„„ www.themorning.lk „„ Late City VOL 01 | NO 19 | Rs. 30.00 { THURSDAY } THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2021 Money laundering ‘LIFE IS TOO DAMBULLA SHORT, GO AHEAD VIIKINGS OWNER AND DO WHAT ARRESTED YOU HAVE TO DO’

GOVT. PAVING TOURISM MINISTRY THE WAY TO INTL. REQUESTS SHORTER ISOLATION QUARANTINE PERIOD »SEE PAGE 16 »SEE PAGE 6 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 11 SL permits UK tourists New laws against soon after new variant z UK variant entered SL despite ban: Health authorities BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI The new variant reported in the UK, unethical conversions which is known as B1525, has been detected z Complaints on the rise: z Asgiriya Chapter z Financial and educational The travel restriction placed on inbound by conducting genome sequencing in 10 travel to Sri Lanka originating from the UK countries including Denmark, the US, and Buddhasasana Ministry singles out ‘Born Again’ incentives covered was lifted with immediate effect yesterday (17) Australia. Foreign media reported that 38 BY PAMODI WARAVITA When inquired as to the must be stopped,” noted Prof. by the Sri Lankan Government, despite a new cases of this variant have been detected in demarcation between ethical Gunawardana. Covid-19 variant with worrying mutations the UK so far. The variant is reported to The Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs and unethical conversions, Prof. Archbishop of Colombo His being reported in the UK on 15 February. contain a mutation in a protein that plays is currently drafting a legal framework to take action against Gunawardana said that religious Eminence Malcolm Cardinal The restrictions imposed on travel from an important role in helping the virus to the unethical conversion of individuals to different religions, conversions for financial gains or Ranjith raised similar concerns the UK on 23 December 2020, alongside a enter cells. The Morning learnt. in order to access other services recently in a statement to the press, number of other countries, was due to the Speaking to The Morning yesterday, “We are looking at a legal Kapila Gunawardana told The such as education are regarded where he urged the Government identification of the UK variant B.1.1.7 of the Deputy Director General of Health Services framework to combat the issue Morning yesterday (17). as unethical. to formulate a legal framework SARS-CoV-2 virus as potentially dangerous Dr. Hemantha Herath said that in a setting of unethical conversions, as at the Prof. Gunawardana emphasised “While people have the right against self-proclaimed pastors with high transmissibility. However, despite where Sri Lanka has opened its borders to moment there is no legal provision the need for legal provisions, to follow the religion they want, who target celebrities such as the ban on travel from the UK, the variant travel from other countries, continuing to through which we can act,” Ministry adding that complaints to the various financial gains and other artistes and sportsmen for unethical was detected in Sri Lanka on 12 February ban travel only from the UK is purposeless. of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Ministry regarding the matter have services are obtained through conversions. amongst 16 individuals in the island. Contd. on page 2 Cultural Affairs Secretary Prof. been on the rise in recent times. unethical conversions, and that Contd. on page 2 SL’S FIRST WASTE-TO-ENERGY POWER PLANT FROM ASHES TO ASHES... Three more plants planned Khan speech cancellation: z Ratmalana, Gampaha, and Matara earmarked BY PAMODI WARAVITA Ministry of Power and Speaker still in the dark The generation of power Renewable Energy Media z through the recycling of solid Spokesman Sulakshana Speech was requested by the Govt. waste would be expanded Jayawardena said that the BY PAMODI WARAVITA Imran Khan’s previously Chameera Yapa said that to Ratmalana, Matara, and feasibility of “waste-to-energy” There has been no official announced speech to the Abeywardena is yet to be Gampaha, following the power plants is currently communication yet to Speaker Sri Lankan Parliament is officially notified by the opening of Sri Lanka’s first being assessed in Ratmalana, of Parliament Mahinda Yapa cancelled, The Morning learnt. Foreign Ministry on whether waste-to-energy power plant in Kotawila in Matara, and in Abeywardena from the Speaking to The Morning Premier Khan’s said speech Kerawalapitiya yesterday (17). Gampaha. Foreign Ministry on whether yesterday (17), Co-ordinating is cancelled. Speaking to The Morning, Contd. on page 2 Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Secretary to the Speaker Contd. on page 2 SLMA requests Covid ethics committee z Burial, vaccine prioritisation among issues BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI A letter requesting the Morning learnt. In order to provide ethical establishment of this Speaking to The Morning guidance to the country’s committee was handed over to yesterday, SLMA Ethics Covid-19 response efforts, Secretary to the State Ministry Committee Secretary Dr. the Ethics Committee of of Primary Healthcare, Surantha Perera said that the Sri Lanka Medical Epidemics, and Covid matters such as the prevailing Association (SLMA) has Disease Control Dr. Amal cremation-only policy formally requested the Harsha de Silva yesterday concerning the Covid-19 Government to establish a (17) by SLMA President dead, national ethics committee. Dr. Padma Gunaratne, The Contd. on page 2 ‘Universities can India keen to Marking the beginning of the lent season, the Ash Wednesday holy mass hold physical presided over by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith was held yesterday jointly develop (17) at St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade, Colombo 13. Lent is a time of penance, fasting, and prayer for Christians, which reflects human immortality convocations’ and the need to reconcile with God z UGC says no special Trinco tanks PHOTO ESHAN DASANAYAKA permission for KDU Responding to comments by Energy Mnister Udaya Gammanpila regarding the Oil Tank BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI Farms in Trincomalee, the Indian High As news reports circulated claiming that Commission said that they are looking forward Produce Hizbullah the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence to continuing the productive engagement with University (KDU) was provided special Sri Lanka in this regard. permission to conduct a physical convocation A spokesperson from the High Commission in court: AG to IGP ceremony for its graduates, The Morning said that India and Sri Lanka have identified learnt that universities do not require energy partnership as one of the priority z In detention z Alleged Easter special permission to conduct convocation dimensions of their co-operation. since April 2020 attacks links ceremonies amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Contd. on page 2 Speaking to The Morning, University The Attorney General (AG) has and Section 3(1) of the International Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman directed the Inspector General of Covenant on Civil and Political Rights senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge said COVID-19 CASES Police (IGP) to report facts and (ICCPR) Act, according to AG’s that universities are allowed to hold TOTAL CASES produce Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Co-ordinating Officer State Counsel physical convocation ceremonies in ACTIVE CASES Omar Hizbullah, who has been Nishara Jayaratne. adherence to health guidelines, abiding arrested and remanded since April Section 2(1)(h) of the PTA covers by the stipulated seating arrangements 2020, in a relevant magistrate’s court. individuals who “by words either and venue capacity limits. 77,553 Hizbullah, who has been arrested spoken or intended to be read or by “Universities have not been asked not to and remanded over alleged links signs or by visible representations or hold convocation ceremonies. Apart from the DEATHS RECOVERED to terrorism, is to be produced in otherwise causes or intends to cause KDU, many other foreign university-affiliated 5,968 court on charges under Section 2(1) commission of acts of violence or institutes have held their convocation 409 71,176 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU (h) of the Prevention of Terrorism religious, racial, ceremonies during the pandemic. THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 7.30 P.M. ON 17 FEBRUARY 2021 (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 42 „„ www.themorning.lk { NEWS } Thursday, February 18, 2021 Uni admission results to be National Media released next week: UGC z 500 lecturers to be recruited; 10,579 more students Centre will not impose University Grants He added that the required universities than last year. Commission (UGC) information was set to be In addition, the number of Chairman senior Prof. sent to mobile phones lecturers required for these Sampath Amaratunge yesterday for students students has increased said yesterday (17) that who have not been able this year and the General restrictions: Keheliya all appeals for university to submit their university Treasury has approved the admissions are being application forms by the recruitment of about 500 BY MIHI PERERA considered at the moment due date. lecturers. Accordingly, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Mass Media and that the final results Meanwhile, for the the recruitment of new Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday (17) said that will be released next week. impending university year, lecturers is in progress,” no restrictions will be imposed on the media by He said this speaking at a a total of 500 university he added. the National Development Media Centre. press conference recently. lecturers are to be recruited Prof. Amaratunge said He said this speaking at to a government. Such Prof. Amaratunge further and the recruitment is the number of students the inaugural ceremony of development programmes said the lists of students currently in progress, said enrolled in other years is the centre at the Department should not be tied to a who have been selected for Prof. Amaratunge. around 30,000 and that this of Government Information government. Development universities have been made “This year, 10,579 more number will exceed 40,000 to publicise development- is something that is done available on the internet. students will be enrolled in this year. related information of the for the citizens,” he said. national policy framework “Therefore, it is of the Government. our responsibility to Rambukwella said raise awareness about Heritage SL tourism app to that criticisms of certain development as well as development activities to respect the views of in the country should be the people in this regard. accepted without dismissal. In order to fulfill that provide archaeological info “We should be prepared responsibility, we need to The Heritage Sri Lanka Department of Archaeology this app covers heritage sites to learn from them. Some gather information, respond mobile and web application and the Ministry of identified in the Polonnaruwa call it a development to those ideas, and find out (app) was presented to Buddhasasana, Religious, District and the project Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Mass Media Keheliya Rambukwella programme and tie it the truth,” he added. State Minister of National and Cultural Affairs. team is expecting to further Heritage, Performing Arts, This app benefits both extend the number of sites and Rural Arts Promotion local and foreign tourists as integrated in the application, Vidura Wickramanayaka well as students, researchers, covering all districts in the Milk powder imports to be at the State Ministry on and local businesses, as it near future. The total number 15 February to provide makes finding accurate of sites already included in easy access to accurate information on heritage sites the application is 206 in the stopped in 4 years: Agri Minister information on heritage sites in Sri Lanka easier. Polonnaruwa District, and in Sri Lanka. This mobile and web digital content on another Minister of Agriculture next four years after the country milk requirement at Milco is about to open, it does not have The Information and application includes text 250 heritage sites with 430 Mahindananda Aluthgamage said becomes self-sufficient in milk. 600,000 litres. enough milk for its production. Communication Technology content, audio content, monuments is expected to be yesterday (17) that the importation He said the Government would “However, the company receives There are 1.2 million cattle in the Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) as well as photographs added to it as the next step,” of $ 1 million worth of milk powder popularise the consumption of only 200,000 litres of milk daily. country. Out of this, only 250,000 has developed this app in and geo location data on said ICTA Programme Head per year will be stopped within the liquid milk, adding that the daily Although Makandura Dairy is cows give milk,” he said. collaboration with the heritage sites. “Currently, Shriyananda Ratnayake.

Contd. from page 1

the International Covenant on Civil and expressed his personal opinion on the matter Secretary Hemantha Samarakoon told The for the development and operation of the New laws... Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects and that there was no reversal to the policy. Morning, meanwhile, that plans are also Upper Oil Tank Farms in Trincomalee. We Meanwhile, Siam Sect Asgiriya Chapter individuals from being coerced to adopt Khan is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka next underway for the construction of renewable look forward to continuing our productive Supreme Sangha Council Secretary Dr. another religion,” Dr. Gunatilleke further week on a two-day official visit, and will be energy plants in Mannar, Pooneryn, and engagement with Sri Lanka in this regard,” Medagama Dhammananda Thera told The said. the first Head of State to visit the country Siyambalanduwa. they said. Morning yesterday that in recent times, Although an anti-conversion bill was since the onset of the pandemic in the island “We are looking at a 120 MW wind power Yesterday (17), Energy Minister Udaya unethical conversions are targeted at highly tabled by the Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) last year. plant in Mannar and a 100 MW solar power Gammanpila announced that the Sri Lankan influential political and cultural figures, as in Parliament in 2009, it was ultimately not plant at Siyambalanduwa. Meanwhile, a Government will re-acquire the 99 oil opposed to poorer people from rural areas. passed. Last year, Prime Minister Mahinda two-stage wind and solar power plant at storage tanks leased to Lanka Indian Oil “While this has been a long-running Rajapaksa raised concerns regarding this SLMA... Pooneryn is also being considered,” said Corporation (LIOC) in Trincomalee after problem in the country, earlier, this issue issue, when he claimed that the conversion for which the SLMA has provided an Samarakoon. talks with Indian High Commissioner Gopal was mostly found at a village level. Now, of “traditional Buddhist families to other expert opinion on how the burial of the The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Baglay on this issue concluded on Sunday there are pastors in Parliament who push religions” is a major threat, in a speech Covid-19 dead can be conducted safely, would be purchasing the electricity (14). their agenda for reasons other than politics,” made at the annual convention of the All and vaccine prioritisation have ethical generated from the new waste-to-energy “I am happy to state that the Indian High claimed Dr. Dhammananda Thera. Ceylon Buddhist Congress. dimensions that need to be addressed. power plant at Muthurajawela, as it is a Commissioner was very flexible at the talks. The monk alleged that groups such as The vaccine prioritisation issue came to private investment. He ignored the conditions mentioned in the the “Born Again Christians” have taken a light after parliamentarians started receiving Sri Lanka’s first waste-to-energy agreement signed in 2017 in order to be business outlook. Govt. permits... the jab on the grounds that they were among power plant was officially launched in helpful to us,” Gammanpila said. “He was According to Dr. Dhammananda, these “New variants can come from any country the groups that had heavy public interaction, Kerawalapitiya yesterday by Prime Minister flexible to agree to all our conditions.” concerns have been raised with both and the virus goes through new mutations despite not being among the initially Mahinda Rajapaksa, together with Minister However, he added that as a majority of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the every day. So, there is no point in just prioritised and scheduled groups eligible to of Power Dullas Alahapperuma, Western ships which sail around Trincomalee are committee of experts appointed to draft the blocking travel from the UK. Even while we receive the much sought-after and in short Province Governor Sri Lanka Air Force from India, Indian assistance would still be new Constitution. had the ban, the UK variant B.1.1.7 entered supply vaccine. (SLAF) Marshal Roshan Goonetileke, required. “On 13 February, we met the said Sri Lanka through other countries.” “The burial and cremation of Covid- Mayor of Colombo Rosy Senanayake, “So we need India’s co-operation to win committee and advised them on this issue. The decision to relax travel restrictions 19 victims, vaccine prioritisation, the Aitken Spence PLC Chairman Deshamanya their market.” Specifically, we hope that Article 14 of the from the UK was taken at a meeting treatment of the elderly, and many such D.H.S. Jayawardena, and other dignitaries. The Trincomalee oil tanks, built by the Constitution would be amended in a way so presided by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. matters have ethical dimensions, and After the Colombo Municipal Council British, had never been used to its full as to stop unethical conversions in future,” Travellers will be subject to 14 days of people’s nationalities, backgrounds, and (CMC) invited bids for the implementation capacity after Independence in 1948. The said Dr. Dhammananda Thera. quarantine in a complex designated to those their behaviour are elements that must be of an environmentally acceptable and farm initially had 101 tanks built with steel Article 14(1)(e) presently guarantees the who arrive from the UK and will have to carefully considered.” sustainable mechanism for the disposal one inch think. Each tank could store 12,000 freedom, either by oneself or in association undergo PCR tests as determined by health Dr. Perera said the formation of a national of municipal solid waste, Western Power tonnes of fuel, bringing the total capacity of with others and either in public or in private, authorities. ethics committee has been needed since the Company (Pvt.) Ltd., a subsidiary of the tanks to 1.2 million. to manifest one’s religion or belief in “Those who come from the UK will tsunami in 2004 and the ensuing disaster, Aitken Spence PLC, was selected through After the British left the country, only 15 worship, observance, practice, and teaching. be subjected to 14 days of quarantine and that therefore this proposed ethics this competitive bidding process and was tanks were used by the Ceylon Petroleum Speaking to The Morning yesterday, separately and will not be held in the same committee is one that should remain even the only company to complete the project Corporation (CPC) while the rest was taken Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran premises as others undergoing quarantine,” after the Covid-19 pandemic is overcome. amongst few others, according to a press over by the surrounding wilderness. Out of Wickramaratne said that the freedom of Dr. Herath said. This committee, which would consist of release. Aitken Spence has since invested the 101 tanks, one was destroyed in an Air thought and religion must not be restricted, However, Dr. Herath mentioned that apart epidemiologists and specialists in the fields approximately Rs. 15 billion in the project, Force plane crash in the 1960s. In 2003, Sri but that unethical behaviour of all kinds from requests made by the tourism industry of bioethics with national and international according to the release. Lanka leased the Trincomalee oil tanks to must be corrected through ethical means. to relax travel restrictions, authorities also experience, would provide the Government LIOC for 30 years, which expires in 2033. “Article 10 of the Constitution states had strong requests made by doctors who guidance in matters of bioethics, ethical Produce... that everyone is entitled to the freedom of had travelled to the UK for medical training implications, and the applications of health- or communal disharmony or feelings thought, conscience, and religion, including and were unable to return to the country. related life science. of ill-will or hostility between different ‘Universities... the freedom to have or adopt a religion Tourist arrivals from the UK too will The proposed committee is one that is communities or racial or religious groups”. However, state universities normally or belief of one’s choice. It is the spirit resume under the guidelines introduced by expected to connect with global ethics Section 3(1) of the ICCPR Act holds that have about 3,000 students graduating of this Article that has prevailed through the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau committees that have been involved in “no person shall propagate war or advocate every year, and if they were to hold the millennia,” said Wickramaratne, (SLTPB). providing ethics-related guidance around national, racial, or religious hatred that a convocation for all of them at the adding that an attempt to correct unethical After the pandemic-related airport areas such as decision-making in clinical constitutes incitement to discrimination, Bandaranaike Memorial International practices must not infringe on the rights of closures, tourists arrived in the country on care, conducting research, and developing hostility, or violence”. Conference Hall (BMICH), it would take individuals. 28 December 2020 under a pilot project to responses to public health demands. Hizbullah, who is in the custody of the a long time because the BMICH cannot Meanwhile, speaking to The Morning, restart tourism in the country, and Sri Lanka Criminal Investigation Department (CID) hold its full capacity due to the Covid-19 Attorney-at-Law Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke said reopened airports for commercial flights on over his alleged connection to the Easter guidelines.” that it is important to differentiate between 21 January 2021. Three more... Sunday bombings of 21 April 2019, was The KDU held its general convocation coercion and conversion through personal “While the plants at Ratmalana and reported to have contracted Covid-19 on 7 for 2020 where 1,140 graduands were choice during the drafting of such laws. Gampaha would generate 10 MW of power January. awarded their bachelors and masters’ “Such interactions between someone who Khan... each, the one at Matara would generate 400 This raised eyebrows among certain degrees in seven sessions on 17, 18, and 19 wants to profess their religion and someone Yapa also added that the speech was never kilowatts of power,” said Jayawardena. sections of society as the news about January at the Eagles’ Lakeside Banquet and who chooses to change their religion cannot finalised, adding that if it is to be confirmed, According to Jayawardena, the 10 Hizbullah’s health condition was informed Convention Hall, and the final session took be regarded as coercion. The law can be it will be done this week. MW power plant that was opened at to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court by place on 16 February with the participation used to regulate coercion but has no place When contacted by The Morning Muthurajawela yesterday is capable of the CID when the case was taken up on 7 of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. when it comes to ordinary interactions yesterday, a spokesperson for the Pakistani processing up to 800 metric tonnes of January, which was also the date he was Prof. Amaratunge also said that where some individuals try to convince High Commission in Colombo said that a municipal solid waste daily and, therefore, scheduled to be produced before court. polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests were others to adopt their religion,” said Dr. speech by PM Khan had been requested by would be a direct response to the growing Hizbullah was arrested in April 2020, and conducted on all staff members who were Gunatilleke. the Sri Lankan Government, but that the waste disposal problem in the District. his lawyers had, on 10 December 2020, filed present at the KDU General Convocation, He also stressed the need to understand matter is still under discussion. Jayawardena further said that such a writ petition before the Court of Appeal and said that all health guidelines were the intentions behind the drafting of such All attempts to contact the Foreign projects are in accordance with the “Vistas seeking access to Hizbullah. followed. laws, adding that awareness of whether Ministry regarding this matter proved futile. of Prosperity and Splendour” policy The Morning also learnt that the these laws would help the vulnerable people Earlier in the month, Khan tweeted statement presented by President Gotabaya University of Moratuwa held its general they claim to help or just take away the applauding his Lankan counterpart Prime Rajapaksa, which anticipates that hydro and India keen... convocation in August 2020 at the BMICH agency of those individuals, is necessary. Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s assurance renewable energy together would account “India is committed to working together before the outbreak of the second wave of “There is a difference between bad faith in Parliament that the burial of victims of for 80% of the country’s energy mix by with Sri Lanka for the island’s energy the pandemic. Many state universities held laws designed to protect a dominant religion Covid-19 would be allowed. However, 2030. security. In this context, consultations virtual convocation ceremonies with limited that suffers from an existential fear and Co-Cabinet Spokesman Udaya Gammanpila State Ministry of Solar, Wind, and Hydro and discussions have been undertaken to physical participation of faculty members, legal provisions such as Article 18(2) of said on 16 February that Rajapaksa had only Power Generation Projects Development promote mutually beneficial co-operation staff, and students. 43 Thursday, February 18, 2021 { NEWS } „„ www.themorning.lk Peanut packing Health instructions factory sealed for altering expiry dates

A factory that Spokesman Deputy manufactures packets of Inspector General (DIG) issued for O/L exam peanuts has been sealed of Police Ajith Rohana by the Peliyagoda said yesterday (17). z CMC urges public to avoid z More Lankans repatriated Police for altering the He said that they have expiry dates of 118,000 informed the Consumer gatherings; cites new strain from UAE DIG Ajith Rohana packets worth Rs. 30 Affairs Authority about million, Police Media the fraudulent factory. BY MIHI PERERA patients have been reported from February, the Government Information A number of special health guidelines have been published by the the island on 16 February, while 172 Department said. Accordingly, the Ministry of Health yesterday (17) for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) of them have been reported from Covid-19 death toll in the country Six ‘gold sellers’ nabbed examination which is scheduled to be held from 1 to 11 March 2021. Colombo, and 168 from the Gampaha increased to 409 on 16 February. It was stated that all staff and centres. For this, 542 connecting central District. In the Gampaha District, Moreover, 1,018 persons who for defrauding buyers invigilators involved in the relevant stations have also been set up. A total 38 patients were reported from the were infected with Covid-19 have examination activities must provide of 622,352 individuals have applied Negombo area, while 25 were from been discharged from hospitals on Six suspects disguised as gold and through social media and information such as their name, for the examination for 2020, out of Duggalpitiya and 15 from Divulapitiya. 16 February, said the Government sellers have been arrested by the that she has informed the buyers address, whether they have been which 423,746 are school applicants. In Colombo, 32 were reported from Information Department. Accordingly, Kurunegala Divisional Crime that they have gold discovered isolated, or who among them have Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer of Fort, 21 from Wellampitiya, and 11 the total number of people cured in the Detection Bureau for defrauding from a treasure. She has further visited an area under isolation. Colombo Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni said from Mattakkuliya. country has increased to 70,429. buyers, the Police said. said that a kilo of gold will be If a candidate complains of yesterday that unnecessary travel and A total of 13 new Covid-19 patients A total of 3,225 personnel have been Police Media Spokesman Deputy sold for Rs. 9 million and had symptoms after visiting an examination gatherings should be avoided in view were reported from the prison cluster vaccinated against Covid-19 on 16 Inspector General (DIG) of Police invited buyers to come to a certain centre, a room should be set up to send of the dangers of the new Covid-19 yesterday, with two prison officials, four February, bringing the total number Ajith Rohana said that one suspect place. Instead of selling gold, him/her. The guidelines submitted by strain which has been identified as male inmates, and seven male suspects, of vaccinated persons to 196,163, the was identified as an owner of a they have plundered the money the Ministry of Health to the Secretary being able to spread rapidly. said the Department of Government Chief Epidemiologist said. Speaker of beauty parlour in Ragama. of the buyers.” to the Ministry of Education state Dr. Wijayamuni said that the new Information. The total number of Covid- Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena “The investigations revealed The suspects were scheduled to that such persons should be given the variant, which was recently discovered 19 patients reported from the prison was given the Covid-19 vaccine at the that the suspect has contacted be produced before the Magistrate opportunity to continue writing the by the researchers of the University of cluster are 4,717, out of which 4,533 Army Hospital yesterday (17), said various persons over the phone yesterday (17). examination. Sri Jayewardenepura, has spread in the patients have recovered. There have Sergeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando. Candidates should place the signature city of Colombo. been 11 deaths from the prison cluster. However, Tamil National Alliance of attendance with their pen. Pens and He also said that weddings, birthday 25 prison officials and 146 suspects are (TNA) parliamentarians Selvarajah Shani Abeysekara equipment should not be exchanged parties and nightclubs should be stopped currently receiving treatment. Gajendran and Gajendrakumar under any circumstances. and warned people to stay away from The number of Covid-19 patients Ponnambalam have refused to take the The health guidelines state that crowded places as much as possible. receiving treatment in Intensive Care vaccine. Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna remanded until 23 Feb students should not be given the “Otherwise, we will see an increase Units (ICUs) has increased to 28, said (SLPP) MP Rohana Dissanayaka and Former Director of the remanded by the Gampaha opportunity to work closely with each in the number of patients in the City of the Deputy Director General of Public Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Criminal Investigation Magistrate’s Court. other and to share meals during breaks. Colombo and in Sri Lanka in general,” Health Dr. Hemantha Herath. Rohini Wijeratne Kavirathna have also Department (CID) Shani The suspects filed a petition in A central examination centre would he said. At present, the number of treatment refused the vaccine. The Covid-19 Abeysekara and former Sub the Gampaha High Court (HC) be prepared for candidates who are in Elsewhere, nearly 400 Lankans who centres have been increased to 80 with a vaccine was administered to Manning Inspector of Police Sugath seeking bail. The Gampaha isolation. Meanwhile, the exam permit could not return after having gone for bed capacity of 11,766, he said, adding Market employees and businessmen Mendis have been remanded HC, which heard the petition, can be used as a permit to exit an area employment in the Middle East have that 6,747 of those beds have been in Peliyagoda yesterday, Dr. Aruna until 23 February. has rejected the request of the under isolation. returned to the island, said the National reserved for patients. Palitha Sampath of the Environmental The two suspects who were suspects to be released on bail. Transportation should be provided for Operation Centre for Prevention of “The majority of these patients and Occupational Health Division of arrested in connection with a Accordingly, both suspects students and those who are isolated or Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). were found in quarantine centres. But the Gampaha DGHS Office said. It case filed against a group of have filed a petition in the Court in isolated areas. Personal protective Accordingly, 389 Sri Lankans have we have met several other patients was revealed that all employees of the suspects including former of Appeal seeking a reversal of equipment should be provided to arrived on the island and it is reported from Avissawella and Vavuniya in the Manning Market would be vaccinated Deputy Inspector General of the Gampaha HC decision and officers on duty in hospitals, treatment that they had gone to the United Arab community. Necessary investigations from yesterday onwards till today (18) Police Vass Gunawardena, were for them to be released on bail. centres, isolation centres and isolation Emirates (UAE) for employment and will be carried out in this regard and while all visitors would be vaccinated areas. The special guidelines state that been subjected to various hardships and further action will be taken in the afterwards. Further, it was said that the cooperation of health workers can persecutions there. All the passengers future,” he said. residents of 15 selected grama niladhari be sought if the examination is to be were taken to the Army quarantine Another six Covid-19 deaths were divisions were to receive the vaccine Justice delayed is justice held within the hospital premises. centres for the quarantine process. confirmed by the Director General yesterday. Preparations had been made The examination will be held in 4,513 Further, a total of 756 Covid-19 of Health Services (DGHS) on 16 to vaccinate 2,000 persons yesterday. denied: SJB on Easter report Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Easter Sunday attacks took place. parliamentarian Hesha Withanage Once the Commission report Moving towards import- Wimal instructs to seize tiles claimed yesterday (17) that was released, we expected that they cannot expect justice to be the Government would use the free economy for crops: imported through forged docs served over the Easter Sunday opportunity to immediately take terror attacks as there is a delay action against the MPs of the Industries Minister Wimal has strongly reprimanded the in submitting the report of the former UNF-led Government. Mahindananda Weerawansa said that he had representative representing the Presidential Commission of The only reason that there can The Minister of Agriculture 2019 alone. Accordingly, the instructed the Sri Lanka Customs to company. Inquiry probing the Easter Sunday be a delay is because it has Mahindananda Aluthgamage Ministry of Agriculture has seize a consignment of tiles imported He had instructed the Secretary bombings to the Parliament. been revealed that Government said that the country will prepared a four year plan to by a Sri Lankan tile dealer after to the Ministry to conduct an “We saw that the incumbent supporters may have been move towards a productive make it self-sufficient by 2024. forging documents and declaring investigation and to take legal action Government did not hesitate involved in the attacks,” he economy free from the import He added that he does not the consignment as raw materials. against the company and the officials to point fingers at the United alleged. economy within the next four expect to import anything that Industries Minister The Ministry has issued summons who had given permission for the National Front (UNF)-led He expressed these comments Wimal Weerawansa years by producing 16 crops can be produced in the country on the company and the Minister importation. Government ever since the at a media briefing. and becoming self-sufficient after 2024 and hopes to produce in the country. everything imported He said this in the country and to Wimal cannot make Suspect nabbed with 3 kg speaking at a media thereby add to the briefing held at economy. the Ministry of The Government demands from Agriculture on 16 has identified 16 of heroin in Piliyandala February. crops that can be z Arrested with Rs. 100 m worth narcotics on 16 Feb “In the last few produced locally. Opposition: SJB years, we have He said that as The Samagi Jana Balawegaya A suspect was arrested in the had an import- the country has (SJB) said yesterday (17) that Batuwandara, Madapatha area dependent economy already become Minister Wimal Weerawansa in Piliyandala in possession in the agricultural Minister of Agriculture self-sufficient joining the Opposition has of 3 kg and 250 g of heroin, sector, so we Mahindananda in green gram, not been completely ruled out said Police Media Spokesman hope to move the Aluthgamage cowpea, groundnut, but that it would not happen Deputy Inspector General country’s economy and sesame, the by making demands from the (DIG) of Police Ajith Rohana. towards a productive economy, Government hopes to produce Opposition. It was revealed that the and there is the challenge of the remaining crops in the next “If he decides to cooperate suspect was scheduled to be exporting the surplus of the four years. with the Party policies and what produced before the Kesbewa production,” he added. “The country’s demand for we stand for, he will be able to Magistrate’s Court yesterday trafficker who is currently the Nugegoda Police. The The Minister of Agriculture potatoes in 2019 was 243,728 join the Opposition. However, MP Hesha Withanage (17) and that the Police are in remand prison. total value of the drugs was recalled that Sri Lanka has metric tons (MT). Our country we would not allow him to hoping to obtain a detention Meanwhile, a suspect was estimated to be Rs. 100 million. recently imported a number produced 101,642 MT and we demand things that go against our is because he knows that their order for seven days. arrested from Gangodawila, It was revealed that the suspect of crops that can be produced have imported 142,086 MT. Rs. policies,” SJB parliamentarian policies are wrong and therefore It was also disclosed that Nugegoda on 16 February for would be produced before the in the country. Accordingly, 6,007 million has been spent Hesha Withanage said. he needs to come to a conclusion these drug operations are being in possession of 5 kg Colombo Magistrate’s Court the Government has spent Rs. for this. Thus, onions, dried The reason Weerawansa on what his own policies are, being carried out discreetly of heroin and 5 kg of crystal while further investigations in 210 billion on the importation chillies, maize, milk powder, protests against his own Party he claimed. by an infamous drug methamphetamine (ice), said this regard are ongoing. of potatoes, onions, dried among others, have been chillies, red onions, maize, imported at great expense,” milk powder, and seeds in he said. ‘Inconsistency in edu and employment Health Ministry must opportunities a major shortcoming’ Education Minister Prof. opportunities. The classrooms, the modernisation 16 February. consider specialists’ G.L. Peiris pointed out that Government hopes to change of university courses, and “Religious leaders, one of the major shortcomings this through future education the increase in access to scholars, leaders in various of our country’s education reforms,” he explained. opportunities. fields, principals, parents, transfers: GMOA system is the inconsistency The Minister further said Minister Peiris said that alumni, business people, The Government Medical their children admitted to schools. between the education that special attention should be teaching children a wealth of and all stakeholders are Officers’ Association (GMOA) The GMOA has requested received by the students and given to specialised areas such subject matter to learn by heart involved in matters such as alleged that the Ministry of the Director General of Health the employment opportunities as information technology is a major weakness in our how our education should Health has failed to pay adequate Services to take immediate action that are available. (IT), computer technology, education system today, noting be structured, what changes attention to the implementation regarding this delay. “Although there are plenty languages, and communication that education should enhance need to take place, and how of specialist transfers that should Further, the GMOA emphasised of job opportunities in many skills in the education system. the personality of children to education can support the have taken effect on 1 January that the specialist doctors will not businesses, the failure to Prof. Peiris pointed out face life’s challenges and to integration of our children 2021. be able to prevent the emergence achieve the qualifications that a number of initiatives work independently. into the world of future work. The Association said in a of issues in various parts of Sri and capabilities required have been taken concerning The Minister expressed Steps will be taken to set up statement that this would lead to Lanka that would in turn disrupt has created a gap between the education system in these views while participating a digital platform in March various administrative issues for patient care services if the Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris the education received and recent times, including the in a ceremony held at the to receive ideas, suggestions doctors especially when getting transfers were not implemented. the available employment provision of school-friendly Aloysius College Galle, on and advice,” he concluded. 4 „„ www.themorning.lk { EDITORIAL/OPINION } Thursday, February 18, 2021

by which antibodies to the Covid-19 BY DR. DILSHAN ANTHONY FERNANDO virus is developed in the human body. Hejaaz The vaccine comes in 5 ml vials, which can be used for 10 doses of 0.5 ml each, and has a shelf life of around Hizbullah and six months. Storage of the vaccine due process Points to note This vaccine can be stored in a normal refrigerator at 2-8 degrees The very process aimed at serving justice Celsius and does not require ultra-cold should be, more than anything else, a process storage. The vaccine is both freeze and that is fair to everyone, as this is what gives heat-sensitive, so if it is either exposed the public the confidence that they are safe to freezing temperatures or to direct about Sri Lanka’s heat or sunlight, it is recommended in their own country. not to be used. As mentioned before, Of those arrested in connection with one vial of vaccine contains 10 doses, investigations launched into the Easter and is recommended that it be given Sunday terror attacks that shattered Sri Lanka within six hours of opening the vial. in April 2019, the case of lawyer Hejaaz vaccination drive Indications and Hizbullah caused much controversy due to contraindications many a reason, and now, after a long wait, Specific indications and Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera contraindications have been given PC has instructed the Inspector General by the Epidemiology Unit as a guideline for vaccination. Pregnant of Police (IGP) to take action to produce mothers, breastfeeding mothers, Hizbullah in court. and those under 18 are currently The AG had further instructed that charges not indicated to be vaccinated due be filed against Hizbullah under Section to a lack of clinical trials on those groups. If a person develops a severe 2(1) (h) of the Prevention of Terrorism allergic reaction to the first dose of (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) and the Covid-19 vaccination, it will be Section 3(1) of the International Covenant considered as a contraindication to on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act. administration of the second dose. If a person has a bleeding disorder In fact, Hizbullah, who was in the custody or any defect in clotting of blood, of the Criminal Investigation Department special and specific advice needs (CID), was to be produced before court to be taken before vaccination. last month. However, it did not happen If a person is showing any signs as planned, as he was reported to have of an acute infection or signs of Covid-19, it is advised that the contracted Covid-19. On 8 January, just vaccination be delayed by at least before being produced before court, the court four weeks. However, if a patient was informed of his health situation, and has been infected with Covid-19 the much-awaited appearance of Hizbullah previously, it is not considered as a contraindication for the vaccine in court was postponed. and is advised to administer the The PTA, under which Hizbullah will vaccine two weeks after recovery. be charged as activists for Hizbullah had Contrary to popular belief, it is not speculated, has been criticised by many a contraindication for vaccination if due to the fact that it contains provisions a person is suffering from a chronic illness such as diabetes, nor is it a which are not in step with internationally Healthcare personnel on Tuesday (16) carried out the Covid-19 vaccination programme for citizens in Division III of the Colombo contraindication for patients with accepted human rights laws (especially with Municipality area compromised immunity such as regard to the admissibility of confessions PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE being HIV-positive or patients on recorded by the Police) and deprives a immunosuppressive treatment. Sri Lanka, like many other countries globally, has started its vaccination China and Russia to receive grants person arrested under the PTA of the right drive to minimise and possibly negate the effects of the Covid-19 virus of vaccines developed in those Vaccine safety to a fair trial and investigation. Hizbullah’s which has been ravaging the globe since November 2019. respective countries. Even though the Covid-19 vaccine arrest and subsequent prolonged detention development was done quite rapidly, also raised concerns as to whether his rights Background 2.5 million doses of the Oxford- How does a vaccine protect? global communities of scientists, On 28 January, Indian Airlines AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine, A vaccine basically exposes a part governments, and pharmaceutical had been violated. flight AI 281 arrived at the manufactured by the Serum of the invading virus into a potential giants have collaborated in developing The freedom from arbitrary arrest Bandaranaike International Airport Institute, have been ordered. patient without infecting them with these vaccines with massive funding and detention is a right granted by the (BIA) with the first consignment Secretary to the State Ministry the virus. This process stimulates the and human resources. Proper protocol Constitution, and the PTA contains provisions of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Specialist Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva body’s natural immune mechanisms has been followed and no shortcuts that violate these rights, such as a person’s Covid-19 vaccine from India. His said the vaccine was ordered by the to build antibodies against Covid-19. have been taken in this process Excellency President Gotabaya State Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Thereby, if that patient is subsequently contrary to popular belief. right to be informed of the reason for his/ Rajapaksa formally accepted the He added that it is planned to bring exposed to the actual Covid-19 virus, her arrest and to be produced before a court initial 500,000 doses of Oxford- the stock of vaccines to Sri Lanka the memory cells of the immune Possible side effects without being held in custody for a prolonged AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines within a month. system will identify the virus and From those already vaccinated in Sri period of time. In fact, one of the reasons which were given as a grant by the Furthermore, Dr. de Silva added deploy already developed mechanisms Lanka, no severe side effects have been Indian Government. that an additional 3.5 million doses to fight against the virus. Through this reported. However, pain at the injection why the arrest and detention of Hizbullah Consultant physician Dr. Ananda of the vaccine will be ordered process, the chances of being infected site, body aches, fever, and chills have attracted attention was the allegation that the Wijewickrema was the first to subsequently. are reduced. Furthermore, even if been commonly reported, which have nature of his arrest and detention amounted receive the first dose of the Oxford- On the President’s special infected, the severity of the disease is resolved naturally. to a violation of his rights. AstraZeneca vaccine at the National instructions, Covid-19 vaccinations reduced. A possible severe side effect of Due process, or the right to be treated fairly Institute of Infectious Diseases began from 15 February, initially the vaccine is anaphylaxis (a severe (IDH) in Colombo. Since then more from the Western Province, for What is the and possible fatal form of allergy). and equally, according to the established than 160,000 frontline healthcare groups who interact closely with ‘Covishield’ vaccine? However, in anticipation of this, all legal framework, is a right to which every workers have been vaccinated the public and those facing higher It is a product of the Serum Institute vaccination centres are equipped with citizen is entitled, and any law or act that with the “Covishield” vaccine risks of infection. of India, which is also the same as the medication and equipment to treat a violates that right is inconsistent with the manufactured at the Serum Institute The vaccination of Members of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. This possible anaphylaxis and all patients of India under the patronage of Parliament began with the Oxford- vaccine comprises two doses given are observed for 20 minutes post Constitution. Oxford University. AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on three months apart. This vaccine vaccination for any adverse reactions. One might feel that stern laws are necessary Furthermore, the State Ministry 16 February at the Army Hospital. introduces a protein particle from the to maintain the rule of law, especially when of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, Furthermore, Sri Lankan Covid-19 virus into the human body, Effective against it comes to matters of national security. and Covid Disease Control said authorities are in discussion with which stimulates an immune response new variants? The vaccines still appear to be However, in the eyes of the law, every person effective against the new emerging is considered innocent until proven guilty, strains of Covid-19, although and proving the charges against someone CARTOON OF THE DAY scientists are wary about a variant of beyond a reasonable doubt should be done Covid-19 which initially originated in in a fair manner, as the ultimate motive of South Africa and a few days ago in the UK. It is understood that the Covid- prosecuting a person is serving justice to 19 evolution hasn’t stopped, thus the those in the aggrieved party. vaccines may need to develop further Law is a fact and justice is an abstract, and as new variants emerge. that abstract is meant to be achieved through 100% protection facts, not speculation, and the ultimate aim guaranteed? is to ensure that the proper implementation No vaccine can guarantee universal of the law finally leads to serving justice. coverage against Covid-19. Even And, most importantly, justice is not about if you do get vaccinated, safety Hizbullah or any particular person. Justice precautions previously practised will have to continue in the same manner. is everyone’s right, and so too is the right Therefore, using face masks, hand to be heard and treated properly. washing, and social distancing need to Amending and repealing laws and practices be practised even more diligently than that may violate people’s rights, as well as before, with the emergence of more transmissible strains of the virus. introducing and implementing laws that Let us all unite in our drive against serve justice, are not the people’s job. It is Covid-19 and place faith in tried and the country’s rulers’ duty. tested science to deliver us from this pandemic. (The writer is a medical officer currently attached to a government No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. hospital. His experience spans Fax - 011 2 673 441 across the medical profession as a General - 011 5 200 900 medical practitioner, and across the Sales & Marketing - 076 1 367 612 pharmaceutical and surgical equipment Circulation Manager - 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367 620 industry. He also possesses an MBA E-mail - [email protected] and a Diploma in Economics. Having Special Investigations Department - 077 7 714 078 represented his university rugby team Website - www.themorning.lk in international tournaments, he also has a special interest in sports medicine) 45 Thursday, February 18, 2021 { SPOTLIGHT } „„ www.themorning.lk

Ban understandable, but industry needs solutions Hundreds of thousands facing risk of losing jobs Large-scale importers also affected One of the largest tax- paying industries on the brink of collapse

FILE PHOTO Industry on wheels crashing towards skid row z Light at the end of the tunnel in vehicle importers’ horror story? BY SUMUDU CHAMARA this week, it was postponed to next in a statement. assembling companies. This process Despite the climbing number of Covid-19 cases, the Sri Lankan week. Gamage said that the VIASL, The VIASL also said that various would not benefit the public and will Government permitted the resumption of businesses and also the basic on behalf of vehicle importers, is public officials and doctors are facing only benefit a handful of assembling day-to-day activities of the public, in a bid to save the pandemic-hit prepared to discuss any proposal the severe difficulties due to the vehicles companies, and it will lead to the country from an economic collapse. Most other countries have done the Government, especially the Ministry they have ordered legally (with a production of low-quality Indian and same, as learning to live with the pandemic – which is now known as the of Finance, puts forward, expressing Letter of Credit) not being released by Chinese vehicles,” the VIASL added. “new normal” – is the most sensible decision to take, as no country can hope that the Government has a plan the authorities. However, The Morning yesterday know when it will end. to address their issues. He added that “Even though most of these vehicles (17) reported that the State Ministry Even though most of the businesses Last year, in light of Covid-19- the importers are ready to consider have already reached the Colombo of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport have resumed their operations, some related restrictions and the economic the Government’s proposals in a bid Port, they have not been given an Services and Train Compartments, businesses such as the vehicle import difficulties faced by the public, the to arrive at a collective agreement. He opportunity to clear these vehicles and Motor Car Industry has already industry, event industry, and the Government granted a grace period also said that their concerns have been citing various circulars issued. started looking into the feasibility tourism industry are still wondering of six months for the payment of conveyed to President Rajapaksa as They need to be provided with the of manufacturing motorcycles and when their businesses will return to leasing installments for three-wheeler well. opportunity to clear their vehicles. It three-wheelers in Sri Lanka. normalcy. owners. In a related development, Gamage further said that the should also be noted that all circulars According to Secretary to the State In particular, Sri Lanka’s vehicle President Gotabaya Rajapaksa also importers’ demands are not confined regarding the clearing of imported Ministry S.M.D.L.K. De Alwis, the industry, one of the largest tax-paying said that the methods adopted by to a resumption of vehicle imports, vehicles from Sri Lankan ports were State Ministry has held discussions sectors, is left with no plans for their the leasing companies to seize the but rather, any solution that might published on a retrospective basis, and with large companies such as Yamaha future, even though the Government vehicles of those who had failed help save the vehicle import industry, that there are therefore several permit and Honda in this connection, and has started many programmes to to pay the leasing instalments was which he said was collapsing. He also holders who are struggling to import that a committee has also been revive the industries affected by the unlawful, and instructed the Police to noted that they are not necessarily or clear the vehicles they have ordered appointed to come up with standard Covid-19 pandemic. take steps to address such incidents. seeking permission to import and confirmed legally,” the VIASL operating procedures (SOPs). He also Last year, in light of the Covid-19 Vehicle importers also raised expensive vehicles, and that allowing added. said that the preparation of guidelines pandemic, Sri Lanka imposed a ban concerns about the Government’s the import of at least inexpensive One of the vehicle importers The for this initiative would take about on vehicle imports. Even though this indecisiveness regarding the import vehicles could be beneficial, as Morning spoke to also levelled the two months. move was meant to be a short-term ban on vehicles, and said that the customers are currently left with no same allegation, and claimed that Even though The Morning measure, later it was announced Government should decide on vehicles to purchase. the Government should look into attempted to contact State Minister that the ban was extended. The some future course of action in this releasing the vehicles parked at the Dilum Amunugama to learn of his Government said that this step was connection to keep the industry According to statistics issued Port. stance regarding the importers’ taken in a bid to revive the country’s afloat. by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Even though The Morning allegations regarding vehicle economy affected by the Covid-19 They added that even though the (CBSL), in 2020, Sri Lanka had attempted to contact the Media manufacturing and assembling in Sri pandemic by curtailing the foreign need to impose an import ban on spent $ 282.9 million on vehicle Spokesman of the Sri Lanka Customs Lanka, he was not reachable. currency outflow. vehicles in the face of the Covid-19 imports. Compared to 2019, to inquire about these vehicles, he was “The local assembling companies According to statistics issued pandemic is understandable, at least a when Sri Lanka spent $ 815.7 unavailable for comment. mainly import an almost finished by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka temporary solution is necessary. million, it is a decline of 65.3%. In The VIASL, however, expressed product and add minimal value to it. (CBSL), in 2020, Sri Lanka had spent A vehicle seller also raised 2018, Sri Lanka had spent $ 1.5 opposition to expensive vehicles being Hence the cost, freight, and insurance $ 282.9 million on vehicle imports. concerns about the prices of used billion on vehicle imports imported for government officials, (CIF) value or the amount of foreign Compared to 2019, when Sri Lanka vehicles in the local market, adding alleging that the Government issuing currency sent out of the country is spent $ 815.7 million, it is a decline that their prices have climbed Commenting on the plight of tax-free permits to import expensive perhaps more than the CIF value of of 65.3%. In 2018, Sri Lanka had drastically, posing a threat to those vehicle importers, he emphasised that vehicles has significantly increased a good quality Japanese or European spent $ 1.5 billion on vehicle imports. who import used vehicles. When an immediate, concrete solution is the foreign currency outflow in the vehicle, due to the economies of scale In August last year, the CBSL said contacted in this regard, an importer/ necessary, as hundreds of thousands of past few years, and that this scheme and lean production mechanisms used that expenditure on motor vehicle seller of used vehicles said that people working in the vehicle import has reduced the Government’s tax in large scale manufacturing. However, imports declined by 80.9% due even though it is true that there is a industry are on the brink of losing revenue. They also claimed that the import tax paid for a locally to the import ban imposed by the high demand for used vehicles for a their jobs. this is a main reason for the high assembled vehicle is far less compared Government and the CBSL. higher price, due to the import ban “Due to this situation, around 50% foreign currency outflow, which the to the import tax paid for a high quality To discuss the present situation in on vehicles, it is not possible to seize of traders have been forced to close Government says is a reason for the complete vehicle,” the VIASL further this regard, The Morning spoke to that opportunity. down their businesses, and those that ban on vehicle imports. said. several vehicle importers and sellers. In addition, several vehicle are still open, have run out of vehicle Speaking of the issues pertaining The VIASL further said that the importers told The Morning that stocks. This situation affects large- to vehicle manufacturing in Sri ultimate victims of this situation Government’s indecisiveness the vehicle stocks have run out, scale importers as well,” he stressed. Lanka, the VIASL said that local are none other than the public who According to several vehicle leaving their businesses in a manufacturing/assembling is not is deprived of the opportunity to importers, who are also sellers of difficult situation, even though the A myriad of issues the solution for these issues, adding purchase a high-quality vehicle as imported vehicles in most cases, the Government claims that the country The VIASL further explained that that this process does not add any they are left with limited options import ban on vehicles has affected has adequate vehicle stocks for the a number of issues arise due to the value to the country’s economy and such as purchasing a low quality them in a number of ways, and they time being. They also added that the complete ban on vehicle imports, is merely designed for tax evasion Chinese or Indian product at an have as a result been rendered unable Government holding discussions and that they are likely to negatively and higher profit margins for a inflated price. to take a decision about the future of with small-scale vehicle importers in affect the country’s economy. They handful of companies. It was also The vehicle import industry is one their businesses. addition to large-scale importers and also said that the lack of vehicle said that the main objective of local of the largest industries Sri Lanka One vehicle importer/seller associations is extremely important stocks has discouraged up and coming manufacturing should be for export depends on, and the number of told The Morning that the vehicle as their businesses are not as stable as entrepreneurs. purposes, and that due to this, the people depending on the industry is import industry, as an industry that large-scale businesses. The VIASL told The Morning that Government is losing a high amount astronomical. On top of that, those provides various direct and indirect there is a significant supply chain of taxes. wishing to purchase a vehicle are employment opportunities to a large Talks next week depending on the country’s vehicle “Car manufacturing is a highly also in a difficult situation due to the number of persons, has come to a Meanwhile, the Vehicle Importers’ import industry, including cleaners, automated process, and if the lack of vehicle stocks. standstill, raising concerns about Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL), a mechanics, and service centre Government’s objective of banning Now that the Government has the future and job safety of their leading collective of vehicle importers, operators. the importation of vehicles is to stated that it is ready to hold employees. recently said that they are scheduled “If the ban is to continue further, provide employment through this discussions with the importers Expressing agreement with this to meet topmost government officials around 100,000 Sri Lankans will process, there would be a conflict of and the importers have expressed statement, another vehicle seller said including Prime Minister Mahinda lose their jobs and livelihoods, objectives with global manufacturing willingness to agree on a collective that the vehicle leasing and vehicle Rajapaksa next week. Speaking to and this would mean that around standards and practices. The loss agreement with the Government, Sri insurance industries have also been The Morning, VIASL President S.K. 350,000-400,000 dependents of these of revenue does not justify the Lanka’s vehicle importers may be severely affected due to the indefinite Gamage said that even though the employers would be facing severe minimal number of employment finally on the cusp of a solution to ban on vehicle imports. said meeting was scheduled to be held financial difficulties,” the VIASL said opportunities offered by vehicle this nearly year-long issue. 46 „„ www.themorning.lk { INTERVIEW/INSIGHT } Thursday, February 18, 2021 Teacher transfers must prioritise ‘most Govt. paving difficult’ schools: Study BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY the most. If I get a transfer, it may A common complaint among take months or years to fill that teachers working in the most vacancy”. “difficult” schools is that the The specific reasons why teachers the way to prevailing transfer system should are happy can be summarised as be revised, with more consideration follows: because they are teaching paid to teachers working in such children of underprivileged families; schools. because of the experience teachers This is according to a research gain in a difficult school; and international article titled “Job satisfaction of because of the appreciation teachers teachers working in the most difficult gain from the school community. schools, with special reference to the Likewise, teachers who work Puttalam Education Zone” authored in difficult schools face unique by M.L.H. Sumanasena, F.M. challenges in comparison to their isolation Nawastheen, and P.R. Jayawardena, urban counterparts. Factors such and published recently in the Sri as students’ negative attitude Lanka Journal of Social Sciences. towards learning; minimal parental z Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu This study was conducted with 93 involvement in children’s learning; teachers selected from the 74 most a lack of understanding among difficult schools in the Puttalam parents and students concerning the says UN report not at all Education Zone. Two thirds of the importance of education; workload teachers were female (66%) and pressures as a result of the shortage most were married (66%). Only of teachers in these areas; limited exaggerated or distorted 2% were widowed. The majority access to resources; and difficulties of the teachers were graduates and in travelling, all negatively affect trained teachers with less than 10 teachers’ satisfaction, leading to BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI ONUR needs to be given proper finances, years of service. frustration and stress. The 46th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) proper resources, proper direction, and a The study noted that in the most Furthermore, although teaching in are to be held from 22 February to 23 March 2021 and alleged human rights proper mandate to proceed accordingly. underserved and under-resourced a remote context provides leadership violations committed during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s civil war in 2009 is There are positive things that this schools, a comparatively smaller opportunities, most teachers are on the agenda. A number of civil society organisations in Sri Lanka are set to Government can do and there are things number of experienced graduate dissatisfied with having to take write to the UNHRC raising concerns about the country’s human rights situation. that they are doing in terms of economic teachers with postgraduate diplomas on extra responsibilities despite The Morning spoke to Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) Executive Director Dr. development. But that is only half the story. are found. In fact, three-fourths of being less experienced teachers. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, who is a key member of the civil society organisations There are huge outstanding issues and the teachers were found to be below the The researchers concluded that that will be levelling these allegations seeking intervention from the UN. P2P march must be taken as a message. age of 40 years and with less than many teachers may have personal There needs to be serious interest. 10 years of teaching experience. problems relating to family matters The following are excerpts of the jurisdictions. The ICC question has to go to This raises concerns of there being in addition to their work at school. interview. the Security Council and there we have the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi either only a few opportunities, Teachers, the authors noted, try Russian and Chinese veto. And that is a bit spoke about the rights of Sri Lankan or that they are not encouraged to get transfers to urban schools or What are the issues you are going to be of a tall order. But there is no harm in putting Tamils in Chennai last week. Do you to join professional development sometimes quit their job as they writing about to the UNHRC and what it in the agenda and to keep trying. With believe Tamil Nadu genuinely cares programmes. This may in turn become dissatisfied with the above interventions are you seeking from the regards to travel bans and other individually about Sri Lankan Tamils or are the influence teachers’ job satisfaction mentioned factors. Moreover, the UN? targeted sanctions, I don’t think there is an rights of Sri Lankan Tamils just a and students’ performance as well. point was made that teachers who We have raised (the issue of) the ground- issue and they have to decide on their own political slogan for them? Five dimensions were identified are very dedicated to working in level situation which we have experienced whether they will do that or not. Whether they genuinely care about it as intrinsic factors that contribute these schools and those who have over the last few years; indeed, the or whether they are doing it as part of to the job satisfaction of teachers: many years of experience should be last few months. We have talked about Should other countries exercise universal their domestic political practices, it is sense of achievement, recognition identified, and their untiring work militarisation; about the land grabbing, jurisdictions in Sri Lanka? Is this not a an issue that galvanises people. And the (the reputation that a teacher gains be recognised. particularly with regards to grazing lands; threat to the country’s sovereignty? Government of Sri Lanka should take note from the school community), nature The majority of students in difficult and about the task forces. Basically, we Sri Lanka is a member of the of that. The Government talks about an of work (meaningfulness of the work schools need individual attention, have been sending information all around international community. We don’t “India-first” Sri Lankan foreign policy. All and its suitability for the individual’s as they come from less-privileged with regards to the situation on the ground. have to deal with an outmoded notion we have to do is look at what has happened professional and academic families and social backgrounds. What we will be doing now is putting all of of sovereignty dating back to 1648. We and ask whether we are actually following qualifications), responsibility, and Therefore, the teachers believe that this information into one letter and sending are talking here about an international an India-first foreign policy. Are we doing advancement and personal growth. the number of students in a class it to the UNHRC. What we want from community that has decided that human what we say we are going to do? The findings indicated the should be small. However, the actual the UNHRC is another resolution which rights and universal jurisdictions are on influential contribution of intrinsic situation is totally opposite, as there will require the Government of Sri Lanka the agenda. As a member of a community, Do you think the Tamil Diaspora is factors to the job satisfaction of are an inadequate number of teachers (GoSL) to report on the situation. We also you accept certain obligations and faultless with regards to the conflicts the majority of teachers, with the in most of these schools. There is a expect a fairly stern resolution pointing responsibilities as well as certain rights. we have at present, especially with their highest scores being for the nature of serious issue regarding the number out the issues that were raised in United You can’t pick what you are going to follow demand for a separate state? work, advancement (upward career of teachers, as demonstrated by the Nations High Commissioner for Human and what you are not. The question about the separate state and mobility) and personal growth, and teacher-student ratio. Rights Michelle Bachelet’s report. A stern the Diaspora becomes much more salient recognition, and the lowest scores The revision of circulars to increase but not strident resolution, which points out If the GoSL is not going for a consensual and is highlighted because the Government being for the sense of achievement incentives is a remedial measure the situation on the ground. resolution with core group members, doesn’t take reconciliation within Sri (confirming there is no influence that can be put into practice by the should it go for a homegrown resolution? Lanka seriously. If reconciliation is treated from students’ performance authorities, the researchers explained. If the Government is not going to agree seriously within the country, we will have on teachers’ satisfaction), and It was found that teachers become to a consensual resolution, it should come a united country and all questions about responsibility. frustrated as the students’ attendance to terms with the resolution that will be separatism will become insignificant. Seven variables were considered rates are very low. To overcome this We don’t have to deal with an outmoded passed. Hopefully, there will be a resolution Instead of looking to blame anyone else, the as extrinsic factors; namely, problem, it was suggested that the notion of sovereignty dating back to 1648. and those commitments (will be) fulfilled. I Government must look at what it can do. school policy and administration school environment and classrooms don’t know what the Government is going Everything it has done so far has deepened (principal’s leadership qualities should be made more attractive to We are talking here about an international to do with a homegrown resolution or what the conflict. and school practices are important students, in that there should be a community that has decided that human they are going to include in one, because, as aspects), supervision (internal and supportive and friendly environment. rights and universal jurisdictions are on the far as I am concerned, the Government has What kind of truth, justice, and external), interpersonal relationships, Teachers should also be equipped been lax and has failed in terms of fulfilling accountability-seeking mechanism work conditions, pay and rewards, with the necessary resources and agenda. As a member of a community…You its commitments. In light of the support should Sri Lanka aim for now? job security, and general attitudes instruments to teach in a friendly can’t pick what you are going to follow and Sri Lanka is seeking from the Organisation Look at the consultation task force towards job satisfaction. A large and attractive manner as a solution of Islamic Co-operation countries and recommendations, where it says that the section of teachers (nearly half) for students’ absenteeism. what you are not possibly China, there are 47 countries who accountability mechanisms, if they are accepted that extrinsic factors The authors recommended that are voting in the Human Rights Council, judicial in nature, need to have at least influenced their job satisfaction, there should be a close relationship Do you think the Human Rights and I think there will be a majority for a one international judge at the bench. The with the highest scores being for between the teachers and the parents. Commissioner’s report about the human resolution on Sri Lanka. India could abstain reason we are calling for this is because the the relevant institute’s policy and As most of the parents are not rights situation of the country is fair and from voting given the tensions between the domestic judicial system has not addressed administration, pay and rewards, educated, they do not understand balanced, and has it raised all of your GoSL and India. these issues. There is a serious question of general attitudes towards job the importance of schooling, and they concerns? trust and confidence. We need to have at satisfaction, supervision, and promote their home industry instead, The High Commissioner’s (HC) report With the UNHRC Session looming, what least one international judge, and when the working conditions. rather than education. Thus, parents’ is very congruent with how we, the civil are your views on the Government’s trust and confidence is built, we don’t need However, the strength of the linear attitudes towards education have to society organisations in Sri Lanka, see the response to the Pottuvil to Polikandy to involve foreigners anymore. positive relationship between job be made positive as an initial step. ground situation in the country. I don’t (P2P) march and the removal of Tamil When it comes to looking for mechanisms satisfaction and extrinsic factors was The supervision and evaluating think the report is in any way exaggerated National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. for truth, justice, and accountability, we found to be weaker than the linear processes should also be modified. or distorted. The HC’s report raises all the Sumanthiran’s STF security following should look at our own models. We should positive relationship between job The prevailing process of supervision concerns we have about the human rights his participation in it? set up and raise the allegations of war crimes satisfaction and intrinsic factors. is another weak point encountered situation in the country. The report focuses The Government is digging a bigger and and allegations of crimes against humanity. It was apparent that most of the in this study. Monitoring takes on the current situation in the country just to bigger hole for itself and paving the road Whatever changes need to be made to teachers are happy working in the place under three broad avenues, show that whatever the Government claims to international isolation and is fanning the Constitution, we should go ahead and most difficult schools. They are namely, team inspection, individual it has been doing is not true. And we do the flames of conflict. The P2P march make them. We should go ahead and have satisfied with their job for many supervision, and internal supervision. know that apart from setting up the Office was probably the first time in 50 years indictments and hear the cases out. If there reasons. Some of their attitudes However, these monitoring on Missing Persons (OMP), and then the where Tamils in the Northern and Eastern are no war crimes and no crimes against were expressed as follows: “It is processes are not effective and Office for Reparations, none of the other Provinces, the upcountry Tamils, and the humanity committed, then we can see it challenging to work in a difficult teachers do not get effective commitments made have been fulfilled. Muslims in the East joined hands. That is closed. The Government is the one that school. However, it is more solutions for the practical problems We all have questions with regards to very significant. The Government needs to has brought up opposition to anything that meritorious to support these innocent they face. Many teachers believe accountability, the Prevention of Terrorism look hard at what they are going to do about happens in Geneva. They would, at the very students who get very few chances that the support given to them by Act (PTA), land, and task forces. They reconciliation. Allegations and questions least, be creating a situation that could bring in society. My difficulties are the In-Service Advisors (ISA) waited until the council was about to meet about accountability will need to be taken them embarrassment. forgotten when I see their happy was minimal. Therefore, it is to set up yet another commission to find up seriously. You can’t say that you are The point about leadership is that faces”; “This is a good experience recommended by the researchers that out as to what all the other commissions pursuing a domestic mechanism and then sometimes you have to take tough for me. Many teachers do not supervision should be with the greater have recommended and what action pardon someone like Sunil Rathnayake, decisions. If you say you are wrong, you get the chance of having such an involvement of ISAs. School-based should be taken in that regard. These are who was indicted by the Supreme Court of could say so and make amends. No one experience”; “In these schools, we teacher development programmes just delaying tactics. It clearly reflects the the country for the crime of slitting a five- is ever saying that the entirety of the Sri mostly care to retain students at can also be implemented to overcome lack of commitment on the part of the year-old’s throat. Lankan security forces are guilty of war least for the mandatory schooling their problems. Government. Why do we need to recalculate crimes. That’s not the case at all. It is period instead of focusing on their The State should therefore address the number of missing persons now? Way With the Office for National Unity perhaps more difficult for Sri Lanka now, achievements. Sometimes we visit teachers’ problems by providing back in 2010, there was a Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation (ONUR) being set given that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who has their homes to encourage them to them adequate teaching facilities, and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). up again, how do you think it should also been accused of war crimes, is the continue schooling. So, we feel in-service training, promotions, and It is because the Government failed to proceed? Chief Executive of the country. But that that our efforts are worth more than accommodation and incentives, implement those recommendations that we I don’t think that the new ONUR will go is no reason to give up on pushing for money”; and “I have been working while revising transfer policies to got a resolution in Geneva on Sri Lanka. The down the path that the ONUR was going investigations and accountability for the here for nearly six years. Still I feel motivate and retain teachers in the report has talked about individual sanctions, on before the current Government came to people in the North and East. At the end of very sorry about these students and most difficult schools, to provide it has talked about the International Criminal power. This Government needs to show that the day, this is not about individuals but the I like to be here and teach them as a long-term solution for teacher Court (ICC), it has talked about universal it is very serious about reconciliation. The people you are supposed to be serving. they need our support and guidance shortages in such schools. 47 Thursday, February 18, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk

business All agricultural Tourism Ministry requests imports to be banned in next four years

BY KAREN HAPUARACHCHI shorter quarantine period The Sri Lankan Government is preparing to gradually ban BY ZAHIDA RIZVI Kimarli Fernando said: “The request restrictions and that if this continues, it According to the Ministry of Health, all agricultural imports of the The Ministry of Tourism has sent was made in an attempt to increase will prevent the market from yielding tourists are required to obtain a visa country within the next four a proposal to the Presidential international tourist arrivals, since a bigger profit, Fernando urged the online, along with a mandatory Covid- years, according to the Ministry Secretariat requesting to change arrivals into Sri Lanka are recorded Ministry of Health to reconsider the ban. 19 insurance cover costing $ 12, which of Agriculture. the quarantine period from 14 to be increasing from the GCC (Gulf “We have roughly 991 travel agents; covers $ 50,000 worth of hospital or Minister of Agriculture days to 10 days for employees in Co-operation Council), Dubai, Qatar, 304 applications were sent to be audited medical bills for a month. Mahindananda Aluthgamage, hotels with a Covid-19-infected Kuwait, Russian, Ukraine, and German by KPMG and 113 passed the audit and Travellers also have to do PCR tests during a recent press guests and also to remove the markets, in particular for Ayurveda.” were certified,” she said. 96 hours prior to their arrival. The PCR conference, stated that the quarantine requirements if the She said that Sri Lanka fairs slightly According to her, the Authority has test costs $ 40. The first test will be Ministry has received a large hotel does not have any guests ahead in comparison to the Maldives requested 50,000 vaccinations in an taken on arrival at their hotel, and the sum of money which is set infected by Covid-19, The Morning in terms of the guest arrivals, which attempt to vaccinate all employees in second after five to seven days or at to be invested into particular Business learns. has been recorded to be 3,820 visitors the industry. the onset of symptoms. A third test is sectors of agriculture in order Minister of Agriculture Speaking at the industry webinar into the country in the first two weeks “We have requested all Level 1 Safe required for visitors staying between 10 to enhance the productivity of Mahindananda Aluthgamage for travel agents and the Disaster since reopening. and Secure hotels to provide their and 14 days. Tourists are also required local manufacturing to cater to Management Centre (DMC) hosted However, pointing out that tourists employee details to be submitted to to pre-book a Safe and Secure-certified the total production requirement potential and cater to the full by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development from the UK are currently not permitted the Ministry of Health this week,” she hotel for the first 14 days of their stay. of the country. requirement of the country. Authority (SLTDA), its Chairperson to visit Sri Lanka due to the travel added. “In regard to the vision In terms of measures taken of prosperity of President to enhance the productivity of REFORMS IN LOCAL INDUSTRY Gotabaya Rajapaka, the the aforementioned products, challenge the Ministry the Ministry has allocated Softlogic Life grew 25% of Agriculture has come Rs. 393 million for potatoes Handloom Ministry across is to influence a local along with 7,000 hectares of manufacturing-based economy. land. This was followed by the In the past, our economy investment of Rs. 616 million in 2020 to Rs. 15.6 b requests funds consisted of an import-based for the production of big onions Softlogic Life announced economy,” Aluthgamage along with 8,000 hectares of that despite all the difficulties commented. land. associated with a thoroughly from Finance Min. Moreover, he stated that in Furthermore, the Minister disrupted Covid year 2020, the present year, the Ministry said an investment of Rs. 1,070 BY ZAHIDA RIZVI the company grew revenues to requirements of the industry – has identified 16 plants that million for the production record Gross Written Premium The State Ministry of Batik, with 600 weaving centres, 21 can be locally produced, some of chillies has been made, (GWP) of Rs. 15.6 billion, an Handloom Fabric, and Local colouring centres, and 117 sales of which are wheat, chilli, big followed by an investment of increase of 25%, making it Apparel Products is looking at outlets – will be revamped. onions, red onions, potatoes, Rs. 318 million for red onions, the fastest company to reach reforming the local handloom and At present, raw materials worth maze/corn, mung bean/green along with an investment of Rs. that mark. apparel industry by requesting Rs. $ 2.8 billion and finished goods gram, cowpea, soya, and nuts. 298 million for maze with an The strong growth follows 2,475 million of capital funds for worth $ 276 million are imported As the main objective of allocation of 140,000 hectares a similar 25% growth that was the first year from the Ministry into Sri Lanka. Therefore, by the Ministry is to improve of land. achieved by the company in of Finance (MoF) and ancillary investing in the growth of the the productivity of these In the meantime, the the previous year when the organisations. local market, the State Ministry products, green grams, nuts, Government still stands firm economy was badly impacted “The expectation is to produce anticipates to reduce $ 38 million and cowpea have already been on the importation of turmeric by the Easter attacks in 2019. 10 million new garment units net imports, especially attributed improved and brought into due to the promotion of The company is proud to note Softlogic Life PLC Chairman Softlogic Life PLC Managing where eight million will be to the local production of finished full efficiency to fit the total local production, it is learnt. its contribution to increasing Ashok Pathirage Director Iftikar Ahamed allocated for local consumption. goods. production requirement of the Turmeric is grown in wet insurance penetration in the This is about 5-10% of the local Plans are also underway country. The Government, in and intermediate zones of country with 265,617 policies Commenting on the FinnFund and NorFund apparel consumption of $ 2.2 to rebrand and expand Lanka collaboration with the Ministry Sri Lanka as a monocrop and issued during the year 2020, financial performance of that will provide capital billion,” State Minister of Batik, Salusala as the official sales arm of of Agriculture, aims to bring the an intercrop under coconut. 33% of total industry that the company, Softlogic Life to further develop the Handloom Fabric, and Local the batik and handloom industry, other 14 products into complete The major growing districts cover all segments of society. Insurance PLC Chairman business objectives of Apparel Products Dayasiri given the unorganised distributions efficiency within the next four are Kurunegala, Gampaha, One in every three policies Ashok Pathirage stated: the company. The debt Jayasekara told The Morning network and significant markup years. Kalutara, Kandy, Matale, and taken up in 2020 was a “We continue to remain investment marked one of Business. by the middleman distributors. “The Ministry is planning to Ampara. Softlogic Life policy with fully confident of Sri Lanka’s NorFund and Finnfund’s first The State Ministry looks to Salusala’s distribution is to be both stop all imports and initiate an Sri Lanka currently has a the company insuring over growth prospects and see the investments in Sri Lanka. expand the batik and handloom physical and digital, providing import substitution where the requirement of approximately 1.5 million Sri Lankan lives. low penetration in the life It is also important to note industry by expanding the current greater access to the products for majority of imports would be 400,000 kg of turmeric for local The company was ranked insurance industry as a great that the capital raising was local market by investing Rs. 688 both local and global consumers. locally manufactured. If we take consumption. In addition to this, third largest in the life opportunity for future growth. concluded amidst an ongoing million to establish 200 villages The local batik, handloom, and 2019, we imported potatoes, it was reported last year to The insurance market, rising one We have also demonstrated global pandemic, and that for handloom and batik and Rs. apparel industry further targets big onions, dried chilies, Sunday Morning Business that a more notch during the year, our commitment to increasing demonstrates the bright 936 million to renovate training to enhance the technology by corn, wheat, and milk worth fake shortage has been created and has overtaken much older insurance penetration in the prospects for the country’s centres in the year 2021. 50% in its production process Rs. 2,100 million. All these by turmeric importers during players to establish strong country where one in every life insurance sector. The State Ministry targets a by 2023 through public-private products were imported while elections in order to influence growth momentum with three life insurance policies “It is really encouraging value addition of $ 54 million per partnerships (PPPs) and corporate the country had the capacity the Government to re-evaluate market share increasing to sold in the market was to see the results that have annum to the current $ 5.9 billion social responsibility (CSR) to produce them locally. their decision. However, it was 15.2%. Profit before tax for from Softlogic Life, which been achieved during a very of apparel exports for 2021 and to initiatives in order to gain leading Therefore, with approval from reported that the Government the financial year ended 31 shows that we cover almost difficult year. That bears create a “National Fabric Fund” apparel manufacturers and other the President, the importation acknowledged this and “did not December 2020 was Rs. 2.1 the entirety of customer testimony to the extremely by increasing the fabric import technical institutes involved in the of locally manufactured fall into their traps”. billion and profit after tax segments.” talented and hugely motivated Cess to $ 1. project. Furthermore, the State products will be banned, while “Turmeric has been imported (PAT) was Rs 1.5 billion. Total Softlogic Life undertook team that we have at According to the State Ministry, Ministry has put strategies in the local production of these from India, and due to the assets of the company were key measures in 2020 Softlogic Life. Each area of the 200 batik and handloom place for infrastructural changes products will be encouraged Covid-19 situation, imports Rs. 33.2 billion, indicating a towards sustaining its robust the company has delivered villages will be equipped with to motivate local producers, home- and supported,” Aluthgamage have been halted. However, growth of 61%. The company growth path by successfully in an exemplary manner to 2,000 new machines to support the based apparel manufacturers, and added. steps will be taken to promote paid claims totalling Rs. 3.5 raising $ 30 million (Rs. 5.7 enable the overall outcome production target. Moreover, nine communities to get back into the Aluthgamage further also local turmeric cultivation,” billion during the year in billion) during the year via which places us in a great fabric parks, which are currently industry, and plans to renovate the stated that investment and land Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula accordance with its unique a FinRe transaction with position going forward,” said operating under provincial current infrastructure related to allocations would be made Gunawardana commented in claims settlement philosophy global reinsurance leader Softlogic Life Insurance PLC councils with no allocation buildings, machinery, and waste for local manufacturers of the July last year regarding the with 87% of claims settled in MunicRe and subordinated Managing Director (MD) of funds, that can facilitate all disposal systems. aforementioned products to local production and the import one single day. debt transaction with Iftikar Ahamed. help the firms reach their full substitution of turmeric. Investment risks rise for Sri Lankan insurers: Fitch Ratings Asset risk at Sri Lankan insurers negative national rating actions has increased due to the sovereign’s were within the same national weaker credit profile and the rating category and therefore not consequent lowering of national subject to additional credit risk ratings of some state-owned and charges according to these rules. private-sector institutions, said Fitch downgraded Sri Lanka’s Fitch Ratings in a report published sovereign rating to CCC, from yesterday (17). B-, in November 2020 due to the The increased asset risk, country’s increasingly challenging however, will not greatly affect external debt repayment position the regulatory capital ratios of most over the medium term. We estimate Fitch-rated Sri Lankan insurers due that as at end-June 2020, Fitch- to the limited rise in risk charges rated insurers had invested according to local risk-based around 55% of their fixed-income capital (RBC) rules. portfolios in direct government The local regulatory RBC rules securities, such as Treasury bills, banks, non-banking financial state-owned and private sector exempt debt securities issued or bonds, Sri Lanka development institutions, and corporations. institutions. We estimate that guaranteed by the Government bonds, repos, and unit-trust assets Fitch recalibrated the national around 12% of the fixed-income from charges on credit and backed by government securities, rating scale following the sovereign investment portfolios of Fitch-rated concentration risk in the calculation and around 16% in deposits and downgrade, resulting in the insurers, or around 28% of deposits of the regulatory capital ratio. debt securities issued by state- downward revision or downgrade and debt instrument portfolios, In addition, some of the recent owned enterprises, including of the national ratings of some were invested in these entities. 48 business „„ www.themorning.lk { RATING/ADVERTORIAL } Thursday, February 18, 2021 Experts discuss policy to build port infrastructure JB Vantage Money Market

Shippers’ Academy Colombo (SAC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rohan Masakorala said that Sri Lanka is losing out to regional competitors because of policy inconsistency. Fund affirmed A+ by ICRA He said this at the panel discussion hosted JB Financial (Pvt.) Ltd., a specialist the past few years grown the fund’s AUM as and when needed without a commitment by the Advocata Institute on surrounding asset manager investing in a range of while maintaining a robust risk management period or a penalty.” policy issues on 12 February at the BMICH. investment-grade debt instruments, framework and sound financial metrics in The JBMMF yielded annualised returns of The event, which featured a high-profile equity, and gilt-edged securities, line with the investment mandate. The rating 11.79% for the past five years, 12.22% for list of panellists, discussed various policy received a credit risk rating of [SL] further signifies the relative prudence of the the past three years, and 11.41% for the past implications for port development in Sri A+mfs for its JB Vantage Money fund which only invests in companies which year as of December 2020. JB Financial is the Lanka. Market Fund (JBMMF) recently from are willing to subject themselves to an external only Sri Lankan fund management company Masakorala expressed a strong concern that ICRA Lanka Ltd. The fund is the rating and are therefore transparent with that is compliant with both the Asset Manager Sri Lanka is losing out to regional competition second largest money market funding their financials. As part of our investment Code (AMC) and the Global Investment for transshipment due to a lack of policy terms of assets under management mandate, we only invest in companies that Performance Standard (GIPS). The company consistency. The recent cancellation of the (AUM) in Sri Lanka with Rs. 18.82 are considered investment grade, that is rated claims compliance since 2016 and recently trilateral arrangement for the development billion as at December 2020. The fund BBB- and higher by an external rating agency. updated to the latest GIPS 2020 standards as of the East Container Terminal (ECT) is was initiated on 4 August 2011 and Investments in the BBB-rated category is well, conforming to ethical, professional, and reflective of this trend, according to him. has been in existence for nearly a JB Financial CEO Christine Dias Bandaranaike CFA further restricted up to an average of 30%, fair representation of investor performance. “Sri Lanka will only be able to protect the decade consistently outperforming while the remaining is invested in A-rated ICRA Lanka Ltd. is a fully owned subsidiary competitiveness of the Port of Colombo by the benchmark (NDBIB CRISIL 91-day regulatory requirements. The JBMMF has and above companies in order to manage of ICRA Ltd. of India and is licensed by the allowing global network operators to come T-bill Index). been a consistent winner at the CFA Capital and mitigate credit risk more prudentially.” Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri in with their networks,” he added. Deutsche Bank AG acts as the trustee Market Awards for best unit trust, winning Christine further added: “In times of very Lanka. The ultimate parent company of the According to Masakorala, providing of the JBMMF, and ensures that the fund the gold award in 2016 and 2017 and the low interest rates, as we are experiencing international credit rating agency, Moody’s certainty for investors by having a national manager operates according to the investment bronze award in 2018 and 2019. now, we provide investors a more lucrative Investors Service, is ICRA’s indirect majority consensus on these important policies is the mandate to achieve the goals and objectives Speaking on the rating, JB Financial alternative to traditional financial instruments shareholder. The rating is awarded based on best incentive to attract much-needed foreign while safeguarding investors’ interests. CEO Christine Dias Bandaranaike CFA such as bank and non-bank fixed deposits. the expertise of the parent company driven by direct investment (FDI). The fund is regulated by the Securities and JBMMF Fund Manager said: “The The JBMMF provides investors with a higher a rating committee comprising experienced Institute for National Security Studies and Exchange Commission (SEC) on a rating reflects our solid position as a leading yield than a traditional fixed deposit with the senior executives from ICRA for a period Founding Director General Asanga regular basis to ensure compliance with specialist investment manager. We have over flexibility to redeem or withdraw investments of one year. Abeyagoonasekera also highlighted the importance of such consistency at the strategic level, when it comes to managing Resus Energy connects first of its ground-mounted bilateral relations. Another important takeaway from Masakorala’s deliberations was that Sri Lanka should adopt the solar PV power plants to national grid landlord model for port management as opposed to the hybrid model. Furthermore, Resus Energy PLC, a firm expansion drive and support the he acknowledged that the success of specialising in renewable energy country’s renewable energy drive the Port of Singapore is a byproduct of which operates a number of mini and its economic liberation. In following the landlord model. hydropower stations in Sri Lanka, addition, Resus Energy PLC had Moreover, panellist State Minister of recently connected the first of its also commissioned a couple of mini Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Solar PV plants to the national grid. hydropower stations in the recent Waste Disposal, and Community The development rights were past. Cleanliness Dr. Nalaka Godahewa secured from a government Located in Kandy and Kegalle elaborated on the Government’s blueprint tender floated under the Sooriya districts, those add 2MW and for port development. Balasangramaya programme 1.2MW respectively to the He highlighted that the Government to procure 60 x 1MW Solar PV national grid. The company is is determined to maintain the existing projects. With a total capacity of also currently developing another status quo of ports being managed by the 2MW, built at a cost of over Rs. 300 mini hydropower project in the Resus Energy PLC Managing Director Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) while million and equipped with tier-1 class Kishan Nanayakkara Nuwara Eliya district. Fed by Views of the ground-mounted solar PV power plant making terminal operations available for solar PV panels, these are the first Madulla Oya, a main tributary of the development of the private sector and ground-mounted solar PV power Uma Oya, the project is built at an priority to ensure that none of its have won Gold, Silver and Bronze foreign investment. stations connected to the Ampara (SDGs). Resus Energy is happy to estimated cost of Rs. 700 million operations have negative impacts at ACCA Sustainability Reporting Abeyagoonasekera further expounded on grid-substation. partake in fulfilling that dream.” and expected to feed 2.4MW to on the environment,” Nanayakkara Awards, CA Sri Lanka Annual the geopolitical implications for Sri Lanka With the Government of Sri “Sri Lanka being a signatory to the national grid from the middle further said. Report Awards and at The National on the port development front. Highlighting Lanka further pledging to achieve the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate of this year. With the recently grid-connected Green Awards for a number of that even countries such as Israel, which 70% of the electricity generation change, had pledged support for it “As a company that is truly Solar PV and the mini hydropower years. Designed and developed has close links with the US, have managed from renewables in 2030, Resus and is thus obligated to adhere to interested in people and the planet stations, Resus Energy PLC now using expert local knowledge, to bring in investments from China to their Energy PLC Managing Director, the implementation of SDGs. The in pursuit of primary business operates 9 grid-connected power the latest technology and a true ports, he called for wise strategic choices Kishan Nanayakkara said: “It is target set for renewables put us on goals, Resus Energy PLC believes stations with an aggregated passion for nature conservation, and the proper management of Sri Lanka’s commendable that our government the right course to achieve SDG 7 in creating a shared value that capacity of over 15MW with Resus Energy PLC projects are all relationship with India. has set an ambitious target to achieve which is about the provision of Clean benefits all its stakeholders. estimated annual energy generation planned and executed sustainably The discussion was moderated by a high-level of renewable energy and Affordable Energy,” he added. Towards this end, we consistently standing over 45GWh. and responsibly. All project Advocata Institute Chief Operating Officer generation. That showcases true Despite navigating through strive to ensure that our carbon Over the last few years Resus development budgets also include (COO) Dhananath Fernando and Advocata interest to partner the global effort to a difficult year hit by a global footprint remains at an absolute Energy PLC has been consistently a considerable portion to develop Institute Researcher Sathya Karunarathne. combat climate change and achieve pandemic, Resus Energy PLC minimal level even as we scale recognised for its successful efforts. the surrounding communities of Sustainable Development Goals continues to keep faith in its up our operations. Resus gives The company and its subsidiaries each project. Ceylinco Life outlines the formula for its successful navigation of 2020 The Covid-19 pandemic tested the meet customers. The digitalisation of WhatsApp for claim settlement direct are provided an opportunity to undergo mettle of virtually every business on the processes in the sales function such as to the policyholders’ accounts. free diagnostic tests and meet a team of planet. Some went under, many are still e-submission and the fact that sales doctors for check-ups and advice. We struggling, some survived, and a select officers had all the information they How did the company have run this programme for more than group achieved growth and progress needed on their tabs enabled the sales manage its engagement 15 years, but the situation in the country to end 2020 stronger. In this interview, teams to carry on with their work. with its policyholders did not permit continuing it in 2020. Ceylinco Life Chairman R. Renganathan around the country in We did, however, continue with our and Managing Director (MD) Thushara What new products did 2020? other community initiatives, including Ranasinghe reflect on the year that was, Ceylinco Life develop as Ranasinghe: Engaging with supporting regional hospitals with and its lessons. a response to the ‘new customers face-to-face was not essential equipment. The Point Pedro normal’ environment, and possible and not advisable due to the Base Hospital and the Velvettithurai The year 2020 was how did they help? pandemic, but we made a conscious Divisional Hospital benefitted in 2020, universally challenging Ceylinco Life Chairman R. Renganathan and MD/CEO Thushara Ranasinghe Renganathan: In the early days of the effort to ensure that our policyholders and we continued with our programme for businesses. How did first lockdown we launched “Contactless would not lose out on the benefits of of building classrooms for needy Ceylinco Life fare, overall? was able to conduct Business Continuity system, which makes it possible for Life Insurance” with uncomplicated such direct interactions, such as the schools with two classroom buildings Renganathan: It was a year of Plan meetings via Zoom within days a sales person to convince and close Online Life Insurance and Retirement Family Savari mega promotion or the being built and donated during the multifaceted challenges that tested the of the first lockdown in March. This a sale without meeting the customer plans that could be purchased as well as Pranama scholarships programme. year. Additionally, we made a series of contingency plans of most companies. enabled the company to continue with face to face, obtain digital signatures, paid for via the Ceylinco Life website, Conceding that going on overseas donations of equipment and materials Businesses were compelled to balance the work uninterrupted and employees and payments to be made digitally. offering life insurance protection or an tours or local excursions was not related to the Covid-19 pandemic. These the imperatives of keeping revenue were able to seamlessly transfer to Social media was used extensively to investment in retirement that could be possible, we modified the Family included a donation of surgical boots generation going with ensuring the working from home with laptops and the engage with customers, and we used obtained in a matter of minutes without Savari promotion which was in its to the Infectious Diseases Hospital, safety and wellbeing of employees as connectivity provided to the majority of operations staff at branches to inquire venturing out of one’s home. The online 14th year, to provide policyholders an a donation of surgical masks for the well as customers. The impacts of the them. Physical meetings were replaced into the wellbeing of customers and also plans are easy to access, understand opportunity to win Rs. 30 million in use of medical staff at the Jaffna lockdown continue to be felt by many with online meetings both at head office to assist them to revive their policies. and purchase and are available 365 gold instead. We also continued with Teaching Hospital, the donation of companies. However, Ceylinco Life has and in branches. As far as was possible, days of the year. They offer an optional the Pranama scholarships programme two non-invasive ventilators to the ended the year in better shape than most. we maintained the momentum of our How did the company accidental death benefit as well as a in 2020, as a result of which we hope Covid-19 Presidential Task Force Our financial figures for 2020 have not operations with a “business as usual” supervise and interact with critical illness option which covers 36 to present another 160 scholarships and the distribution of Personal been released as yet, but I can say at this approach although the way we delivered staff and sales teams in critical illnesses, which is the same as to high-achieving students in the Protective Equipment to 111 police point that we achieved a growth in all services was different and stringent 250-plus branches around the standard critical illness cover from first half of 2021. Additionally, we stations in the Western Province. business KPIs even as we improved our health and safety protocols had to be the country in 2020? the company. The online retirement conducted several mass communication platforms to conduct interactions with observed. Ranasinghe: The directors continued plan too is easy to understand and the campaigns highlighting the importance Overall, what was the customers digitally. to have meetings online with the heads completion of the process takes less than of following safety guidelines and most noteworthy lesson Given that selling life of the sales team on a weekly basis. All 10 minutes. For payments, we activated expressing our appreciation for workers that 2020 taught How did the company insurance requires close other meetings at our head office were web-based, mobile-phone based and at the frontline of the battle against the Ceylinco Life? achieve this in the face of interaction with the also conducted online. The sales teams app-based payment options to ensure spread of Covid-19 and introduced a Ranasinghe: That life must go on, the disruptions caused by prospective client, how did in turn had their group meetings via policies would not lapse during the Health Insurance Awareness Month to come what may, and being ready to the pandemic? Ceylinco Life manage this online platforms, and messaging apps period of curfew and self-quarantine, raise awareness of the importance of adapt at the blink of an eye can be Ranasinghe: I think the key to our dynamic? were used to disseminate information kept the company’s call centre active and ensuring that customers were adequately the secret to survival. Life insurance success was how quickly we were Renganathan: Life insurance is and updates to the sales force. The staff monitored our social media messaging covered for health issues such as critical talks about the uncertainty of life and able to adapt to the changing situation. not easy to sell, and the products can at head office was split into two teams sites to respond to customer queries. illnesses. the need to expect the unexpected all Companies do prepare for contingencies, be complex, requiring explanation to ensure work continued uninterrupted. We also focused on up-selling to the time. Covid-19 showed the entire but when there is a sudden, near of the features and the terms and The two teams worked at separate our current customer base through How did the pandemic world the uncertainty of life and how cataclysmic change, only the most agile conditions. Therefore, we needed to locations, and in some instances one the communication of customised affect Ceylinco Life’s life can suddenly change. Therefore, can respond instantly. At Ceylinco Life, do several things – develop simpler team worked in the office while the other quotations direct to the customers. portfolio of community it is important that all businesses we had already deployed available digital products for new customers, up-sell team worked from home. The company For speedy settlement of claims, we initiatives? are ready to face sudden and drastic technology to facilitate convenience for to existing policyholders, and simplify also introduced a method where sales advised policyholders that needed to Renganathan: One matter for change at any time. Businesses that customers and enhance the efficiency of and automate the processing. In terms leads were obtained digitally and passed make a claim to call our call centre, regret is that we could not continue are flexible and able to adapt to our sales force. We began equipping our of products, we promoted simple online on to the sales force. This enabled the which would then set the process in our “Waidya Hamuwa” programme, change very quickly are those that staff with digital devices several years insurance plans. In terms of processing, sales teams to introduce new business motion by arranging for necessary which is a series of health camps in rural will not just survive, but convert ago. Therefore, the management team we effectively used our e-submission even when not being able to go out to documents to be sent via email or areas at which large numbers of people challenges to opportunities. business 49 Thursday, February 18, 2021 { ADVERTORIAL/CORPORATE } „„ www.themorning.lk Crocodile HNB Finance secures awards awarded at SLIM for customer engagement Digi Awards HNB Finance PLC stated that it secured two gold awards at the for Social Content and Marketing” and guided by advisory members recently concluded ACEF Global Customer Engagement Awards at the annual Vega Digital Awards housed in branding, marketing, and 2020. The company managed to bag Grand Prix gold awards for 2020 for its “Ape Gedara Avurudu” creative agencies based in India, the the “Most Admired Customer Engaged Brand (Sri Lanka)” and digital platform launched to uplift US, Australia, Singapore, the UAE, the “Social Media Brand of the Year in the Banking and Finance customers left to celebrate Avurudu and Sri Lanka. ACEF programmes Industry”. in their homes during pandemic- target customer engagement The latest in a series of wins this engagement and innovation in the induced lockdown. activities, branding, marketing, CSR year, HNB Finance’s victory at digital sphere, according to the Founded in 2012, the ACEF (corporate social responsibility), The two gold awards secured by HNB the ninth ACEF Global Customer company. programme is organised by a team of properties (hospitality and real Finance at ACEF Global Customer Engagement Awards reflects the Most recently, HNB Finance was professionals from India, Sri Lanka, estate), rural marketing, and HR Engagement Awards 2020 institution’s proficiency in customer also awarded the “Arcturus Award and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) segments.

Digibrush Team Lead Janidu Siriwardena (left) CDB wins Service Iconic Developments sponsors and Crocodile Lanka General Manager Chamal Fonseka receiving the award for the ‘Best Integrated Digital Marketing Campaign’ at the Brand of the Year CA National Conference SLIM Digi Awards 2.0 Real estate developer Iconic Crocodile was awarded at the SLIM Digi Developments successfully sponsored Awards 2.0., the annual awards ceremony the 41st National Conference of held on 21 January 2021, highlighting digital Chartered Accountants (CA) of Sri excellence in the marketing arena. Lanka, the country’s biggest annual Among many contenders for the title in business summit. The convention the Retail category, Crocodile’s “#Upgrade” deliberated the changes, opportunities, campaign was awarded for the coveted “Best and abnormalities stemming from the Integrated Digital Marketing Campaign”. The Covid-19 crisis, and was attended campaign was created with the premise of by local and international business exploring the menswear specialist’s success in leaders and high-profile speakers. the Sri Lankan market, with a key focus on the For the first time in its four-decade impact and outcomes of the digital marketing history, the conference was hosted strategy of the brand. as a hybrid event which included Iconic Developments Country Director Shiraz Dawood receiving the token “The goal of our campaign was to inspire an online component, where over of appreciation as the bronze sponsor from National Conference Technical men with different lifestyles to awaken, inspire, 2,000 participants from Sri Lanka Committee Alternate Chairman Channa Gunasekera in the presence of (from left:) and engage, instilling in our customer base the National Conference Technical Committee Chairperson Anoji De Silva, National and overseas viewed the proceedings Conference Main Committee Chairman Tishan Subasinghe, National Conference need to upgrade themselves by upgrading their of the conference virtually. Iconic Main Committee Alternate Chairman Danuka Cooray, and Institute of Chartered fashion preferences,” said Crocodile Lanka Developments Country Director Accountants of Sri Lanka Chief Executive Officer Dulani Fernando General Manager Chamal Fonseka, commenting From left: Singer Sri Lanka Senior Brand Manager Gayan Perera, SLIM CEO Shiraz Dawood and Iconic on the win. Sanath Senanayake, SLIM Immediate Past President Suranjith Suwaris, CDB Deputy General Manager – Marketing Darshana Jayasinghe, and CDB Head Developments Sales Manager Wazeel Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. and various professionals across Crocodile’s “Upgrade” campaign was of Brands Charitha Warnakulasooriya Nizar participated in the event held at Sampath Amaratunge. different industries to facilitate the designed alongside the four main lifestyle Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. The “CA’s annual flagship National exchange of expertise and knowledge patterns targeted through the product lines – Citizens Development This year’s awards ceremony inauguration was graced by the State Conference brings together with globally reputed panellists,” professional, social, active, and personal – and Business Finance PLC (CDB) witnessed great initiatives by Minister of Money, Capital Markets, CEOs (chief executive officers), commented Iconic Developments brought awareness to each segment of clothing brought home the “Service Brand top corporates of the country in and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith business leaders, government Country Director Shiraz Dawood at worn by the modern, urban, and sartorially- of the Year” bronze award at the multiple sectors and was judged Nivard Cabraal and University Grants officers, academics, consultants, the felicitation event. intuitive working man. recently concluded SLIM Brand by eminent industry leaders across Excellence Awards Ceremony multiple industries. SL China Journalists’ 2020. CDB is a public quoted corporate Softlogic Life’s campaign inspires SLIM Brand Excellence leader positioned among the Forum donates applauds and honours corporates “Top Five Largest Non-Banking for outstanding performances in Financial Institutions in Sri Lanka” families to embrace culture protective gear their specific sectors, recognising with an islandwide presence consumer-driven, ground-breaking and driven by a state-of-the-art Inspiring Sri Lanka to better activities and schools were limited. The Sri Lanka China Journalists’ Forum initiatives on a national level technological platform that has navigate the new normal challenges Even though they were at home, donated a consignment of Covid-19 protective with the aim of encouraging revolutionised the way financial unitedly, health insurer Softlogic Life parents’ unavailability due to work- gear including temperature monitoring devices local corporates to reach global transactions are performed in Sri is geared to drive a public dialogue from-home arrangements created a and face masks for the use of the plantation standards. Lanka. on mental and physical wellbeing of sense of being ignored mostly among workers in the upcountry recently. adults and children through its iconic younger kids while older kids started Estate workers in the tea plantation industry brand campaign, “Leda Leda”. With getting sucked into technology and in the central highlands of Sri Lanka have People’s Bank hosts ‘Birth the raging pandemic affecting people many other unhealthy habits that been badly affected due to the Covid-19 physically and emotionally, Softlogic came along with it. pandemic. This hardworking community of Freedom’ in Nawalapitiya Life will initiate a timely conversation “The most alarming truth is that working under the extreme weather conditions around this topic by inspiring Sri they would treat this as the normal and dire conditions had very little support and Lankans to adopt a “honda leda” way to grow up even in years to come. knowledge on personal protection against (good sicknesses) culture, together as In addition, even older parents, youth, Covid-19. a family, to combat the bad sicknesses and individuals living alone were Considering the plight of this community that which has been brought by Covid-19. Softlogic Life Vice President – stuck at home, with their chances makes an immense contribution to the country’s The new normal practices and Marketing Kavindra Rajapaksha to connect with the outside world economy, the Sri Lanka China Journalists’ Forum regulations around work, education, and their families being completely took the initiative to distribute protective gears business operations, and social Softlogic Life Vice President – blocked, giving them a very strong and face masks among these people living in constructs have affected people in Marketing Kavindra Rajapaksha said: sense of loneliness that can lead to the Nuwara Eliya, Maskeliya, Kotagala, and various ways, bringing about stresses “The Covid-19 pandemic impacted all many other stress situations.” Norwood Divisional Secretariats. that were not previously prevalent. facets of life as we know it, for both Softlogic Life aims to use the award- This donation was made by the Sri Lanka In such a context, Softlogic Life families and individuals. Parents were winning “Leda Leda” campaign that China Journalists’ Forum, together with the understood that one of the most forced to juggle work and family time has won the attention of Sri Lanka to heartfelt donations by the China Friendship unspoken yet essential tension points simultaneously, leading to unwanted inspire adults and children to pursue Foundation for Peace and Development, that arose during Covid-19 was its stress and difficulties. Children were good sicknesses as families by making on the 73rd Independence Day as their first significant effect on the state of mind, stuck with a device all the time as great choices regarding their fitness, event for 2021. The donation programme was impacting individual behaviour in interactions with friends was not wellness, and nutrition to stay strong instrumented and co-ordinated by the Arram various ways. possible, whilst extracurricular amidst testing times. charity organisation.

People’s Bank staff members and beneficiaries at the event at the Nawalapitiya District General Hospital Expack named among ‘Best Workplaces’ in Asia The “Birth of Freedom” Nawalapitiya Branch Manager Expack Corrugated Cartons Ltd. well as in Asia, is a tribute to the hard religions, ethnicities, age groups and programme held by People’s Isura Dissanayake, and other was named among the Best Small and work and dedication of our talented and genders, all working cohesively with a Bank every Independence Day officials. Medium Workplaces in Asia for 2020 by diverse people. shared purpose. was carried out at the Nawalapitiya In addition to the Birth of Great Place to Work for the second time. “Their unfaltering energy and “The Expack family culture is District General Hospital this year, Freedom programme, the Despite 2020 being an unprecedented enthusiasm makes us who we are and built on transparency, empathy, open adhering to the Government’s “Smallholder Agribusiness and challenging year, the employees we as leaders thrive to give them the best communication, empowerment and health and safety guidelines. Partnership Programme (SAPP) at Expack showed high resilience and possible environment to develop their full constant motivation which speaks for The occasion was attended by loans were offered at the emerged stronger together, taking potential and have a healthy work-life itself being adjudged as the number People’s Bank Deputy General Nawalapitiya branch premises. ownership to directly impact and share balance. We have an open-door policy one corrugated carton manufacturer in Manager – Channel Management Under the Birth of Freedom in its success. and encourage everyone at Expack to Sri Lanka. Building an inclusive culture Mahinda Premanath, Kandy programme, People’s Bank gifted Expack Corrugated Cartons Executive walk in and discuss just about anything.” which empowers everyone is what our Regional Manager Buddhika “Isuru Udana” gift certificates to Expack Executive Director Zulficar Director Zulficar Ghouse said: “The Expack embraces diversity and leadership strives for and this has made Ranatungage, Assistant Regional every baby born between 1 and 7 Ghouse receiving the award for ‘Best consecutive title wins as being one of inclusivity in all its aspects. Its 300- our company a great workplace for all,” Workplaces in Asia’ 2020 Manager Anusha Alahakoon, February 2021. the Best Workplaces in Sri Lanka as plus strong workforce is built of different he added. Port City Colombo donates PCR equipment In the midst of challenging times, Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid Head of Public Relations Kassapa standards and hopes to be recognised CHEC Port City Colombo donated Disease Control Dr. Sudarshani Senarath. as a Covid-19-eradicated country. a PCR testing machine and 5,000 Fernandopulle; State Minister Rajapaksa appreciated the Port City Colombo representatives PCR test kits worth over Rs. 20 of Production, Supply, and timely donation made by Port City also took the opportunity to update million to the Government recently. Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Colombo and handed over the PCR Rajapaksa about the present progress On behalf of CHEC Port City Channa Jayasumana; State Minister testing machine and test kits to Dr. of the project. Rajapaksa expressed Colombo (Pvt.) Ltd. Managing of Dhamma Schools, Pirivenas, Fernandopulle for immediate use. his positive ambitions regarding the Director Jiang Houliang, Asst. and Bhikkhu Education Vijitha The State Minister stated that the project to be a modern services and Managing Director Yue Yeqing Berugoda; Secretary to the State PCR machine will be first installed financial hub in South Asia with the handed over the equipment to Ministry of Primary Healthcare in the Gampaha District to support introduction of the Special Economic Presidential Task Force on Economic Dr. Amal Harsha de Silva; Port and increase ongoing daily PCR Zone Act in the near future. He Revival and Poverty Eradication City Colombo Executive Project testing. Rajapaksa stated that the was also confident about attracting Chairman Basil Rajapaksa. Management Director Raja Government plans to vaccinate the foreign direct investments (FDIs) to Also present at the occasion Edirisuriya; Director of Sales and entire nation for Covid-19 as per the the country through the development Officials of the Sri Lanka Government and CHEC Port City Colombo at the official handing over ceremony were State Minister of Primary Marketing Yamuna Jayaratne; and World Health Organisation (WHO) of Port City Colombo this year. 104 business „„ www.themorning.lk { MARKET } Thursday, February 18, 2021 Unit trust prices­ at 16 Feb. 2021 16 Feb. 2021 Fund name Unit selling price...... Unit buying price CSE Price List V.W.A. V.W.A. CHANGE V.W.A. V.W.A. CHANGE Astrue Active Income Fund 100.7618...... 100.7618 SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME PREVIOUS OPEN HIGH LOW TODAY’S (RS.) SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME PREVIOUS OPEN HIGH LOW TODAY’S (RS.) Astrue Alpha Fund 15.8889...... 14.9368 A.SPEN.HOT.HOLD...... 31,440...... 30.8...... 30.5...... 32.5...... 30.4...... 30.5...... -0.3 SUNSHINE HOLDING...... 323,094...... 85.5...... 85.6...... 85.7...... 79.9...... 80.2...... -5.3 Assetline Income Fund 16.8459...... 16.8459 ABANS...... 50...... 176.75...... 173.5...... 173.5...... 173.25...... 176.75...... 0 SWISSTEK...... 40,690...... 133...... 133...... 133...... 124...... 125.5...... -7.5 Assetline Income Plus Growth Fund 17.5083...... 17.0244 ACCESS ENG SL...... 773,407...... 25.1...... 25...... 25.6...... 24...... 24.1...... -1 TALAWAKELLE...... 37,492...... 45.85...... 47...... 47...... 42...... 43...... -2.85 Senfin Dyanmic Income Fund 10.0056...... 10.0056 Senfin Growth Fund 9.3200...... 8.9900 ACL...... 277,719...... 89...... 90...... 90...... 84...... 84.9...... -4.1 TANGERINE...... 1,540...... 38.5...... 42.4...... 42.4...... 42.1...... 42.2...... 3.7 Senfin Money Market Fund 15.0914...... 15.0914 ACL PLASTICS...... 3,491...... 292.25...... 283...... 299.75...... 277...... 278.25...... -14 TEA SMALLHOLDER...... 9...... 39.9...... 38.5...... 38.5...... 38.5...... 39.9...... 0 Senfin Shariah Balanced Fund 12.1400...... 11.8000 ACME...... 100,000...... 5.8...... 5.8...... 5.8...... 5.8...... 5.8...... 0 TEEJAY LANKA...... 2,412,122...... 42...... 42...... 42...... 40.5...... 40.6...... -1.4 Senfin Shariah Income Fund 12.4341...... 12.4341 AGALAWATTE...... 3,349...... 26.9...... 26.5...... 26.5...... 26.1...... 26.2...... -0.7 THREE ACRE FARMS...... 26,502...... 247...... 236...... 240...... 227...... 229.25...... -17.75 CAL Balanced Fund 12.0864...... 12.0864 AHOT PROPERTIES...... 3,208...... 39.9...... 39...... 39...... 38.5...... 38.5...... -1.4 TOKYO CEMENT...... 495,366...... 74.2...... 74.5...... 74.5...... 71...... 71.3...... -2.9 CAL Corporate Debt & Gilt Trading Fund 21.3566...... 21.3566 AITKEN SPENCE...... 287,616...... 64.5...... 64.5...... 64.5...... 60.1...... 61.9...... -2.6 TOKYO CEMENT [TKYO.X0000]...... 959,954...... 65.9...... 66...... 66.9...... 64...... 64.3...... -1.6 CAL Corporate Treasury Fund 18.3088...... 18.3088 ALLIANCE...... 83,310...... 50.8...... 52.5...... 53...... 52...... 52.4...... 1.6 UNION BANK...... 130,560...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 11.8...... 11.9...... -0.1 CAL Gilt Fund 7.1792...... 7.1792 AMANA BANK...... 365,909...... 3.4...... 3.7...... 3.7...... 3.3...... 3.4...... 0 UNISYST...... 56,327...... 15.1...... 15.1...... 15.8...... 14.9...... 15...... -0.1 CAL Gilt Money Market Fund 4.3481...... 4.3481 AMAYA LEISURE...... 14,062...... 19.95...... 19.1...... 22...... 19.1...... 19.7...... -0.25 UNITED MOTORS...... 4,271...... 71.1...... 71.1...... 71.2...... 68.7...... 69.9...... -1.2 CAL Gilt Trading Fund 50.2494...... 50.2494 ASIA ASSET...... 38,085...... 7.3...... 7...... 7.3...... 6.9...... 6.9...... -0.4 VALLIBEL...... 1,053,691...... 7.8...... 7.8...... 7.8...... 7.5...... 7.6...... -0.2 CAL High Yield Fund 24.5144...... 24.5144 CAL Income Fund 20.6865...... 20.6865 ASIRI...... 2,582...... 27.7...... 28.9...... 28.9...... 26.4...... 26.7...... -1 VALLIBEL FINANCE...... 66,526...... 123.25...... 123.5...... 126...... 114...... 115.25...... -8 CAL Investment Grade Fund 19.9281...... 19.9281 ASIRI SURG...... 7,041...... 14.5...... 14...... 14.5...... 14...... 14.5...... 0 VIDULLANKA...... 148,278...... 5.5...... 5.6...... 5.6...... 5.3...... 5.3...... -0.2 CAL Medium Risk Debt Fund 15.7090...... 15.7090 AUTODROME...... 166...... 78.1...... 78...... 80...... 77...... 77.3...... -0.8 WATAWALA...... 4,128...... 56.3...... 56.1...... 58...... 55.5...... 55.5...... -0.8 CAL Quant Equity Fund 20.7408...... 21.1469 BAIRAHA FARMS...... 26,401...... 144.25...... 142.75...... 142.75...... 140...... 140...... -4.25 YORK ARCADE...... 310...... 200...... 170...... 198...... 170...... 171...... -29 Ceybank Century Growth 78.3900...... 74.9500 BALANGODA...... 16,799...... 14.5...... 13.6...... 14.4...... 13...... 13.1...... -1.4 SECOND BOARD Ceybank Gilt Edge Fund (A Series) 14.5006...... 14.5006 BUKIT DARAH...... 50...... 350.25...... 360...... 360...... 360...... 350.25...... 0 ABANS FINANCIAL...... 6,585...... 25.6...... 26.9...... 27...... 25.7...... 26.5...... 0.9 Ceybank Gilt Edged Fund (B Series) 11.0603...... 11.0603 C M HOLDINGS...... 6,271...... 99.3...... 90.1...... 95...... 90...... 92.6...... -6.7 AMBEON CAPITAL...... 81,312...... 6...... 5.9...... 6.1...... 5.5...... 5.7...... -0.3 Ceybank High Yield Fund 13.8403...... 13.8403 C T HOLDINGS...... 116,719...... 171.5...... 172...... 175...... 166...... 170...... -1.5 ARPICO...... 313...... 180...... 169...... 180...... 168.75...... 170...... -10 Ceybank Surakum Fund 12.3837...... 12.3837 CARGILLS...... 4,869...... 239.75...... 239.75...... 239.75...... 230...... 234.5...... -5.25 ASIA CAPITAL...... 25,310...... 6.1...... 6.2...... 6.4...... 6...... 6...... -0.1 Ceybank Unit Trust 26.7400...... 25.0900 CARGO BOAT...... 28,189...... 69.9...... 68...... 70...... 66...... 66...... -3.9 BROWNS BEACH...... 7,648...... 12...... 12.7...... 12.7...... 12...... 12...... 0 Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund (in $) 0.6889...... 0.6855 Ceylon Financial Sector Fund 7.2600...... 6.9500 CARSONS...... 2,837...... 310.25...... 310...... 310.5...... 300...... 302.25...... -8 COMM LEASE & FIN...... 22,351...... 6.8...... 7.1...... 7.1...... 6.3...... 6.4...... -0.4 Ceylon Income Fund 22.2723...... 22.2723 CDB...... 412...... 120.25...... 116...... 120...... 115.25...... 117.25...... -3 DIALOG FINANCE...... 11...... 53...... 53.1...... 53.1...... 53.1...... 53...... 0 CEYLON Index Fund 54.7600...... 52.5800 CDB [CDB.X0000]...... 138...... 78.3...... 79.9...... 79.9...... 77...... 77...... -1.3 DISTILLERIES...... 56,353...... 20.9...... 20.9...... 21...... 20...... 20.1...... -0.8 Ceylon IPO Fund 5.5600...... 5.4500 CENTRAL FINANCE...... 45,262...... 100...... 103...... 103...... 96.3...... 97.5...... -2.5 FIRST CAPITAL...... 29,164...... 55.5...... 55.5...... 55.5...... 52.9...... 53.3...... -2.2 Ceylon Money Market Fund 17.3641...... 17.3641 CENTRAL IND...... 31,198...... 128.25...... 128...... 128...... 119...... 120...... -8.25 GOOD HOPE...... 3...... 1121.9...... 1,075.00...... 1,075.00...... 1,075.00...... 1,121.90...... 0 Ceylon Tourism Fund 3.5700...... 3.4400 CEYLINCO INS...... 1,771...... 2001.5...... 2,001.50...... 2,001.50...... 1,876.50...... 1,881.50...... -120 INDO MALAY...... 6...... 1123.2...... 1,246.50...... 1,246.50...... 1,245.75...... 1,123.20...... 0 Ceylon Treasury Income Fund 6.1600...... 6.1600 CEYLINCO INS. [CINS.X0000]...... 38...... 1100...... 1,100.00...... 1,101.00...... 1,100.00...... 1,100.00...... 0 KOTMALE HOLDINGS...... 258...... 221...... 221.25...... 221.25...... 213...... 216.5...... -4.5 First Capital Equity Fund (FCEF) 1,383.6900...... 1,314.5100 CEYLON GUARDIAN...... 28,558...... 131.25...... 134.5...... 134.5...... 128...... 128.25...... -3 LANKA REALTY...... 10,334...... 34.8...... 34.6...... 34.6...... 34.5...... 34.5...... -0.3 First Capital Fixed income Fund 1,857.2100...... 1,857.1600 CEYLON INV...... 31,555...... 73.6...... 75...... 75.4...... 69...... 69.6...... -4 LOLC FINANCE...... 719,701...... 7...... 7.3...... 7.5...... 6.6...... 6.7...... -0.3 First Capital Gilt Edged Fund 1,496.3200...... 1,496.3200 CEYLON TOBACCO...... 20,251...... 1085...... 1,100.00...... 1,119.75...... 1,060.00...... 1,085.00...... 0 MADULSIMA...... 15,700...... 9.5...... 8.6...... 9.8...... 8.6...... 9.3...... -0.2 First Capital Money Market Fund 1,915.7300...... 1,915.7300 First Capital Wealth Fund 1,133.1400...... 1,133.1100 CHEMANEX...... 15,003...... 87.6...... 91...... 93.8...... 82.5...... 84...... -3.6 ODEL PLC...... 2,299...... 18.8...... 18.6...... 18.6...... 18.5...... 18.5...... -0.3 Guardian Acuity Equity Fund 18.8455...... 18.4980 CHEVRON...... 68,198...... 102.75...... 104...... 104...... 102...... 102.5...... -0.25 PEOPLE’S MERCH...... 7,327...... 8.9...... 9...... 9...... 8.9...... 8.9...... 0 Guardian Acuity Money Market Fund 20.3392...... 20.3392 CIC...... 435,095...... 59.2...... 58.8...... 61...... 56...... 56.7...... -2.5 SELINSING...... 27...... 817.25...... 800...... 800...... 800...... 817.25...... 0 NAMAL Bank Fund 9.3816...... 9.0138 CIC [CIC.X0000]...... 627,324...... 46.6...... 47.4...... 47.9...... 44...... 44.4...... -2.2 SERENDIB LAND...... 202...... 3002.5...... 3,245.00...... 3,245.00...... 3,000.00...... 3,000.00...... -2.5 NAMAL Growth Fund 144.6727...... 135.0313 CITRUS LEISURE...... 45,854...... 9.4...... 9.2...... 9.2...... 8.1...... 8.6...... -0.8 SHALIMAR...... 14...... 1203.2...... 1,349.50...... 1,349.50...... 1,349.50...... 1,203.20...... 0 NAMAL High Yield Fund 24.8174...... 24.8174 COLD STORES...... 639...... 664.5...... 664.5...... 664.5...... 652...... 663.75...... -0.75 SINGER SRI LANKA...... 23,057...... 58.3...... 58...... 58...... 53.2...... 54.1...... -4.2 NAMAL Income Fund 14.2010...... 14.2010 COLOMBO CITY...... 114...... 991...... 913...... 1,038.00...... 912...... 913.25...... -77.75 DIRI SAVI BOARD National Equity Fund 35.3001...... 33.0314 COLOMBO LAND...... 3,155...... 25.3...... 26.4...... 27...... 25.1...... 25.2...... -0.1 AGSTAR PLC...... 312,355...... 6.8...... 7.2...... 7.2...... 6.9...... 6.9...... 0.1 NDB Wealth Gilt Edged Fund 18.7431...... 18.7431 COMMERCIAL BANK...... 691,231...... 90.3...... 90.5...... 91...... 86.9...... 87.7...... -2.6 ALUMEX PLC...... 124,048...... 22.9...... 22.9...... 22.9...... 21.9...... 22...... -0.9 NDB Wealth Growth & Income Fund 46.8500...... 45.3500 COMMERCIAL BANK [COMB.X0000]...... 44,328...... 79.2...... 78.5...... 78.5...... 76.1...... 76.8...... -2.4 AMANA LIFE...... 4,000...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 0 NDB Wealth Growth Fund 10.7100...... 10.2800 NDB Wealth Income Fund 16.0746...... 16.0746 CONVENIENCE FOOD...... 1,804...... 1305.75...... 1,280.00...... 1,289.00...... 1,200.00...... 1,201.25...... -104.5 AMANA TAKAFUL...... 4,786...... 7.5...... 7.6...... 7.6...... 7.3...... 7.4...... -0.1 NDB Wealth Income Plus Fund 17.1442...... 17.1442 DANKOTUWA PORCEL...... 778,794...... 13.6...... 13...... 13.2...... 11.5...... 11.9...... -1.7 AMBEON HOLDINGS...... 96,917...... 20.6...... 20...... 20...... 18...... 18.2...... -2.4 NDB Wealth Islamic Money Plus Fund 16.3538...... 16.3538 DFCC BANK PLC...... 96,990...... 65.4...... 65.4...... 66...... 63...... 63.2...... -2.2 AMF CO LTD...... 128...... 300.25...... 300.00...... 300.00...... 298.00...... 298.50...... -1.75 NDB Wealth Money Fund 20.6878...... 20.6878 DIALOG...... 809,402...... 12.5...... 12.4...... 12.6...... 12.3...... 12.5...... 0 ARPICO INSURANCE...... 55,725...... 23...... 23.9...... 23.9...... 22.1...... 22.3...... -0.7 NDB Wealth Money Plus Fund 23.6339...... 23.6339 DIMO...... 3,423...... 543...... 550...... 550...... 520...... 523...... -20 ASIA SIYAKA...... 93,339...... 2.8...... 2.9...... 2.9...... 2.7...... 2.7...... -0.1 Premier Growth Fund 7.0200...... 6.6700 DIPPED PRODUCTS...... 6,076,993...... 66.5...... 67.5...... 69.1...... 55.7...... 60.3...... -6.2 BANSEI RESORTS...... 10,621...... 8.5...... 8.2...... 8.2...... 8...... 8.1...... -0.4 Premier Money Market Fund 18.7189...... 18.7189 DOCKYARD...... 14,215...... 77.6...... 76.1...... 78...... 75...... 76.5...... -1.1 BERUWALA RESORTS...... 22,186...... 0.9...... 0.90...... 1.00...... 0.90...... 0.90...... 0 Softlogic Equity Fund 129.5988...... 123.1617 DURDANS...... 316...... 103...... 104.5...... 104.5...... 102.5...... 102.5...... -0.5 BOGALA GRAPHITE...... 75...... 23.9...... 23.9...... 23.9...... 23.5...... 23.9...... 0 Softlogic Money Market Fund 104.6968...... 104.6968Unit holders E B CREASY...... 89,059...... 42.2...... 42.7...... 44.9...... 36.1...... 38.5...... -3.7 BOGAWANTALAWA...... 10,954...... 12.7...... 13...... 13...... 12.1...... 12.1...... -0.6 can contact relevant Fund Managers to obtain Unit Prices for redemptions within short duration EAST WEST...... 133,041...... 12.2...... 12.1...... 12.3...... 11.8...... 11.9...... -0.3 BPPL HOLDINGS...... 79,947...... 14.5...... 14.5...... 14.5...... 13.5...... 13.6...... -0.9 from the date of investment where exit fee is applicable EASTERN MERCHANT...... 11,899...... 6.1...... 6.2...... 6.2...... 5.7...... 5.8...... -0.3 BROWNS...... 49,051...... 196.25...... 198...... 200...... 170...... 174.75...... -21.5 EXPOLANKA...... 6,515,464...... 49.4...... 50...... 50...... 45...... 45.7...... -3.7 BROWNS INVSTMNTS...... 39,481,254...... 5.6...... 5.5...... 5.5...... 4.8...... 5...... -0.6 Ex­change Rates 17 Feb. 2021 FORT LAND...... 70,857...... 14.6...... 15...... 15.4...... 14...... 14...... -0.6 C T LAND...... 5,891...... 30...... 28.1...... 28.1...... 27...... 27.8...... -2.2 (1) The average rates of the following (2) The approximate exchange rates GESTETNER...... 114...... 100...... 108...... 108...... 107.5...... 108...... 8 C.W.MACKIE...... 4,268...... 46.8...... 46.6...... 46.6...... 45...... 45.1...... -1.7 currencies quoted by commercial banks of GULF currencies based on previous GRAIN ELEVATORS...... 135,590...... 154.25...... 145...... 145...... 127.5...... 136...... -18.25 CEYLON BEVERAGE...... 63...... 779.75...... 752...... 774...... 752...... 779.75...... 0 in Colombo for Telegraphic Transfers day’s market weighted average rate for (TT) at 9.30 a.m. are as follows. the US$ are as follows. HAYCARB...... 1,738,391...... 110.925...... 112...... 112.5...... 98.2...... 100.5...... -10.425 CEYLON TEA BRKRS...... 72,902...... 3.5...... 3.6...... 3.6...... 3.3...... 3.3...... -0.2 HAYLEYS...... 3,688,484...... 68.05...... 70...... 73...... 64.3...... 65.5...... -2.55 CFI...... 601...... 100...... 99.9...... 99.9...... 85...... 86.3...... -13.7 CURRENCY BUYING RATE...... SELLING RATE COUNTRY CURRENCY...... INDICATIVE RATE AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 150.0455...... 155.3194 Bahrain Bahrain Dinar...... 517.1300 HAYLEYS FABRIC...... 982,768...... 16.4...... 17.5...... 18...... 15...... 15.5...... -0.9 CIT...... 85...... 142.25...... 131.75...... 131.75...... 120...... 142.25...... 0 CANADIAN DOLLAR 151.7210...... 157.8827 Kuwait Kuwait Dinar...... 644.4466 HAYLEYS FIBRE...... 27,386...... 61.25...... 65...... 66...... 58.5...... 58.8...... -2.45 CITRUS HIKKADUWA...... 36,732...... 5.5...... 5.4...... 5.4...... 5...... 5.1...... -0.4 CHINESE YUAN (RENMINBI) 29.2030...... 31.0382 Oman Oman Rial...... 506.3976 HDFC...... 10,932...... 39.9...... 39...... 41...... 37.5...... 38...... -1.9 CITRUS WASKADUWA...... 130,979...... 3.6...... 3.6...... 3.6...... 3.3...... 3.3...... -0.3 Qatar Qatar Riyal...... 53.5341 EURO 233.5846...... 240.9903 HEMAS HOLDINGS...... 571,302...... 88.1...... 88.5...... 88.5...... 85.6...... 86.2...... -1.9 COM.CREDIT...... 13,665...... 24.1...... 23.5...... 24.2...... 23.2...... 23.4...... -0.7 JAPANESE YEN 1.8311...... 1.8858 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian Riyal...... 51.9735 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 145.7730...... 150.4317 UAEUAE Dirham...... 53.0765 HNB...... 478,211...... 140...... 140.00...... 140.00...... 135.00...... 136.75...... -3.25 COMMERCIAL DEV...... 3,312...... 127...... 131.75...... 131.75...... 115...... 115...... -12 STERLING POUND 269.6449...... 277.0604 HNB ASSURANCE...... 31,917...... 59...... 59...... 60...... 59...... 59...... 0 DILMAH CEYLON...... 2...... 675...... 655...... 655...... 655...... 675...... 0 SWISS FRANC 215.8125...... 224.1155 HNB [HNB.X0000]...... 110,949...... 108...... 110.00...... 110.00...... 103.50...... 104.25...... -3.75 E - CHANNELLING...... 7,482...... 6.2...... 6.2...... 6.3...... 6.2...... 6.3...... 0.1 US DOLLAR 193.6565...... 198.9485 HORANA...... 210...... 22.6...... 22.5...... 22.5...... 22.5...... 22.5...... -0.1 EDEN HOTEL LANKA...... 28,591...... 11.2...... 11...... 11.7...... 11...... 11...... -0.2 HOTEL SIGIRIYA...... 11...... 59.2...... 63.9...... 63.9...... 60...... 59.2...... 0 ELPITIYA...... 22,737...... 46...... 47...... 47...... 44...... 44.2...... -1.8 Market Indicators 17 Feb. 2021 HOTELS CORP...... 2,000...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 0 FORTRESS RESORTS...... 14,885...... 10.5...... 10.5...... 10.5...... 10...... 10.1...... -0.4 HUNTERS...... 156...... 750.5...... 699...... 699...... 676...... 686.75...... -63.75 GALADARI...... 5,703...... 8.8...... 8.9...... 8.9...... 8.4...... 8.4...... -0.4 CSE ALL SHARE PRICE INDEX 7,588.34...... 7,580.91 INDUSTRIAL ASPH...... 7,667,697...... 0.5...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.4...... 0.5...... 0 GUARDIAN CAPITAL...... 1,500...... 32...... 30.5...... 32.4...... 30.4...... 32.4...... 0.4 JANASHAKTHI INS...... 8,333...... 28.8...... 28.5...... 30.5...... 28.5...... 29.9...... 1.1 HAPUGASTENNE...... 5,476...... 18...... 16.7...... 16.7...... 15.2...... 16.3...... -1.7 S&P SL20 3,027.66...... 3,032.21 JKH...... 1,781,839...... 160...... 160...... 160...... 155...... 156.75...... -3.25 HARISCHANDRA...... 3...... 3504.75...... 3,055.00...... 3,201.00...... 3,055.00...... 3,504.75...... 0 TRI ON ALL SHARE (ASTRI) 10,170.92...... 10,160.96 KANDY HOTELS...... 4,790...... 5.1...... 5...... 5...... 5...... 5...... -0.1 HATTON...... 6,430...... 9...... 9...... 9.2...... 8.8...... 8.9...... -0.1 TRI ON S&P SL20 4,974.68...... 4,982.15 KEGALLE...... 4,184...... 128.25...... 127...... 129...... 120.75...... 126.5...... -1.75 HNB FINANCE...... 41,223...... 9.1...... 9.4...... 9.4...... 8.8...... 8.8...... -0.3 VALUE OF TURNOVER(Rs.) 3,311,369,730.00...... 4,277,338,110.00 KELANI CABLES...... 1,696...... 123...... 123.25...... 123.25...... 123...... 123...... 0 HNB FINANCE [HNBF-X-0000]...... 4,405...... 7.2...... 7...... 7.2...... 6.7...... 7.2...... 0 DOMESTIC PURCHASES 3,270,160,380.00...... 4,114,473,730.00 KELANI TYRES...... 16,780...... 85.1...... 85.5...... 85.5...... 82.9...... 83.1...... -2 HVA FOODS...... 38,663...... 5.6...... 5.9...... 5.9...... 5.2...... 5.3...... -0.3 KELANI VALLEY...... 23,077...... 44.4...... 45...... 45...... 40...... 41.5...... -2.9 JETWING SYMPHONY...... 10,496...... 9.3...... 9...... 9.3...... 9...... 9...... -0.3 DOMESTIC SALES 3,110,235,390.00...... 3,905,510,910.00 KINGSBURY...... 9,075...... 12.5...... 12.7...... 12.7...... 12...... 12.1...... -0.4 JOHN KEELLS...... 17,413...... 80...... 80.1...... 80.1...... 75.1...... 80...... 0 FOREIGN PURCHASES 41,209,380.00...... 162,864,288.00 KOTAGALA...... 34,998...... 6.8...... 6...... 6.8...... 6...... 6.3...... -0.5 KAHAWATTE...... 300...... 31.8...... 29...... 31.6...... 29...... 31.6...... -0.2 FOREIGN SALES 201,134,192.00...... 371,827,104.00 L O L C HOLDINGS...... 1,967,550...... 434.5...... 415...... 415...... 350...... 354.75...... -79.75 KEELLS FOOD...... 1,531...... 142...... 136.5...... 145...... 136.25...... 145...... 3 VOLUME OF TURNOVER(NO.) 113,714,208.00...... 117,417,824.00 LAKE HOUSE PRIN...... 2...... 160...... 150...... 150...... 150...... 160...... 0 KEELLS HOTELS...... 18,407...... 10.5...... 10.6...... 10.8...... 10.4...... 10.4...... -0.1 DOMESTIC 111,720,360.00...... 113,527,704.00 LANKA ALUMINIUM...... 380,382...... 22.4...... 23...... 23...... 19.5...... 19.7...... -2.7 LANKA CERAMIC...... 626...... 155.5...... 148...... 151.5...... 137...... 141...... -14.5 LANKA ASHOK...... 10...... 839.25...... 764.5...... 764.5...... 764.5...... 839.25...... 0 LANKEM CEYLON...... 1,500...... 30...... 30...... 30...... 30...... 30...... 0 FOREIGN 1,993,851.00...... 3,890,123.00 LANKA HOSPITALS...... 1,672...... 47.5...... 44.6...... 48...... 44...... 47...... -0.5 LAUGFS POWER...... 11,326...... 10.2...... 10...... 10.4...... 9.5...... 10.3...... 0.1 TRADES(NO.) 27,458...... 35,275 LANKA IOC...... 141,240...... 22.2...... 23...... 23...... 20.9...... 21...... -1.2 LAUGFS POWER [LPL-X-0000]...... 30,220...... 7...... 7.2...... 7.2...... 6.6...... 6.8...... -0.2 DOMESTIC 26,976...... 34,683 LANKA TILES...... 130,323...... 245.5...... 250...... 250...... 227...... 231.25...... -14.25 LIGHTHOUSE HOTEL...... 100...... 31.2...... 31.1...... 31.1...... 31.1...... 31.1...... -0.1 FOREIGN 482...... 592 LANKA VENTURES...... 1,229...... 49.9...... 49.4...... 49.4...... 49...... 49...... -0.9 LOTUS HYDRO...... 50,531...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 9.9...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 0 CORPORATE DEBT 16433550...... 5211 LANKA WALLTILE...... 139,568...... 261.5...... 261.5...... 261.5...... 236...... 243...... -18.5 MAHAWELI COCONUT...... 2,671...... 28...... 28.9...... 28.9...... 26.8...... 27.4...... -0.6 LAUGFS GAS...... 36,375...... 26...... 26.3...... 26.3...... 24...... 24.3...... -1.7 MAHAWELI REACH...... 735...... 13.6...... 13.6...... 13.6...... 13.6...... 13.6...... 0 GOVERNMENT DEBT 0...... 0 LAUGFS GAS [LGL.X0000]...... 4,964...... 18.6...... 19.4...... 19.4...... 18...... 18.7...... 0.1 MARAWILA RESORTS...... 154,496...... 1.9...... 2...... 2...... 1.9...... 1.9...... 0 LISTED COMPANIES (NO.) 283...... 283 LAXAPANA...... XR 26,572...... 14.6...... 14.8...... 14.8...... 14.2...... 14.3...... -0.3 MASKELIYA...... 3,650...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 11.5...... 11.7...... -0.3 TRADED COMPANIES (NO.) 259...... 271 LB FINANCE...... 61,557...... 224.75...... 228.5...... 235...... 210...... 218.75...... -6 MILLENNIUM HOUSE...... 5,789...... 5.8...... 6.1...... 6.1...... 5.7...... 5.8...... 0 MARKET PRICE EARNINGS RATIO(PER) 13.4...... 13.4 LEE HEDGES...... 450,371...... 78...... 77.9...... 77.9...... 75...... 75...... -3 ON’ALLY...... 2,714...... 36...... 35.9...... 36.9...... 31.7...... 32.1...... -3.9 LION BREWERY...... 907...... 572...... 576...... 576...... 570...... 570.5...... -1.5 ORIENT FINANCE...... 107,192...... 15.3...... 16...... 16...... 13.7...... 14.9...... -0.4 MARKET PRICE TO BOOK VALUE (PBV) 1.2...... 1.2 LMF...... 69,366...... 176.75...... 178...... 178...... 167.75...... 169.5...... -7.25 PALM GARDEN HOTL...... 2,808...... 32.1...... 31.9...... 31.9...... 28...... 28...... -4.1 MARKET DIVIDEND YIELD (DY) 2.3...... 2.3 LVL ENERGY...... 21,279...... 9.9...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 9.6...... 9.7...... -0.2 PRIME FINANCE...... 2,335...... 13.6...... 13.1...... 13.1...... 12.9...... 13...... -0.6 MARKET CAPITALIZATION (Rs.) 3,317,850,545,802.00...... 3,314,595,849,471.00 MALWATTE...... 200...... 13.6...... 14...... 14...... 14...... 14...... 0.4 RAIGAM SALTERNS...... 56,031...... 5.9...... 5.8...... 5.9...... 5.4...... 5.5...... -0.4 MALWATTE [MAL.X0000]...... 7,034...... 8.5...... 8.4...... 9...... 8.3...... 8.5...... 0 RENUKA CAPITAL...... 46,473...... 8...... 8...... 8.2...... 7.8...... 8...... 0 MELSTACORP...... 355,182...... 52.7...... 54...... 54...... 49...... 49.7...... -3 RENUKA HOTELS...... 2,000...... 78.5...... 70...... 70...... 70...... 70...... -8.5 MERC. SHIPPING...... 13...... 78.1...... 76.9...... 76.9...... 76...... 78.1...... 0 RICH PIERIS EXP...... 5,850...... 370...... 340...... 375...... 340...... 350.5...... -19.5 1. Overnight Money Market Transactions MERCHANT BANK...... 38,082...... 7.2...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 7.1...... 7.2...... 0 ROYAL PALMS...... 1,200...... 16.1...... 17.3...... 17.3...... 15...... 15.4...... -0.7 MULLERS...... 86,702...... 1...... 1.2...... 1.2...... 1...... 1...... 0 SATHOSA MOTORS...... 381...... 231.25...... 230.25...... 230.25...... 230...... 230...... -1.25 Call Money Market...... Repo Market NAMUNUKULA...... 6,499...... 179.75...... 180...... 181.75...... 180...... 180...... 0.25 SERENDIB ENG.GRP...... 3,204...... 6.5...... 6.9...... 6.9...... 6.5...... 6.5...... 0 Weighted Average Rate (%) 4.54 4.55 NAT. DEV. BANK...... 265,110...... 89.5...... 89.3...... 90...... 87...... 88.8...... -0.7 SERENDIB HOTELS...... 2,381...... 15.6...... 15.1...... 15.7...... 15.1...... 15.6...... 0 Minimum Rate (%) 4.52 4.55 NATIONS TRUST...... 88,143...... 61.1...... 60.6...... 61.6...... 59.6...... 60...... -1.1 SERENDIB HOTELS [SHOT.X0000]...... 100...... 9.1...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 0.6 Maximum Rate (%) 4.55 4.65 NAWALOKA...... 1,201,406...... 5.1...... 5.20...... 5.30...... 5.10...... 5.20...... 0.1 SINGER IND...... 676...... 95.4...... 96.5...... 99.4...... 95...... 96.6...... 1.2 Total Gross amount (Rs. million) 10,750 6,821 NESTLE...... 323...... 1166.5...... 1,160.00...... 1,200.00...... 1,150.00...... 1,196.50...... 30 SINGHE HOSPITALS...... 1,440,554...... 2.2...... 2.3...... 2.3...... 2...... 2...... -0.2 Total Net amount (Rs. million) 10,750 6,675 OVERSEAS REALTY...... 184,844...... 15.9...... 16...... 16...... 15.5...... 15.8...... -0.1 SINHAPUTHRA FIN [SFL.P0000]...... 935...... 4.6...... 4.2...... 4.9...... 4.2...... 4.3...... -0.3 2. Use of the CBSL Standing Facility PAN ASIA...... 371,109...... 17.9...... 17.8...... 17.8...... 16.2...... 16.7...... -1.2 SOFTLOGIC...... 52,699...... 13.4...... 13.1...... 13.4...... 12.5...... 13...... -0.4 Standing Deposit Facility (Rs. million) 145,980 PANASIAN POWER...... 2,240,925...... 3.6...... 3.6...... 3.6...... 3.4...... 3.4...... -0.2 SOFTLOGIC CAP...... 938,986...... 3.9...... 3.9...... 3.9...... 3.6...... 3.7...... -0.2 Standing Lending Facility (Rs. million) - PEOPLE’S INS...... 42,783...... 31.5...... 31.5...... 31.6...... 31.2...... 31.3...... -0.2 SOFTLOGIC FIN...... 57,521...... 11.1...... 10.7...... 10.7...... 10.4...... 10.5...... -0.6 3. CBSL Treasury Bill/Bonds Holdings PEOPLES LEASING...... 570,297...... 12.8...... 12.6...... 12.7...... 12.3...... 12.4...... -0.4 SOFTLOGIC LIFE...... 42,064...... 33.1...... 32.5...... 34.3...... 31.8...... 32.3...... -0.8 PIRAMAL GLASS...... 2,348,517...... 9.5...... 9.5...... 9.5...... 9.3...... 9.3...... -0.2 Face Value (Rs. million)...... 769,848.88 TAL LANKA...... 2,115...... 13.8...... 13.7...... 13.7...... 13.2...... 13.5...... -0.3 Book Value (Rs. million)...... 755,348.46 PRINTCARE PLC...... 8,500...... 31.8...... 31.1...... 31.1...... 26...... 29.3...... -2.5 TRANS ASIA...... 15...... 63...... 62.1...... 62.1...... 62.1...... 63...... 0 R I L PROPERTY...... 351,486...... 7...... 7.2...... 7.3...... 6.9...... 6.9...... -0.1 UDAPUSSELLAWA...... 1,630...... 23.3...... 24...... 24...... 23...... 23.4...... 0.1 REGNIS...... 8,674...... 110.25...... 109.25...... 109.25...... 100...... 103...... -7.25 TOP 10 GAINERS UNION ASSURANCE...... 2,320...... 315...... 308.5...... 309...... 308...... 308.75...... -6.25 RENUKA AGRI...... 956,173...... 4.2...... 3.9...... 4.1...... 3.8...... 3.8...... -0.4 VALLIBEL ONE...... 4,263,551...... 70...... 67.5...... 70...... 60.2...... 61.9...... -8.1 Company VWA VWA Change Change RENUKA FOODS...... 86,091...... 16...... 15.3...... 15.8...... 14...... 14.3...... -1.7 WATCH LIST Prev. Close Days Close (Rs.) % RENUKA FOODS [COCO.X0000]...... 340...... 13...... 13...... 13...... 13...... 13...... 0 ANILANA HOTELS...... 141,674...... 1.3...... 1.3...... 1.3...... 1.2...... 1.2...... -0.1 SAMSON INTERNAT. 140.5 154.5...... 14...... 9.96 RENUKA HOLDINGS...... 141,812...... 16.4...... 17...... 17.1...... 16...... 16.5...... 0.1 BIMPUTH FINANCE...... 25,975...... 8.3...... 8.1...... 8.1...... 7.7...... 7.7...... -0.6 TANGERINE 38.5 42.2...... 3.7...... 9.61 RENUKA HOLDINGS [RHL.X0000]...... 27,600...... 12.8...... 13.8...... 13.8...... 12.2...... 12.3...... -0.5 BLUE DIAMONDS...... 203,736...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.7...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0 GESTETNER 100 108...... 8...... 8 RESUS ENERGY...... 1,981...... 26...... 26...... 26.6...... 25...... 25.2...... -0.8 SERENDIB HOTELS 9.1 9.7...... 0.6...... 6.59 BLUE DIAMONDS [BLUE.X0000]...... 349,726...... 0.3...... 0.4...... 0.4...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0 RICHARD PIERIS...... 2,617,670...... 15.9...... 16...... 16.2...... 15.6...... 16...... 0.1 SINHAPUTHRA FIN 7.5 7.9...... 0.4...... 5.33 CEYLON PRINTERS...... 231...... 63.5...... 60...... 60...... 48...... 49...... -14.5 JANASHAKTHI INS. 28.8 29.9...... 1.1...... 3.82 ROYAL CERAMIC...... 610,938...... 353...... 344...... 346...... 315...... 323.75...... -29.25 HUNAS FALLS...... 467...... 150...... 145...... 145...... 144...... 144...... -6 ABANS FINANCIAL 25.6 26.5...... 0.9...... 3.52 S M B LEASING...... 394,183...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.7...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0 LANKEM DEV...... 78,990...... 4...... 4.1...... 4.1...... 3.6...... 3.7...... -0.3 ALLIANCE 50.8 52.4...... 1.6...... 3.15 S M B LEASING [SEMB.X0000]...... 1,872,127...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0.4...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0 MALWATTE 13.6 14...... 0.4...... 2.94 MACKWOODS ENERGY...... 121,840...... 2.8...... 2.9...... 2.9...... 2.4...... 2.6...... -0.2 SAMPATH...... 1,736,330...... 167.75...... 169.75...... 174.75...... 163.75...... 165...... -2.75 TOP 10 LOSERS SAMSON INTERNAT...... 1,298...... 140.5...... 159.75...... 159.75...... 145...... 154.5...... 14 MULTI FINANCE...... 4,700...... 7.5...... 7.3...... 7.3...... 7...... 7.3...... -0.2 NATION LANKA...... 575,814...... 0.8...... 0.8...... 0.9...... 0.8...... 0.8...... 0 Company VWA VWA Change Change SANASA DEV. BANK...... 1,036,417...... 60.7...... 60.2...... 60.9...... 57...... 58.7...... -2 CEYLON PRINTERS 63.5 49...... -14.5...... -22.83 SEYLAN BANK...... 527,614...... 52.1...... 53.7...... 54.8...... 50...... 51.5...... -0.6 OFFICE EQUIPMENT...... 5...... 71.2...... 71.2...... 71.2...... 71.2...... 71.2...... 0 PARAGON 70.4 55...... -15.4...... -21.88 PARAGON...... 7,825...... 70.4...... 58.1...... 59...... 54...... 55...... -15.4 L O L C HOLDINGS 434.5 354.75...... -79.75...... -18.35 SEYLAN BANK [SEYB.X0000]...... 316,525...... 45.7...... 46...... 46...... 40.5...... 41.6...... -4.1 TESS AGRO 0.6 0.5...... -0.1...... -16.67 SEYLAN DEVTS...... 21,655...... 15.6...... 15.6...... 15.7...... 15.2...... 15.3...... -0.3 RADIANT GEMS...... 8,895...... 30.2...... 30...... 30...... 26...... 28.5...... -1.7 YORK ARCADE 200 171...... -29...... -14.5 SINHAPUTHRA FIN...... 100...... 7.5...... 7.9...... 7.9...... 7.9...... 7.9...... 0.4 CFI 100 86.3...... -13.7...... -13.7 SIERRA CABL...... 418,667...... 7.1...... 7.2...... 7.4...... 6.7...... 6.8...... -0.3 PALM GARDEN HOTL 32.1 28...... -4.1...... -12.77 SIGIRIYA VILLAGE...... 300...... 33.8...... 33.4...... 33.4...... 33.3...... 33.3...... -0.5 STANDARD CAPITAL...... 131...... 73.4...... 74...... 74...... 73.8...... 73.8...... 0.4 DANKOTUWA PORCEL 13.6 11.9...... -1.7...... -12.5 SINGER FINANCE...... 78,104...... 14.4...... 14.6...... 14.6...... 14...... 14...... -0.4 TESS AGRO...... 2,211,428...... 0.6...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 0.5...... 0.5...... -0.1 LANKA ALUMINIUM 22.4 19.7...... -2.7...... -12.05 GRAIN ELEVATORS 154.25 136...... -18.25...... -11.83 SLT...... 2,314...... 36.9...... 37.4...... 37.4...... 36.2...... 36.4...... -0.5 TESS AGRO [TESS.X0000]...... 106,770...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0.6...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0 114 Thursday, February 18, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Expect ‘Dota 2’ anime series on Netflix in March “Smart people learn Netflix is gearing up for the global launch from everything and of a new anime series based on Valve’s everyone, average multiplayer online battle arena game Dota people from their 2. The eight-episode series is titled Dota: experiences, stupid Dragon’s Blood and is scheduled to become people already have available for streaming worldwide on 25 all the answers.” March. Dragon’s Blood was developed under – Socrates the leadership of showrunner Ashley Edward Miller, a screenwriter and producer who previously worked on X-Men: First Class, Thor, and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

currently abroad) on acoustic guitar Box Mixup managed to release an and vocals, Gayan on keys, Guyrika on original single titled Get up and Dance. brunch percussion, Divanka on drums, Shamin Sharing the message behind the song, on lead guitar, Vickith on bass, and Perera explained that the song does not Shaun on vocals. literally mean one should get up and start dancing, but rather tells a story of Post-pandemic times contemplation. “With the pandemic, every industry “We tend to get stuck in thought, hit a rough patch where we all had to sometimes neglect to just get up and do replan and regroup our strategies,” something we want to, and eventually Perera noted. As musicians, he said, regret the missed opportunity,” he they lost a lot of wedding gigs and the said, sharing that the song promotes situation took them away from the actively taking control of one’s life and corporate sector. achieving one’s goals, which, during Talking about the fact that the these times, is a lovely message to pandemic has cost them a lot of spread. opportunities to perform and earn The song was produced, mixed, money, he shared: “We do miss and mastered at the comfort of their connecting with our audience, but we homes – Shamin’s house, to be precise. think having the chance to do our music “As musicians, we realised we don’t through social media opened up many need much to make music. We set up avenues for us.” a studio at home, since we had a lot of Magic Box Mixup In terms of gigs, Perera observed time in our hands, and came up with that the amount of people who attend this song.” are fewer, but it has started picking up in 2021. “There’s a deep bond between the What’s in store for 2021? band and the audience, and it’s nice to Sharing some exciting news, bond with people again,” Perera added. Perera revealed that he is soon ‘Life is too short, go However, he did note that wedding to release a single. Leaving us in gigs are a lot less, as fewer people are curiosity, he added that he didn’t wish invited, so couples often tend to opt for a to elaborate much on the song, noting smaller band or a DJ. that we should anticipate it. He did, Despite the struggles, Perera however, share the message behind the ahead and do what observed that the pandemic has taught song. them to be more appreciative of what “If you listen to it, it’ll seem they have – their success – and that their like I’m writing it to a girl, but it’s loyal fans aided them greatly in staying actually about what true love would strong during the pandemic, giving them essentially mean to me. I want to share you have to do’ hope for a better 2021. that the love I have for everyone, and Perera stated that this is the time for everything around me is my definition musicians to shine and leave a legacy of true love.” Magic Box Mixup on the music industry and more behind, also noting that a lot of new This song was written during the musicians are using this time to grow first lockdown, and Perera, although a success led him to gathering more as musicians and improve their music not someone who plays the guitar BY VENESSA ANTHONY Humble beginnings while developing their presence on social often, took it upon himself to learn and Shaun Perera is the frontman for musicians for MBM. media, which is what the rest of the eventually came up with the chords the well-loved band Magic Box Mixup. After lots of pitches to his fellow Magic Box Mixup (MBM) industry should also focus on doing. and lyrics. He also hinted that the song He started off simply carrying speakers musician friends, the band lineup needs no introduction. After During the lockdowns, Perera wouldn’t be in English. With help to clubs, yet slowly but surely formed now comprises Dulaj (although he is their smashing success at commented, their audience was listening from his bandmates, he perfected the Magic Box Mixup and rose to fame. TNL Onstage back in 2006, to their music, and “this was the time song and it is soon to be released, so Walking down memory lane, Perera where they won two awards, where we could communicate our stay tuned! explained where the name “Magic message and give them something to Perera also plans to collaborate the band has now become a Box Mixup” was derived from. “I look forward to”. with smaller artists and hopes to help household name. Over the was watching the show Friends, and Looking at the pandemic in a get the name of our Sri Lankan artists years, MBM has made quite Phoebe, one of the characters, comes up positive light, he added: “We now have out there this year. Wrapping up the the impact on Sri Lanka’s with a song name called ‘Magician Box the time to get our music out there and conversation, he left us with a few music industry, building Mixup’, which I shortened to Magic work on our originals. We want to focus inspiring words: “Life is too short; go Box Mixup.” a legacy that is almost on the opportunities we have, instead of ahead and do what you have to do!” Perera said initially the band unmatched. focusing on what we can do to make up With gigs coming back up again, was started off with his cousin back The Morning Brunch caught what we lost.” and the world adapting to the new in 2005, but after a short hiatus, due up with frontman Shaun Perera for normal, you can catch Magic Box to personal reasons, had to break up. a conversation on how things have New opportunities Mixup on Fridays at Sunset Blu, His determination to make the band been going for them so far in 2021. Shaun Perera Despite the pandemic, Magic Hilton and on Saturdays at Re.Pub.Lk.

BY NAVEED ROZAIS exploitative and mutually beneficial means that the handloom industry Sri Lanka is famous for its and other craft industries create “handicrafts” – handcrafted artisanal sustainable communities over the products that create an integral part years. of our identity not just as souvenirs Sustainability and responsible for tourists, but also as products that fashion have now become buzzwords embody Sri Lankan culture, people, in the global fashion arena, further and their innate creativity and highlighting the handloom and craft craftsmanship. industries. As professionals in the Handcrafting a product means industry, both Dr. Wickramasinghe that an artisan, sometimes one whose and Dr. Gopura have recognised the skills have been passed down for potential of the handloom industry to generations, is mindfully engaging blossom against the backdrop of new the raw material of the craft and global fashion trends, making this using their unique skills to create an one of their research interests through intricate and desirable heritage craft the Dreams of Weaving project. object that is impossible to replicate. To truly appreciate a crafted An artisan plays as important Artisans engaged in the craft product, one needs to understand the a role as a designer when full context in which that product was made, what makes it special, it comes to creating blood, sweat, and tears to increasingly being used to explore and the skills the creator used to craft objects, but preserve and treasure this and solve contemporary issues with make it happen. The Dreams of the contribution of remarkable industry. the environment and consumption. Weaving project speaks about the an artisan is often The handloom Handloom in Sri Lanka is most often socio-emotional side of weaving overlooked in favour weaving industry made from 100% cotton or silk yarn, communities and the artisan who of the designer who operates as a cottage ‘Dreams both of which make biodegradable criss-cross their dreams with yarn. is celebrated for the textile industry in fabrics, and the weaving process “We expected to see this industry design of the final the country with a is one that hardly uses any water, through the ears and eyes of artisans product, even though it is longstanding heritage, if at all, with very little waste. The come through,” Dr. Wickramasinghe an artisan who brought Dr. Ayesha Wickramasinghe especially in the rural emphasis of working with local said. it to life. sphere. Many artisanal of artisanal communities in a non- Handloom is one of Sri communities have had their Contd. on page 12 Lanka’s most prolific and skills passed down to oldest crafts. “Dreams them from generation to of Weaving” is a new generation, preserving social innovation and maintaining Weaving’ project initiated by their own traditional the Department of identities from one Textile and Apparel weaving community to Socio-emotional aspect of handloom Engineering of the another. University of Moratuwa Artisans from certain artisans in Sri Lanka to advance investigations Dr. Sumith Gopura regions of Sri Lanka often supplying this unique handloom the focal point of this industry since in that sector. The research specialise in a specialist directly to the king himself in his the saree became the popular form team, headed by Dr. Ayesha technique of weaving, like, for time. of dress for women in Sri Lanka. Wickramasinghe and Dr. Sumith example, the weaving community of As an industry, handloom As a craft textile, handloom also Gopura, together with research Udumbara, whose trademark form provides livelihoods for many lends itself to a variety of fashion assistant Dilmini Yasara, has taken a of jacquard weaving “Dumbara” households across the country, with and interior lifestyle products, from look at the lives of the heroes behind has been practised by weavers since women being chiefly engaged in upholstery to stuffed toys. the loom who have devoted their the time of the Kandyan Kingdom, the sector. Handloom sarees remain As a craft, handloom is The team behind Dreams of Weaving 124 brunch „„ www.themorning.lk { STYLE } Thursday, February 18, 2021

Designs by Gabriel by Anusha David Brides and grooms of Sri Lanka and LOVI Ceylon REIMAGINED Modern ‘Bride’ and ‘Groom’ collections by LOVI Ceylon and friends Designed “Together we’re creating moments of happiness and cherished Designs by Dhananjaya Designs by Jaish Parathalingam by Jaish Designed by Gabriel by memories for the new couple and their families,” said LOVI Bandara and LOVI Ceylon and LOVI Ceylon Parathalingam Anusha David Ceylon Founder and CEO Asanka de Mel, as he introduced LOVI Ceylon’s “Groom” collection. Each groom’s look was with handcrafted fine jewellery Breathing life into Designs by Rishard Raheem paired with extraordinary creations from Sri Lanka’s top bridal made of precious metals encrusted these wonderful and LOVI Ceylon designers, jewellers, florists, and hair and make-up artists and with diamonds, sapphires, and creations with superb hair was captured by storytelling photographers. rubies. and make-up was Nadiya And what wedding would Fernando, the anchor The presentation graciously de Mel. Celebrating the religious be complete without flowers? Bringing the latest floral creations of the shoot, and her hosted by Taj Samudra, Colombo and cultural traditions – including collaborator Omesh, while and Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, were florists Designer Flowers, saw 30 leading designers working Kandyan, Malay, Muslim, Sinhala, Flowers by Joan and Karen Forbes, Ramani Fernando Salons, hand in hand to infuse fresh ideas, Tamil, and Western – of the island, Lassana Flora, and Supreme Flora, Shane Perera, Viran José celebrate cultural diversity, and LOVI Ceylon’s “Groom” range who made the spectacular bridal Peter, Brides by Leena, show off Sri Lankan couture – the presented modern sarongs paired outfits blossom with their creations. and Talia Designs also island’s handcraft heritage. with formal shirts, jackets, kurtas, Breathing life into these worked magic on the The stunning bridal costumes and more. They were paired with wonderful creations with superb models were painstakingly made by sarees, dresses, lehengas, pant suits, hair and make-up was Nadiya renowned designers Dhananjaya and an array of breathtaking outfits. Fernando, the anchor of the shoot, and fancies of the designers to life, Bandara, Rishard Raheem, and There were many looks offered for and her collaborator Omesh, while as well as poet and author Ashok Michael Wijesuriya as well as Indi the Sri Lankan diaspora, as well Ramani Fernando Salons, Shane Ferrey for being the MC of the Designed by Yapa Abeywardena of Brides by as couples seeking inspiration for Perera, Viran José Peter, Brides shoot and providing an eloquent Rishard Raheem INDI, Sonali Dharmawardena, destination weddings. by Leena, and Talia Designs also commentary, delivered with his Darshi Keerthisena of Buddhi As the designs progressed from worked magic on the models. inimitable panache! Batiks, Ramona Oshini, Sandani sketch to stitching, their jewellery The father-son duo Dinuka and “We have world-class Perera of IKIGAI Bridal, and partners Careems Dineth Fonseka of Studio3000 took craftsmanship here; it’s fun to work Jaish Parathalingam of Aashkii. Jewellers, Lalitha on the herculean task of capturing with so many experts, who just Newcomer Anusha David also Jewellers, all the creations as the anchor happen to be friends, to present a presented her couture creations Mallika photography partner. The works beautiful collection that could nudge under the label Gabriel. Hemachandra of Ashane Bernard, Amarante the course of Sri Lankan clothing “We want our groom and Jewellers, Studio, Geeshan Bandara, identity,” said de Mel when asked all of the men in the wedding, Tiesh, and and Portrait Culture were also about the work that went into this. including the groomsmen, dads, Vogue Jewellers presented in imaginative and As he rightly reminded the young boys, and friends, to be added their artistic captures. gentlemen to choose wisely, he De Mel expressed his thanks said: “On that special wedding day, Designs by themselves – to feel rooted in brilliant sparkles Ramona Oshini culture, well dressed, and at to the wonderful models when all eyes are on her – her eyes and LOVI Ceylon ease on the wedding day,” said who brought the visions are on you!”

Designs by Designs by Designed by Dharshi Keerthisena Sonali Dharmawardene Michael Wijesuriya and LOVI Ceylon and LOVI Ceylon

Designed by Ramona Oshini

Designed by Sonali Designs by Dharmawardene Michael Wijesuriya Designed by IKIGAI Bridal and LOVI Ceylon brunch

Contd. from page 11

institutional in order to improve Taking interior the handloom weaving industry, ‘Dreams of... Dr. Wickramaisnghe noted that Through many interviews with weaving reflects the true passion over the course of the Dreams of design in Sri Lanka handloom artisans, a shape began and means that have been added to Weaving project, they came across to form, one of the nostalgic and their lives through being part of this many inspiring and enthusiastic sentimental conversations which age-old industry. individuals in the institutional to a new level bodies, one among them being opened up new ways of thinking “It was really motivating to The magic of a space mainly a company specialised in interior and meaning to handloom apparel. see the courage and eagerness of Department of Industrial Development – Southern Province relies on how it will impact the mood design with over 10 years of Dreams of Weaving emphasised these strong women working to of its occupants; whether it improves experience. not judging a book, or person, be the best out of them every day, Product Development Officer Chandana Wijesinghe who lent his happiness and productivity, or throws Led by Mendis, DM Interior by its appearance. Despite social “Dr. Wickramasinghe recalled. a wet blanket on it. Therefore, good Studios has a clientele that consists stereotypes, research showed that “Despite their age, many are elderly fullest support to the needs of this inquisitive study. interior design accentuates the of brands such as Odel, AIA, the handloom artisans are strong- but young at heart. These artisans atmosphere and enhances and Softlogic. The recent minded, determined, and skilful have found a companion in the Dr. Wickramasinghe and Dr. Gopura also acknowledged the the overall experience. This highlights for the team personalities who have found loom as many gratefully expressed is what Dilushi Mendis were the completion happiness among the colourful how they console their life as they tireless efforts of the State Minister of Batik, Handloom Fabrics, and believes in, and strives to of over 10 commercial yarns they play with and strength intertwine this colourful yarn every achieve in her approach to spaces at One Galle Face from the loom. day.” Local Apparel Products, along with the secretaries, directors, creative design. Mall that include HNB, “Sophistication and knowledge, Agreeing that age is just A professional Raja Jewellers, Crest not wealth, is now how we define a number, Dr. Gopura shared: instructors, and the artisans DM Interior Studios interior designer with a Founder/MD Gems, George Gunaratne luxury. The handloom artisans are “Besides the senior artisans, some involved in this study in the Dilushi Mendis Southern, Central, and Western background in architecture, Opticians, The Toy Store, not just mere daily wagers,” shared young girls are also taking up Mendis is the Founder Double XL, EKKO, ESoft, Dr. Gopura. “Craftsmanship’s the road that has not been taken Provinces, as well as their research assistant Yasara for the invaluable and Managing Director Talia, New Jewellery, and place within new luxury – in terms by many. Their determination is of DM Interior Studios (Pvt.) Ltd., Live Life. of time investment, expertise, unimaginable, and their sparkling effort in making the Dreams of DM Interior Solutions provides and support, the projects have been innovation, and uniqueness – is eyes had a lot to say about their Weaving project possible. services in aspects such as interior completed successfully, resulting ever more important.” ‘Dreams of Weaving’ mixed with With the Dreams of Weaving designing, interior construction, in many strong relationships with “Emotions in Designs” is an the yarns and the loom. Weaving has project now complete, Dr. interior design and building, and clients. upcoming trend where people value already become a part of their life.” Wickramsinghe and Dr. Gopura refurbishment. Based on three Understanding that each the background story of a product The backbone of the artisan have proposed an online exhibition philosophies, design blended with client has a unique requirement over the mere product itself. community are the women space documenting artisans’ architecture, quality of the overall when constructing their interior Sentimental value has become an who serve as supervisors, or ancestry and skill to disseminate experience, and excellent service spaces, the team ensures that important decision-making factor as the study identified them, the findings of the project in personalised choices are given in buying a product, especially “instructors”, who provide most a digital setting where the Sri value in the process of designing one handcrafted by artisans. guidance to the women at the Lankan handloom industry can and construction. The customised “Apt marketing approaches loom. Many artisans recognised attract a global audience and approach that DM Interior Studios are essential when it comes to these instructors as courageous the attention of the younger offers allows each space to have its Handloom and craft products,” Dr. ladies who provided “care” to generation. own identity while being flexible Wickramasinghe said. “Marketing the women they work with. Considering the global apparel based on the convenience of the handloom products needs to “The relationship shared by the trends of sustainable, responsible, requirements. promote who and where it comes instructors and artisans is not the and emotionally-driven fashion, The added expertise and from, heightening the sentimental typical employer-employee kind of Dr. Wickramasinghe and Dr. additional services of quantity value rather than the materialistic one – they are more like family,” Gopura hope that this venture will surveying, MEP (mechanical and element of the products.” Dr. Wickramasinghe shared, also serve to improve the versatility electrical packages), and project Over the course of Dreams of noting: “We needed no other of Sri Lankan handloom products management adds to the company Weaving, many artisans confessed evidence to realise that with their to allow them to seal their own repertoire. that various social circumstances companionship, they truly enjoy identity in the global market and brought them to the loom, but their time spent weaving.” redefine the way we think about Visit http://dminteriors.lk/ for their voluntary choice to continue Speaking on the need for handloom. more information. brunch 134 Thursday, February 18, 2021 { COLUMNS/EVENTS } „„ www.themorning.lk The common debate about ‘arishta’ and ‘asawa’ in

Arishta made according to the The modern society is having authentic texts will naturally gain a negative impression towards its unique quality. In the process the usage of arishta, because they of preparing arishta, the quantity suspect that consumption of arishta of liquids are not mentioned, a and asawa will lead to harm the vital doran of water, a tula of jiggery, organs and give deadly side effects fifty pala of prakshepa churna and to the body due to the variations of asawa are one of the most debated one fifth tula of jiggery may be the quality of the arishta and asawa. products in the field of Ayurveda taken. Before these preparations of These beliefs scare the society and drugs, to provide the solutions medicine the vessels that are used to minimise as well as prevent the to some extent for the present prepare these medications must be usage of arishta and asawa even dilemmas, the products should disinfected in an authentic when it is prescribed for be safety and quality controlled. way. This will remove a certain disease by a Therefore, when buying a prescribed unwanted pathogenic physician. This attitude medication, remember to buy a microorganisms. will lead to the downfall safe and authentic product from the Arishta (fermented of the Ayurvedic Ayurveda pharmacy. decoctions), when used medical system. Many as an intoxicating drink, researches have been (The writer holds a BAMS [Hons] possesses properties done regarding this from the University of Colombo, of the materials which matter, and based on the MSc in Food and Nutrition from the it is prepared from and is levels of alcohol and other University of Peradeniya [reading], more concentrated. It is also parameters, arishta or asawa and a Diploma in Panchakarma) superior in quality due to the Dr. Hiruni Poornima will not give harmful effects combination of herbs and to the body and will increase processing, and as such alleviates the quality and the strength of the many diseases and pacifies doshas. body while curing the diseases. “Ayusho vedah Ayurvedah” Ayurveda means the science of life. Nature of wines in general Furthermore, a doctor’s Ayurveda is the oldest holistic medical system in the world. are sour in taste as well as vipaka prescription after a proper However, it’s not only a medical system but also a lifestyle mainly and hot in potency. Arishta type of consultation is an essential factor optimised to have two main objectives, and they are: Maintain wine is useful in consumption pies, when consuming any type of a health in a healthy way (preventive aspect) and pacify the disease sprue, anaemia, anorexia, fever, drug specially, arishta and asawa. in the diseased (curative aspect). To obtain the aims, drugs play and diseases caused by the vitiation The patient must strictly follow all an important role. In Ayurveda, vayidyadi chathushpada has of kapha. It is both digestive and the guidelines and advice that the carminative and cures the disease of physician gives. Since arishta and mentioned four elements that are essential to cure a diseased the duodenum, haemorrhoids, dropsy, person; they are physician, attendant, drugs, and patient. Drugs leprosy and other skin diseases, play a similar importance as the physician. enlargement of the abdomen, Bhaisajjya kalpana is the nutritional value, use as a food abdominal tumors, worms (parasites), process of drug preparation in appetiser, and long shelf life. and disorders of the spleen: is Ayurveda. It is mainly divided into These drugs are processed by astringent, pungent and aggravates two sections; primary preparations using the fermentation process, and vata. Fresh preparations are hard to and secondary preparations. they are of two types: Arishta and digest, and increase all the doshas, Primary preparations contain asawa. In order to manufacture whereas the old ones have the BY DR. HIRUNI POORNIMA swarasa, kalaka, kwatha, hima, these medicines, liquid basic drugs opposite qualities. They should not be and panta, while avaleha, gutika, (juices or decoctions) are kept for used hot or with hot compounds, not taila, gritha, and sandhana kalpana fermentation as indicated in the by persons who are having purgation, are mentioned under secondary classics. When a drug and water are and who are hungry, wines which are preparations. Among the secondary allowed to ferment without a proper very strong or weak. The arista or preparations sandhana kalpana boiling that is known as asawa, asawa which are very clear or very plays a major role, due to their and if the decoction is made and turbid and those which are spoiled quick absorption, palatability, extra fermented that is called arishta. should not be used for drinking. 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Director and Head of Production and Design Marlon Jesudason said: “It is quite an achievement to have been able Backend system to end 2020, a year marred by the control of a PickMe CEO Zulfer Jiffry symbolically handing over gifts to a driver partner pandemic, on a high note having virtual conference 144 sports „„ www.themorning.lk { SPORTS } Thursday, February 18, 2021 Just over 39 years ago, Brearley had sauntered off into the Sri Lanka were making their Test sunset to be replaced by another wily debut at Colombo’s Paikiasothy veteran, Keith Fletcher, the Essex Captain Saravanamuttu Stadium. Their who had last played for England in 1977. opponents were England. After losing the first Test in For Sri Lanka, the match Mumbai, Fletcher and England marked the end of a long wait for became increasingly frustrated 1 Test recognition. 3 tourists, complaining of ill health, poor They first played first- accommodation, lifeless pitches, and bad class cricket as Ceylon in 1927 against the MCC umpiring. (Marylebone Cricket Club was the then name of the (England lost the six-match Test series England team) and made their international debut in India held from 11 Nov. 1981 to 4 Feb. at the 1975 World Cup. 1982, 1-0. Graham Gooch top-scored for England, then named MCC, first played in them with 487 runs and Ian Botham took Sri Lanka, then Ceylon, in 1927. This local 17 wickets in the series.) newspaper report said they drew a match in Sunil Gavaskar scored a total of 500 Hatton against Up Country XI before their runs in the six-match series against last game against Ceylon played in Colombo. England, which preceded Sri Lanka’s Arthur Gilligan captained MCC at the time inaugural Test

For England, the contest came “The Gnome”, as Derek Underwood, and Bob Woolmer.) off the back of a gruelling tour of he was affectionately England’s Graham Gooch said: “We India. A 1-0 series defeat after six known, also had to lost the first Test in Bombay and then as energy-sapping Tests was quite contend with his fair sometimes happens in the sub-continent, a come-down from the euphoria share of off-field issues, the wickets suddenly become very of the summer of 1981 when including clandestine flat. (Sunil) Gavaskar and (Gundappa) Mike Brearley’s men so famously conversations that Viswanath filled their boots.” retained the Ashes. would eventually result Their spin bowler John Emburey: “It 2 4 in the first “rebel tour” was nine overs an hour even with the England completed a remarkable turnaround on of South Africa and the spinners bowling. It was awful cricket.” 17 August 1981, beating banishment of England’s record run-scorer The change of scene in Sri Lanka came Australia in the fifth Test at Geoffrey Boycott, sent home for playing as a welcome relief for much of the squad, Old Trafford to retain the golf while off the field because of illness. as did the unseasonal mildness at the P. Ashes. The victory gave the home side an unassailable 3-1 (In March 1982, a representative team Saravanamuttu Stadium (PSS). Sri Lankan lead in the series. Pictured is of England were engaged in a “rebel Captain Bandula Warnapura won the Ian Botham, who replaced as The stamp issued by the tour” for the first time to apartheid South toss and elected to bat on a surprisingly England Captain in the series, Sri Lanka Government to Africa. The team included Skipper Graham sticky wicket. The sense of excitement and after the fifth Test win mark the inaugural Test Gooch, Geoffrey Boycott, John Emburey, anticipation was palpable.

Geoff Cook: “The build-up was lively, there had been all kinds Wettimuny: “I was very nervous. The one thing we lacked was experience of pomp and circumstance in the preceding days. It was a bit against international sides, so there was still an awe of players you had surreal really, especially with the undercurrents of a potential heard a lot about. Willis was pretty nippy and Botham’s great strength was rebel tour, there were all sorts of side issues going on.” his unpredictability. Sidath Wettimuny: “We found out we had been granted Test He was quite capable of a terrible delivery followed by an incredible one. status in a Yorkshire hotel during our 1981 tour of England. We He had an annoying knack of getting people out with bad balls, which is were very excited and there was huge expectation from both what happened to me!” players and fans. In the 1975 World Cup, we had given Australia Sri Lanka Vice Captain Duleep Mendis: “Facing Willis was quite an a real scare. We firmly believed that we were good enough to 6 experience with that action and that hair. We had faced quicks in Australia ‘Sporting an compete with the best in the world.” oversized but nothing quite like Willis!” England batsman Chris Tavaré: “I remember the changing helmet and Keith Fletcher: “The pitch was damp. I can’t remember whether they’d rooms were still being painted the day before the Test started!” brandishing covered it, but even if they had, it wouldn’t have made any difference England got off to a flying start. Headingley heroes Bob a patched-up as they didn’t have very good covers anyway. But it wasn’t a bad cricket SS Jumbo, the Willis and Ian Botham dispatched both openers, Warnapura and 18-year-old pitch, there was a turn and the seamers could get it through.” Wettimuny. On the moist track, the ball was spitting viciously Ranatunga Making his debut for Sri Lanka was a svelte schoolboy by the name and Willis was finding a steepling bounce. Roy Dias and the looked every of Arjuna Ranatunga. Sporting an oversized helmet and brandishing a 5 inch a 1980s Warnapura faces the first Test delivery, pugnacious Duleep Mendis, who had hit his country’s first patched-up SS Jumbo, the 18-year-old Ranatunga looked every inch a 1980s bowled by Willis, with his left pad boundary, soon followed. schoolboy’ schoolboy. Left-arm spinner Ajit de Silva celebrates a wicket but the Lankan spinners did not impress as Sri Lanka’s inaugural expected in the match Test remembered 11 A graphic description on the inaugural Tavaré: “I was no longer surprised by De Mel’s pace, which had certainly been my downfall in the first innings. Prior to the trip, I did some work with Alan Knott, who had Test in 1982 and its aftermath been successful in India on turning wickets in 1977. Not that we saw many turning wickets in India!” Ashantha Del takes the country’s De Mel: “Our spinners were very disappointed. first Test wicket. Geoff Cook Cook: “De Mel wasn’t what you’d expect They didn’t bowl quite at their best. If we had scored out caught at gully by Lalith from a Sri Lankan at that time, they were another 100 runs, I think we could have put England Kaluperuma for 11. De Mel took known for their diminutive players and under a lot of pressure.” 4/70 in England first innings off their spinners, but he was a big strong lad, 17 overs 7 we didn’t know much about him.” Ashantha De Mel: “We didn’t have any Willis welcomed him with a bouncer, but the speed guns back then, I was running in teenager was soon displaying the confidence and bowling as fast I could. I hit Tavaré on and appetite for the fight that would become his 8 the head and then bowled him next ball. England No. 3 bat Chris trademark. His half-century, the first by a Sri Lankan in To play the first Test match, bowl the first Tavare made sure they were home for only three Tests, was full of attacking brio off the front foot and ball, and take the first wicket makes me wickets with an innings feisty flicks to leg, particularly off the wayward Paul feel very fortunate.” of 85. He was flagged Allott. The partnership of 99 with Ranjan Madugalle A typically languid 89 from Gower rescued off by cheerleader Percy took the score from 34/4 to 133/5. England, but their lead going into the second Abeysekera after the Arjuna Ranatunga: “We never felt the importance of innings was just five runs. As the thermostat knock that took the historic game away from Test cricket as schoolboys but when I was picked rose, England bowlers toiled against the the hosts to play in the one-day series and then the Test, I Roy Dias’ masterful cover-driving, on his way to the second-innings’ dashing Dias. By the end of the third day, the 10 realised this was something far bigger than school top score of 77 off 128 balls, as ’keeper Bob Taylor looks on hosts had reached 152-3. Fletcher: “They were a bit like the early West Indian teams, and club cricket. Nobody was expecting me to if you kept them quiet for a few overs, they would do perform so there was less pressure on me and I something rash, and thankfully they did.” played that game as just another game.” Wettimuny: “We hadn’t played five-day cricket, all we played Gooch: “Ranatunga had first played against us in the was club cricket which was two days. I put it down to sheer Boycott and Graham warm-up match in Kandy. He was quite a feisty lack of experience because we had England where we Gooch lead the England rebels out character even as a teenager.” wanted and we let it go. I will never forget that passage of onto the field in Mendis: “We all knew about him. I played with him play. England knew they were in trouble. They knew we South Africa in 1982 right the way through my career at Singhalese were the kind of guys who would block or attack. We weren’t 12 Sports Club (SSC). Seeing him walk into bat was a going to work the ones and twos. Emburey had an inner ring Fletcher: “Their spinners didn’t strike me as that special. matter of huge pride for us because we knew he was and an outer ring but nothing in the middle. We fell into the We’d played a lot of spin in India so we were quite used to going to be a great player.” 9 trap.” it by then. I thought it was going to be a tougher chase, As the pitch began to dry out in the afternoon, Derek Emburey: “For me, personally it was great. It was my first but it was still a very hard Test match win.” Underwood came into his own. Now 36 and in the six-wicket haul in Tests and to do it partnering Underwood Ranatunga: “It was part of a learning process. We were not twilight of his career, he finished with miserly figures made it all the more satisfying.” professionals; we were amateurs. We had to go back to of 5/28 off 18 overs. It was the Kent left-armer’s first Gooch: “He’d hardly seen a delivery turn in the previous four work after the Test match - me to school and the others five-wicket haul since 1977. Sri Lanka were all out for months in India!” to their jobs!” 218. England’s target was 171. De Mel removed Cook for a duck, Man-of-the-match Emburey, along with Gooch, would Derek Underwood: “I’d got the best match figures of but an assured partnership of 83 between Tavaré and Gower not play Test cricket again until 1985 after serving three-year my career at the same ground for an International XI From 167/3, Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for eight runs. Off-spinner John Emburey (left) finished eased England home by seven wickets. Sri Lanka’s much bans for their participation in the tour of South Africa a in 1967/68, 15 in the match. So I was comfortable with 6/33 off 25 overs. With him is Derek Underwood (right) after the Test on 21 February 1981 vaunted three-pronged spin attack of D.S. De Silva (leg spin), month later. on that wicket.” Kaluperuma (off spin), and Ajit De Silva (left arm) had been The Sara Test would also prove to be Keith Fletcher’s Mendis: “The wicket was still drying on day one which Fletcher: “I’d been there before on smaller trips with the videos, no team meetings in those days. We didn’t do the well and truly blunted by the time Gower stroked the winning last hurrah in an England shirt. Shortly afterwards, he was played into the hands of Underwood, who was a MCC and other sides. I did know what to expect. I knew homework on the opposition like they do these days.” boundary through the covers moments after Tavaré had been sacked by Chairman of selectors Peter May. master in those conditions.” they’d be no pushover in their own country.” Fletcher: “It was before the days of neutral umpiring. It took stumped for 85 off 186 balls. Warnapura skippered Sri Lanka in their next three Tests in In reply, England also got off to a shaky start. The Tavaré: “I had played at University with Gajan the authorities far too long to introduce that. I had gotten Gooch: “Positively smashing it for Tav! Chris unfairly got a Pakistan and India but received a life ban for leading a rebel powerfully built 22-year-old Ashantha De Mel was Pathmanathan who took the Yorkshire bowling apart in a quite annoyed in India. They never minded giving nine, 10, reputation for the length of time he batted and was the butt tour to South Africa in October 1982. Sri Lanka’s secret weapon, a fast bowler of genuine Benson & Hedges match at Barnsley in 1976. So I knew Sri jack out, but not the top order.” of the jokes, but I don’t think Geoffrey Boycott enjoyed it With Mendis at the helm, Sri Lanka would eventually pace. Northamptonshire’s Geoff Cook, making his Test Lankans had great flair as batsmen.” England regrouped on a dramatic fourth morning. From when he was up the other end and couldn’t get the strike. clinch a coveted Test victory in 1985. Eleven years later they debut, fended to gully. Tavaré was bounced first ball Emburey: “They were absolutely in the game. We’d had 167/3, Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for eight runs to a He was difficult to remove and although he could play won the World Cup. and yorked the next. Gooch was adjudged lbw. England that tough tour of India and suddenly this match was series of injudicious shots. Off-spinner Emburey finished with a range of shots all round the ground, in Tests he would (Source is an article by Oliver Doward appeared were 40/3. slipping away from us. We went in very cold. There were no 6/33 off 25 overs. It was an extraordinary turnaround. sometimes drop anchor and he was like a barnacle!” on 23 March 2012 on BBC Sport) sports 154 Thursday, February 18, 2021 { SPORTS } „„ www.themorning.lk NOT JUST SPORTS The ball and origin of sports A child can take any round object and play like a cat, or a rat. Reacting fascinated to a “ball” is a natural human reaction. This ball plays a major part when we go back to the “origins of sports” (sounds wired?). The history of ball sports extends across A relief in a large stone disk depicts a Mesoamerican figure with a ball and ritualistic countless cultures headdress throughout recorded history. Solid archaeological records of “genuine” sports involving the ball reach back as early as 1600 BC. For example, discoveries of rubber balls used in ancient sports like the Mesoamerican ball games. However, with the phrase “ball sports” being so broad and inclusive, games that could fall under this category have undoubtedly been played even for millennia before that time!

The IPL 2021 Auction is to be held today PHOTO © BCCI IPL 2021 AUCTION

The main dignitaries at the opening of the 2020 Sri Lanka Badminton Nationals BADMINTON NATIONALS 2020 BEGINS Battle on for Major setback shuttling supremacy Over 795 shuttlers began their singles and doubles; men’s U-55 quests for top honours when the and 60 singles and doubles; men’s much-awaited National Badminton U-55, 60, and over 65 doubles. Championships 2020 served off While gearing up for the “improved yesterday (17). Nationals”, SLB has included four The five-day event is being more events in this championship held at three venues in Colombo, due to popular demand; the women’s for franchises namely the Mercantile Badminton singles and mixed doubles for over Association (MBA), Sri Lanka 50 years, and women’s singles and z BCCI declares England, New Zealand, and South African cricketers Badminton (SLB) headquarters, doubles for over 60 years. and Otter Aquatic Club (OAC), The 2020 championship was should be relieved for national duty where a total of 763 matches will delayed due to the Covid-19 be played, revealed a SLB release pandemic and later the surge of The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now given written instructions to all weeks of IPL, as we also have to keep quarantine yesterday. entries and several requests from franchises of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 that they will have to grant leave to England, norms in mind. We have asked BCCI to give clarity The National Championships also badminton enthusiasts compelled New Zealand, and South African cricketers to perform their national duties. on this account. It will not make any sense then to kicked off SLB’s programme for SLB to postpone the landmark 2020 bid for the South African cricketers, we will plan our the year 2021. A feisty contest is event again by one further week “South African players will miss the first two weeks of June, and in all likelihood, top English and Kiwi auction strategy accordingly,” one of the top franchise expected in the feature categories as this year. The tournament is being of the IPL, owing to a series against Pakistan, while cricketers will not be available for the finals and week officials has told InsideSport. well as the age group events during conducted according to the health England and New Zealand cricketers are likely to before that. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is planning this prestigious nationals. guidelines imposed by the Ministry miss the business end of IPL 2021 due to a two-match to reach England a minimum of two weeks in advance BCCI to speak to CSA Apart from the open events, of Health. Test series starting on 2 June,” reported InsideSport for the Test series, so that they can comply with the Overall, 14 South African cricketers will be in the matches are being conducted under yesterday (17). local quarantine norms. According to the England and fray at the IPL Auction. Beside the Proteas cricketers age groups for boys and girls Under Wales Cricket Board (ECB) norms as well, England in the auction list, seven have already been retained by 15, 17, and 19, both singles and The ongoing Badminton Top players to miss IPL action Test hopefuls will also be getting in the bio-bubble different IPL franchises for the forthcoming season. doubles; men’s U-35 singles; men’s Nationals are now broadcast The IPL franchises are now a worried lot, went on before the Test series. Franchises now have asked the BCCI for exact status and women’s U-40, 45, and 50 live on YouTube and Facebook InsideSport. The availability of top foreign cricketers It is worth mentioning that a total of 21 England of availability of the top South African cricketers. via the Sri Lanka Badminton like Kane Williamson (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Ben cricketers and 20 New Zealand cricketers will be in According to the information available with (SLB) official channels. The Stokes (Rajasthan Royals – RR), Jos Butler (RR), and the fray at the IPL 2021 Auction. Also, eight England InsideSport, the Indian board is likely to speak to matches can be viewed live on: Sam Curran (Chennai Super Kings) for the last week players and five New Zealand players have been CSA over the issue. Post the call, BCCI will inform of IPL 2021 is now questionable. All these names retained in IPL 2021. the franchises about the availability details of the South yy https://fb.watch/3IM_8oR7gR/ along with many others are expected to leave their African cricketers. yy https://youtu.be/d9Jd71FbSFc IPL franchises mid-way for the sake of national duty. Franchises to ‘play accordingly’ First it was South African cricketers whose As the IPL franchises geared up for IPL Auctions Seeking written assurance yy https://youtu.be/0v4OxNhyz4A availability was in doubt for the first two weeks today (18), one development is making them very The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Delhi Capitals of the 14th edition of IPL, and now it has come to concerned. Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday (12) are the only IPL teams currently having two South the forefront that even England and New Zealand announced the schedule for Pakistan’s white-ball tour African cricketers each in their squads. Opening cricketers will also be doubtful over the last two of South Africa that will end on 16 April. This means batsman Faf du Plessis and paceman Lungi Ngidi are weeks of IPL 2021. The reason? New Zealand is top South African players will not be available for the currently in the CSK squad and may miss out on the scheduled to tour England for a two-match Test series first two weeks of IPL 2021, which is likely to start on first few days of the IPL. that starts on 2 June. 11 April. Some of the franchises have now asked BCCI IPL franchises are now looking for written for clarity on the availability of South African players. assurances from BCCI that top players from South About 40 players affected “If the South Africa-Pakistan series ends on 16 April, Africa, New Zealand, and England will be available A participant of the championship IPL 2021 is likely to conclude in the first week that means they will not be available for the first two for the full duration of IPL 2021. Revisiting India’s first Test win (against England) in 1955 Into the z After 24 Tests, Vijay Hazare’s India are to make history Past India came back to win a dramatic second came to this last of the five-Test series 1-0 The scenes at the finish were surprisingly WITH THILAK Test in Chennai on Tuesday (16) on the back down, were under legendary Vijay Hazare. subdued, but the Indian officials and players of local boy Ravichandra Ashwin. In that match, India made history by were delighted at the first victory by their Chennai’s Chepauk or M.A. Chidambaram recording their first Test victory, and they country at the 25th attempt to win a Test Stadium is the very place where India did it in emphatic style. Undoubtedly, India match. They have now won their first Test India vs. England 5th Test in recorded their first-ever Test victory, either were the superior all-round side in the game either home or away, that too against the home or away. That too was notable against and they went all out for success from the very forefathers of the game. Chennai from 6-10 Feb. 1952 England. Here we revisit that game played first ball. During the afternoon of the first India’s hero was Mankad, who bowled in February 1952. The touring England were day of the Test, the death of King George superbly in each innings, taking 12 wickets in Toss: England captained by Donald Carr and India, who VI was announced and arrangements were the match for 108. His performance of eight Test match no.: 348 soon changed, the second day was made the for 55 in the first innings has seldom been Brief scores: rest day, instead of the fourth day. bettered in Test cricket when it is considered yy England 1st innings 266 all out (Jack Robertson 77, Dick On the third day, England, still 191 runs that the pitch gave him little assistance. Spooner 66; Vinoo Mankad 8/55) behind in their second innings, survived Mankad’s bowling inspired the whole side, the last quarter of an hour. But with the the fielding being far better than in previous yy India 1st innings 457/9 (Polly Umrigar 130 n.o., Pankaj Roy pitch wearing, they were soon struggling matches, and the batting possessed a more 111; Roy Tattersall 2/94, Malcolm Hilton 2/100) the next day. adventurous spirit, necessary for the occasion. yy England 2nd innings 183 all out (Jack Robertson 56, Allan Jack Robertson again batted well then, England disappointed badly. There was Watkins 48; Vinoo Mankad 4/53, Ghulam Ahmed 4/77) and made the top score for the second time. no real reason for the batting collapse in Result: India win by an innings and eight runs Allan Watkins showed he was still full of the first innings which virtually decided the Polly Umrigar on the way to his memorable Series: Five-match series drawn at 1-1 Vinoo Mankad has Tom Graveney fight, but they were almost alone in their match. Hopes that they could stage one of unbeaten 130 Remarks: This was India’s first-ever Test match win dismissed with a brilliant piece of resistance and the match ended before tea their renowned recoveries were dashed when PHOTO © THE HINDU stumping by Khokhan Sen on the fourth day. the pitch turned difficult after the third day. „„ www.themorning.lk Thursday, February 18, 2021

Du Plessis quits Test career Former South Africa Cricket Captain Faf du Plessis has retired from Test cricket and will focus on the Twenty20 format. The 36-year-old batsman scored 4,163 runs at an average of Referee locks head with player 40.02 in 69 Tests since making Referee Darren Drysdale locked heads with Ipswich midfielder Alan his debut in 2012. “The next Judge in an extraordinary exchange during their goalless League-I draw two years are International with Northampton yesterday (17). The official moved his head towards the Cricket Council T20 World Cup Irishman late in the game and then briefly appeared to square up to the years,” he said in a statement. 32-year-old, before being ushered away by Northampton's Lloyd Jones. Pramo-Kalu-Hemanthasports selection committee to be named soon! The much-awaited appointment of the three-member Sri Lanka lost to England 2-0 in a two-match Test series He also dismissed the possibility of including any National Men’s Cricket Selection Committee will be in Galle on 25 January. The other two members of the other names in the panel. made either today (18) or tomorrow (19), Sri Lanka committee then were Wickramasinghe and Chaminda There is speculation that former national players Cricket (SLC) sources revealed yesterday (17). Mendis. Amal Silva, Brendon Kuruppu, and Kapila Pramodya Wickramasinghe, Romesh Kaluwitharana, “Undue influence from various parties and some Wijegunawardene have also been proposed to the and Hemantha Wickramaratne are tipped to be named impractical systems proposed by certain authorities have committee. as the next national selection panel. caused this delay. But the names will probably be announced Sri Lanka are to begin a month-long cricket series, The previous selection committee was dissolved after this week,” a senior SLC official told The Morning Sports which will include games in all three formats, in the Pramodya Wickramasinghe is tipped to be the next Head of the National Men’s Cricket Selection Committee its Chairman Ashantha de Mel resigned two days after yesterday. Caribbean island of Antigua from 3 March. MONEY LAUNDERING Sri Lanka Tour of West Indies 2021 Fixtures 1st T20: 3 March (CCG, Antigua) 2nd T20: 5 March (CCG, Antigua) Dambulla Viikings 3rd T20: 7 March (CCG, Antigua)

1st ODI: 10 March (SVRS, Antigua) 2nd ODI: 12 March (SVRS, Antigua) 3rd ODI: 14 March (SVRS, Antigua) Warm up match: March 17 and 18 owner arrested 1st Test: 21-25 March (SYRS, Antigua) 2nd Test: 29 Mar-2 Apr (SYRS, Antigua) z Do franchise leagues and corruption go hand in hand?

CCG – Coolidge Cricket Ground SVRS (Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India arrested the owner of Lanka Premier League’s (LPL) franchise Dambulla Viikings Sachin Joshi on Sunday (14).

Joshi, who is reportedly a businessman, LOCAL NEWS film actor, and producer, allegedly has a connection to a money laundering case IN BRIEF against the city-based “Omkar Realtors and Developers”, Indian media reported  Blue Star starts Super League with a bang yesterday (17). Blue Star beat Red Star 2-0 at Sugathadasa Stadium, Colombo last evening (17) after leading 1-0 in the first half, in the curtain raiser of the Super League this year. The tournament is held this year for the Arrested on Sunday first time as a semi-professional league. The ED has said Joshi was arrested  Junior champs found at Colombo C’ship under relevant sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Sunday after he was questioned for several hours by the investigating officer of the case. Dambulla Viikings reached the semi- finals last December in the five-team The Indian Enforcement Directorate has arrested Sachin Joshi, the owner of the LPL inaugural LPL 2020 under the captaincy franchise Dambulla Viikings, last weekend under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of former Sri Lanka T20 Captain Dasun PHOTO DAMBULLA VIIKINGS PROMOTIONAL PHOTO Shanaka. Their Head Coach was former 13 February. Tax Department officials England cricketer Owais Shah. claimed they detected “unaccounted” match-fixing and spot-fixing, has been with the ED, denied any wrongdoing. Gutka and pan producers transactions of about Indian Rs. 1,500 alleged vehemently for years since T20 The ED had last month arrested A special anti-money laundering court crore (Indian Rs. 1 crore is approximately leagues boomed since the first decade “Omkar Realtors and Developers” Akeesha Silva and Movindi Fernando has later sent Joshi to the custody of the Sri Lankan Rs. 26.9 million) after the of the century. Chairman Kamal Kishore Gupta and PHOTO ISHAN WANNIARACHCHI ED till 18 February. investigation. “It is established that loans availed its Managing Director Babulal Varma Joshi’s father J.M. Joshi is the The ED, meanwhile, has said it wanted from ‘Yes Bank’ have been diverted and after raids were carried out against them promoter of the “JMJ Group”, which to put Sachin Joshi through custodial the accused (Joshi) has helped promoters and the group. is in the business of manufacturing gutka interrogation in order to probe an alleged of ‘Omkar Group’ in such diversion (a popular chewing preparation which “diversion” of about Indian Rs. 87 crore, for an amount of at least Indian Rs. In Tollywood and Bollywood includes tobacco and areca nut) and pan allegedly misappropriated from a slum 87 crore,” the ED has claimed while The ED case has been filed after (a betel leaf and areca nut preparation). rehabilitation scheme fund, from the seeking his remand. studying a First Information Report The group is involved in the hospitality “Omkar Group” to a company linked “The interrogation of Sachin Joshi (FIR) of the Aurangabad District Police sector as well, Indian media further to him, named “Viking Group”. may reveal crucial facts which are in his in Maharashtra that was registered for revealed. exclusive domain,” the ED has added. countering cheating and criminal breach When franchise owners of trust. Misappropriate a slum become dubious ‘A behemoth scam’ Sachin Joshi, also spelt as Sachiin rehab fund! There were speculations that This is a “behemoth scam” involving Joshi, 36, has reportedly worked in both The Indian Income Tax Department some franchise owners of the LPL a huge sum of money which has Telugu and Hindi cinema industries had conducted multi-city raids against had dubious business records. That been siphoned off by the accused in other than his involvement with other the JMJ Group and those linked to it for franchise league cricket in the region connivance with other persons, the ED businesses including investing in almost six days, and the action ended on is reportedly inflicted with large-scale alleges. Joshi, in his statement recorded franchise cricket.

FOREIGN NEWS Rublev, who was seeded seventh, struggled in the The Sri Lanka men’s basketball team travelled 29°C temperatures at Melbourne Park. to Manama, Bahrain for FIBA Asia Cup 2021 IN BRIEF basketball Qualifiers. The Sri Lanka squad included  Muchova shocks Ashleigh Barty Clinton Stallon (Captain), Dasun Nilantha, Pawan  Tsitsipas upsets Nadal Karolina Muchova fought back to stun world no. Gamage, Brent Arnold, Nimesh Fernando, Nipun 1 Ashleigh Barty at the Aus Open women’s segment Kiriella, Dilshan Fernando, Asanka Mahesh, Sasindu Lithum Jayabandu yesterday and reached her maiden Grand Slam semi- Gajanayake, Rashan Perera, Chanuka Fernando, final. The Czech 25th seed struggled with dizziness and Rukshan Attapattu. Their Head Coach is Susil Following are results of some of the semi-finals and finals of junior age group categories of the in the Melbourne Park heat but refocused after a Udukumbura, Asst. Coach Ranura Nanayakkara, 105th Colombo Championship tennis, now being held at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) Playing medical time-out to beat the home favourite 1/6, 6/3, Manager Clifford Surendran, Team Physician Dr. Section clay courts in Colombo. 6/2. Barty led by a set and a break but was unable to Chula Senaratne, and their Trainer is Duminda De Girls U-14 doubles final on Tuesday (16): stop Muchova’s comeback. Muchova will now play Silva. yy Akeesha Silva and Movindi Fernando beat Nimasha Shehara and Brinda Fernando 6/1, 6/1 American Jennifer Brady, who beat compatriot Jessica Boys U-12 semi-finals yesterday: Pegula, for a place in the final. US Open semi-finalist  France Six Nations team hit yy Lithum Jayabandu (seed 4) beat Ganuka Fernando (1) 5/7, 6/4, 10/7 Brady beat Pegula 4/6, 6/2, 6/1. Covid-19 yy Methika Wickramasinghe (7) beat Gehash Tissera (2) 6/1, 5/7, 10/8 Assistant Coach William Servat has become the third  FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Bahrain Boys U-16 semi-finals yesterday: member of France’s management to test positive yy Kiran Vairavanathan (9) beat Vichinthya Nilaweera (7) 6/3, 7/5, 10/2 Rafael Nadal saw his bid for a 21st Grand Slam for Covid-19, the French Rugby Federation said title end yesterday (17), as Greek fifth seed Stefanos yesterday. Head Coach Fabien Galthie and another yy Zaidh Zihar (2) beat Rayan Bentharage (6) 6/0, 6/2 Tsitsipas fought back from two sets down to reach non-playing staff member both tested positive  ‘Football Friday’ on Friday the Australian Open semi-finals. The Spanish second on Tuesday (16). The trio will now isolate for A latest initiative by the Sports Ministry headed by seed, 34, was stunned, as Tsitsipas claimed a 3/6, 2/6, seven days, with France due to host Scotland on Minister Namal Rajapaksa, “Football Friday” will begin 7/6 (7/4), 6/4 7/5 victory. Tsitsipas, 22, broke out into 28 February. All players tested negative, though at the Colombo Racecourse from 6 p.m. on Friday (19). a huge smile, almost in disbelief, after converting his they have been advised to self-isolate at home It will go on till midnight. The event is for the whole family and will include mini soccer coaching camps for third match point. Tsitsipas will face Russia’s Daniil for the rest of the week. France were to announce kids. “Football Friday” is the second of a series of events Medvedev in Friday’s (19) semi-final. Fourth seed their 31-man squad for that match later yesterday. initiated by the Sports Ministry aimed at building a Medvedev beat compatriot Andrey Rublev to reach France are top of the Six Nations table after two healthier society through sports while also following the last four at the Aus Open for the first time. The wins from two, having beaten Ireland in Dublin on Covid-19 health measures. 25-year-old won 7/5, 6/3, 6/2 as his childhood friend Sunday (14).

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