the most uncertain with school holidays and the end of the shared some insight on what is happening to learn to live with and work around now.” within the world of decor this 2020 holiday times can help build the most powerful year, you have expats visiting, and Sri memories. It’s not always about having Lankans from abroad also travel home Making an event of Christmas season. “This year hasn’t been great and now people are spending a lot of time at the biggest party or being seen at the to visit their families, get together, go on Where the Government will need to work hottest place in town. It’s about the to keep spirits high is through decorations in the best way you can home. I see a lot of people trying to bring holidays, etc. A lot of people patronise The event industry, which usually people with whom you share your hotels during this period. This year, with and dressing up the streets so celebrations out cheer by setting up their Christmas thrives around this time of year, has come trees early. We’ve been receiving orders Christmas and the passion with which the airports closed, we’re not planning a can still go on even without people you celebrate this holiday season. In the physically coming together to a virtual standstill. Event Management for Christmas decor from mid-September huge celebration as such. We’ll be toning Association Sri Lanka President Roshan words of Melissa from Bakes by Bella, Event Management Association Sri Lanka onwards, both for end-user homes as well down all the events,” Ukwatte noted. Wijeyaratne explained that since Sri Lanka “authenticity is contagious, and if you “One good thing the pandemic has President Roshan Wijeyaratne as companies.” is at alert Level 3 in terms of Covid-19, The demand for this year has dropped show excitement and share good vibes, it done is making hotels source more and with many active clusters present around will spread like wildfire”. 4 the sunday morning brunch BUSINESS Sunday, November 15, 2020

BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE they do employ a courier service to make PHOTO BY NEONBRAND deliveries, and there are various other costs ON UNSPLASH o you have an Instagram and so taking into account the costs, and a account? Surely by now, highly reasonable mark-up is where their you have realised that price point lies. This conversation on price points is it is nothing else but where we must bring in the second type of a market place, with IG businesses – those that have the added Dthe algorithm constantly trying element of manufacture in their process. to sell you something. With the addition of the new “Shop” tag on Same playing field, your Explore page, Instagram (IG) itself is no longer pretending; it is different game Speaking to Pavani of ACEAE an online e-commerce platform if (@a.c.e.a.e), she shared her thoughts on there ever was one. the nuances of the kind of business which Now that we know the nature of the designs, creates, and sells entirely on their beast, let’s take a look at what makes it tick own. “When you’re going into creating – the sellers, the retailers, and the people your own business and making your own who stand to gain from your views, clicks, clothes, there’s so much that goes into and eventually buys. it. You have to create the designs for it, For Sri Lankans, there are two major collect the funds for it, get the material for types of sellers you will come across. IG it, incur sewing and packaging charges, resellers are persons who make large orders transport charges, etc. – there’s so much from online retailers and sell the same here blood, sweat, and tears we dedicate to this to local buyers with added benefits. There one thing,” she said. are also those who sell their own products designed and manufactured here in Sri Lanka, and it is likely that there is nowhere else you can purchase these items than from these individual sellers who are often also the creators. Both types of businesses come with their own benefits for the customer. However, it does at times feel like an uneven playing field when they are She shared that if you look at it from competing in the same market trying to sell one perspective, to businesses such as to the same set of eyes. hers, it may seem unfair that there is this reselling agenda. However, if you are to Why you buy from IG resellers look at it from a business perspective, it is just a market where you sell and gain a profit; you do what you have to do and the bottom line is making profit. Pavani said that it is definitely a whole other industry, adding: “Even though it is muddled up together, it is a different kind of industry altogether.” She added that she only hopes that customers are able to make this clear distinction, especially when it comes to pricing and quality, as the processes are vastly different. “They are different kinds of products, and it would be great if more people understood that,” she said. S. Jacob of ANKARAA._ also spoke from her perspective as a purely local manufacturer and seller of handmade Gimhani Alahakoon and Thristorbel accessories. Bandara of Miss Meraki (@miss_meraki_ sl) shared that the reason why people choose to purchase from their store as opposed to making the purchase directly from the online retailer would be to cut down on costs. They shared that it is far cheaper to purchase from a secondary party such as their platform as there are certain items which have a minimum order quantity, and if you wish to have an item and you cannot afford to purchase in bulk, this is where they come in. They are able to purchase “Ever since my business was launched, this larger number of pieces and make the I have had to compete against those who individual sale to you. Additionally, you resell similar accessories by bringing them are able to bypass paying for shipping and down from various global sites for a much taxes on an individual item, which can Let’s be honest, cheaper price and sold to local customers really add up. at a considerably lesser price. This affects Moneesha Senevirathne of Closet us small local businesses as we are by Mo (@closet_by_mo) also shared striving hard to promote and embrace local that there is an element of convenience. production within society. Another reason Moneesha explained that she wouldn’t why people should promote local business describe herself as a reseller as she does is because it also helps better the country’s order in bulk. She is a supplier and these economy unlike some businesses that sell wholesalers she works with supply to other poor-quality foreign products.” businesses in the island as well. we buy With regard to this final point shared by S. Jacob, Miss Meraki also added that while they are currently in a business that is primarily reselling, they wish to grow their business to gather enough capital to convert their business into an operation which creates revenue for our country; the ladies expressed that it is their ultimate goal to eventually create their everything own products in Sri Lanka and convert that revenue stream inwards towards the country. Covid has affected them all While the two types of businesses are somewhat one another’s competitors, they’ve all been equally affected by the on IG now pandemic, especially considering that they She shared that in terms of online all heavily rely on free mobility, as the main purchases, what she brings to the table is convenience offered to their customers is convenience. She said that she would often speedy delivery. get requests from people saying that they improved customer service, saving their Settling on the right price point would be a healthy stream of sales without Manisha of QueenBy shared that small would like to have certain items that are valuable time taken to search for products turning any profit, being highly priced businesses like hers are highly dependent on the retail store to be brought down and from shopping apps, offering a creative may see fewer sales, and may ‘price out’ on shipping and postal services to fulfil the she said on occasions like that, she would range of products, while recommending the more budget-conscious customers,” orders of the customers who are helping provide that service. products that they think customers may like. she said, adding that although there is no them stay afloat during this unprecedented In such situations, she said that what she universal mark-up within a given industry, economic crisis. would do is only charge for costs – that is For Sri Lankans, there indirect costs are relatively constant and “Postal services can be denoted as shipping, tax, and if there is any, a delivery are two major types of where indirect costs are generally low, the economic lifeblood of my business,” fee – and she does not make a profit. sellers you will come across. mark-ups will tend to be low as well. she said, adding that the Covid restrictions She shared that her business model is IG resellers are persons who She said that QueenBy mainly which halted postal deliveries had an such that she has employed three separate make large orders from online considers factors like production and immense effect on her business and many suppliers, one retailer, and two wholesale retailers and sell the same here business costs, revenue goals, and others’ too. Many of the others too echoed suppliers, the latter of whom have outlets competitor pricing. Thereby, even when her concerns, providing that all orders have to local buyers with added setting a price for a new product, or even in the UK, France, and Thailand. She said benefits. There are also those been put on hold; no new orders could be that while the wholesalers may be difficult an existing product line, it’s just pure math, accepted due to uncertainty. Thereby, the for the average purchaser to reach, the who sell their own products “in fact, making it a straightforward step of delays those small businesses are faced with retailer does in fact have an online store designed and manufactured the process”. raise a number of issues, from cash flow to where people can purchase themselves. here in Sri Lanka, and it is likely We also discussed the pricing aspect negative reviews over late deliveries, which with the ladies from Miss Meraki as Manisha of QueenBy (@queenby. that there is nowhere else you Manisha of QueenBy also referred to they have very little control over. They well and they added similarly that they official_) also added to the conversation can purchase these items than setting the right prices for their products shared that not only are they losing money too try to be as reasonable as possible as on value addition, sharing that what is from these individual sellers as being a balancing act, sharing that a in terms of sales, but also on shipping when they must think both about their profits being offered to their clients would be the who are often also the creators low price isn’t always ideal. “Where there it’s not received at the correct timeline. and being affordable. They shared that the sunday morning brunch 5 Sunday, November 15, 2020 CAUSE

TAKE ONLY WHAT YOU NEED Govt. relief for those in need: Is the distribution done properly?

People standing in line to receive their ration packs

BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE Attanagalla who shared that they too distinguishing between who is deserving received the Rs. 5,000 relief. While and who isn’t? Or at the very least, ith the second wave at first they had wondered whether to actively encourage those with means to of Covid-19 hitting refuse it, considering the nature of how think about forfeiting their right so they us hard, we have the distribution is taking place, they may use it for someone whose needs are chose to accept the money and utilise it direr? These are questions that remain been forced to to purchase goods for those who really unanswered by the authorities. re-evaluate where needed it. They stated that they did Wwe stand in terms of our economy. not have trust in the local government General mistrust: Individually speaking, there are a authorities to direct the funds to the right lot of Sri Lankans struggling simply people in the right way. Is it worth Rs. 10,000? to keep their head above water, In addition to the relief fund, there and there are some who have been Distinguishing between the are relief packs given to families that are compelled to check their privilege. rich and poor self-quarantining. Understandably in this In order to provide for people who scenario, however, whether you have the are struggling, especially daily wage There are a few things to look at means or not, you are unable to leave earners or those reliant on government in the entire initiative. First is missing your home in search of groceries. aid, the Government has taken measures the mark when it comes to distributing Kegalle District Deraniyagala to help families stay afloat by allocating funds; as to how the criteria states “low- Divisional Secretary I.K.R.S. Bandara more than Rs. 7.3 billion for relief. income” families are to receive the aid, Menike shared that as Kegalle was not Director General of Government but families with means also receive one of the districts that received the Rs. Information Nalaka Kaluwewa the aid. The simple answer given by 5,000 intended for low-income families, shared that the funds allocated by the divisional authorities is that it is not up to they received the Rs. 10,000 relief Government were primarily in order to them to decide if you are “rich or poor”, to be utilised to purchase dry rations provide relief for the people undergoing and that upon eliminating those who and vegetables to be given to self- the quarantine process. The funds were do not fit into their specific criteria, the quarantining families. assigned to provide relief packs to remainder would receive regardless of She said that there was initially a families quarantined in their own homes whether they have the means or not. delay in the money reaching them and so as well as to provide a relief allowance they were told to purchase items from the of Rs. 5,000 to low-income families in The simple answer given shops – Sathosa and co-operative outlets areas where quarantine curfew has been by divisional authorities – which would then calculate the lowest Each person’s details were taken down for reference enforced. is that it is not up to them to possible rate for each item and create the they were given the go-ahead to purchase vehicles of some of the officials in the However, The Sunday Morning decide if you are “rich or poor”, food pack on loan on the promise of it on a loan basis. area. In doing so, she said that some Brunch looked into the way that a being reimbursed when government aid Colombo District Wattala Divisional of the vegetables and fresh produce and that upon eliminating comes in. number of areas have interpreted this those who do not fit into their Secretary R.D.T. Rajika shared that were crushed and so when the families criteria of “low-income families” and There was a general confusion they received all the money on time received the items, they were not at those who are overall deserving of this specific criteria, the remainder created amongst the public after seeing would receive regardless of and they went about distributing it optimum quality. government aid. some of the relief packs that some immediately. She said that in Wattala, as Understandably, in a situation where whether they have the means families had received, with many of 11 November, they have had a total of government agents are involved and Funds for low-income families or not pointing out that they did not in any way 1,361 families who are self-quarantining given the general mistrust people have measure up to a value of Rs. 10,000. with about 20 of them days away from with local authorities handling funds, Kalutara District Beruwala They have adopted a system where However, speaking to a number of completing the 14 days. there was widespread scrutiny of this Divisional Secretary Chathura Malraj they rely on the kindness of those divisions, we learnt that they had been She said that in their area, they did particular relief pack that many have said they received a total of Rs. 146 individuals; it is reliant on people instructed to distribute the packs for two face some complications when it came been receiving, with some wondering million to be distributed to families. checking their own privilege and being weeks, with each pack worth Rs. 5,000, to delivering the food packs as the whether what they received truly adds up He said they received the fund in parts, selfless enough to utilise what they have where the families are to receive the Government did not provide a solution to Rs. 10,000. the first part of which had been Rs. 64 been given for the betterment of others. second pack the following week. for the distribution of food parcels, million which they had distributed to While human kindness is wonderful, Bandara Menike shared that they adding that they went about the delivery This was an oversight about 1,800 families. is this a failsafe system? In terms of were able to deliver the packages in a by utilising the official vehicle – a on the side of the He said they were advised not to the distribution of funds, shouldn’t timely fashion to the 18-20 families that singular cab – and a number of personal authorities... in their attempts simply go by the list they created for the authorities take better care in were self-quarantining in their area, as to appear fair and non- the first lockdown, adding that they discriminatory, they have given eliminated an extra layer of people who out scarce government funds to would receive it. In their case, they had only some who are not in a dire need distributed to persons who were reliant of it on aid, especially persons receiving To make things clearer, Rajika broke the Samudhi benefit, persons who were down the list and quantity of items they self-employed, and persons such as delivered to the relevant families this week. pensioners and government servants, They included 10 kg of white rice, 2 kg of while those employed at private dhal, 422 g of garlic, 1 kg of green gram, 2 corporations did not qualify to receive kg of sugar, two tins of salmon (large), 200 aid. g of chili powder, 200 g of chili pieces, 2 In the Attanagalla Division in kg of flour, 400 g of Anchor milk powder, Gampaha, we spoke to persons who 200 g of tea, 400 g of cream cracker (family received the Rs. 5,000 relief. One pack), 1 packet of salt, 2 kg of big onions, individual residing in Nittambuwa shared 1 kg of Lanka potatoes, and 200 g of that each family was given Rs. 5,000 coriander seeds. She said they originally and as long as you are not a government included coconuts, but as the price has been servant or a pensioner, then, regardless increasing, it had been difficult to include it of your financial status, you received while balancing out the rest. the money. He expressed that there Meanwhile, several attempts made were a number of families who received to obtain information from divisional the money and upon realising that they secretaries were futile, as they were are not deserving of it, went about reluctant to share information. Finally, distributing it to others who may need it when we asked whether there were any who more. refused the food packs, or proposed that He shared that this was an oversight theirs be given to somebody else, Rajika on the side of the authorities, noting said there were none to her knowledge. that in their attempts to appear fair and As these are difficult times, it is a point to non-discriminatory, they have given out consider whether our people are missing out scarce government funds to some who on an opportunity to truly be kind and better are not in a dire need of it. to one another. There was another family in Ration packs being unloaded for distribution PHOTOS © PRASANNA RANATUNGA FACEBOOK PAGE 6 the sunday morning brunch HEALTH/CAUSE Sunday, November 15, 2020

BY DINITHI GUNASEKERA The socioeconomic aspects of Sri Lanka can be readily listed as a reason for the country lagging behind under the label of “developing nation”. SERVE is a Sri Lankan social welfare- based voluntary group established in 1999 by Sanjeeva de Mel and a group of experienced professionals to do work for the needy, especially children. The name “SERVE” SERVE engaging mothers and children in its vast array of programmes on numerous occasions stands for Socioeconomical, Ecological, Religious, Virtuous Empowerment. Thereafter, the projects took a more of nutritional supplements for all children, Through a simple ceremony amidst community-based approach by setting up lactating mothers, and pregnant mothers as the current Covid-19 situation, SERVE social work centres for children, mainly those well as basic confinement items for pregnant celebrated the hallmark of successfully who were affected by the Asian tsunami in mothers in 14 selected prisons from nine completing 20 years of empowering Sri 2004 in the Western and Southern Provinces. provinces. Also, SERVE has supported the Lankan children and women in need. With time, it was evident that it is vital preschools at the Welikada and Kalutara In conversation with SERVE Executive that SERVE worked more closely with Prisons for many years. Director/Founder Sanjeeva de Mel, The parents, especially mothers, to ensure child SERVE worked closely with the Centre Sunday Morning Brunch was enlightened development takes place in a sustainable for Research and Training of the Prisons on the vast scope of SERVE’s service as a manner. At this juncture, SERVE adopted the Department to support prison staff to provide pioneering social welfare-based voluntary “self-help group” approach to bring mothers their services more efficiently and effectively group in Sri Lanka. together and form community-based women’s among female prisoners and their children Below are excerpts of the interview. groups for social and economic empowerment. within the prisons. We have supported Through a wide range of module training, these seven prisons to have a more child-friendly ÄÄ What does SERVE’s work mothers/women are given the opportunity to environment as well as provided milk and consist of? take a leadership role related to the matters of biscuits for children who visit the Escort SERVE started its activities using the children, home, and community. Branch of the Colombo Remand Prison. concept of “school social work”’ in order to Apart from working at the community A pioneer project focusing on the rights provide psycho-social support for students. level, SERVE has always looked for of the children of imprisoned mothers is This was initiated in 2000 in 10 schools and institutions and settings where they Supeksha, with beneficiaries comprising was later expanded to over 30 schools in the SERVE could use their expertise for children and 750 children as well as 500 prison officials Western Province. women’s welfare. SERVE has successfully and state officials in Jaffna, Vavuniya, As we all agree, Sri Lankan students A beacon of light implemented a project among the girls Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, experience different issues, difficulties, and boys at schools certified under the Monaragala, Kandy, Wariyapola, problems, challenges, and crises in their Department of Probations in Ranmuthugala Negombo, Welikada, Kalutara, Galle, school life. These multidimensional and Makola. Through this project, the Angunakolapelessa, and Kuruwita. for 20 years children who were under rehabilitation were biopsychological social problems become a barrier in achieving the optimum results provided the opportunity to engage in indoor ÄÄ How did the pandemic affect from the school system. Some of these issues games and recreational activities whilst the work done by SERVE and can be handled by themselves. However, serving their sentences. its momentum? professional intervention is necessary to In doing its work, SERVE faced many finding a lasting solution for some of the ÄÄ SERVE has conducted projects limitations due to Covid. Due to limitations in more complicated situations. with prisoners. What kind of gathering children and groups, the community- In the field of social work, school social projects are these? based child forums, educational activities, and workers are especially trained to work The justice system in Sri Lanka via the sports activities still remain a challenge. This with students and in school settings. They verdicts of the judiciary still allows children is mainly because the work is implemented play a unique role in schools as they work under the age of five to be taken inside the primarily in urban, congested settings. with students, their families, school staff, prison, considering the article that says “best The international social work students’ within the education system, and also with interest of the child”, which is included in field placements as well as international the community in addressing issues and the Convention on the Rights of the Child volunteers’ activities have come to a SERVE Executive Director/Founder Sanjeeva de Girls engaged in SERVE’s sports-based girl problems related to students. School social Mel (standing) addressing a gathering at a simple empowerment project (OHCHR), upon the mother’s consent in the standstill as airports are closed. workers provide valuable knowledge, skills, ceremony held to mark 20 years in operation occasion a mother is remanded or convicted. Furthermore, the support of individuals and opportunities to students and the school This is done to keep the mother and the child and the private sector is much lower. But children with psychosocial support for them contribution of the relevant stakeholders such system. together as per the “best interest of the child”. since this is felt worldwide, our donors and to obtain a quality and holistic education as the teachers, parents, and community. As a specialised field in social work, SERVE is supporting children and their their agencies too face many limitations in in a child-friendly environment. This has With time, due to funding limitations, we school social work can facilitate schoolgoing mothers in prisons, including the provision helping us in 2021 and beyond. to be carried out with the participation and were compelled to discontinue this project.

third-degree relatives: First-cousins, great Benefits of genetic testing grandparents, great grandchildren). Dr. Sirisena emphasised that there are Other common characteristic features many benefits of genetic testing such as: Inherited cancer syndromes include earlier age of onset than what is yy Helps clarify the risks associated with typically seen for that cancer type (usually inherited cancer predisposition BY DR. DINESHANI HETTIARACHCHI SIRISENA <50 years), multiple primary cancers in an individual, and bilateral primary cancers yy Identifies individuals who are at increased Changes in our genes can play a major in paired organs (e.g. breast, ovaries, and risk who could benefit from increased role in about 5-10% of all cancers. The rare cancers like male breast cancer). Also, cancer surveillance or measures to National Cancer Institute reports more than the occurrence of cancers in a decrease risk such as prophylactic surgery 50 hereditary cancer syndromes which are family that are part of a known to remove the breasts, ovaries, uterus, etc. disorders that may predispose individuals hereditary cancer syndrome (such yy Identifies individuals who may not be to develop certain cancers. In this light, we as breast and ovarian cancer at increased risk and provides relief/ spoke to University of Colombo Human [HBOC], breast and sarcoma [Li- reassurance Genetics Unit senior lecturer and clinical Fraumeni], and colon and uterine geneticist Dr. Nirmala D. Sirisena regarding cancer [lynch]) should indicate if yy Simultaneous analysis of multiple genes the role of genetics in cancer. The novel tumour they are hereditary. allows the rapid diagnosis of specific sampling approach inherited cancer syndromes improves genetic testing Type of genetic testing is Genetics basis of cancer for cancer treatment yy Saves money and time than single-gene Cancer is defined as the uncontrolled available in Sri Lanka testing for patients suspected of having growth of cells that can affect any part of the germline genetic variations in CPGs such yy Li-Fraumeni syndrome Dr. Nirmala D. Sirisena Diagnosis of inherited multiple inherited cancer syndromes body. The growth often invades surrounding as APC, BRCA1, BRCA2, CDH1, MLH1, (LFS): Sarcomas, leukemia, cancer syndromes could be made tissues and can spread to distant organs in the MSH2, MSH6, PALB2, PTEN, STK11, brain, adrenal cortex, breast cancer – through genetic testing. An individual who yy A greater likelihood of identifying an body. It results from changes (or variations) and TP53. Another 20-30% of cancers TP53 gene has a personal or family history suggestive underlying inherited cause for cancer(s) in are familial due to a combination of rare patients and/or their families in certain genes within cells, which allow yy Cowden syndrome (CS): Breast, thyroid, of an inherited cancer syndrome should variations in genes such as ATM, BARD1, the cells to escape the normal control uterine, colorectal, kidney, skin cancer be tested. Germline genetic variations that yy Offers treatment guidance once the BRIP1, CHEK2, NBN, NF1, RAD51C, and mechanisms, resulting in the development (melanoma), hamartomas – PTEN gene predispose to cancer risk can be identified genetic variant is identified of a tumour (abnormal mass). Numerous RAD51D as well as shared lifestyle risk by testing DNA extracted from a blood variations in genes, such as proto-oncogenes factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, yy Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 sample of any person using next-generation yy Identification of the causative genetic (genes which promote cell growth and physical inactivity, and obesity. The (MEN 1): Parathyroid gland, pancreas, sequencing (NGS) technology – this test is variant in the family allows other at-risk division), tumour suppressor genes (genes remaining 70-80% of cancers are sporadic and pituitary gland tumours – MEN1 gene available in Sri Lanka. The cancer genetics healthy family members to be screened and occur in individuals with no known with targeted genetic testing to determine which limit cell division and control cell yy Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 research team at the Human Genetics Unit death), and mismatch repair genes (genes family history of the disease and are mainly of the University of Colombo has introduced their risk status due to acquired (somatic) genetic variations (MEN 2): Thyroid cancer, parathyroid, which repair errors in DNA) have been the latest genomic technologies and has yy Allows for earlier intervention through in a particular cell – e.g. breast cell or colon and adrenal gland tumours – RET gene identified in cancer cells. started implementing these novel genomic personalised cancer surveillance and cell – which then goes on to divide many According to Dr. Sirisena, hereditary yy Hereditary diffuse gastric cancer: Stomach services in the country. prevention programmes in individuals times and form a tumour. Acquired genetic cancer is caused by inherited (or germline) and lobular breast cancer – CDH1 gene Genetic counselling and diagnostic who are carriers of cancer predisposing variants in genes, known as cancer variations are not found in every cell in yy Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome: Blood services for inherited cancer syndromes and genetic variants predisposing genes (CPGs), which are the body and therefore are not passed from vessel tumours of the brain, spinal cord, various other genetic disorders are currently passed down from generation to generation. parent to child. yy Assists couples in reproductive decision- and retina, kidney, pancreas, adrenal gland available at the Human Genetics Unit of the These variants can be inherited from either making to prevent transmission of the tumours – VHL gene university’s Faculty of Medicine. This testing parent and may be passed on to both sons What are the genetically determined method is rapid and cheaper compared inherited cancer risk to their offspring and daughters. Each child, regardless of inherited cancer syndromes? yy Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: Polyps in the to traditionally performed single-gene Hence, identifying the underlying sex, has a 50% chance of inheriting the The most common inherited cancer digestive tract and cancers in colorectum, tests. Also, pharmacogenomic tests enable cancer-causing genetic variants can benefit variant from the parent who carries it. syndromes, the cancer types seen in pancreas, stomach, breast, ovary, lung – the tumour tissue DNA to be tested for patients and their family members by guiding Identification and knowledge of these genetic each syndrome, and associated cancer STK11 gene genetic variants (somatic) which can guide treatment decisions and making it possible to variations associated with cancer have led predisposing genes are given below: appropriate personalised treatment options offer genetic counselling for healthy family to improvements in cancer care, including yy Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer Identifying an inherited cancer and to predict response to specific therapies. members who are at risk. screening strategies for early detection, (HBOC) syndrome: Breast, ovarian, prediction of a person’s risk of developing pancreas, prostate cancer – BRCA1 and syndrome Steps involved in genetic testing cancer, adopting prophylactic risk reduction BRCA2 genes It’s important to know if there is an yy An affected family member is tested About the writer measures, the use of targeted therapy, and to inherited cancer syndrome in your family. FIRST after providing pre-test counselling The writer, Dr. Dineshani Hettiarachchi improve survival. yy Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal Dr. Sirisena stated that positive family and obtaining informed consent to identify Sirisena, is a family physician with a cancer (HNPCC)/lynch syndrome: history – i.e. two or more first or second- the genetic variation and confirm it special interest in Different types of cancer Colorectal uterine, ovarian, stomach, degree relatives affected with the same rare genetic diseases Dr. Sirisena mentioned that since small intestine, bile duct, pancreas, type of cancer or related types of cancer yy If the underlying causative genetic variant and regenerative genetic variations in the cells play a role in kidney, ureter, brain cancer – MLH1, on the same side of the family, or multiple is found, then other family members, medicine currently the development of all cancers, all cancers PMS1, PMS2, MSH2, MSH6, EPCAM relatives affected with cancer across several including those who are not affected, working as a lecturer are said to be genetic in origin, but not all genes generations – usually indicates the possibility can be tested for that variant. The test at the Department of can detect the genetic variant in at-risk cancers are inherited. There are three main yy Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP): of an inherited cancer (first-degree relatives: Anatomy, Faculty of types of cancer: Hereditary, familial, and Parents, children, siblings; second-degree unaffected individuals but cannot predict Medicine, University of Multiple polyps leading to colorectal when cancer will develop in them sporadic cancer. About 5-10% of all cancers cancer, stomach, small intestine, pancreas, relatives: Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts/ Colombo, are hereditary due to the inheritance of rare thyroid, liver cancer – APC gene uncles, nephews, nieces, half-siblings; and yy Post-test counselling is provided Sri Lanka. the sunday morning brunch 7 Sunday, November 15, 2020 GAMES/TOONS

SOLUTION FOR 1 NOVEMBER

CROSSWORD CLUES Crossword 18 Fit together compactly 76 Northern neighbor of Chile Across 57 Home security co. 103 Henry __ 21 Climbing equipment 78 Took in 1 Street fights 58 Indigenous Nepal 104 Ages and ages 23 Two-piece suits 80 Restaurant window 9 Skimpy skirt mountain people 105 “An Essay on Criticism” 24 Words in Newton’s first law posting 13 Diacritic for a long vowel 59 Bear genus poet 29 Son of Odin and Frigg 81 Corner, in a way sound 61 “Narc” co-star Ray 109 Banker’s “Do”? 30 Deli option 83 Attack with enthusiasm, 19 Caltech city 63 Bona __ 116 Russia, vis-à-vis Crimea, in 31 “Famous” cookie maker as a project 20 Low-pH material 64 Big name in 2014 32 Work on a green, say 84 “The Lion King” lioness 21 Italian innkeeper romance fiction 117 “__ it a rest!” 33 Entered permanently 86 ‘60s radical gp. 22 Weather forecaster’s 67 Carpenter’s “Do”? 118 Prepare for conflict 35 Bar mitzvah celebrant 88 Area of expertise “Don’t”? 70 Brainchild 119 Brought up 36 Red sign over a door 89 Baseball stat 25 Throw away 71 Vulcan mind __ 120 Eject 37 Nonbinary gender pronoun 91 Common Market initials 26 Batter’s stat 72 Start of a play 121 Final shot 38 Construction worker’s 93 Promised to attend, “Don’t”? perhaps 27 Caesar’s rebuke 73 Versatile game piece Down 28 Manuscript marking 75 Comprehensive 41 Deckhand 95 Drive forward 1 Catch a glimpse of 43 Grab a bite together 97 Title holder 29 Beautician’s “Don’t”? 77 Wanna-__ 2 Guitar gadget 34 Pink Floyd’s Barrett 78 Snack item 45 Being dragged along 98 Temporary tattoo dye 3 Plays for a fool 47 Speedy 100 Sonar sounds 35 Boarding aid 79 Corp. leaders 4 Some coolers 39 “American Idol” 82 After-dinner party 48 Fantasy football deal 101 Jungian archetype 5 Big Pharma watchdog: 49 Lost completely 102 Hardly in the fixture until 2010 83 Heartache Abbr. 40 Other side 84 Christmas tune 52 Utterly infatuate neighborhood 6 Sportscaster Berman 54 Relief from the heat 105 Core 42 Gave a sigh 85 They’re often tapped out 7 Harden 44 Words heard shortly 87 Bit of character 57 Lotion ingredients 106 Chicago Bulls forward __ 8 South American dances 58 With determination Porter, Jr. after many a marriage assassination 9 Put a dent in pronouncement 88 One hanging at a 60 Take to the rink 107 Feature of some 10 __ fishing 62 Chef’s hat orange juice 46 Major artery food court 11 Zippo 50 Exercise, as power 90 Had a longing 64 Not quite right 108 Sport in which the 12 One stuck in traffic, at times 65 Spiteful feeling entire body is a valid target 51 Kimono ties 92 Sucked (in) 13 Fertilizer ingredient 53 Tolkien talking plant 94 Spring bulb 66 Classic tune 110 Firefighting tool 14 Say further 68 Early programming 111 Pup’s protest 54 17th/18th-century British 96 Follows 15 Pianist’s “Do”? ruling house 97 Doo-wop group __ Na Na acronym 112 Michigan in Chicago: Abbr. 16 Difficult to hoe 69 Show reverence for, as 113 Word before age or year 55 Little guy 99 Ice skater’s “Don’t”? 17 When rights may be 56 “__ Misérables” 102 Copied a deity 114 “60 Minutes” airer restricted 74 Confine with a dike, say 115 Dennings of “2 Broke Girls” NOTE WE HAVE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED SELECTING WINNERS FOR THE CROSSWORD OWING TO THE QUARANTINE CURFEWS AROUND THE ISLAND. WE WILL RESUME SELECTING WINNERS WHEN CURFEW IS LIFTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. STAY SAFE.

Sudoku LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku. org.uk. Distributed by Tribune Content

Agency. All (Answers next week) rights reserved. (Last week’s) 8 the sunday morning brunch PEOPLE/EVENTS Sunday, November 15, 2020 Kolamba launches ‘Kolamba At Home’ Preserving stories from Sri Lankan feasting boxes delivered across the UK On 28 October, independent Sri Lankan restaurant Kolamba located in Soho, London launched “Kolamba At Home”, the ravages of time a feasting box that gives people across the UK the chance to A review of The Archive of Memory: Reflections on 70 years of Independence enjoy bold and vibrant Sri Lankan flavours in the comfort REVIEW BY RUWANI DE SILVA book – particularly those who have of their own home for the first not lived through some of the times time ever. Every day, people around the spoken about – will look at objects The feasting box will world touch, feel, and look such as the “pan thaliya” and know be lovingly pre-cooked by at objects, perhaps without of the caste barriers that were a part of society. Perhaps another will look the restaurant chefs and then giving much thought to the packaged in heat-at-home at a food plate at their homes and commented: “We wanted to be memories and stories these pouches. It will be possible to able to offer our food beyond reflect upon Rajeswary’s story of her choose from either a chicken or London and this was the logical objects may hold. We are son. The book has the potential to vegan option for servings of two extension of taking Kolamba indeed, however, surrounded inspire each reader to speak, write, or four. to the rest of the country. We by objects that hold history, and document their own truth using Along with the popular decided that cooked kits would love, heartbreak, unfairness, objects that we treasure, and see our Ceylon chicken curry, the box be more popular as this was and life itself. stories as catalysts to moving into a will also be packed with dhal simply a way of saying “can’t story for each year of Sri Lanka’s disasters, and the civil war. As better future. The Archive of Memory: independence – in order to reflect storytellers recollect events that and beetroot curry, green bean get to Kolamba? Kolamba will Reflections on 70 years of The book can be purchased and coconut curry, fiery pol come to you!” We have spent upon the 70 years that have happened behind doors as they via the Historical Dialog website Independence is a recently passed since 1948. Each story is wait for the anti-Tamil riots to pass sambol to turn up the heat for months working on this offering, published book that explores this (historicaldialogue.lk/link/archive- those who need more chilli, ensuring that freshness, quality, accompanied by an additional page the Sri Lankan military to bring of-memory/) as well as the Perera- very theme, edited and curated with black and white photographs, back the piano, what stands out as condiments such as seeni sambol and flavour are just as it would by Malathi de Alwis and Hasini Hussein Publishing House website and date and lime chutney, and be in the restaurant. We are so bringing the main element of each a glimmer of hope is the constant (www.pererahussein.com/books/ Haputhanthri, and photography story to life in a visceral pictorial reminder of how humanity creeps basmati rice to cook at home. proud of what we’ve developed, by Sharni Jayawardena. The book coffee-table/archive-of-memory), The colourful vegan option especially because it gives depiction. As only Jayawardena can in through the cracks, even in the and is currently available in Sinhala offers its readers a personalised depict, each picture is more than most hopeless of times. will feature young jackfruit people throughout the country perspective into the past 20 years, and English. curry, signature dhal and the opportunity to experience the an object, it is the soul of the story As de Alwis and Haputhanthri (The writer is currently a taking them on an emotional being told and the preservation of explain: “The stories are analogues beetroot curry, green bean and vibrant celebration of tastes and journey through Sri Lanka. communications intern with coconut curry, pol sambol, textures our multicultural island memory in the visual. The collection to living memory, storing Everystory Sri Lanka. Everystory Covering stories from all districts included narrations from family information beyond individuals’ malay pickle, date and lime is known for.” of the country and several from Sri Lanka identifies as a chutney, and basmati rice. Whilst some dishes have members, friends, and acquaintances experiences. ‘Entering us through storytelling collective of young overseas, most of the stories are of the curators, as well as those who the senses’, they become history, There will be the option to been selected because of their around the time period of the 1980s feminists based in Sri Lanka. add on additional portions of popularity in the restaurant, heard about the project and wanted like the fragments that speak to the They work towards creating and 2000s. The best description of to pen their story. palaeontologist or geologist, and is Ceylon chicken curry, jackfruit others are one-off delivery this prolific piece of work comes spaces in Sri Lanka where curry, extra pol sambol and specials, specifically curated The book takes you through it for us to remember them, cherish alternative narratives of those from the curators themselves, personal stories from all around the them, and pass them on so that these rice too, along with the iconic to fit in with the whole meal describing the motivation behind underrepresented, historically Elephant House Ginger Beer. experience whilst still being country using images of objects key experiences of the storytellers marginalised and/or oppressed, the works as such: “Sri Lankan that are dear to the narrator. The will live for generations to come.” The Sri Lankan diet classics. history, politics, and culture, and not seen in the mainstream is heavily plant-based and Delivery is available diaphanous saree, the smell of This book will leave you with spaces of Sri Lanka and South particularly from a people’s jasmine flowers, a coconut shell a bittersweet feeling of having had Aushi and Eroshan Meewella nationwide via kolamba.co.uk perspective, we believe, are crucial Asia, can find a voice. You wanted to stay true to the fresh, (Kolamba At Home meal kits) and its place in the house gain new a glimpse into the lives of beautiful, can follow them on Facebook to nurturing tolerance, sympathy, meaning as the reader walks in courageous, and resilient individuals nutritious island flavours they and in London via Restokit and empathy within our fissured [Everystory Sri Lanka] and grew up eating in family and website. Nationwide delivery the shoes of 70 people telling their whose experiences have shaped the Instagram [@everystory.sl] to and fractured society today.” stories of living through communal annals of history. In reading this, one friends’ homes, which is why includes England, Wales, and The book has 70 stories – one learn more about their work) they are only offering one meat Scotland (excluding Highlands riots, youth insurrections, natural hopes that those who delve into this dish through Kolamba At Home. and Northern Ireland). Pricing Owner Eroshan Meewella excludes delivery charge. In a bid to promote Bible education on a global scale, the team behind JW.ORG recently launched JW.ORG launches month-long Vivo celebrates 3rd a month-long mega campaign to distribute a special issue of anniversary in Sri Lanka the highly regarded Watchtower global communication campaign magazine to local residents, million volunteers worldwide Vivo, a leading global in the global 5G sector. Vivo businesses, and government officials who actively promote this Bible smartphone company, celebrated brings a remarkable combination this November. The informative, education in over 240 countries. its third anniversary recently, of 5G and artificial intelligence illustrated magazine will be offered They are individuals from all marking an achievement in (AI). 5G and 5G-embedded free of charge in over 300 different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, technological innovation with smartphones with futuristic languages. including over 7,000 in Sri Lanka. smart features for the young technologies will prove to be the With a cover titled “What is Their official website, JW.ORG, minds in Sri Lanka. The brand, key trend for consumers who God’s Kingdom?”, the Watchtower has information available in since its entry into the local deserve the best. The first-of- magazine portrays the significance over 1,020 languages and is market, has strongly abided by its-kind 5G-ready smartphone of world events in the light of Bible currently the only website in the its purpose to create customer- IQOO Pro 5G was launched by prophecies. It provides comfort world that has been translated centric offerings Vivo’s sister company and support from the Word of God into this number of languages. and has been to rejuvenate the to people all over the world, in an Users worldwide can access eagerly serving users. Vivo Sri Lanka easily digestible manner, helping for a better life and a better future as Organisation (WHO), thereby resources such as talks, videos, their interest by is well prepared to many to retain hope in their lives foretold by Jesus Christ. distributing the issue through audio recordings, books, and offering global fully leverage 5G especially through this pandemic. Due to pandemic-induced electronic means. An electronic magazines. In Sri Lanka alone, technologies technology into its This special issue of the Watchtower circumstances, the global campaign copy of this special issue has already the JW.ORG website is accessed and best-in- smart products and is magazine will address questions that will leverage channels that are in been made available on their official in five languages: Sinhala, Tamil, class solutions. constantly working have been plaguing individuals for accordance with health protocols website at www.jw.org. English, Chinese, and Sri Lankan The company towards the growth centuries, and aims to create hope set forth by the World Health Currently, there are over 8.6 sign language. continues to grow of 5G-embedded its footprint in smartphones, or the “More Local, More Global” “intelligent phones”, which will WNPS Monthly Lecture initiative with a staunch focus on be immaculately built while price range, so that everyone can being super enjoyable to use. have access to the best solutions The year 2020 has been The Leopards of Wilpattu National Park without cutting down on their a year of fulfilment for Vivo expenditure. Sri Lanka with many notable Insights into a stronghold population of the island’s only big cat by Dinal Samarasinghe The brand has positioned achievements. In March 2020, itself as a youth-centric brand, the company established its This month’s Wildlife global status, biology, and importance in the adapting to the Sri Lankan second service centre in Galle and Nature Protection Society ecosystem. youth’s evolving lifestyle needs to aid and assist suburban (WNPS) lecture titled “The and budget preferences, with the consumers with after sales Leopards of Wilpattu National Dinal Samarasinghe best-in-class camera features, service. Vivo Sri Lanka is also Park: Insights into a stronghold Over the last 10 years, Samarasinghe has gaming experience, and battery a part of the Government’s population of the island’s conducted research on amphibians and on the life. In line with this, Vivo this “Restart Sri Lanka” initiative only big cat” will be delivered taxonomy of the water monitor complex in year came up with feature- which seeks to alleviate these by Dinal Samarasinghe on South Asia. Currently, his research is focused on rich variants with its Y series trying times of the Covid-19 Thursday, 19 November human-wildlife conflict mitigation and carnivore/ apex predator population ecology: Saltwater and S series. Another notable pandemic. The brand also 2020 at 6 p.m. via Zoom and Dinal Samarasinghe achievement was the successful donated masks worth Rs. 1 Facebook Live. crocodile and Sri Lankan leopard. He is a member launch of flagship products V19 million as part of its CSR The Sri Lankan leopard is one of eight of the amphibian, water monitor, and crocodile and V20 which brings the best- (corporate social responsibility) subspecies of leopards in the world, and ~37% of its native habitat. The lecture will specialist groups of the IUCN Species Survival in-class technology and sharp initiative #vivocares to is endemic to the island. This large felid provide key insights into the population of Commission. aesthetic features to consumers. support the healthcare industry is the island’s only apex predator and is leopards in Wilpattu National Park based on The WNPS public lecture is supported Strongly guided by its and frontline workers who categorised as an endangered subspecies by a study conducted in 2018, and discuss future by Nations Trust Bank (NTB) and is open vision, the brand holds a distinct rigorously worked against the the International Union for Conservation conservation implications. In addition, it will to all. Sign up online via https://forms.gle/ honour to attain a strong position spread of Covid-19. of Nature (IUCN) primarily due to losing also provide a synopsis about the leopard, its NnFQEEod7hE14kvh9.

Articles to check out I am in a Book | Read 1. Sri Lanka’s population to shrink by the 4. Pollos mallum — What really goes year 2100 — https://rb.gy/j1m3hk http://www.pulse.lk/ aloud videos with Room on inside Angoda 2. The 20th Amendment explained — pulse-recipes/polos- to Read Hospital? https://rb.gy/becjjq mallum-2/ Pulse Kids together with Room to Log onto our YouTube 3. Fish bun — http://www.pulse.lk/ 5. Send in your requests to +94 (70) 707 Read is bringing quality education pulse-recipes/fish-bun-cooking-with- 8573 and hear your favourite tunes with fun and easy reads. Log onto channel for the full aunty-d/ instantly on www.islandpulse.lk! our YouTube channel for more! video Send in your requests to +94 (70) 707 8573 and hear your favourite tunes instantly on www.islandpulse.lk! THIS WEEK ON Facebook: slpulse Instagram: @pulse_lk YouTube: Pulse.lk

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