„„ www.themorning.lk „„ LATE CITY VOL 1 | NO 7 | Rs. 30.00 { TUESDAY } TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2021

WOMEN ARE SEEN AS MAHELA IS THE TRCSL RELEASES ‘MICROFINANCE’ RIGHT CHOICE, SAYS SEX OBJECTS NUMBER PORTABILITY BUT EXORBITANT KISHANI ALANKI PERERA CONSULTATION PAPER INTEREST RATES »SEE PAGE 11 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 5 »SEE PAGE 16 EAST CONTAINER TERMINAL Unions rubbish India and SL on planters’ proposal z RPCs moot wage z Workers plan z Look beyond between Rs. 725 to boycott politics: and Rs. 1,100 work RPCs to TUs

BY PAMODI WARAVITA of Rs. 1,108. “The RPCs are playing collision course Trade unions (TUs) Speaking to The Morning, with the workers’ lives as the z Cabinet approves retaining z India insists on original representing plantation Ceylon Workers’ Congress latter are asking for Rs. 1,000 workers yesterday (1) (CWC) Deputy Leader only for food and survival. expressed strong opposition Senthil Thondaman said The RPCs are not proposing 100% ownership 49%-51% split to a revised wage proposal the revised proposal is a fixed wage – they are BY THE MORNING NEWS DESK This approval was commitment of a trilateral signed in May 2019 presented by the regional unacceptable as the Rs. proposing a probability India and appear to be on a collision granted a few hours agreement involving between India, Japan plantation companies 1,000 basic wage has been wage. As such, we have course with regard to the East Container Terminal after the Indian High Sri Lanka and Japan to and SLPA to develop (RPCs), according to which demanded due to the high decided to commence a (ECT) of the Port, with the Cabinet of Commission in Colombo develop the ECT. the ECT during the workers would receive a cost of living, which the ‘Token of Dissatisfaction’ Ministers late last night approving a proposal to asked all sides to This was with reference tenure of the Yahapalana basic daily wage of Rs. 725 proposed basic wage of Rs. protest on Friday (5), retain 100% ownership of the terminal with the abide by the existing to a Memorandum of Government. and a maximum daily wage 725 does not cover. Contd. on page 2 Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). understandings and Co-operation (MoC) Contd. on page 2 ECT TRADE UNION ACTION HRW urges OVERSEEING THE FUTURE’S SAFETY UNHCR Work-to-rule ends with Cabinet nod resolution BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo The work-to-rule protest Port to India’s Adani Group of campaign embarked upon by Companies was set to end last against SL port trade unions in opposition night (1), The Morning reliably to the proposed handover of 49% learnt. z Claims Govt. carrying of the stake in the East Container Contd. on page 2 out ‘assault on justice’ The Sri Lankan Government is “aggressively attacking” efforts to hold officials to account for past grave abuses and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) should adopt a resolution upholding justice for “serious international crimes” in Sri Lanka and condemn “ongoing abuses”, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report released yesterday (1). The HRW said that the 93-page report, titled “Open Wounds and Mounting Dangers: Blocking Accountability for Grave Abuses in Sri Lanka”, examines efforts by the Government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Manusath Derana together with the Ragama Leesons Hospital, in the presence of Minister of Education Prof. G.L. Peiris, collected to thwart justice in seven prominent human samples of students of the President’s College, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte in an initiative to carry out rapid antigen tests in schools rights cases. PHOTO LALITH PERERA It described the current context as “government repression” of activists, EASTER ATTACKS REPORT journalists, lawyers, and the families of Police to crackdown on victims as well as threats against vulnerable minorities and called on the UNHRC, Colombo’s ‘fake’ beggars No timeframe Contd. on page 2 zMaradana and Fort Stations under spotlight for Prez to COVID-19 CASES BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE by the Department of Railways. The Police has decided to enforce “We have identified various respond ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES strict measures against persons persons who are begging at the masquerading as beggars at the Maradana and Colombo Fort BY PAMODI WARAVITA Maradana and Colombo Fort Railway Stations. They do a There is no specific time frame for a response 64,983 Railway Stations, The Morning business and are pretending to from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to the DEATHS RECOVERED learnt. be beggars. These individuals report handed to him by the Presidential Speaking to The Morning, who are engaged in this act Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing Easter 6,585 323 58,075 Police Media Spokesman Deputy would be charged for cheating by Sunday attacks, The Morning learnt. SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU Inspector General of Police (DIG) impersonation and will be fined,” “We cannot confirm a time of response to THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 10.30 P.M. ON 1 FEBRUARY 2021 Ajith Rohana said this decision was he said. the report due to the volume of the report,” taken according to a request made Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Cannabis study report in 3 months BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI and laboratory division of the NDDCB what percentages are addictive and the commercial growth of cannabis for The National Dangerous Drug regarding the medicinal properties and are used for recreational purposes. It medicinal purposes, Dr. Welagedara Control Board (NDDCB) is to produce addictive elements of the cannabis will take a minimum of three months stated that permission has been granted a report on a study conducted on the plant. to produce a research report.” for 22 such medicinal drugs to be cannabis plant in Sri Lanka in three “We are currently investigating The Police Narcotic Bureau, the produced by the Sri Lanka Ayurvedic months, The Morning learnt. how much cannabis is needed in Excise Department, and specialists Drugs Corporation (SLADC), adding Speaking to The Morning yesterday Sri Lanka for medicinal purposes, in the field of botany are also a part that even now, an Ayurvedic practitioner (1), NDDCB Chairman Dr. Laknath the types of cannabis we have in Sri of this study, Dr. Welagedara added. can obtain the required amount of Welagedara said that a comparative Lanka, which parts of the plant can When inquired whether the NDDCB cannabis from the SLADC. study is being conducted by the research be used for medicinal purposes, and is looking at granting permission for Contd. on page 2 42 „„ www.themorning.lk { NEWS } Tuesday, February 2, 2021 Lack of progress on ‘terrorism’ at UN level : GoSL z Despite child soldiers’ success story, SL hounded for defeating terror: UN Permanent Representative Mohan Peiris United Nations (UN) Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka and Armed Conflict on 29 January. resisted such recruitment faced violence, now employed. Involvement in violent political benefits accrued with such President’s Counsel Mohan Peiris has stated that it is regrettable that The irony is that the world does detention, and even death. Following the conflict and the loss of loved ones double standards. the UN General Assembly (GA) is yet to agree on a common definition not place a high value on children, neutralisation of this group in 2009, one caused trauma and other psychological “If we are serious about sustainably of terrorism, and that there remains a lack of progress towards a particularly in the context of armed of the first priorities of the Government effects that affect a child’s growth and dealing with the issues arising out of comprehensive convention against international terrorism. conflict, he noted, adding that this is now was to look after these children who had education. These children were provided conflict, including that of children, we Addressing item 115 on the report of activity should not be encouraged or more relevant than ever as we witness been forced to adorn the cyanide capsule with professional counselling. Those need to remove the wool over our eyes. the UN Secretary General on the work of be given the opportunity of justifying children disproportionately suffering around their necks – to rehabilitate them, that were disabled, injured, or required We need to work on common ground the organisation at the plenary meeting their activities through any one of their from discrimination, exclusion, and reunite them with their families, restore medical intervention were looked after. and face the reality, if we are to make of the 75th session of the UNGA on 29 sympathisers with a view to propagate inequality, with the plight of children normalcy in their lives and help them National identity cards were provided to any real progress for humanity.” January, Peiris noted that Sri Lanka their ideologies,” he further added. worsened by the prolonged effects become productive citizens. them. No child soldier was prosecuted, Speaking further about the impact of remains concerned by the unabated Though Sri Lanka had a success of poverty, all forms of violence and All of these child soldiers, 594 of with priority being accorded to their the Covid-19 pandemic at the UNGA, progression of terrorism in all its forms story to share with the world with conflict. them were rehabilitated and reunited investigations and the speedy disposal he pointed out that what is important, as and manifestations without an end in regard to child soldiers, unfortunately “Sadly, Sri Lanka experienced the with their families. Special attention of their cases.” much as the development of vaccines, sight. this is now forgotten and it is phenomenon of child soldiers at the was given to those whose education Yet, certain sectors of the international is the establishment of a global order “We are all aware that acts of terrorism, regrettable that certain sectors of hands of a group of non-state actors. had been disrupted due to conscription, community and even certain entities that would ensure a guarantee of non- xenophobia, racism, intolerance, hate the international community, and even This group used intimidation and terror and who desired to complete their of the UN continue to be misled by recurrence of calamities of this nature speech, and disinformation are threats certain entities of the UN, refuse to tactics to pressurise families of the formal education. A number of misinformation being spread by the for the human family and community. to international peace and security. acknowledge such success stories Tamil community to give their sons and former child soldiers participated in remnant elements of this group of “In this context, we underscore the They transcend boundaries and and continue to hound Sri Lanka for daughters for their military purposes. national examinations, 11 took up the non-State actors that had brought such importance of multilateralism and its prevention must be viewed as a defeating terrorism, Peiris stated while When families refused, the children university entrance examination, and misery to their own community and believe that when we work together, collective responsibility. Those non- addressing the UN Security Council’s were abducted from schools or taken three gained admission. Many others children, Peiris claimed, alleging that with mutual respect and understanding, state actors who engage in unlawful Arria Formula Meeting on Children forcibly from their homes. Parents who underwent vocational training and are they continue to remain hostage to the we can accomplish things.” Contd. from page 1

“The productivity incentives the Trade Unions to Protect the ECT India and... RPCs are proposing may lead to Co-Convener Sanjeewa Kumara “I would like to reiterate the some workers receiving a Rs. 1,000 Weligama said they have agreed to CARTOON OF THE DAY expectation of Government of India for wage on a certain number of days. suspend a planned islandwide black the expeditious implementation of the But we are speaking on behalf of flag protest campaign. trilateral Memorandum of Cooperation all 150,000 plantation workers who The black flag campaign was (MOC) signed in May 2019 among deserve a Rs. 1,000 daily wage,” said scheduled to commence today (2), the Governments of India, Japan and Ganeshalingam. where the TUs requested the public Sri Lanka for the development of However, the RPCs yesterday urged to raise a black flag against the ECT with participation from these that TUs should not get “political” in proposal to grant 49% of the shares three countries,” a spokesperson at the their response to the revised proposal. of the ECT to India’s Adani Group Indian High Commission in Colombo “We urge trade unions to consider of Companies. according to PTI. this proposal in the best interest of the “This decision to suspend the black “The commitment of the Government plantation worker, looking beyond flag protest was taken following the of Sri Lanka in this regard has been political interest,” said Planters’ meeting with Prime Minister Mahinda conveyed several times in the recent Association of Ceylon (PA) Secretary Rajapaksa. Trade union representatives past, including at the leadership level. General S.K.L. Obeyesekere in a called off this protest campaign and Sri Lanka’s Cabinet also took a decision statement released by the PA yesterday. the Premier released a statement to three months ago to implement the The statement explains that the note that the ECT of the Colombo project with foreign investors. All sides revised wage proposal of Rs. 1,108 Port will neither be sold to any country should continue to abide by the existing would be achieved by granting a and nor be handed over to any country understandings and commitment,” the basic wage of Rs. 725, a price share for administration purposes,” said spokesman added. supplement of Rs. 50, EPF/ETF of Rs. Weligama. According to Minister of Ports and 108, and an attendance and productivity However, speaking to The Morning, Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena, incentive of Rs. 225. The statement Ven. Pahiyangala Ananda Sagara Thera the Cabinet approved all six proposals also claimed that Minister of Labour of the Surakimu Sri Lanka organisation in a letter sent to the President by the has given the claimed that this decision to keep the Trade Unions’ Collective to protect green light for the revised proposal. ECT entirely within the control of the the ECT on Friday (29). When contacted for confirmation, Government could be a governmental The proposals were as follows: Media Secretary to the Labour Minister conspiracy. 1. The ECT’s constructed areas Upul Jayasinghe told The Morning “The Government created a massive which have so far been constructed that the Minister ultimately desires a public dialogue against the ECT to be fully owned and operated by mutual agreement. proposal with the help of the union the SLPA “The green light for the revised leaders, and now they all agreed to 2. From the SLPA reserves of $ 250 proposal has been given, but the one proposal saying that the ECT will million, invest $ 100 million in the Minister’s ultimate wish is for the not be given to the Adani Group of aforementioned developed area of the PA and the TUs to sign the collective Companies. But our suspicion is that ECT to be fully used for operations agreement, instead of taking the route the Government may have planned Dr. Welagedara also mentioned that of enforced disappearances have Yasarathna to detain the beggars at by the SLPA of the Wages Board.” to give away the West Container there is currently a committee under been delayed and disrupted. And the Ridiyagama Detention Centre 3. Complete the construction of the The Morning exclusively reported Terminal (WCT) from the beginning the NDDCB that gathers views of the Rajapaksa-dominated Parliament for Beggars. remaining areas of the ECT in three last week that the Ministry of Labour to India,” alleged Ven. Ananda Sagara stakeholders such as the SLADC and passed an amendment to the However, the Ridiyagama Centre, years under the SLPA and following has warned RPCs that a Wages Board Thera. the Excise Department regarding the constitution that abolishes key checks the only detention centre in the the expiration of the SAGT (South would be convened to pass Rs. 1,000 as According to the Thera, the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal on presidential power, undermining country that accommodates beggars, Asia Gateway Terminals) agreements the minimum daily wage for plantation Government is attempting to give purposes in Sri Lanka. He, however, the independence of the judiciary is at full capacity at 600 inmates in 2029, that this terminal also be taken sector workers into law, if the RPCs the WCT instead of the ECT. categorically stated that cannabis will and institutions such as the Human with no room left to house anymore, over and operated by the SLPA and the TUs cannot reach an agreement “The WCT is also a national property. not be legalised as a recreational drug Rights Commission of Sri Lanka.” The Morning exclusively reported 4. Agree to any future government on the issue of the basic daily wage Giving the WCT instead of the ECT in Sri Lanka. HRW added that since being last week. initiatives to grant positive investments by mid-February. should not be approved. If we give President Gotabaya Rajapaksa elected president in November “The camp can only facilitate in the West Container Terminal (WCT) Meanwhile, Jayasinghe also the WCT to India, we might need a said on Saturday (30 January) in 2019 the President has appointed about 600 persons. However, now 5. Seek Cabinet approval for the commented on the meeting held on 31 separate jetty to enter the ECT, unless Thanamalwila, an area famous for people implicated in war crimes and there are around 600 detainees at the ECT to be 100% fully operated and January between the Labour Minister, the entrance would be from the Port the growth of cannabis, that a policy other serious violations to senior camp, making the available resources managed by the SLPA the PA, and the TUs, where a discussion City,” claimed the Thera. decision would need to be taken to administration positions. insufficient to cater to the increased 6. Seek the necessary Cabinet had occurred over the number of years Secretary to the Ministry of Ports legalise cannabis in Sri Lanka in order “He disavowed Sri Lanka’s number of people. Most of the detainees approval for the development of the the collective agreement should be and Shipping U.D.C. Jayalal told The to develop it as a medicinal crop in obligations to promote truth, justice, have been directed there following a ECT and the WCT signed for between the PA and the TUs. Morning that a cabinet memorandum the future. and reparations under the Human court ruling,” Ranaweera Arachchi Earlier on Monday (1), the Prime “The PA proposed that the collective was presented to the Cabinet of The President is reported to have said Rights Council’s landmark 2015 told us last week. Minister’s Office said the Sri Lankan agreement should be signed for four Ministers last evening to ensure the this in response to the proposals made resolution as an attack on the country’s The Ridiyagama Centre, which falls Government has decided to the years instead of the current two-and- ECT of the Colombo Port is 100% by an academic in natural sciences, “war heroes.” And he pardoned one of under the purview of the Department ECT as a fully owned operation of the a-half. However, the TUs refused this operated by the SLPA. He said the Dr. Wasantha Weliange, to lift the the very few soldiers ever convicted of Social Services, houses beggars who state-run Ports Authority, succumbing proposal, after which the Minister Cabinet Subcommittee report had present legal constraints hindering of abuses,” the report said. get arrested, whether they had resorted to pressure from the trade unions that suggested a period of three years to been submitted to the Cabinet by the cultivation of the cannabis plant This report comes a few days after to begging due to circumstances or by opposed the joint venture to develop which the TUs are yet to respond,” Abeygunawardena, following extensive for medicinal purposes at the “Gama UN human rights chief Michelle choice of vocation. the strategic cargo terminal. said Jayasinghe. discussions, and that the decision Samaga Pilisandarak” (discussion Bachelet called for an International Beggars presently constitute a risk The Colombo Port trade unions have Speaking to The Morning, PA regarding the ECT would be formally with a village) programme held in Criminal Court investigation into Sri category for both contracting and long opposed the trilateral ECT deal Media Spokesperson Dr. Roshan announced by the Cabinet Spokesmen Thanamalwila, Monaragala. Lanka’s Tamil separatist conflict and transmitting Covid-19, owing to their and the recent proposal to provide the Rajadurai confirmed that the today (2). sanctions on military officials accused frequent movements. Adani Group of Companies, India’s aforementioned discussion had taken of war crimes, according to a report largest port operator, a 49% stake in place, where the PA had finally agreed HRW urges... obtained by AFP. the ETC, demanding the ECT remain to the three-year period proposed by Cannabis... at its session beginning 22 February She accused Sri Lanka of reneging No timeframe... 100% owned by the SLPA. the Minister. “There is no conclusion yet on 2021, to adopt a resolution upholding on promises to ensure justice for Director General of President’s The Morning reported yesterday Dr. Rajadurai further said that if the whether farmers are going to be justice for serious international crimes thousands of civilians killed in the Media Mohan Samaranayake told The (1) that the Government is likely to Wages Board is convened as per the allowed to grow cannabis for medicinal in Sri Lanka and condemning ongoing final stages of the 37-year separatist Morning yesterday (1). offer a majority stake in the WCT of wishes of the TUs, the PA is of the firm purposes as there is a risk of the plant abuses. war that ended a decade ago. The report is said to be over 1,000 the Colombo Port to India in order stance that the collective agreement being misused. Our studies have not “The Sri Lankan Government’s “Domestic initiatives for pages long. to retain 100% ownership of the would be fully abrogated. reached the level of investigating assault on justice increases the risk accountability and reconciliation Samaranayake said that if there are ECT. The shareholding is likely to The proposal for increasing the whether farmers should be allowed of human rights abuses today and have repeatedly failed to produce any decisions to be taken based on be split in a way which allows India minimum wage of plantation workers to produce the plants needed for the in the future,” said Geneva Director results, more deeply entrenching the report, the President would take to match the shareholding that to Rs. 1,000 was declared at the Budget SLADC.” John Fisher. “The UN Human Rights impunity, and exacerbating victims’ necessary actions accordingly. has in Colombo International Container 2021 reading in December 2020 by He added that the SLACD has only Council should adopt a resolution at its distrust in the system,” she said Former President Maithripala Terminals (CICT), where China’s state- Prime Minister . requested for the country’s medicinal upcoming session that demonstrates to in the report obtained ahead of its Sirisena appointed the PCoI in owned China Merchant Port Holdings The RPCs, however, have maintained cannabis requirement to be grown in the Rajapaksa administration that the official release. September 2019 to probe the terrorist (CMPH) enjoys an 85% stake. throughout that a Rs. 1,000 daily high-security areas and that they have world won’t ignore its abuses and offers attacks that occured on Easter Sunday It is unclear whether today’s wage is not financially feasible for not requested for farmers to grow to hope of justice to victims’ families.” in 2019, where 270 lives were taken statement by the High Commission the companies. supply for this requirement. Efforts to provide accountability Police to... and 500 were injured. Accordingly, the means this proposal has been rejected “We have caught about 7,000 kg significantly declined during 2020, DIG Rohana added that individuals Commission recorded evidence from by India and Adani due to the fact that of cannabis drugs, but only about Human Rights Watch said. engaged in this act would take a train 457 people for 214 days to compile the WCT would need to be developed Work-to-rule... 230 kg are required for medicinal “Senior police officers investigating ticket or a pass which is valid for a the six-volume report. from scratch. This decision was arrived at by purposes.” killings and enforced disappearances month to enter the respective railway The Commission consists of trade unions following last evening’s He said that allowing farmers to committed during the Mahinda station. Supreme Court Judge Janak de approval by the Cabinet of Ministers grow cannabis would run the risk of Rajapaksa administration have fled Beggars can be arrested by the Police Silva, Court of Appeal Judge Unions... for 100% ownership of the ECT to these plants then being misused for the country or been charged with under the Vagrants Ordinance and be Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne, where workers will boycott work remain with the SLPA, which was recreational purposes. Cannabis is apparently fabricated offenses. A produced before courts. retired Supreme Court Judges Nihal for a day,” said Thondaman. confirmed by Minister of Ports and used as a gateway drug which could commission appointed by the Meanwhile, Director of Social Sunil Rajapaksha and A.L. Bandula Movement for Plantation People’s Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena. then influence people to use drugs like president has sought to interfere in Services Chandana Ranaweera Kumara Atapattu, former Secretary to Land Rights (MPPLR) Convenor S.T. Earlier, a planned black flag ice and heroin, he said, explaining the criminal cases involving his allies Arachchi told The Morning that the the Ministry of Justice R. Adhikari, Ganeshalingam also said the Rs. 1,000 campaign was also set to be called dangers cannabis poses as a recreational and supporters. Trials of military Police requested permission from and Secretary to the Commission daily wage remains non-negotiable. off. Speaking to The Morning, drug. and intelligence officials accused Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Buwaneka Herath. 43 Tuesday, February 2, 2021 { NEWS/VIEWS } „„ www.themorning.lk NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY SL-Liechtenstein to tie the diplomatic knot Revisit custom tariff to Sri Lanka and the Principality of Liechtenstein have decided to commence diplomatic relations. Previously, Cabinet approval was granted to a paper submitted in this regard by Foreign Minister . make agritech affordable The country is located in Western Europe, between Switzerland and Austria. BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY food production and productivity With regard to making food Approval has, therefore, been received to To make food accessible and affordable, there is a need to focus on enhancement drive. accessible and affordable, the perennial initiate diplomatic ties on the basis of the making modern technology for precision agriculture affordable to The directive given to “work from problems such as the failure of having Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations farmers to enhance productivity, and this requires revisiting the custom home” had to be redefined to suit the timely availability of required of 18 April 1961, a press release from the tariff imposed on several imported technologies, including seeds and the agriculture profession without high-quality inputs, including seed Foreign Ministry noted. micro-irrigation systems. hampering the momentum gained and fertiliser, high-priced technology In turn, this would help towards obtained recently, before the Covid- amidst the crisis. To make food due to tariff-related matters, the the adoption of such technology by 19 lockdown, and coupled with the available, several efforts were made unavailability of skilled labour, 400 KW biomass farmers contributing to the overall harvest from the 2020 Yala season, by the Government of Sri Lanka and ineffective food distribution agricultural economy and food this is sufficient to make rice available (GoSL), focusing on consumers by mechanisms, among others, have power project security. for approximately another 16 months, fixing maximum retail prices (MRPs) overshadowed the efforts made by the This was noted in an article according to the Department of for essential food items and allowing authority during this crisis situation. from Matara titled “A 60-day battle to tackle Agriculture. customers in the queue to purchase Historically, the inefficiencies in food security: Response of the Sri There is opportunity to progress in items irrespective of the time of the supply chain and market chain Historically, Lankan Government to the Covid-19 many of the other food crops, having the imposition of curfew. However, have resulted in lower farmer profits the pandemic” authored by B. Marambe considered the economies of scale. the imposition of the MRP had to and higher consumer prices. These inefficiencies and P. Silva attached to the Faculty However, evidence-based decision- be withdrawn owing to the rapid perennial problems are an accumulated in the supply of Agriculture of the University of making has not taken place, once devaluation of the rupee. outcome of unwise decision-making, chain and Peradeniya, and published recently again, for example, in determining The appointment of the Presidential Marambe and Silva elaborated, further market chain in the Sri Lanka Journal of Food and the agricultural input requirement, the Task Force on Economic Revival noting that the absence of evidence- have resulted Agriculture. authors noted. and Poverty Alleviation was, the based decisions when it comes to food in lower The negatives stemming from An enhanced demand for authors explain, an important move importation has become a habit of farmer profits the heavy reliance on food imports, agricultural inputs was obvious forward to make the country food- every government. and higher costing a colossal sum of foreign with the country-wide home garden secure. However, they emphasised Some important decisions have been consumer exchange, have been realised on a development programme and the that the country urgently requires an taken by the GoSL as a solution to prices. These daily basis, thereby indicating the increased cultivation extent in the Yala agriculture task force to include the support the marketing of agricultural perennial importance of becoming self-reliant in season. We now hear complaints of the director generals of the Departments produce from the farm-gate to reduce problems national food security. The agriculture unavailability of fertiliser even to be of Agriculture, Export Agriculture, food miles by introducing new are an sector, in particular, needs to change purchased at market prices, Marambe and Animal Production and Health; transport options, facilitating the accumulated gears in its production drive by making and Silva added. directors of the relevant provincial introduction of alternate marketing Minister of Power on an outcome sound evidence-based decisions. The Cabinet of Ministers’ decision departments the Tea, Coconut, Rubber, systems such as online systems inspection tour to the site of unwise The continuation of food production taken in April 2020, though helpful, and Sugarcane Research Institutes as and reducing post-harvest losses of decision- as an essential service was a crucial was significantly delayed. Ground well as other relevant state institutions; perishables, among others. A project to generate electricity through making, decision taken by the relevant realities should have been understood academia from the Faculties of The electronic auctions of tea the use of biomass and discarded waste will Marambe authority to assure food availability better, the duo observed, noting that Agriculture; and the private sector. and coconut are important events commence from Kotawila, Matara. and Silva and accessibility. However, increasing delayed cultivation due to the non- This is because they have, in reality, in this regard. Though there was a According to Minister of Power Dullas elaborated crop, animal, and land productivity availability of inputs or due to any been the ones leading the task force panic-buying of tea at the e-auction Alahapperuma, this project, scheduled to be are important approaches to enhance other effect and the untimely input by implementing agriculture-related started in April 2020, both tea and operational by October this year, will utilise the availability of food in the medium supply that does not match with actions on the ground level with the coconut auctions would have eased 50 tonnes of waste on a daily basis and add and long run in the “new normal” Sri the growth stage of the crops could farming community, including through the country’s economic situation to 400 KW to the national grid. Lanka. adversely affect their productivity. education and awareness creation. some extent, thereby supporting food He stated this whilst on an inspection tour In 2018, Sri Lanka spent Rs. 422.5 Temporary restrictions imposed This, the researchers point out, is a security. to the site of the construction of the project. billion to import food and beverages on food imports until July 2020; the serious drawback in the system, as The sustenance in these and many The project is implemented jointly by the (11.8% of total imports). As of 2018, introduction of a guaranteed price knowing the ground reality is a must other improved mechanisms such Matara Municipal Council and the Central the country produces only about for 16 identified priority crops, in making national-level decisions. as the online of food to Environmental Authority (CEA), with the 69% of maize, 10% of big onion, agricultural insurance, subsidised Despite these drawbacks, they noted the doorstep, introduced during the latter issuing the environmental license 58% of cowpea, 84% of groundnut, inputs; and allowing farmers to that the efforts made by the authorities pandemic, requires strong for the project. The investment for the 49% of black gram, and 80% of continue to cultivate irrespective of to support farming, and also make among the stakeholders, especially construction of the project is Rs. 64 million, red onion. However, 3.2 million the islandwide curfew, among others, some important agricultural operations through the involvement of the private and the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) tonnes of a bumper paddy harvest no doubt have encouraged the farming in the supply chain as essential sector, while ensuring food quality and will purchase the power that is eventually from the 2019/20 Maha season was community to support this massive services, were commendable. safety. generated. Alahapperuma has also stated that they RECOMMENDATIONS OF PCOI ON POLITICAL VICTIMISATION intend to implement the process of generating power through biomass at a district level. Meanwhile, a project to generate power using waste is to commence in Hendala NPP to take action citing contempt from February, he added. INDIAN HOUSING PROJECTS and judicial independence Add’l slots A group of lawyers affiliated to the Executive actions. This won’t be in Badulla, National People’s Power (NPP) of the accepted by the civilised society and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) is symptomatic of a primitive one. By Vavuniya to stated that while they would keep an appointing commissions to probe acts eye on the recommendations made by of political revenge, he is attempting to the Special Presidential Commission commit acts of political vengeance and be given soon of Inquiry (SPCoI) appointed to hide his political inability (neglecting The handing over of additional slots of implement the recommendations national issues and causing issues at housing in Badulla and Vavuniya under the of the Presidential Commission of the village level due to ignorance). next phase of the “Gramashakti” housing Inquiry (PCoI) probing incidents of JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva Lawyers for Democracy media briefing This will set a bad precedent.” project in the Northern and Southern political victimisation, they would The three-member PCoI appointed Provinces, along with the Village also take action in connection with facts and evidence be sent again “For example, the complainant in under undue police influence have by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Housing Project spread across 25 districts, the PCoI’s recommendations, citing to the latter for reconsideration. the case against Gammanpila is a raised the same concern in the January 2020 and chaired by retired has been envisaged at present. contempt of court and interference This PCoI has made anti-fraud and foreigner, but the latter didn’t testify court cases being heard concerning SC Judge Justice Upali Abeyratne, A project steering committee (PSC) in the independence of the Judiciary. corruption activists respondents. before the PCoI. On certain days, them, which have in certain cases, had a mandate to investigate meeting, co-chaired by Deputy High Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, It has recommended that another when we received notice, the case been going on for years. If the incidents of political revenge that Commissioner of Indian Vinod K. Jacob who described the PCoI report as a commission be appointed to take had been partially heard, especially recommendations of this PCoI are alleged to have occurred to public and Secretary to the State Ministry of Rural “black mark”, claimed the report of action against them. It is clear that the the main testimonial evidence. We are implemented, anyone doing a officers, employees of government Housing and Construction and Building the PCoI undermines the rule of law, Government is attempting to engage didn’t receive an opportunity to responsible job may come under corporations, and members of the Materials Industries Promotion Keerthi impacts the Judiciary, and threatens in a political witch hunt against their question the relevant witness. Can a level of risk and feel pressured. armed forces and the Police. These Ranjith Abeysiriwardhana, was held democracy, raising concerns regarding political opposition.” a commission recommend that a Also, what kind of disciplined society incidents were alleged to have taken regarding said projects and schemes in the PCoI’s mandate. Attorney-at-Law Ghazali convict on whom the death sentence as envisioned by the President will place during the period from 8 January Colombo yesterday (1). “The PCoI, in its report, has Hussain claimed that the PCoI’s has been imposed, following a series be formed if those charged in this 2015 to 16 November 2019, when Under these projects, the Governments of recommended the release of recommendations were also an of appeals culminating in the Supreme manner, accused parties and convicts, the United National Front (UNF)- India and Sri Lanka are constructing 2,400 respondents in 61 cases being heard insult to the AG’s Department. Court (SC), be released, merely by are released?” led Yahapalana (good governance) houses islandwide. The project-implementing at high courts (HC) from charges “Indirectly, the PCoI is stating that hearing evidence in the form of one The trio stated thus while addressing Government was in power. Other partner for these schemes is the National and accusations filed against them. the AG’s Department in filing charges or two testimonies? Courts arrive a Lawyers for Democracy media members of the PCoI included Housing Development Authority (NHDA). In total, it has recommended the including indictments has not done at decisions after listening to the briefing held on 31 January. retired Court of Appeal Judge Daya The Ministry of Urban Development and release of respondents in 79 cases. its job properly. But how can the complaint, witnesses and respondents, Elsewhere, addressing a media Chandrasiri Jayathilake J. and retired Housing and Development, the Ministry Do all of these respondents who were circumstances differ now from the and perusing investigation reports. conference yesterday (1), JVP General Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Finance, the State Ministry of Rural recommended to be released come circumstances prevalent at the time This PCoI report is not legal. It is Secretary Tilvin Silva claimed that the Chandra Fernando. Housing and Construction and Building within the mandate of the PCoI? For when the cases were initially filed. unlawful. This can lead to a social SPCoI in question has the power to With regard to the implementation Materials Industries Promotion, and the example, the case against Minister The PCoI has recommended that distortion.” impose punitive measures. He alleged of the decisions and recommendations Department of Project Management and concerns a private cases be filed against victims. It must, He further noted that the PCoI has that the reasons for appointing the contained in the report of the said Monitoring are the relevant ministries and business deal. The same is the case therefore, be investigated whether the recommended that action be taken SPCoI is twofold: One to release PCoI, which was handed over to the departments involved. with the recommendation concerning complainants before the PCoI spoke by the Commission to Investigate family members and cronies from President recently, the Cabinet of During the PSC meeting, the impact of the Mahinda Kahandagamage (involved the truth. If not, on the mere basis of Allegations of Bribery or Corruption cases filed against them over fraud Ministers on 18 January approved restrictions placed by the Covid-19 pandemic in local government politics), a complaint, one cannot file a case.” (CIABOC) and the AG’s Department and corruption, the misuse of state the submission of the report to the was discussed and a series of decisions were parliamentarian Sivanesathurai One of the principles of natural against certain public officials made property, and murder, while the Parliament and taking necessary taken to address the same. Chandrakanthan alias , and justice is that all parties to a respondents to the complaints before other is due to the fear of courts – in steps to implement the decisions India’s overall commitment in terms of former Minister . The case be heard, but it does not the PCoI, which included two counsels particular, the fear that the charges or and recommendations of the report. development assistance in the island nation PCoI’s conduct is ultra vires.” seem that the PCoI has, on many attached to the AG’s Department accusations against them would be Complainants before the PCoI have stands at a total of around $ 3.5 billion. Another concern raised by Watagala occasions, listened to both parties, and police investigators who were proven – and to hunt down political alleged the abusive and improper Out of this, close to $ 560 million is being was in regard to the PCoI making claimed Attorney-at-Law Upul performing their duties. opponents. use of authority, power and state offered as grants. recommendations on concluded court Kumarapperuma, who appeared “Also, the PCoI in connection, “When there are ongoing court resources, and undue influence exerted India’s development assistance projects cases (the case concerning former before the PCoI as legal counsel with nearly half of the complaints cases, they should appear before by third parties on the investigating in Sri Lanka are spread across diverse MP ) or ongoing legal for NPP Leader Anura Kumara heard before it, has recommended them and prove their innocence. We law enforcement authorities, the sectors including education, research and proceedings. Dissanayake, Ravi Seneviratne, the removal or withdrawal of the challenge the President to come before Police Financial Crimes Investigation training, health and medical care, industrial “This PCoI has recommended that and Shani Abeysekara, the latter duo cases on the basis of alleged undue courts. This PCoI is akin to a kangaroo Division (FCID), the CID, the Police development, livelihood and shelter, cases filed by the Attorney General who were attached to the Criminal police influence. None of those who court. We request the President not Special Investigation Unit, and the transport, vocational training and art, sports, (AG) after the consideration of Investigation Department (CID). complained to the PCoI of coming to abuse and misuse the law through CIABOC. and culture. 4 „„ www.themorning.lk { EDITORIAL/VIEWS } Tuesday, February 2, 2021 Requiem for a Jihad the teeth” parliamentarians of Department also announced their destruction of cultural edifices. The is an island has insulated this nation the eighth Parliament. That their plans to launch special programmes ISIL/ISIS is in their death throes. from the problem of migration faced he entire nation of High Court Judges, and former acts, primarily of omission and to curb acts of religious extremism Progress in some of the post-9/11 by Europe, and this barrier will not Sri Lanka grieved a Ministry Secretary was appointed absconding on their duty of care, targeting Muslim youth. However, wars waged against the jihadists in itself be sufficient. It is clear that threnody of a mournful by then President and incumbent and thereby endangering both what happened under those specific may seem slow, albeit due to the policies and institutions to recognise bloody Easter Sunday parliamentarian lives and property, come well programmes remains unknown to complex relationships of nurture the threat of the spread of extremism dirge, when the Islamic in September of that ill fated year, within the ambit of criminal date. that the West and the oil-rich and fundamentalism and also TState of Iraq and the Levant during the course of its proceedings, negligence or gross negligence The US Justice Department Middle East have maintained with radicalisation in their ideological and (ISIL)/the Islamic State of Iraq heard testimony from over 400 is an understatement, and belies recently announced that three Sri the nature of terror. practical forms are a must. and Syria (ISIS)/Islamic State witnesses, some farcical, and others the despicable nature of their Lankans had been charged with Yet, campaigns led separately by, Who is it that is asking to (IS), a trans-global group made damning. culpability. terrorism offences, including for example, the US and Russia, become a citizen of a sovereign? up of fanatical merchants of Now that it has been handed Section 112 concerns public conspiring to provide material through military, might be working Why? What is the line between death and terror mongers, on 21 over to the President, the usual servants who voluntarily or support to a designated foreign towards relegating these holier-than- burgeoning Islamophobia and April 2019 sold their freakish and rigmarole of placing the report intentionally conceal or illegally terrorist organisation (ISIS). thou terrorists to their delusions pernicious radicalisation? Where violent merchandise of extremism before the Cabinet of Ministers omits to notify of any information The trio had, according to the of moral higher-ground, to their has the alienation or exclusivist replete with violent carnage, tragic of the Government, and then on and knowledge of the existence Department, been part of a group of promised lands of bestial vestiges. social distancing of the Muslim mayhem, total lawlessness, and to the Parliament and its usual of a design to commit an offence ISIS supporters which called itself This latest attack, for which they society and community from resultant bedlam to the National impassioned yet vacuous debates, which they became privy to and is “ISIS in Sri Lanka”. have gleefully claimed credit for, the larger multi-ethnic/religious Thowheed Jamath (NTJ), those prosecutions by the Attorney their duty to prevent if they know This development begs the is a resort to the last refuge of the society occurred? How do we local followers of the IS, salivating General and recommendations that it is likely that the commission questions as to how far Sri Lanka is terrorist – the spreading of chaos. discern between those who migrate in the decrepitude of religious relegated to proud words on dusty of an offence will be facilitated from finding all culprits responsible How does one deal with this global for work and studies or to flee thralldom buoyed by the dreams shelves, will ensue. by such (the illustration under for the Easter Sunday attack, how affliction? Reason? Certainly not. persecution and those who are of martyrs frolicking in the Heads may roll in the case this Section specifically mentions effective our investigations are, and This is extremity, and such wannabe murderers in the name heavenly bordello with virgo intacta of certain seat-warmers in the police officers), while Section 199 how far the ruling party’s political extremity can only be dealt of the allegedly omnipresent one? maidens, as the country erupted in defence establishment, intelligence deals with the intentional omission will will extend to when it comes with further extremity. “We will What is the guarantee a State can a maelstrom of cataclysmic hate, community, and security apparatus, on their part to give information of to finding the inconvenient truth lead the fight, and we will be give its citizenry or its body politic leaving human casualties in the and the emperor may get new an offence by a person (whoever, behind the genesis of the attacks. ruthless,” the French President that their neighbours will not be the triple-digit range (including law clothes, yet complicity continues knowing or having reason to Or will it go only as far as locking at the time of the co-ordinated harbingers of their doom? enforcement officers), a similar at the highest levels of power believe that an offence has been up critics of the incumbent regime, terror attacks in November 2015 This is a battle against the basest number injured, a substantial and governance including in the committed) legally duty-bound dissenters and dissidents, firebrand promised. It is high time that the of all affronts – the threat to liberty number apprehended, a blundering Executive, administrative, and to inform and notify of such and activists and harmless netizens. United Nations woke up the Arab and for freedoms guaranteed by “blood on their hands and what is legislative branches, whose clannish Section 289 is regarding the willful What are the many lessons to be world, including the Middle East, declarations, charters, bills, and left of their conscience” Executive and abominable “protect our hides neglect or omission to perform a learned from this tragedy? about these predominantly Sunni constitutions the world over. When and Government scampering and to hell with the people” policy statutory duty. Without getting into the semantics Muslim adherents of the accursed liberty and religious tolerance is at hither and thither to cover their has not only cost innocent lives, As tensions about Islamic of what is wrong with Islam, and Wahhabism, and elsewhere stake, national security must prevail State of nudity, a largely missing but has also precipitated a public extremism intensified following putting aside the fatuous fallacies Salafism, admonishing them into above all else, because it is the in immediate action “too little, too relations fiasco of international the Easter Sunday terror attacks, and superstitious drivel that are waging war against this evil. very presence of national security late” Executive President, the sound magnitude. the Government pledged to take put forward by the apologists of The question of the migrants, that will ensure an environment and fury of the braying Opposition, Thus, if justice is to prevail in Sri stern actions to thwart acts of the Quran who state that verses whose suffering is poignantly played conducive for the individual to and the smithereens of a fragile Lanka, the pith and substance of religious extremism including are taken out of context in order to out in the media as a spectacle, articulate their existence. Some wars economy (tourism and hospitality Sections 112, 199, and 289 of the the radicalisation of the Muslim alternately wash their hands off or to remains. In an era where the threat are just for reasons of the right to businesses) strewn amidst the Penal Code ought to be invoked community. The steps that followed justify this utopian disorder, it is an to national security is considered as go to war and the maintenance of wreckage of charred places of against the then Executive and involved monitoring and raiding evident fact that it is not the self or one involving the individual versus the right conduct in war. This is one worship (churches), with the former Government, namely the unauthorised madrasas (Islamic ego that has been surrendered before the almighty State, expenditure for such “pacifism be damned” war. The smouldering cinders of broken faith, Mendacious Seven: President and teaching colleges and schools) the conception of a monotheistic defence in terms of budgets have civilised world should unite to fight in its wake. Minister in charge of the portfolios/ and mosques, and regulating the god, but the very submission of come under fire, including even in it. It is a confession of transgression At long last, the Presidential subjects of Defence and Law and education given at the madrasas, as reason, sense, and logic. Sri Lanka. The fact that Sri Lanka at the temple of liberty. Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) Order Maithripala Sirisena, Prime the impression that radicalisation These ignoramuses who export probing the Easter Sunday Minister , began at Islamic educational terror are at present floundering. bombings of 21 April 2019 has Defence Secretary Hemasiri institutes was widespread. Their celebrity is founded on No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. submitted its door stopper of a Fernando, State Minister of In January 2020, Defence the aesthetic of torture porn and Fax - 011 2 673 441 report to the President. The five- Defence , Secretary Gen (Retd.) Kamal the calligraphy of gory ultra- General - 011 5 200 900 member Commission chaired Ministers and Gunaratne said that a programme violence, of human rights abuses Sales & Marketing - 076 1367612 by a sitting Supreme Court , Inspector General to de-radicalise the youth involved and violations in the form of Circulation Manager 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367620 Judge and comprising a retired of Police Pujith Jayasundara, and in the Easter Sunday attacks beheadings, war crimes, ethnic Court of Appeal Judge, retired the perfidious “lying through would be put in place. The Police cleansings, and the wanton E-mail [email protected]

T20Is during this period is 44 wins and 95 losses. yy Over the past five years, uncountable own playing standards. It’s a tough job needing BY DR. NICHOLAS RUWAN DIAS Sri Lanka has lost 58.28% of its matches and boards, captains, head coaches, players, a lot of mental maturity. AND NIRESH ELIATAMBY won 41.71%, discounting draws and no results. and selection committees have served That’s not acceptable. As it’s also a five-year Successful sports teams are often metaphors for Teambuilding evaluation, Sri Lanka has also played a wide the countries and societies that have made them, Cricket is a team sport. But spats between range of countries, as opposed to a year in but these parallels do not always hold in-depth. team members seem to happen very often, quite which it plays a majority of traditionally weak Many chaotic countries produce fabulous sports publicly. This is a reflection of bad discipline in or strong countries. teams, e.g. soccer in and Argentina. But the team and the organisation. yy India has an all format win percentage of sports management has little to do with talent. It Psychology and counselling Fixing 69.94% in the last four years is very different from teaching talented athletes to hit, kick, or throw the ball. But teams often Developing mental toughness yy England has an all format win percentage reflect greatly the qualities their countries have Cricket success is often influenced by the of 66.66% in the last four years – or, indeed, some of the qualities they lack. mood in a team. The game, particularly the At the same time, there is no indication that international games, provides players with many competitor teams are performing better than their Talent spotting mental challenges. Sports psychology is regarded Sri Lanka’s own teams in the past, i.e. the Indian, Australian, Very few Sri Lankan youngsters actually get as an important part of the skill growth of any and England teams of today are not superior to the opportunity to play cricket due to the lack athlete. Players need the highs of success and those of the 80s and 90s. of facilities in most schools. Even less come to rely on these achievements. But it is crucial to Sri Lanka’s dismal performance goes back for the eye of selectors and good coaches. Thus, the allow failures or adverse circumstances to arise more than five years. A comparison with India, talent pool is very limited. SLC needs a better with minimal adverse impact. They must not England, and is given. system, working together with the Schools Cricket lose sight of the game’s objectives. cricket crisis Association to nurture talent. All selectors must Studies in various sports have shown that Fix the SLC management and watch matches to spot talent. the average of happy moods of teammates and operations in HR terms players’ own moods and results are important The International Cricket Council (ICC) frowns Recruitment associations. In addition, the moods of senior on government-appointed administrations on the Is cricket a viable career for youngsters? SLC players affect the team more. Coaches, players, grounds that they are undemocratic. But the fact needs to take steps to make this a firm career and sport psychologists must create an open and is that (SLC) has performed choice, and put in place modern methods of transparent team atmosphere in which players far better in all aspects during the tenures of recruitment to catch these youngsters. can share their personal success stories, trust, and several Interim Committees. The reason, one values in order to promote positive emotional could argue, is that these committees were headed Training responses and improve resilience. by distinguished private sector professionals, Often, once talented players are contracted by The use of rational emotive behaviour Fig. 1 Current ranking 2021 (Source: ICC) supported by likeminded professionals who were SLC, they often get overconfident and dazzled therapy (REBT) in sports is growing by which all doing a voluntary job for the love of the game, by their fame. The is a letdown in training. sports psychologists help sportsmen remove without hopes of massive financial benefits. But there’s no substitute for endless training. unhealthy perception and emotion. REBT refers Here we go again. Private sector professionals are well versed in There’s no room for laziness here. to “unhealthy emotions” linked to pain and Our national cricket team has failed. Fans are inconsolable. The media is baying for running a sports organisation as they would run In addition, all lower formats of the sport discomfort which contribute to self-defeating blood. Politicians are arguing about it. A few officials are resigning. Social media is their own corporate organisations, and therein should be used as proper training pools and conduct and prevent sportsmen from achieving aflame. Former cricketers are imparting wisdom. Everyone sees a different problem lies the solution: Treat SLC and other sports geared more towards producing results at the their aims. The term “healthy emotions” refers to with various solutions. The blame game is in full swing. bodies as corporate organisations with a focus national level – starting with schools, clubs, emotions that do not deter players, but encourage High-level meetings have been held and grandiose pronouncements made. But it’s on all the aspects of HR. districts, provinces, “A” teams, etc. them to take a proactive view of the situation and like putting sticking plaster on a snakebite. The fundamental issues will be ignored take steps to help them achieve their objectives. and forgotten as soon as our team starts winning a few matches. Glory days HR management Focus and self-confidence For many fans of the game, the point of Of course, there’s also public relations (PR) The year 2001 was an unremarkable year. Or HR is not a job for past cricketers. This is frustration was not the defeat, but the way the paid and communications, finance, marketing, was it? In fact, it can be taken as an example of a where you need an HR department well versed There are enormous number of distractions professionals play the game. Many questions are infrastructure, logistics, ICT, transport, etc, but glory year for Sri Lanka, although there were no in modern HR methodologies to manage the in the world of sports, e.g., media, spectators, raised concerning player participation, clothing these are support services. It’s also a security major tournaments that year. In all formats, Sri cricketers – who are after all employees. opposition, social media. Opponents will “sledge” culture, and politics which often seem to neglect problem, if employees (players) are taking bribes Lanka won 30 and lost 19, a winning percentage to provoke emotional failure. Social media will the real issues surrounding how sports are done to work against the organisation’s objectives. of 61%. The year 2002 was similar, with the Leadership skills pressurise players. Spectators will hurl verbal on the field. added bonus of Sri Lanka winning the Champions The ’s role can be positive and negative abuse (this is now banned in most countries). A systemic problem which Trophy (co-champs with India). in maintaining the expectations of team success Journalists will criticise. To retain concentration, It’s a human resources problem knee-jerk reactions won’t fix – others excel under pressure. The functions of discipline, and routines are vital. Rules must be This is not a cricket problem. It’s a human An evaluation of Sri Lanka’s current ranking Stability at the top is essential the captain are daunting. Captains take part in followed for conduct of players. Routines include resources (HR) problem. shows that we are at the bottom of the cricketing yy Considering all of the performance factors, the selection and decision-making processes (i.e. simple things such as ensuring that the batsman Cricket is one of the interesting sports where an world in all forms of the game. For a country it is quite clear that SLC is a mess, not just order of , selection of bowlers, and field tests his gloves or taps his bat at the , the organisation is required to have high performance that has been at the top or near the top in all in short-term performance, but in long-term placing) and decide the team strategy, including bowler spins the ball from one hand to another in all the various aspects of HR – talent spotting, three formats – Tests, ODIs, T20Is – this is management. It is, of course, plagued by ground conditions and adjustments in . or turns the same way at the end of their delivery, recruitment, training, HR management, leadership simply not acceptable. Fig. 1 shows the current politics. But the fact is that cricket has been The captain must be successful, able to manage and the wicketkeeper checks his gloves in a skills, teambuilding, psychology and counseling, ranking, with rankings of the three traditionally for too long dominated by people with less various characters in the team, and able to handle certain order before crouching. Routines are HR strategy, career succession strategy, health well-performing nations. than desirable expertise in managing the the media. He must also inspire the team to obey vital for focusing or refocusing. and fitness, and medical services. Get the picture? The cumulative result of Tests, ODIs, and multiple functions of an organisation and lead from the front. He must also maintain his Contd. on page 6 45 Tuesday, February 2, 2021 { SPOTLIGHT } „„ www.themorning.lk cultivation of a limited number of After reviewing a number of cannabis plants within domestic recommendations received from the environments, i.e. homes/gardens for World Health Organisation (WHO) on purposes other than recreational and cannabis, the Commission on Narcotic medicinal purposes. Even recreational Drugs (CND), the UN’s central drug use of cannabis involves a medicinal policy-making body, last year a vote aspect, as cannabis contains medicinal was taken to remove cannabis from High time properties,” he explained. Schedule IV of the 1961 Single Adding that the United Nations Convention on Narcotic Drugs. (UN) has planned to eradicate tobacco However, Dr. Sajeeva Ranaweera products by 2030 due to their harmful of the SLMA told The Morning that effects, Dr. Weliange said the best even though the UN has reclassified method the Government can adopt to cannabis, it has not been legalised, deal with cannabis use is by regulating adding that the reclassification means it under certain standards. that cannabis’ medical use can now Speaking of the limits Sri Lanka be discussed under international laws. for cannabis must stipulate if and when relaxing Nevertheless, he said that it is up to laws pertaining to cannabis, individual countries to decide what to former Registrar of the Ayurvedic do relating to this reclassification, and Medical Council of Sri Lanka and that it does not make any difference Samastha Lanka Indigenous Medical in Sri Lanka as the medicinal use of Association Advisor Dr. Danister L. cannabis is allowed and takes place. Perera said that even though medicinal “This fuss is a long-term strategy and food products and products related to legalise cannabis use in Sri Lanka legalisation? to the use of cannabis can be endorsed, and allow multinational cannabis promoting the recreational use of companies (which are backed by cannabis is not advisable at present. multinational tobacco companies) He said that if the Government plans to sell cannabis products to the to permit recreational use, strict rules people. This is a cynical use of our such as those applying to alcohol ‘desheeyathwaya’ to gain markets for should be adopted. multinationals that are losing billions In regard to the use of cannabis of dollars in their home countries,” he for various purposes including alleged. recreational purposes, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) recently said that despite claims of medical benefits, there are only a few illnesses that respond to cannabis-based medicines and that other medicines for such ailments are already available and are prescribed widely. “Just because some chemical in a substance has some effect in treating an illness does not mean that the recreational use of this substance should be allowed to be promoted. For example, extracts of the poppy plant and its chemical derivatives are widely used as pain-relieving medicines around the world. This does not mean that heroin, which is also derived from the same plant, should If proper policies are introduced be promoted for recreational use by to handle the two varieties entire populations. appropriately, Sri Lanka can go On the contrary, there are many on to allow the cultivation of a health harms of cannabis including limited number of cannabis plants mental disorders such as depression within domestic environments Dr. Wasantha Sena Weliange and schizophrenia, and cannabis use disorders that develop along with serious lung ailments. It also affects the brain development of adolescents. Speaking of the President’s remarks, It has also been associated with self- Dr. Perera told The Morning that when harm and suicide as well as road taking policy-level decisions regarding traffic accidents, which already are cannabis, international policies such as major killers in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans those formulated by the WHO and UN BY SUMUDU CHAMARA do not deserve to be cursed with more must be taken into account. adverse effects of the use of cannabis suicides and road accidents,” the He said that the Government should Legalising and/or relaxing the laws pertaining to the cultivation and use caused by its recreational use. Even SLMA said. appoint a dedicated committee/ of cannabis, commonly known as “marijuana”, is a long-discussed topic though the medicinal use of cannabis commission to evaluate whether those not only in Sri Lanka, but also in many other countries, and a number has been permitted in more than 50 Cannabis as a gateway drug policies match Sri Lanka’s situation of countries have already taken the initiative to do so. Over the years, a countries, only a handful of countries Cannabis has long been identified and how they should be adopted. Dr. myriad of groups and institutions have pointed out the pros and cons of have allowed its recreational use. by many as a “gateway drug” – drugs Perera further said that in addition legalising cannabis, and the Sri Lankan Government too has expressed Speaking of the recreational that are believed to lead the consumer to adopting internationally accepted various opinions from time to time in this regard. purposes of the cannabis plant, Dr. to use more addictive and harmful policies, legislative reforms such as Weliange emphasised that if Sri Lanka drugs. Even though some who raise updating laws pertaining to cannabis The discussion on whether or not “On the other hand, fining and ever comes to a point where the their voice against cannabis have should also take place. to legalise/relax laws pertaining to penalising, which includes putting recreational use of cannabis needs to acknowledged that it is not as harmful This is not the first time the Sri the use of cannabis in Sri Lanka behind bars the cannabis farmers after be permitted, it too can be done safely as tobacco, those opposed to it say it Lankan Government expressed became a topic of discussion during taking their produce for medicinal under the complete supervision and should not be legalised due to the fact willingness to look into the laws and the weekend, after electronic media purposes, is unacceptable. Instead, regulation of a state-run institution. that it is a gateway drug and can lead policies pertaining to cannabis in a reported a statement made by what the Government should actually According to him, this process to severe issues in the long run. bid to make the necessary changes. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa about do for the benefit of both the farmers should focus on replacing tobacco However, Dr. Weliange In 2018, then Minister of Health cannabis. and the country is come up with a products with cannabis, and should categorically refuted the claims that Dr. said the then The President, speaking at a public proper long-term mechanism such as involve the authorities monitoring the cannabis is a gateway drug, and added Government had paid attention to gathering held recently in Monaragala, giving these farmers the opportunity level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) that the term “gateway drug” was allowing the cultivation of cannabis stated that a policy-level decision has to register at a state-run institution that – the main psychoactive compound coined by industries and countries that for non-recreational purposes, to be taken as far as relaxing the laws deals with the supervised regulation found in the cannabis plant – so that wanted to promote synthetic products particularly for medicinal and export pertaining to cannabis in Sri Lanka and use of cannabis,” he stressed. cannabis too can be allowed to be used by rejecting the eco-friendly products purposes. Also, current Minister of is concerned. He made this statement “Depending on how many acres recreationally. such as cloths, ropes, and papers Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardana in response to a question posed by these farmers have farmed, that state- manufactured using certain varieties recently pointed out the importance Dr. Wasantha Sena Weliange, an run institution can harvest and weigh of the cannabis plant. of permitting cannabis in a controlled academic who has been advocating the cannabis produce, and also pay “Cannabis has been used in the environment for export purposes. the relaxation of such laws for these farmers, which eventually paves world for thousands of years, and However, Prime Minister years, regarding establishing and the way for a regulated cannabis the British, in 1929, introduced Mahinda Rajapaksa last year said the implementing a proper mechanism to industry. It is important to give these restrictions against the use of Government would take stern action use the cannabis cultivated by farmers farmers the opportunity to continue cannabis in Sri Lanka. Certain against those promoting cannabis, and illegally for non-recreational uses, farming cannabis, as they possess varieties of the cannabis plant that a committee had been appointed to including medicinal purposes. the traditional practical knowledge produced natural fibres for a large study the harmful effects of cannabis. The Morning spoke to Dr. Weliange required to do that more than anyone number of industries. Those who The SLMA, in a letter addressed to know more about his stance in else,” he added. wanted to manufacture goods using to the Premier, had said that cannabis this connection, and he said that with Another issue pointed out by synthetic material such as nylon, causes immense harm already in proper mechanisms, laws, and policies Dr. Weliange is the unmethodical polythene, and polyester had to Sri Lanka, and that carrying out any in place, Sri Lanka can highly benefit manner in which the law enforcement compete with cannabis, and as a result, changes in the current laws related to from the controlled cultivation and authorities reap the cannabis seized This fuss is a long-term strategy the misconception of cannabis being cannabis will only help increase the supervised use of cannabis. during raids. He alleged that most of to legalise cannabis use in Sri a gateway drug that leads to other use of this substance. It also stated that the time, law enforcement authorities Lanka and allow multinational dangerous drugs was introduced,” Dr. cannabis is responsible for widespread Regulating cannabis cut cannabis plants when the plant is cannabis companies to sell Weliange explained. mental illnesses in young people, and cultivation and use still young and before it can mature, cannabis products to the people. “If it was actually a gateway drug, that it has been shown to increase road Noting that the cultivation of which in turn hinders the overall life This is a cynical use of our why would other countries such accidents and to act as a gateway drug cannabis is already taking place cycle of the cannabis plant. ‘desheeyathwaya’ to gain markets as legalise cannabis for to other harmful substances. in various areas in various scales, He further explained that as a result, for multinationals recreational purposes? In fact, instead Almost everything has its he added that the Government, certain varieties of the cannabis plant, Dr. Sajeeva Ranaweera of the SLMA of leading to other dangerous drugs, advantages and disadvantages, and in particular the Ayurvedic and which may be endemic to Sri Lanka, cannabis decreases the possibility of after evaluating which outweighs indigenous medicine sector, can are unable to pass on their genes to the being addicted to them,” he stressed. the other, we adopt or reject them. use the illegally cultivated cannabis next generation. “There are two varieties of According to Dr. Weliange, another Sometimes, we do not have sufficient produce by streamlining the existing “If this continues for another year, cannabis in Sri Lanka: One variety reason that led to the criminalisation information or knowledge to gauge procedures, which currently focus Sri Lanka is likely to lose this plant’s can be mostly used for recreational of the cannabis plant is the tobacco the extent to which a certain thing on taking legal action against the varieties that are prevalent in Sri purposes, while the other can be used and alcohol companies’ need to benefits us, and it begets debates and cannabis farmers. Lanka, and in the future Sri Lanka predominantly for medicinal purposes. promote their products. confusions. He said that even though law might even have to import cannabis The second variety cannot be used Cannabis, which has a history of enforcement agencies send the from foreign countries.” for recreational purposes, regardless Laws/policies on cannabis over thousands of years, is not at all illegally cultivated cannabis seized of the form in which it is consumed. One of the most prominent a new substance, and we have heard during raids to be used for medicinal Sri Lanka and recreational Taking this into account, only certain international policy-level decisions enough about its pros and cons. A law purposes, this is not at all effective, purposes of cannabis countries have legalised and/or taken concerning cannabis was the or policy can only regulate a substance since by the time these stocks reach One of the major arguments raised relaxed laws pertaining to cannabis. UN’s reclassification of cannabis, to a limited extent, and when it comes the medical practitioners, they are by various groups that express “If proper policies are introduced to which for 59 years was on a list of to substances that possess benefits likely to have lost their medicinal opposition to legalising or relaxing handle the two varieties appropriately, dangerous, addictive drugs, along with and harms alike, we need to exercise value. laws pertaining to cannabis is the Sri Lanka can go on to allow the drugs such as heroin. responsibility. 46 „„ www.themorning.lk { INTERVIEW } Tuesday, February 2, 2021

other option is for the Government to intervene and get low-cost funding for the microfinance institutions. Exorbitant interest rates Discussions are ongoing to amend the Microfinance Act. What recommendations is the Association proposing? The Microfinance Act needs to be amended due to the credit providers under ‘microfinance’ name who have come in and damaged the industry. So far the Act regulates the z Small private and public actors charging interest rates up to 200% the main problem deposit component and not the credit side of it. There are a few credit-related The microfinance industry caters to the micro and small enterprises regulations like maximum interest sectors of the economy, assisting them through the provision of credit, but it is not adequate. There needs savings, and microinsurance. In recent times, a number of social concerns to be a law saying that you cannot have been raised due to the debt problems that are prevailing in Sri Lanka. use the micro credit or microfinance This was further emphasised with the onset of the pandemic that resulted terminology unless you are approved in people losing income-generating activities and being unable to pay by the government. off debts to the microfinance industry. The State Ministry of Samurdhi, Also, discussions have been going Household Economy, Microfinance, Self-employment, and Business on to establish a Credit Regulatory Development has been in discussions with key industry stakeholders Act which is to set up a Microcredit since November 2020 to address the problems in the industry and on Regulatory Authority in Sri Lanka how best to regulate it to benefit both the borrowers and the lenders. under the Finance Ministry. However, Anura Atapattu is the President of the Lanka Microfinance Practitioners’ there are concerns over the cost Association and the Managing Director of Berendina Micro Investment of setting up an authority. That Company, with over 33 years of experience in the field. The Morning is a concern for the government. spoke to Atapattu on the changes that the Association is proposing to the State Minister of Samurdhi, Microfinance Act No. 6 of 2016 and how to overcome the social problems Household Economy, Microfinance, that have arisen in the sector. Self-employment, and Business The following are excerpts from the interview. Development Shehan Semasinghe said last week that he will appoint What is the Lanka Microfinance What are the problems in the a Working Committee, with our Practitioners’ Association and what sector? There are many accusations recommendations to address the sort of services are provided by of exploitation of borrowers within problems in the industry. Microfinance Institutions (MFIs)? the sector. How do you see it? The Lanka Microfinance If you take the sector 15 years ago, How do you propose solutions to the Practitioners’ Association is the apex when we started the Association, the social problems that the industry has body of the MFIs in Sri Lanka. We industry was mainly handled by the created? started in 2006 and are represented government sector actors, the NGOs, One thing is, there are no shortcuts by two different stakeholders: MFIs Central Bank programmes, and smaller to the social problems that are there. and service provision institutions programmes by other banks as well. The Debt Write Off programme (training, e-service providers). There was no prominence. When we was a shortcut and it created more The MFIs are further divided into started the Association, we raised problems than it solved. Firstly, there categories of regulated MFIs and Non- awareness about the sector and showed should be a consultative approach to Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that it is a service and a profitable create regulations. Secondly, a central under the Microfinance Act No.6 of sector. But then the industry was seized database like a Crib that is used by 2016, unregulated MFIs, co-operatives, by people who were only interested the banks, should be created to stop finance companies, and banks. in profits. They came in with higher people from taking multiple loans. We have a policy of accepting interest rates than what NGOs and the Regulated MFIs should be in the crib members with a minimum of one year original institutions were providing. or another alternative crib so that MFIs of experience in the industry and a But the argument at that time was are held responsible for the loans they minimum number of 1,000 borrowers. that the NGOs had subsidies from give to the clients. The MFIs must We do not get Microfinance is a concept that has international actors and government be responsible and assess the income any calls to the been evolved to help unbankable institutions had government and ensure they do not take multiple Association, but people. Bankable people are those who subsidiaries, so the interest rate by the loans. We have proposed that we be we do address have wealth and assets because banks new actors was justified. The other linked to the existing crib in the new general problems cannot lend money without a secured argument was that there was no other amendments to the Act. that are raised guarantee against their money. MFIs option for the poor people who needed We do not get any calls to the over social media. serve those who do not have assets and money – the other option would be Association, but we do address For example, are thus excluded from the banking to go to money lenders who charge general problems that are raised over deaths and system. This means that the loan even a 120% interest rate per year. So social media. For example, deaths suicides due to entails three key aspects: this was justified to a certain extent. and suicides due to microfinance microfinance 1. Collateral free – not physical but Therefore, in 2018, there was a large loans. However, when we conduct our loans there are alternatives. Borrowers growth which was good to provide an independent research, we see that these themselves are guarantors for others adequate supply. claims are unsubstantiated. If we have 2. Small-sized loans (Rs. 25, 000 to proof that our members are responsible Rs. 750, 000 under the Act) for this, we would address it. I am not 3. Door to door service – this reduces denying the problems that are there, the cost to the customers, who The Central Bank’s interest however our members have not been may otherwise not be able to go to for the regulator is 35% and proven to be involved in them. them. centralised places of money lending. our Association recommends a We admit that multiple loans are an maximum interest rate of about Lanka Microfinance Practitioners’ Association President Anura Atapattu issue, along with an inability to pay Briefly, what is the process that is 40%. We calculate the interest back the loans due to the economy and followed to obtain a loan from a rate according to the cost of funds multiple loans. In 2018, the previous What is the usual maximum interest today, due to the pandemic. MFI? and the operational costs Government introduced a “Debt rate? Effective education is also needed. The clients have to approach the MFI Write Off” programme which was a The Central Bank’s interest cap We recommend that television, and attend a few meetings. Through disaster for everyone in the sector. for the regulator is 35% and our which reaches the grassroot levels, that process, the MFI will assess you, The three pillars of microfinance are This damaged the industry a lot Association recommends a maximum must be used to educate people on your background, your commitment, credit, savings, and microinsurance. and Rs. 1.4 billion was written off. interest rate of about 40%. We the government regulations and the and discipline to the process. For the In 2011, with the introduction of the The government is still giving the calculate the interest rate according to problems of taking multiple loans. application of the loan, the client has to Finance Business Act, savings services capital amount to the MFIs but the the cost of funds and the operational In that way people can learn how to find two or three guarantors and prove without having a license from a interest due was borne as a loss by costs, which is higher than that use MFIs to benefit themselves. Debt why the money is being borrowed – regulated authority became an offense. the MFIs. During that period, other of the banks due to our doorstep is a problem in our society but the whether it is for an income-generating The MFIs who were taking deposits actors like small private and public service. We as an Association also problem is that if the debt cannot be activity or an asset-building avidity. If had to stop then. There was a vacuum actors came into the field who were understand that MFIs should decrease repaid. Everyone takes debt, however, it is a non-income-generating activity, in the supply so this new supply was using the term “microfinance” but their costs. However, we are also how debt is taken and used must be they have to prove that the loan can useful. But there was no control. charging exorbitant interest rates of requesting that low cost funds should regulated. At the least, let the public be paid back through a permanent The multiple loan issue which up to 200%. They still use the term be made available by the banks. know that the maximum interest rate income source. For agriculture loans, was brought to light in 2017 and “microcredit” or “microfinance”. That We are sending a letter to the banks authorised by the government is 35% it is usually six months. Otherwise, the 2018 was due to that. Borrowers is the main source of many of the asking them to safeguard the funds so that people take loans only from loans are either for one or two years. also are unaware and agree to problems in the industry today. for the microfinance industry. The those institutions.

Contd. from page 4

and also bad fielding that can cost Interviews with players, captains, consistency in performance and to be limited to this job only. the match. coaches, and SLC management must was at the top of the cricketing Selectors must watch matches Fixing Sri Lanka’s... PR and communications be channeled through such departments world. There were dips, of course, at the schools, club, district, so that interviewees can be prepared. but they were fixable within the and provincial levels to gauge Psychological and emotional abilities or competition. Players and coaches Millennial cricketers struggle to deal Remember that the world of media system. Examine the system at techniques of young players of cricketers are essential for success should use recording technologies to with pressures from social media. and social media thrives on controversy, that time yy Wipeout corruption – if players due to the many uncontrollable variables perfect their techniques in batting, Reputation management matters and it’s easy to draw a controversial yy Evaluate competitor systems see corrupt administrators, then such as playing conditions, random fielding, and bowling at a young age. more than ever in the real-time world statement from a young player by – what are India, England, and players too will become corrupt. decisions, etc. If a batsman is on of social media. Any organisation will, asking entrapping questions. This isn’t Australia doing that consistently That’s just not cricket the field, his effectiveness will vary Succession planning at some point, face a kind of public censorship, but rather proper facilitation keep them at the top of the sport? Copyright Dias and Eliatamby. from situation to situation, as he faces yy Sri Lanka is known for relations crisis. So will every cricket of correct information. yy Overhaul SLC with a focus on HR (Dr. Nicholas Ruwan Dias different bowlers, playing conditions, continuously turning random player. The way you react can either Success – bring in proper HR professionals [BSc, MSc, PhD] and Niresh and situation of the game. Knowledge players around. They did not improve your reputation or harm your and other professionals Eliatamby [LL.B., LL.M., MBA] of how self-efficacy is affected and their brand considerably, and eventually Success on the field does not always are Managing Partners of Cogitaro. keep a number of players of yy Drop the culture of believing that key sources of automatic information alienate your customer base and mean a happy life. Juggling a career with com, a consultancy that finds various formats. The loss of a you need to have played cricket are important players. They need to business partners. Organisations must family obligations, the stress of being practical solutions for challenges player means he is automatically to work at Sri Lanka Cricket. This build strategies for self-performance be prepared to react quickly, using any away from home for longer periods of facing society, the environment and substituted, without a second is a management problem, not a control over a game, the Test series, channel available, to mitigate PR crises time, the burden on media fulfilment and all types of industries. opportunity. Others fail over long cricket problem and league that they play. periods but are kept on. rapidly and efficiently. sponsor obligations, and the growing Dr. Dias is a digital architect The evaluation of implicit Corporate houses and government demands to maintain expectations of yy Physical fitness – ensure half the and educationist based in Kuala effectiveness was also shown to affect Players are often afraid for their departments do not allow individual success – all these take a heavy toll. team isn’t injured Lumpur, Malaysia. An avid those thinking habits (i.e. goals, fears, places in the team and don’t want to employees to speak to the media The life of an international cricketer yy Build discipline in fielding – sportsman, he helped launch a causation) and emotional responses that take risks. This adversely affects team or social media. Players should not is not a “bed of roses”, as frequently catches win matches. Enough said cricket club in Malaysia. ruwan@ influence motivation (i.e. pride, guilt, performance. In many matches, batsmen be spouting information about their depicted in the media. Cricket has one yy Mental toughness – batsmen need cogitaro.com. satisfaction, sorrow). People who work avoided chasing large totals. A sense of organisation on social media. These of the highest rates of suicide in sports. mental toughness to stand there Eliatamby is an author, marketer, hard on themselves are typically more defeatism pervades the team. are trade secrets. Instead, information Practical solutions unmoved without panicking while and educationist based in Colombo, persistent and attain higher levels, over dissemination is channelled through are falling at the other end Sri Lanka. He served as Media and above people who have doubts Fitness and medical services a specialised department – corporate yy Compare and contrast – we’ve Manager of the Board of Control yy Selectors must be given proper about their own skills. Self-modelling yy The biggest reason for failure is a communications, public relations, been the best before. What did we for Cricket in Sri Lanka and was remuneration and it should in cricket can enable a player to capture lack of fitness, which can lead to marketing communications, media do right? From 1996 for almost also a sports journalist. niresh@ be made mandatory for them their own performances in practice not having enough fast bowlers, relations, social media, website, etc. a decade, Sri Lanka showed cogitaro.com) 47 Tuesday, February 2, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk

TRCSLbusiness releases number portability consultation paper z Seeks public input on implementation BY KAREN HAPUARACHCHI Lankan consumers. The success The Telecommunications and growth of the company would Regulatory Commission of Sri not have been possible if not for Telecommunication Lanka (TRCSL) this week has our customers exercising their officially released the public choice,” stated Dialog Director/ consultation paper regarding the Group Chief Executive Supun services grows implementation of the number Weerasinghe at the time. “Open portability facility, to gather the competition and customer choice views of the public regarding the is at the root of our success, and by 16.5% in 3Q20 implementation of this new facility. is a paradigm we deeply respect. The public consultation Advanced technologies enable not Telecommunication of 2020. Accordingly, financial compared to 2.1% in the year- paper mentioned that TRCSL only a suite of advanced facilities, services grew by 16.5% services grew by 12.3%. ago period. has taken the policy decision to but also the freedom of consumers in the third quarter of Financial services for the third In the third quarter of implement number portability in to choose the best.” 2020, compared to 2.1% quarter of 2020 stood at Rs. 2020, maritime and air telecommunications networks in Sri While Sri Lanka’s in the previous year. 202,023 million, compared to transport recorded negative Lanka. In addition to this, TRCSL telecommunications market has Telecommunication services Rs. 179,848 million at constant growth, while land transport also invited all interested parties to been recognised globally for its grew by 16.5% during the prices for the same quarter last recorded positive growth. submit their responses along with affordability and quality of services, period, recording total year. During the quarter, loan Overall transport services their views via email to the TRCSL is expecting feedback for that from of a liberalised telecommunications as well as state-of-the-art technology revenue of Rs. 48 billion. instalments grew by 13.8% recorded a positive growth website or post it to TRC on or mid-February onwards. market. and advanced facilities, enabling Technology services grew and total deposits by 18.5%. of 0.9% during the period. In before 12 February 2021. “All telecommunication (telco) Dialog, in a statement issued last the portability of mobile and fixed by 13.5% during the quarter. Another area of ​​special addition, economic activities The number portability facility, providers have already agreed in year, noted that it first proposed in numbers across networks has not This is due to the fact that growth is the postal service. such as public administration, which enables customers to retain principle. In fact last year, in the July 2008 the initiation of a roadmap been implemented to date. in the face of the Covid-19 Postal and health services professional services, and their numbers while changing last quarter of 2020, they published to alleviate consumer choice “We are very happy to see the pandemic, schoolchildren are grew by 7% and 4.6%, education services also service providers, was announced their own statements that they are bottlenecks, including number TRCSL moving forward with the being educated from home respectively, while real estate recorded positive growth by the Government last year and looking forward to collaborating on portability, and that it believes next steps in the liberalisation of and public and private sector services grew by 3.1%. rates during the quarter. is expected to come into effect by this initiative,” Senanayake stated. that maximising consumer choice our industry, and we congratulate employees are participating Wholesale and retail However, accommodation and mid-2021, according to the TRCSL. Number portability, which would result in the enhancement and the TRCSL for initiating the in official activities through sales have also grown food supply declined further TRCSL Director General Oshada enables the switching of mobile development of the industry overall, process of implementing number online methods. significantly as a result of by 42.1% in the third quarter Senanayake told The Sunday and fixed line numbers across resulting in benefits to all service portability in Sri Lanka. Dialog This information has been the normalisation of public of 2020 due to the ongoing Morning Business last month that competing service providers, is a providers and their customers. is also optimistic that the TRCSL revealed by the National life since the first wave of Covid-19 pandemic. The the public consultation paper, which customer facility widely practiced “Dialog is honoured by the will move forward swiftly with Accounts Estimates released by the coronavirus. Wholesale contribution of the service is a formality arrangement, will be internationally, and is a key facet trust placed in the brand and its other similar enablers of consumer the Department of Census and and retail sales grew by 2.1% sector to the GDP during this released soon, and that the TRCSL services by over 15 million Sri choice,” Weerasinghe added. Statistics for the third quarter in the third quarter of 2019, period was 56.8%. LOLC increases First Capital debenture issue size LOLC Holdings PLC announced upgrades 2021 it has decided to increase the issue size of its proposed debenture issue from Rs. 65 million to up to Rs. 100 million listed, rated, unsecured, senior, growth forecast Ground breaking ceremony led by Minister of Power Dullas redeemable debentures amounting to Rs. 10 billion. Releasing a strategy report for the year from our previous expectations of (-0.8%)- Alahapperuma and officials The company noted this yesterday products and services, its portfolio 2021, First Capital Holdings PLC stated (2.0%),” the report added. (1) in a disclosure to the Colombo includes leisure, plantations, agri- yesterday that they have upgraded their Considering the dip in 2020E, SL’s STI Holdings breaks ground Stock Exchange (CSE). inputs, renewable energy, construction, growth expectations to 3.2% from their recovery outlook seems to be well intact In the financial year 2019/2020, manufacturing and trading, and other previous forecast of 2.8% for this year but the sluggish growth is expected to LOLC Holdings recorded a marginal strategic investments. LOLC also while 2022E forecast has been upgraded continue,according to the report. on network of tower lines increase in Profit After Tax (PAT) to has financial services investments to 3.8% from the previous 3.3%. Sri Lanka’s surge in CBSL Holdings and St. Theresa Industries (STI) will uplift the demand, distribution, reach Rs. 19.8 billion, compared to in Cambodia, Myanmar, Pakistan, The report added that by factoring in the foreign debt payment requirements may Holdings, a manufacturer of steel and reliability of electricity in all Rs. 19.64 billion in the previous year. Indonesia, the , Nigeria, second wave in 3Q2020, they maintain lead to a major depreciation in currency, fabrication and accessories used parts of Sri Lanka, aiding rural According to the company’s 209/2020 and Zambia; business operations in their annual expectations for 2020E at possibly leading to a spike in interest rates for power generation, transmission and suburban growth by further annual report, 80% of the company’s the Maldives and Sierra Leone, as -5.8%. towards 2Q2021, illustrating a “Bumpy and distribution in Sri Lanka, broke strengthening and solidifying the Profit Before Tax (PBT) was derived well as corporate offices in Singapore, “With the second wave lockdown road to Recovery”. Considering the shocks, ground on the construction of the infrastructure required to do so. from overseas investments. the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and materialising in 4Q (instead of 3Q), we we expect SL to go through a W-shaped first of a series of tower lines and The project will also bolster CEB’s Besides a range of financial . revised our 4Q2020 GDP expectations recovery, as explained in our Sep 2020 gantry structures spread across ability to cater to not just domestic downwards to a range of (-4.5%)-(-5.0%) Mid-Year Outlook,” the report concluded. the island to improve the supply demand, but industrial as well, and and reliability of electricity across contribute indirectly to embolden the country. and uplift the local economy, Trade Minister Indrajith Coomaraswamy This initiative is driven by while also being considerate of the Ministry of Power and preserving the environment in its fine despite operationally directed by the pursuit of enabling equitable access Ceylon Electricity Board. STI to electricity across all parts of the appointed as independent Holdings is the appointed local island,” stated STI Holdings Group Covid scare representative for Chinese CEO Madushanka Fernando. Trade Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardana construction company, Qingdao The Electricity Reliability has been tested negative for Covid-19, the non-executive director of Dialog Huijintong Power Equipment Improvement Project directed Department of Immunology and Molecular Dialog Axiata PLC announced with the Company’s governance Dr Coomaraswamy currently (HTJ) – the main contractor named by the Ceylon Electricity Board Medicine of the yesterday (1) that it has appointed process. Hence, we were not able to serves on the Board of Tokyo in the deal. (CEB) aims to improve the quality Faculty of Medical Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy as an announce the change immediately,” Cement Company (Lanka) PLC as an Beginning from Maho, and reliability of electricity across Sciences of the Independent Non-Executive Director the company added in a statement Independent Non-Executive Director Kurunegala, STI Holdings utilises all parts of the island, while also University of Sri on the Board of Dialog with effect yesterday. and is also currently the Chairman of state-of-the-art technology for boosting its ability to serve both Jayewardenapura from 1 February. Dr. Coomaraswamy has over 40 years Lynear Wealth Management. the development of the network domestic and industrial demand. said yesterday (1). The appointment comes after of experience in policy making and Dr Coomaraswamy received intended to improve medium This contributes an additional 65 According to the Non-Independent Non-Executive providing economic advisory services awards as “Sri Lankan of the Year voltage network efficiency and MBA distribution points to the statement published, Director Dato’ Mohd Izzaddin on both macroeconomic and structural 2016” (LMD) and “Central Bank provide system capacity to help country’s network, and does so in a Prof. Neelika Idris resigned from the Board of issues at national and intergovernmental Governor of the Year for South prepare for load growth across note-worthy, eco-friendly manner. Malavige said that Directors of Dialog with effect from levels. Dr. Coomaraswamy served Asia” 2017 (Euromoney Institutional 12 districts in Sri Lanka. Funded Installation of the tower lines Dr. Gunawardana 31 December 2020. as the 14th Governor of the Central Investor Group PLC). He also by the Asian Development Bank, will take place in Puttalam, had tested negative Idris had a Relevant Interest in Bank of Sri Lanka from July 2016 to received the Sri Lankan national the mammoth project will see the Keeriyankalliya, Mallawapitiya, after conducting 6,785,252,765 (83.01%) ordinary December 2019. honour of “Deshamanya” in August development of over 300 km of Rathmalgoda, Maho, Maeliya, the SARS- shares of Dialog at the date of his He started his career in the Central 2019. 33 kV Double Circuit Tower Wimalasurendra, Maskeliya, CoV-2 PCR test. resignation. The said shares are held Bank of Sri Lanka in 1974 and worked Dr. Coomaraswamy holds a B.A. lines and 13 two section, single Ampara, Uhana, Kappalthurai, The Trade Minister by Axiata Investment Labuan Ltd., in the Economic Research, Statistics (Hons) degree from the University of bus bar gantries of 5MBA. The Irakkandy, Kamburupitiya, was subjected to which is a wholly owned subsidiary and Bank Supervision Departments Cambridge, UK, and a DPhil degree inauguration ceremony took place Tawalantenna, Kegalle, Badulla, Trade Minister PCR testing after of Axiata. of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka from the University of Sussex, UK. on 27 January in Maho. Ella, Mahiyanganaya, Bibile, Dr. Bandula Gunawardana Ministry of Trade “Once we received the letter of until 1989. From 1990 to 2008, he In addition, he has represented and “The Electricity Reliability Rathnapura, Monaragala, Secretary Bhadhrani resignation, we were required to held several senior positions at the led the Sri Lanka National Rugby Improvement Project marks Wellawaya, Warukandeniya, Jayawardena tested positive for Covid-19 obtain approval for changes in the Commonwealth Secretariat, including team and has also played First Class a significant milestone in the Morawaka, Elpitiya, Mattaka, earlier yesterday. Board composition in compliance Director, Economic Affairs Division. Cricket in Sri Lanka. energy sector of our country. It Matara, and Yakabedda. 48 business „„ www.themorning.lk { TOURISM/CORPORATE } Tuesday, February 2, 2021 Virtual tourism awareness session held for US-based tour operators and media Sri Lankan Ambassador to the US Ravinatha Aryasinha has observed that the credibility Sri Lanka Tourism earned in caring for the tourists who made extensions of their stay in the country at the time Covid broke out, and SriLankan Airlines being The Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance combines the expertise, network, and reach of Emirates for one of the few carriers that vaccine logistics continued to fly when most commercial airline fleets were grounded, should give confidence for international travellers to visit the island Dubai forms Vaccine again as travel for tourists has resumed. Officials of the Sri Lankan Embassy in the US participating in the session Aryasinha noted that prior to Logistics Alliance Covid disrupting global travel, Kimarli Fernando said Sri Lanka in the event of any difficulty.” SriLankan Airlines GSA for tourist arrivals from the US had is “safe and exciting even during Joining the discussion, Airport US, Canada, and the Caribbean grown by 260% from 2010 to the pandemic”. She noted that and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Dilan Ariyawansa elaborated on z To expedite global distribution of Covid- 2019, an annual average growth Sri Lanka does not require a (Pvt.) Ltd. Chairman Maj. Gen. the connections from the various well over 20%, making the US minimum number of days to stay (Retd.) G.A. Chandrasiri welcomed North American cities to Sri Lanka 19 vaccines through the emirates one of the fastest-growing tourist in the country within the “bio passengers to the two Sri Lankan and the prospects seen of increasing Under the directives of Vice President and Moreover, DP World’s global, GDP- arrival countries, which mainly bubbles” introduced by SLTPB. airports in Colombo and Mattala, US travellers to Sri Lanka through Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates compliant, network of warehousing and drew niche tourists visiting and While staying in a secure Level and emphasised that maximum the pandemic period and beyond. (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh distribution hubs will be used to store vaccines also staying longer. 1 hotel recognised by Sri Lanka precautionary measures have been SLTDA Director of Marketing Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai for time and temperature sensitive distribution The Ambassador made these Tourism, or multiple hotels, if taken to ensure protection of the Dushan Wickramasuriya has launched the Vaccine Logistics Alliance to to hospitals and clinics. DP World is said to comments on Wednesday (27 needed, within the bio bubble, passengers’ safety. highlighted the potential of the accelerate the distribution of Covid-19 vaccines deploy its “track-and-trace technology”, such January) when he hosted a they could use all the facilities of SriLankan Airlines CEO Vipula US market to attract tourists to globally through the emirate. as Cargoes Flow, to give real-time information virtual “Hello Again: Sri Lanka the hotels – including the spa, pool, Gunatilleka said that although different sectors in Sri Lanka, such In support of the World Health Organisation’s on the location of shipments, and continual tourism awareness session” to and restaurants – and visit tourist SriLankan does not fly to North as soft adventure, cruise travel, (WHO) Covax initiative and its efforts to temperature control and monitoring. DP World’s announce the reopening of Sri sites within the bubble. America, through its strong wellness tourism, and wildlife, equitably distribute two billion doses of Covid- ports and terminals, including Jebel Ali, will Lanka for international tourists “These Level 1 hotels, which partnership with Oneworld, they and to promote luxury villas. He 19 vaccines in 2021, the Dubai Vaccines be used to ship, store and distribute medical from 21 January and share details have been certified by KPMG as have strong relationships with also said that travel partners can Logistics Alliance combines the expertise and devices, such as syringes and wipes. of the strategy adopted to ensure well as Ernst & Young, provide British Airways from Toronto as also sell tailor-made itineraries global reach of Emirates airline with DP World’s DP World Group Chairman and CEO Sultan tourists enjoyed their stay, while accommodation exclusively for well as Qatar Airways and Japan encouraging tourists to travel to worldwide network of ports and logistics Ahmed bin Sulayem said: “Humanity will being protected from Covid. The international tourists. After an Airlines, through which SriLankan Sri Lanka to spend a few days, operations, along with the infrastructure of only defeat the coronavirus if vaccines can be event was organised by the Sri initial 14 days of the stay within Airlines is able to help tourists when planning to visit countries Dubai Airports and International Humanitarian distributed everywhere. Dubai’s position as a Lankan Embassy in Washington the bio bubble, travellers will be from different gateways it has like , the Maldives, India, City to distribute vaccines worldwide. The global hub means we have a responsibility to DC, with the assistance of the able to exit from it at any time connections with. and other countries in East Asia distribution will particularly focus on emerging combine our infrastructure and capabilities for Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion subject to having a negative PCR Civil Aviation Authority and South Asia. markets, where populations have been struggling this common goal. DP World has kept trade Bureau (SLTPB) and the SriLankan test, and be able to interact with the Chairman Upul Dharmadasa said The event, co-ordinated by due to the pandemic, and pharmaceutical flowing throughout the pandemic ensuring Airlines GSA office in the US, local community. The tourists are the Authority is working closely Second Secretary Niranga Palipana, transport and logistics are challenging. countries receive the vital supplies they need. and attracted more than 60 tour/ required to undergo several PCR with airlines around the world to concluded with an interactive The alliance is working with a broader set We are proud to use our ports, terminals and travel partners and media personnel tests during their stay, and medical facilitate travel of tourists to Sri session where US travel partners of stakeholders, including pharmaceutical smart logistics operations to distribute vaccines including Expedia and Priceline. insurance with a premium of $ 12 Lanka, and reviewing processes sought clarifications and made manufacturers, forwarders, government and medical devices to contribute to fighting Sri Lanka Tourism Development covers all the expenses related to constantly to abide by the latest suggestions on expanding the agencies, and other entities for transportation the pandemic.” Authority (SLTDA) Chairperson transportation and ICU facility health guidelines. programme. of vaccines. On Wednesday (27 January), DP World Dubai Civil Aviation Authority President, and UNICEF also announced a wide-ranging Dubai Airports Chairman, and Emirates Airline partnership to support the global distribution Chairman and Chief Executive, HH Sheikh of Covid-19 vaccines and related immunisation Fonterra technology that preserves Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: “We supplies in low and lower-middle income currently stand at the cusp of a historic moment countries. The new partnership — with a multi- with the rollout of vaccines for countering million dollar value — is the largest to date to milk quality from farm to home Covid-19, a pandemic that has disrupted support UNICEF’s lead role in procuring and the lives of people around the world. The supplying 2 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines Milk collection and cold first of its kind in Sri UAE is leading the world in terms of rolling and auxiliary vaccination supplies on behalf chain infrastructure are Lanka, to reduce the risk out the vaccine, and in line with HH Sheikh of the Covax Facility. often said to be perceived of quality deterioration. Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision Emirates SkyCargo is a global leader in as the most challenging This allows the instant to facilitate a global solution for the wellbeing the air transportation of temperature sensitive operations in the dairy chilling of milk to 4°C of communities, the Dubai Vaccine Logistics pharmaceuticals, including vaccines. “Emirates farming supply chain. in seconds as a safe way Alliance brings together key organisations to SkyCargo has taken a global leadership Global nutrition to preserve milk faster to expedite the worldwide transport of urgently position during the Covid-19 pandemic for the company Fonterra New the farmers who supply it. needed vaccines through Dubai. distribution of medical supplies and PPE. We Zealand claimed to have The milk collection Each alliance partner brings to the table a recently activated the world’s largest airside hub innovated and invested centres are said to play specific and complementary set of strengths and dedicated to the storage and global distribution in technologies to drive a critical role in terms capabilities in vaccine distribution, allowing us of Covid-19 vaccines at Dubai South. With our sustainable improvement of quality-testing and to build a 360-degree solution that harnesses modern wide-body aircraft fleet, our network, in milk quality from “rapid screening milk. Fonterra the combined logistical and infrastructural and our expertise in handling pharma shipments, chilling technology” to is said to have innovated advantages of Dubai as a hub. Together, we are we are well placed to work with our partners in instantly preserve milk, the use of the milk able to store a large volume of vaccine doses at the Dubai Vaccine Logistics Alliance in order “milk fingerprinting” fingerprinting technology New-age milk fingerprinting technology has meant faster, stringent testing that a time, and bring in and distribute vaccines to to make sure that the Covid-19 vaccines are screening that ensures in Sri Lanka across all guarantees quality at the source any point around the world within 48 hours.” reaching every corner of the globe, especially milk supplied is of the its milk chilling centres The International Humanitarian City, a hub cities in emerging markets,” said Emirates highest quality, to the to ensure the quality Fonterra believes it is provides Fonterra’s Fonterra Brands Lanka for humanitarian logistics based in Dubai, Divisional Senior Vice President of Cargo company’s end-to-end and integrity of milk vital to have visibility of on-farm support team the Managing Director Vidya will be a vital partner in the Dubai Vaccine Nabil Sultan. “traceability” system that supplied is intact. This milk back to its source. opportunity to work with Sivaraja. Logistics Alliance, bringing its vast expertise Emirates SkyCargo has over 15,000 square is said to make the journey equipment is said to be The company introduced farmers to further aid their “These efforts are in humanitarian logistics for aid materials metres of cool chain space for pharmaceuticals of raw milk to finished the most advanced of its an electronic traceability on-farm quality practices. reviewed by a New such as food and medicine in markets with across its terminals in Dubai initiated for Covid- product transparent. kind in the world and is system in Sri Lanka “Such advanced supply Zealand milk quality team limited infrastructure. Also, IHC and Emirates 19 vaccine logistics, having already moved A key challenge faced a stringent form of raw which can track milk chain technologies help us through an annual audit SkyCargo have partnered on many humanitarian Covid-19 vaccines on its flights during the by milk collectors is said milk screening in use in used for its Anchor and ensure that the best milk is conducted on-ground in cargo flights and earlier in 2020, also signed month of December. to be the milking-to- the country. Anchor Newdale fresh supplied from our farmers order to ensure that we an MoU for collaboration for humanitarian Dubai Airports, operator of Dubai chilling time. Fonterra While firm steps are dairy products, with and made into the highest- meet globally acceptable assistance flights. International (DXB) and Dubai World Central installed rapid chilling taken to ensure milk is documented traceability quality dairy products standards in everything Supreme Committee for the Supervision (DWC), is said to be contributing to the efforts technology, one of the of the highest quality, to the farmer .This for our consumers,” said we do,” Sivaraja added. of International Humanitarian City Chairman of the newly formed Dubai Vaccine Logistics HE Mohammed Ibrahim Al Shaibani said: Alliance by providing additional space at “Under the guidance of His Highness Sheikh dedicated facilities at Dubai International Ceylinco Life policyholders awarded Rs. 5 m in gold Mohammed bin Rashid, the International (DXB). The repurposed cargo facilities is Ceylinco Life policyholders winning a total of Rs. 30 million Humanitarian City, based in Dubai, has evolved said to act as storage for Covid-19 vaccines won Rs. 5 million in gold in gold via the Family Savari to become the largest humanitarian hub in the that will be transported through its interlinked when the life insurance firm promotion. world, playing a pivotal role in facilitating first operations at DXB and DWC. Working closely conducted the second of six The decision to present responses to humanitarian crises across the with Emirates SkyCargo and Dubai Health draws under the 2021 edition of policyholders with gold globe. Since the current global crisis began, Authority, Dubai Airports is said to ensure that the company’s “Family Savari” instead of the customary the IHC has facilitated the distribution of over the additional capacity for vaccine storage meets mega promotion. overseas holidays and local 80% of the WHO’s global medical response all the regulatory guidelines for transportation This second set of 103 excursions was on account of in the fight against Covid-19. of Covid-19 vaccines, and that related processes winners to achieve gold included the travel restrictions and safety Dubai will make sure this fight continues, are streamlined with stakeholders and business policyholders from Monaragala, precautions necessitated by the with the Vaccine Logistics Alliance transporting partners. Kekirawa, Manippai, Officials of Ceylinco Life at the second of six draws Covid-19 pandemic. urgently needed vaccines and medical supplies Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths Nattandiya, Anuradhapura, In each batch of winners, one to the most vulnerable communities across commented: “Dubai’s central location means it Ampara, and Horana. comprising 103 policyholders draws are to be conducted this receives the equivalent of Rs. the world when they need it most. We are all is easily accessible to almost 80% of the world’s In December 2020, the won the first prize of Rs. 5 year, culminating in a total of 1 million, two win Rs. 250,000 responsible for doing what we can to end this population within just four hours, making the inaugural batch of winners million in gold. Four more 618 Ceylinco Life policyholders each, five receive Rs. 100,000 pandemic.” decision to join forces and develop the world’s each, 25 receive Rs. 50,000 DP World, a leader in global supply chain preeminent distribution hub a very strategic one. each, and another 70 receive solutions with ports, terminals and logistics Over the coming months, there will undoubtedly Rs. 25,000 each. operations on every continent, is joining Dubai’s be a major surge in demand for the efficient, To be eligible to participate in initiative to transport, store and distribute Covid- safe and reliable global distribution of high the six bimonthly Family Savari 19 vaccines. DP World logistics operations is volumes of Covid-19 vaccines, and we wanted draws, Ceylinco Life customers said to facilitate the collection of vaccines from to be ready to respond to and accommodate are required to keep their life manufacturing sites in places like Europe, the that demand. This alliance is timed perfectly insurance or retirement plans US, and India and deliver them to airports, and will not only support a global need, but active between September 2020 seaports and dry ports for onward transportation. also the future of travel. and August 2021. business 49 Tuesday, February 2, 2021 { RECOGNITION/LAUNCH } „„ www.themorning.lk FriMi awarded at Dropoff.lk launches services in Sri Lanka SLIM DIGIS 2.0 Dropoff.lk, an online go elsewhere to fulfil their grocery store, recently household needs,” explained launched their services to Dropoff.lk Director Nipuna cater to the need for home Lokuhetty. delivery of quality grocery As Colombo begins to and other household items show a rise in dependency for for the Western Province, delivery, online services, and primarily Colombo and its e-commerce-focused retail, suburbs. platforms such as Dropoff. Dropoff.lk states that it lk and other essential provides a user-friendly goods providers continue platform, accessibility via to thrive, offering innovative mobile and desktop. With solutions, competitive an inventory of thousands of pricing, and faster delivery products, including fruits and to the doorstep. vegetables, dairy, fish and Dropoff.lk Director meat, beverages, toiletries Asita Kuruppu noted: From left: FTT Sri Lanka Founder Adeesha Hewawasam, Isobar Digital Media Planning Group Head Amila Sulochana, FriMi Brand Manager Madura Wijeratne, and FriMi Marketing Senior Manager Shanaka Rathnayaka receiving an award from SLIM President and grooming, cleaning “With the immense growth Roshan Fernando at the SLIM DIGIS 2.0 awards ceremony products, baby products, the brand received during and even pet food, Dropoff. 2020, Dropoff.lk has and FriMi, a Sri Lankan digital banking experience, mobile wallet and The competition is said to be judged lk claims to be one of Sri continues to play a large payment system, as well as lifestyle partner powered by Nations to international standards by the Lanka’s largest inventoried role aiding those affected Trust Bank was awarded with Gold and Bronze awards at the SLIM industry’s most respected business, household and grocery by the recent unprecedented DIGIS 2.0 awards ceremony held in Colombo recently. FriMi’s “Wilbert marketing, and digital marketing purchase sites. times, particularly during the Dropoff.lk (Pvt.) Ltd. Directors Asita Kuruppu and Nipuna Uncle” campaign picked up the Gold Award in the “Digital Brand professionals, and aims to celebrate The site also features an Lokuhetty lockdowns. The last year Bravery” category and the Bronze Award for “Best Digital Marketing work and talent within the digital inventory of all types of has represented the future of Campaign” in the “Banking and Finance” category. sphere. products from mainstream internationally recognised to-do list is the last thing household purchasing trends, The “Wilbert Uncle” campaign was Uncle’ campaign captures the clear FriMi is part of the Nations Trust to homemade products. purchase, handling, and any of us want to spend grocery purchase platforms, said to capture the audience, illustrating difference between the hassle Bank technology infrastructure and Founded by Nipuna storage standards of time doing, considering and above all, the importance the simplicity and speed with which of conventional money transfer is subject to all the standard security Lokuhetty and Asita products, such as packing the implications on time, of convenience.” money can be sent through the FriMi methods and banking as opposed to protocols within the banking industry. Kuruppu, the brand is meats and frozen goods with energy, and money. That’s Whilst Dropoff.lk is app, up to Rs. 1 million per day to a the ease with which FriMi facilitates FriMi has also been ranked amongst said to guarantee to offer gel ice in iceboxes to ensure where Dropoff.lk comes available via WhatsApp mobile phone, without the need of an transactions even in the direst of the Top 30 Best Digital Financial customers the freshest and the quality of the product is in. Dropoff.lk bridges the for customers to purchase account number. This removed the circumstances. We are thrilled by these Services Providers in the Asia Pacific, best-in-quality produce maintained. gap where a platform of its directly from the online risk of entering inaccurate information awards and will continue to innovate Middle East, and Africa under the available in the market. “Navigating the crowds of calibre is needed to cater store, they have also recently and inadvertently sending funds to a for the benefit of our customers.” category of “The Best Digital Banks Based on the founders’ Colombo to shop for fresh to the demand of products partnered with Uber Eats wrong account. SLIM DIGIS, organised by the Sri and Financial Institutions for 2018” combined experience both produce, packaged goods, a traditional supermarket and PickMe Foods, allowing Commenting on the awards, Nations Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) by The Asian Banker. In 2019, locally and internationally and household essentials is would have, including customers to select from over Trust Bank Chief Marketing Officer and first held in 2018, intends to FriMi was named one of the Top 10 with regard to starting up not as easy as imagined – or gourmet and artisanal 4,000 available products, Sanjaya Senarath said: “FriMi offers celebrate Sri Lanka’s best digital E-Commerce Brands of Sri Lanka as bring24.com – a German- liked, by many of us. It is products. A customer making it the largest store the most user-friendly experience, marketing work, innovation, and talent, showcased by LMD’s Brands Annual based online grocery store, widely agreed that shopping shopping via our site would selection on both delivery and can be widely used for virtually and recognise the region’s growing 2020 report and compiled by Brand the brand stands out amongst after a hard day’s work or definitely use this as a one- platforms to deliver within all banking transactions. The ‘Wilbert influence on the global digital industry. Finance Lanka. the online retailers for their putting it onto the weekend stop-shop, without having to 30 minutes. Facebook’s Blood Hayley’s Plantations ranked Donations feature among LMD Top 50 Talawakelle Tea Estates plantation companies (RPCs) are untapped potential. Moving launched in Sri Lanka (TTEL) and Kelani Valley the only agri-based companies forward, we will continue to raise z Partners with Health Ministry to connect donors and blood banks Plantations (KVPL), subsidiaries to be included in the LMD Top the standard for excellence, not of tea and rubber producer 50 Most Awarded companies. just in our industry, but for the Facebook announced it has contribute to the wellbeing of In Sri Lanka, Facebook has Hayley’s Plantations, secured “From our fields to our entire corporate sector,” Hayley’s launched its Blood Donations all citizens in the country. We partnered with the HPB and rankings on the “LMD Top factories and offices, Hayley’s Plantations Managing Director feature in Sri Lanka, in can save many lives with your other local organisations to 50 Most Awarded Companies Plantations is aligned to a Dr. Roshan Rajadurai said. partnership with the Ministry concern and participation.” ensure that people have access 2019/20 Hall of Fame”. singular vision of pioneering Both plantations companies of Health’s National Blood Facebook’s Blood Donations to credible health information It was announced that the future of plantations in were also recognised Transfusion Service (NBTS) feature has helped increase online. This will help debunk Talawakelle Tea Estates ranked Sri Lanka. The fact that both internationally as country supported by the Health voluntary blood donations misinformation, such as wrong fourth and Kelani Valley Talawakelle Tea Estates and winners at the prestigious Promotion Bureau (HPB), around the world. It gives cures. With the support of Plantations ranked 46thin the Kelani Valley Plantations have Hallbars Sustainability Report in an effort to make it easier people aged 18-55 the option HPB, Facebook has trained inaugural LMD edition which secured a great place of pride Awards 2020. KVPL’s Annual for people to donate blood. to use Facebook to sign up health professionals on the pays homage to the most among the top 50 most awarded Report for 2017/18, titled In addition, 24 blood cluster to receive notifications from use of social media for health awarded companies in Sri Lanka. companies, while being the only “Growth Beyond Measure”, centres have been on-boarded nearby blood banks, giving them communications. Facebook Ranking in the most respected Hayley’s Plantations Managing agri-based companies within best was said to be recognised as as part of the joint initiative. the opportunity to reach out works closely with the National corporates for their achievements Director Dr. Roshan Rajadurai 50 in Sri Lanka, is a tremendous the “Best in the World” in the Access to safe and sustainable and donate. Institute of Mental Health locally and internationally, the achievement, especially for tea category. Similarly, TTEL blood supply is essential, and A press briefing was (NIMH) to raise awareness on Hall of Fame represents the top LMD from January 2019 to our industry. This victory also was presented with two silver the Covid-19 pandemic has also organised to discuss the launch mental health and wellbeing 50 most awarded organisations September 2020. demonstrates our belief that awards at the Asia Sustainability changed how and where people of Facebook’s Blood Donations using digital platforms. of the 204 entities ranked by Notably, the two regional this industry still has immense Reporting Awards (ASRA) 2019. donate blood. Whether it be for feature. Panelists included “Facebook hopes to build regular blood transfusions or Telecommunication Regulatory communities that support each emergencies like road accidents, Commission Director General other in times of need,” said Latest Cargills Square opened in Dematagoda surgeries, or Covid-related Oshada Senanayake, Health Facebook Policy Programmes complications, access to blood Services (Laboratory Services) Manager for Sri Lanka Yasas Cargills (Ceylon) PLC has being the cineplex by Regal is crucial to saving lives. With Deputy Director General Dr. Vishuddhi Abeywickrama. introduced Cargills Square, a Cinemas. this in mind, Facebook’s Blood G.S.K. Dharmarathna and “Because of the global destination complex close to Cargills Square Dematagoda Donations feature has been HPB Director, Dr. Palitha pandemic, more people are where consumers can shop, is said to be an all-inclusive created to connect interested Karunapema. using digital platforms to create dine and watch movies. The shopping and entertainment donors to blood banks and help “The National Blood health awareness and form first two Cargills Square mini mall which allows consumers build a community of support. Transfusion Service of Sri support systems. We are happy malls were opened in Jaffna who enjoy movies to book their “The world is becoming Lanka is driven by voluntary to work with the Government and Gampaha and the third in favourites in the area’s three increasingly connected due to non-remunerated blood and partners to make it easier Dematagoda, which is a 50,000 screen Cineplex and then have social media,” said Minister of donors,’’ said NBTS Director to donate and ensure that more sq. ft. complex equipped with a meal later on at the franchise Health . Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe, who people have access to safe and new facilities including parking restaurant KFC. Moreover, “We look forward to working also attended the press briefing. sustainable blood supply,” space in a secure area. consumers are said to also have with Facebook and partners, “The Facebook Blood Abeywickrama continued. These mini malls aim access to a Cargills FoodCity, to digitise and strengthen our Donations feature enables direct Over 85 million Facebook to provide an affordable where consumers can buy healthcare system and make communication with blood users globally have signed up and convenient shopping groceries at affordable prices. it easier for people to stay donors islandwide and this through the Blood Donations experience while offering Offering a family-oriented informed and connected while will be a valuable asset to our feature to receive notifications entertainment for families with shopping experience to the facilitating blood donations. service, especially during this from nearby blood banks. This its household brands Cargills locality, Cargills Square We encourage anyone who is ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” feature is now available in 28 Food City and KFC, with the Dematagoda is now open to Cargills Square, Dematagoda able and willing to sign up and he added. countries, including Sri Lanka. main entertainment attraction the public. Ceylinco Life recognised at SLIM Brand Excellence Awards Ceylinco Life was recognised by its commitment to the Sustainable The evaluation criteria for the CSR initiatives in the areas of health support to the nation and its the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing Development Goals (SDGs) set by “CSR Brand of the Year” accolade and education, aligned with Goals communities is reflected in the (SLIM) recently which presented the United Nations (UN) for 2030. included an analysis of the Three and Four of the UN’s SDGs 146,000 people benefitted by the the life insurance company with Ceylinco Life Marketing General connection between the corporate for 2030; engaging employees at all health camps programme over the a silver award in the “CSR Brand Manager Samitha Hemachandra brand and CSR brand’s intent and levels across the branch network and years, 84 classroom buildings the of the Year” category at the 2020 said: “Our corporate social purpose, the link between the brand’s head office and logging 5,000-plus company has donated to date, five SLIM Brand Excellence Awards. responsibility initiatives are vision and mission in relation to its manhours in initiating, conducting, HDUs and numerous other donations Ceylinco Life is said to have won motivated by a deep-rooted sense of CSR activities, the strategic link monitoring, and completing its 2019 of essential medical equipment to this award for the corporate social obligation to respond to community between CSR initiatives and brand CSR initiatives; creating a positive government hospitals, and donations responsibility (CSR) initiatives needs, rather than as a brand- intent, the impact of the initiatives impact on 2,616 schoolchildren, last year to support the battle against the company completed in 2019, building strategy. Nevertheless, and how it was communicated to 3,042 health camp beneficiaries the spread of Covid-19. including the construction of seven we appreciate the independent stakeholders, employee engagement of whom some had not previously Ceylinco Life was shortlisted for classrooms, conducting 12 “Waidya assessment of the impact of these with initiatives, and internal experienced a western medical the “CSR Brand of the Year” award Hamuwa” free health camps, initiatives that forms the basis for marketing activities. check-up, and more than 1,700 based on the application submitted Ceylinco Life Senior Assistant Brand Manager Nirusha donation of a high dependency the SLIM award, and see it as a Ceylinco Life was said to HDU patients who were treated at and a presentation to a jury panel Luxshumyraj and Category Manager – Marketing unit (HDU) in the Teaching further encouragement to continue achieve the evaluation criteria by the donated facility in the year of consisting of eminent marketing Chamath Alwis with the SLIM Brand Excellence award Hospital, and the maintenance of the to look for opportunities for good establishing a strong connection assessment. professionals representing various presented to the company previously donated HDUs as part of corporate citizenship.” between its corporate brand and Furthermore, the company’s industries in Sri Lanka. 104 business „„ www.themorning.lk { MARKET } Tuesday, February 2, 2021 Unit trust prices­ at 29 Jan. 2021 CSE Price List 1 Feb. 2021 Fund name Unit selling price...... Unit buying price SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME V.W.A. OPEN HIGH LOW V.W.A. CHANGE SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME V.W.A. OPEN HIGH LOW V.W.A. CHANGE ASTRUE Active Income Fund 100.4919 ...... 100.4919 PREVIOUS TODAY’S (RS.) PREVIOUS TODAY’S (RS.) Astrue Alpha Fund 18.6658 ...... 17.6010 A.SPEN.HOT.HOLD...... 22,501...... 35.3...... 35...... 35.2...... 33.5...... 34...... -1.3 SLT...... 46,758...... 39...... 39...... 39.9...... 37.2...... 37.5...... -1.5 Assetline Income Fund 16.7878 ...... 16.7878 ABANS...... 23,959...... 181.75...... 182...... 185.25...... 172.25...... 181.75...... 0 SUNSHINE HOLDING...... 62,038...... 100.75...... 98...... 100...... 95...... 96.5...... -4.25 Assetline Income Plus Growth Fund 19.4669 ...... 18.9205 ACCESS ENG SL...... 761,910...... 29...... 29...... 29.2...... 27.6...... 28.4...... -0.6 SWISSTEK...... 183,663...... 154...... 154...... 154...... 140...... 144.75...... -9.25 ACL...... 423,821...... 103...... 112...... 112...... 103.5...... 104.75...... 1.75 TALAWAKELLE...... 151,544...... 89.7...... 101...... 108.5...... 97.1...... 98.5...... 8.8 Senfin Growth Fund 10.2900 ...... 9.9300 ACL PLASTICS...... 24,783...... 327.5...... 325...... 334...... 322...... 333.5...... 6 TANGERINE...... 650...... 41...... 40.8...... 41...... 40.8...... 41...... 0 Senfin Money Market Fund 15.0452 ...... 15.0452 ACME...... 391,252...... 6.3...... 6.3...... 6.3...... 6.3...... 6.3...... 0 TEEJAY LANKA...... 868,482...... 44.3...... 44.3...... 44.3...... 42.5...... 42.7...... -1.6 Senfin Shariah Balanced Fund 12.9700 ...... 12.6500 AGALAWATTE...... 4,415...... 27.3...... 27.3...... 30...... 27.3...... 28...... 0.7 THREE ACRE FARMS...... 40,677...... 243.5...... 237.75...... 240...... 230...... 232.5...... -11 Senfin Shariah Income Fund 12.4139 ...... 12.4139 AHOT PROPERTIES...... 1,753...... 42.2...... 42.3...... 42.3...... 41...... 41.4...... -0.8 TOKYO CEMENT...... 584,354...... 83.5...... 83.5...... 84...... 78...... 82...... -1.5 Ceybank Growth 87.0700...... 83.3600 AITKEN SPENCE...... 156,241...... 74.7...... 74.6...... 74.6...... 68.5...... 69.6...... -5.1 TOKYO CEMENT [TKYO.X0000]...... 882,725...... 74.3...... 74.3...... 75...... 67...... 72...... -2.3 Ceybank Gilt Edge Fund (A Series) 14.4708 ...... 14.4708 ALLIANCE...... 14,447...... 56.1...... 57...... 57...... 55...... 56.5...... 0.4 UNION BANK...... 2,195,037...... 14.1...... 14.2...... 14.3...... 13.5...... 13.7...... -0.4 Ceybank Gilt Edged Fund (B Series) 10.9609 ...... 10.9609 AMANA BANK...... 1,323,561...... 3.9...... 3.9...... 4...... 3.7...... 3.7...... -0.2 UNION CHEMICALS...... 41...... 910...... 855...... 910...... 850...... 910...... 0 Ceybank High Yield Fund 13.7935 ...... 13.7935 AMAYA LEISURE...... 3,437...... 40.4...... 40.4...... 41.2...... 39.9...... 40.2...... -0.2 UNISYST...... 32,712...... 16.7...... 17...... 17.5...... 16.7...... 16.8...... 0.1 Ceybank Surakum Fund 12.3705 ...... 12.3705 ASIA ASSET...... 137,779...... 7.7...... 7.6...... 7.6...... 7.3...... 7.4...... -0.3 UNITED MOTORS...... 6,954...... 76.5...... 76.2...... 77.9...... 75...... 75.7...... -0.8 ASIRI...... 230,651...... 29.1...... 32...... 32...... 29.1...... 30.3...... 1.2 VALLIBEL...... 4,614,275...... 8.2...... 8.2...... 8.5...... 8.1...... 8.3...... 0.1 Ceybank Unit Trust 29.7400 ...... 27.9000 ASIRI SURG...... 43,869...... 15.7...... 16...... 16...... 14.9...... 15.4...... -0.3 VALLIBEL FINANCE...... 245,120...... 159.5...... 159...... 160...... 125.25...... 146.25...... -13.25 Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund (in $) 0.7266...... 0.7230 AUTODROME...... 651...... 80.1...... 80...... 85...... 78.8...... 84...... 3.9 VIDULLANKA...... 728,569...... 5.7...... 5.9...... 5.9...... 5.6...... 5.7...... 0 Ceylon Financial Sector Fund 8.7900...... 8.4200 BAIRAHA FARMS...... 16,638...... 147.5...... 150...... 153...... 147...... 147...... -0.5 WATAWALA...... 12,019...... 65...... 65.4...... 65.4...... 63.3...... 64...... -1 Ceylon Income Fund 22.1655...... 22.1655 BALANGODA...... 33,336...... 16...... 17...... 17.4...... 15.5...... 15.8...... -0.2 YORK ARCADE...... 1,891...... 248.25...... 220...... 220...... 210.5...... 212.75...... -35.5 CEYLON Index Fund 62.7400 ...... 60.1200 BUKIT DARAH...... 1,751...... 340.5...... 363...... 364.5...... 345...... 356.5...... 16 SECOND BOARD Ceylon IPO Fund 5.6600...... 5.5500 C M HOLDINGS...... 9,512...... 104...... 104...... 105...... 104...... 104...... 0 ABANS FINANCIAL...... 105...... 27.1...... 28...... 28...... 28...... 28...... 0.9 Ceylon Money Market Fund 17.3001 ...... 17.3001 C T HOLDINGS...... 5,066...... 185.75...... 184.25...... 184.25...... 183...... 183.75...... -2 AMBEON CAPITAL...... 60,004...... 6.3...... 6.5...... 6.5...... 6.2...... 6.3...... 0 Ceylon Tourism Fund 3.9500 ...... 3.8100 CARGILLS...... 60,885...... 240...... 240...... 242...... 233...... 240.25...... 0.25 ARPICO...... 1,343...... 213.5...... 206...... 209.75...... 180...... 196...... -17.5 CARGO BOAT...... 44,637...... 70.6...... 72...... 75...... 70.5...... 75...... 4.4 Ceylon Treasury Income Fund 6.1600 ...... 6.1600 ASIA CAPITAL...... 52,023...... 6.7...... 6.8...... 6.9...... 6.6...... 6.6...... -0.1 CARSONS...... 1,366...... 350...... 350...... 375...... 343...... 361.25...... 11.25 BROWNS BEACH...... 7,969...... 13...... 13.9...... 13.9...... 12.6...... 12.9...... -0.1 Comtrust ADL Mudarabah Fund 11.6772...... 11.6772 CDB...... 3,539...... 129.5...... 122...... 127...... 115.25...... 119.75...... -9.75 COMM LEASE & FIN...... 198,378...... 7.7...... 7.9...... 8...... 7.2...... 7.5...... -0.2 Comtrust Equity Fund 21.3300 ...... 20.3300 CDB [CDB.X0000]...... 47,196...... 89.2...... 92.9...... 92.9...... 85...... 85.9...... -3.3 DIALOG FINANCE...... 163...... 50...... 57...... 60...... 57...... 59.6...... 9.6 Comtrust Gilt Edged Fund 10.4403...... 10.4403 CENTRAL FINANCE...... 1,981,766...... 116.5...... 121...... 128.5...... 113...... 125.5...... 9 DISTILLERIES...... 218,884...... 23...... 23...... 23.5...... 22.5...... 22.6...... -0.4 Comtrust Money Market Fund 11.8587...... 11.8587 CENTRAL IND...... 117,435...... 129.75...... 131...... 134...... 126...... 127...... -2.75 FIRST CAPITAL...... 128,014...... 57.5...... 57.5...... 58.6...... 57...... 57.1...... -0.4 First Capital Equity Fund (FCEF) 1,558.9400 ...... 1,480.9900 CEYLINCO INS...... 1,144...... 2010.25...... 2,060.00...... 2,100.00...... 2,000.25...... 2,050.50...... 40.25 INDO MALAY...... 10...... 1123.2...... 1,105.00...... 1,105.00...... 1,105.00...... 1,123.20...... 0 First Capital Fixed income Fund 1,855.0200 ...... 1,854.9700 CEYLINCO INS. [CINS.X0000]...... 412...... 1300...... 1,250.00...... 1,300.00...... 1,222.00...... 1,281.50...... -18.5 KOTMALE HOLDINGS...... 267...... 239...... 236...... 253.75...... 230.25...... 236...... -3 First Capital Gilt Edged Fund 1,493.9500...... 1,493.9500 CEYLON GUARDIAN...... 49,136...... 155.25...... 154.75...... 157.75...... 151...... 152.75...... -2.5 LOLC DEV FINANCE...... 155...... 121.75...... 122...... 122...... 100.25...... 105...... -16.75 First Capital Money Market Fund 1,908.6900 ...... 1,908.6900 CEYLON INV...... 136,397...... 85.3...... 85...... 88...... 82.9...... 83.5...... -1.8 LOLC FINANCE...... 1,032,357...... 7.6...... 7.6...... 8...... 7.1...... 7.3...... -0.3 CEYLON TOBACCO...... 15,212...... 1105.5...... 1,125.00...... 1,138.00...... 1,102.00...... 1,119.75...... 14.25 First Capital Wealth Fund 1,131.6600...... 1,131.6300 MADULSIMA...... 7,735...... 9.6...... 9.5...... 9.9...... 9.1...... 9.3...... -0.3 CHEMANEX...... 38,766...... 98.2...... 97.8...... 98...... 91.9...... 93.3...... -4.9 ODEL PLC...... 13,426...... 20.6...... 20.50...... 20.50...... 19.80...... 19.90...... -0.7 Guardian Acuity Equity Fund 20.7846...... 20.3888 CHEVRON...... 108,104...... 110.25...... 110.75...... 110.75...... 109...... 109...... -1.25 SELINSING...... 39...... 817.25...... 798.75...... 849.5...... 798.25...... 817.25...... 0 Guardian Acuity Money Market Fund 20.2934 ...... 20.2934 CIC...... 866,538...... 59.7...... 59.1...... 61.2...... 57...... 60.2...... 0.5 SERENDIB LAND...... 106...... 1812.5...... 2,265.50...... 2,265.50...... 2,265.50...... 2,265.50...... 453 JB Vantage Money Market Fund 27.6051 ...... 27.6051 CIC [CIC.X0000]...... 858,562...... 48.4...... 46...... 49...... 45.1...... 47.9...... -0.5 SHALIMAR...... 1...... 1203.2...... 1,203.50...... 1,203.50...... 1,203.50...... 1,203.20...... 0 JB Vantage Short Term Gilt Fund 14.8918 ...... 14.8918 CITRUS LEISURE...... 46,851...... 10.5...... 10.9...... 10.9...... 10.2...... 10.2...... -0.3 SINGER SRI LANKA...... 30,540...... 68.9...... 70...... 70...... 66.5...... 67...... -1.9 JB Vantage Value Equity Fund 28.2600...... 26.5700 COLD STORES...... 6,812...... 709.75...... 709...... 714...... 700...... 706...... -3.75 DIRI SAVI BOARD NAMAL Bank Fund 10.5038 ...... 10.1009 COLOMBO CITY...... 84...... 1101.5...... 1,160.00...... 1,172.00...... 1,044.00...... 1,101.50...... 0 AGSTAR PLC...... 102,638...... 7.8...... 7.8...... 7.8...... 7.4...... 7.5...... -0.3 NAMAL Growth Fund 160.3088 ...... 149.6161 COLOMBO LAND...... 44,528...... 29.6...... 28.8...... 29...... 27.2...... 28.1...... -1.5 ALUMEX PLC...... 708,363...... 25.1...... 25.8...... 26.3...... 24.8...... 25.1...... 0 COMMERCIAL BANK...... 1,050,666...... 99.7...... 100...... 100...... 95.9...... 96.3...... -3.4 NAMAL High Yield Fund 24.7496 ...... 24.7496 AMANA LIFE...... 5,007...... 8.7...... 8.7...... 8.7...... 8.7...... 8.7...... 0 COMMERCIAL BANK [COMB.X0000]...... 62,874...... 86.3...... 88.4...... 88.4...... 85.5...... 86.1...... -0.2 AMANA TAKAFUL...... 3,348...... 9.9...... 10...... 10...... 9.6...... 9.8...... -0.1 NAMAL Income Fund 14.3239 ...... 14.3239 CONVENIENCE FOOD...... 926...... 1269.25...... 1,250.00...... 1,479.75...... 1,200.00...... 1,441.25...... 172 AMBEON HOLDINGS...... 74,955...... 23.6...... 23.6...... 23.6...... 22...... 22.1...... -1.5 National Equity Fund 38.8598...... 36.3490 DANKOTUWA PORCEL...... 203,360...... 13.3...... 13.1...... 13.1...... 12.4...... 12.9...... -0.4 AMF CO LTD...... 105...... 329...... 321.75...... 321.75...... 310...... 310...... -19 NDB Wealth Gilt Edged Fund 18.7074 ...... 18.7074 DFCC BANK PLC...... 187,845...... 74.1...... 74.5...... 76...... 70.1...... 71.9...... -2.2 ANILANA HOTELS...... 47,988...... 1.3...... 1.3...... 1.4...... 1.2...... 1.3...... 0 NDB Wealth Growth & Income Fund 51.6500 ...... 49.9500 DIALOG...... 5,891,576...... 12.7...... 12.6...... 12.7...... 12.5...... 12.6...... -0.1 ARPICO INSURANCE...... 963...... 24...... 25.00...... 25.00...... 23.60...... 23.60...... -0.4 NDB Wealth Growth Fund 12.0500...... 11.5700 DIMO...... 620...... 625...... 629...... 634...... 604...... 616...... -9 ASIA SIYAKA...... 191,389...... 2.9...... 2.90...... 3.00...... 2.90...... 2.90...... 0 NDB Wealth Income Fund 16.0207...... 16.0207 DIPPED PRODUCTS...... 392,041...... 703...... 715...... 720...... 685...... 689...... -14 BANSEI RESORTS...... 354...... 8.6...... 8.7...... 8.7...... 8.6...... 8.6...... 0 NDB Wealth Income Plus Fund 17.0776...... 17.0776 DOCKYARD...... 83,824...... 85.1...... 85...... 85.1...... 83.5...... 85...... -0.1 BERUWALA RESORTS...... 626,318...... 1...... 1...... 1...... 0.9...... 1...... 0 NDB Wealth Islamic Money Plus Fund 16.3114 ...... 16.3114 DOLPHIN HOTELS...... 18,489...... 25...... 26...... 27...... 26...... 26.5...... 1.5 BOGALA GRAPHITE...... 14,758...... 24.5...... 24.4...... 25.1...... 23.6...... 24.4...... -0.1 DURDANS...... 22,218...... 104.25...... 104.25...... 104.5...... 104...... 104.25...... 0 NDB Wealth Money Fund 20.6349...... 20.6349 BOGAWANTALAWA...... 2,014...... 13.1...... 13.3...... 13.7...... 13.1...... 13.1...... 0 DURDANS [CHL.X0000]...... 11,381...... 100...... 100...... 100...... 100...... 100...... 0 BPPL HOLDINGS...... 132,758...... 15.9...... 16...... 16.4...... 15.7...... 15.8...... -0.1 NDB Wealth Money Plus Fund 23.5648 ...... 23.5648 E B CREASY...... 537...... 6278...... 6,401.00...... 6,450.00...... 6,050.00...... 6,131.25...... -146.75 BROWNS...... 396,407...... 230.75...... 210...... 245...... 210...... 220...... -10.75 Premier Growth Fund 7.0200...... 6.6900 EAST WEST...... 68,473...... 12.4...... 12.7...... 12.7...... 12.1...... 12.1...... -0.3 BROWNS INVSTMNTS...... 2,710,774,277...... 6.7...... 6.6...... 7.1...... 6.4...... 6.7...... 0 Premier Money Market Fund 18.6490 ...... 18.6490 EASTERN MERCHANT...... 10,119...... 6.4...... 6.6...... 6.9...... 6.6...... 6.6...... 0.2 C T LAND...... 445...... 29.9...... 29.5...... 30...... 29.5...... 29.7...... -0.2 Softlogic Equity Fund 142.8019...... 135.6528 EXPOLANKA...... 9,893,475...... 50.5...... 53...... 54.6...... 50.9...... 51.3...... 0.8 C.W.MACKIE...... 5,657...... 49.8...... 49.5...... 50...... 48.5...... 48.5...... -1.3 Softlogic Money Market Fund 104.3323 ...... 104.3323 FORT LAND...... 109,006...... 16.1...... 16...... 16.4...... 15.7...... 15.8...... -0.3 CEYLON BEVERAGE...... 13...... 779.75...... 762...... 784...... 762...... 779.75...... 0 GESTETNER...... 50...... 120.5...... 127.25...... 127.25...... 127.25...... 120.5...... 0 CEYLON TEA BRKRS...... 91,745...... 3.8...... 3.8...... 3.9...... 3.7...... 3.8...... 0 Unit holders can contact relevant Fund Managers to obtain Unit Prices for redemptions within GRAIN ELEVATORS...... 75,676...... 143.25...... 145...... 145...... 135.75...... 138.75...... -4.5 CFI...... 1,872...... 106.5...... 123...... 123...... 106.5...... 118.25...... 11.75 short duration from the date of investment where exit fee is applicable. HAYCARB...... 87,320...... 1196...... 1,196.00...... 1,230.00...... 1,170.00...... 1,185.75...... -10.25 CIT...... 154...... 197.25...... 173.25...... 211.25...... 173.00...... 198.00...... 0.75 HAYLEYS...... 326,743...... 772...... 772...... 772...... 731...... 741.5...... -30.5 CITRUS HIKKADUWA...... 35,697...... 6...... 6...... 6...... 5.7...... 5.9...... -0.1 HAYLEYS FABRIC...... 422,409...... 34.9...... 35...... 36...... 34.2...... 35...... 0.1 CITRUS WASKADUWA...... 32,282...... 3.8...... 3.9...... 3.9...... 3.7...... 3.8...... 0 Ex­change Rates 29 Jan. 2021 HAYLEYS FIBRE...... 10,652...... 223.5...... 230...... 230...... 190...... 211.25...... -12.25 COM.CREDIT...... 27,561...... 26.7...... 27.3...... 27.8...... 26.5...... 26.8...... 0.1 (1) The average rates of the following (2) The approximate exchange rates HDFC...... 34,633...... 43.1...... 43.8...... 43.8...... 41...... 42.1...... -1 COMMERCIAL DEV...... 11,950...... 146.5...... 152...... 152...... 135...... 135.75...... -10.75 currencies quoted by commercial of GULF currencies based on previous HEMAS HOLDINGS...... 217,512...... 96.6...... 96.6...... 96.6...... 93...... 94...... -2.6 DILMAH CEYLON...... 144...... 679.25...... 679...... 699...... 678...... 679.25...... 0 banks in Colombo for Telegraphic Trans- day’s market weighted average rate for HNB...... 1,012,713...... 155.75...... 156...... 159.75...... 149...... 150.75...... -5 fers (TT) at 9.30 a.m. are as follows. the US$ are as follows. E - CHANNELLING...... 2,491...... 6.6...... 6.8...... 7...... 6.6...... 6.7...... 0.1 HNB ASSURANCE...... 110,501...... 61.5...... 61.5...... 61.5...... 60...... 60...... -1.5 CURRENCY BUYING RATE...... SELLING RATE COUNTRY CURRENCY...... INDICATIVE RATE EDEN HOTEL LANKA...... 63,053...... 12.8...... 12.9...... 12.9...... 12.5...... 12.5...... -0.3 Australian Dollar 144.4602 ...... 149.5783 Bahrain Bahrain Dinar ...... 515.5608 HNB [HNB.X0000]...... 625,195...... 121...... 125...... 125...... 117.25...... 118...... -3 ELPITIYA...... 30,994...... 51.6...... 51.5...... 53...... 51.5...... 51.9...... 0.3 Canadian Dollar 146.6622 ...... 152.3280 Kuwait Kuwait Dinar ...... 642.0332 HORANA...... 8,105...... 24.3...... 25.1...... 25.1...... 22.1...... 24...... -0.3 EQUITY TWO PLC...... 40...... 69.9...... 61.1...... 69.6...... 61.1...... 69.9...... 0 Chinese Yuan (Renminbi) 29.0726 ...... 30.1679 Oman Oman Rial ...... 504.9084 HOTEL SIGIRIYA...... 2,465...... 61.2...... 66...... 67.1...... 61.7...... 61.8...... 0.6 FORTRESS RESORTS...... 8,018...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 0 Euro 229.1927...... 235.5134 Qatar Qatar Riyal ...... 53.3795 HOTELS CORP...... 2,079...... 12.4...... 12.1...... 12.1...... 12.1...... 12.1...... -0.3 Japanese Yen 1.8135...... 1.8612 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian ...... Riyal 51.8310 GALADARI...... 40,562...... 9.4...... 10.2...... 10.2...... 9.2...... 9.3...... -0.1 Singapore Dollar 142.0539...... 146.3739 UAE UAE Dirham ...... 52.9232 INDUSTRIAL ASPH...... 42,527,148...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 0.5...... 0.6...... -0.1 GUARDIAN CAPITAL...... 1,080...... 36.1...... 36.1...... 36.1...... 36.1...... 36.1...... 0 Sterling Pound 259.8668...... 266.6941 JANASHAKTHI INS...... 121,076...... 31.4...... 31.4...... 31.5...... 30...... 30.6...... -0.8 HAPUGASTENNE...... 200...... 17.8...... 17.6...... 17.6...... 17.1...... 17.4...... -0.4 Swiss Franc 212.0469 ...... 219.8765 JKH...... 1,097,796...... 167...... 168.5...... 171.75...... 164...... 168.5...... 1.5 HARISCHANDRA...... 1...... 4007.25...... 4,007.25...... 4,007.25...... 4,007.25...... 4,007.25...... 0 US Dollar 189.6615 ...... 194.4435 KANDY HOTELS...... 5,575...... 5.2...... 5.3...... 5.3...... 5.1...... 5.1...... -0.1 HATTON...... 81,436...... 10.4...... 10.5...... 10.8...... 10.5...... 10.7...... 0.3 KEGALLE...... 21,237...... 136.25...... 135...... 144...... 130...... 132...... -4.25 HNB FINANCE...... 83,118...... 9.7...... 9.8...... 10.2...... 9.8...... 10...... 0.3 Market Indicators 1 Feb. 2021 KELANI CABLES...... 411...... 165.75...... 165...... 165...... 160...... 164...... -1.75 HNB FINANCE [HNBF-X-0000]...... 71,822...... 8.1...... 8...... 8.2...... 7.9...... 7.9...... -0.2 KELANI TYRES...... 167,423...... 94.2...... 96.9...... 98...... 92.1...... 93.2...... -1 Price indices Today...... Previous day JETWING SYMPHONY...... 18,215...... 9.6...... 9.5...... 9.9...... 9.3...... 9.4...... -0.2 KELANI VALLEY...... 35,009...... 89.5...... 93.7...... 94.6...... 93...... 94.2...... 4.7 JOHN KEELLS...... 59,322...... 80.4...... 81...... 86...... 78...... 83.7...... 3.3 CSE ALL SHARE PRICE INDEX 8,567.07...... 8,668.07 KINGSBURY...... 36,388...... 13.5...... 13.4...... 13.4...... 12.7...... 12.7...... -0.8 S&P SL20 3,439.15...... 3,514.18 KAHAWATTE...... 756...... 31...... 30.8...... 30.8...... 30...... 30.1...... -0.9 KOTAGALA...... 125,251...... 6.6...... 6.9...... 7.1...... 6.7...... 6.8...... 0.2 TRI ON ALL SHARE (ASTRI) 11,482.75...... 11,618.12 KEELLS FOOD...... 7,298...... 147.5...... 149...... 149...... 142...... 142.75...... -4.75 TRI ON S&P SL20 5,648.50...... 5,771.72 L O L C HOLDINGS...... 2,699,110...... 512.75...... 510...... 545...... 485...... 503.75...... -9 KEELLS HOTELS...... 225,437...... 11...... 11.3...... 11.3...... 11.1...... 11.1...... 0.1 VALUE OF TURNOVER(Rs.) 23,752,906,800.00...... 13,418,394,600.00 LANKA ALUMINIUM...... 62,493...... 140.75...... 145...... 145...... 139...... 139.75...... -1 LANKA CERAMIC...... 3,939...... 190...... 200...... 200...... 180...... 185.5...... -4.5 DOMESTIC PURCHASES 23,603,279,900.00...... 13,162,449,900.00 LANKA ASHOK...... 3...... 900...... 874...... 874...... 870...... 900...... 0 LANKEM CEYLON...... 2,558...... 31.5...... 31.5...... 31.6...... 31.5...... 31.5...... 0 DOMESTIC SALES 23,220,809,700.00...... 10,832,909,300.00 LANKA HOSPITALS...... 6,120...... 49.8...... 50.1...... 50.1...... 49...... 49...... -0.8 LAUGFS POWER...... 6,560...... 11.5...... 11.5...... 11.5...... 10.3...... 10.6...... -0.9 FOREIGN PURCHASES 149,626,336.00...... 255,944,448.00 LANKA IOC...... 432,030...... 26...... 26...... 26...... 24...... 24.6...... -1.4 LAUGFS POWER [LPL-X-0000]...... 28,285...... 8...... 8...... 8...... 7.5...... 7.5...... -0.5 FOREIGN SALES 532,097,824.00...... 2,585,484,800.00 LANKA REALTY...... 1,056...... 37.9...... 37.1...... 37.1...... 37.1...... 37.1...... -0.8 LIGHTHOUSE HOTEL...... 620...... 34.1...... 35...... 35...... 34...... 34.9...... 0.8 VOLUME OF TURNOVER(NO.) 2,868,086,020.00...... 335,958,336.00 LANKA TILES...... 112,680...... 291...... 291...... 295...... 271...... 279.75...... -11.25 DOMESTIC 2,863,525,630.00...... 326,383,296.00 LOTUS HYDRO...... 105,056...... 10.6...... 10.6...... 11...... 10.5...... 10.5...... -0.1 LANKA VENTURES...... 671...... 56...... 53.5...... 53.5...... 53...... 53.1...... -2.9 MAHAWELI COCONUT...... 952...... 28.3...... 28.9...... 28.9...... 28.3...... 28.5...... 0.2 FOREIGN 4,560,460.00...... 9,575,066.00 LANKA WALLTILE...... 177,649...... 290.75...... 299...... 299...... 259.25...... 276.75...... -14 TRADES(NO.) 43,238...... 63,622 MAHAWELI REACH...... 100...... 14...... 14.1...... 14.1...... 14.1...... 14.1...... 0.1 LAUGFS GAS...... 13,921...... 28.1...... 27.5...... 27.5...... 26.1...... 26.6...... -1.5 DOMESTIC 42,293...... 60,383 MARAWILA RESORTS...... 101,845...... 2.2...... 2.1...... 2.2...... 2.1...... 2.1...... -0.1 FOREIGN 945...... 3,239 LAUGFS GAS [LGL.X0000]...... 7,554...... 22.6...... 22.5...... 22.5...... 20.7...... 21.1...... -1.5 MASKELIYA...... 4,197...... 13.7...... 13.7...... 14.3...... 13.6...... 14.2...... 0.5 CORPORATE DEBT 0...... 0 LAXAPANA...... 77,939...... 14.6...... 14.6...... 14.7...... 14.4...... 14.5...... -0.1 MILLENNIUM HOUSE...... 22,894...... 6.7...... 6.7...... 6.8...... 6.5...... 6.6...... -0.1 GOVERNMENT DEBT 0...... 0 LB FINANCE...... 231,578...... 297.5...... 305...... 310...... 295...... 300...... 2.5 NUWARA ELIYA...... 2...... 1171.5...... 1,190.00...... 1,190.00...... 1,190.00...... 1,171.50...... 0 LISTED COMPANIES (NO.) 283...... 283 LEE HEDGES...... 602...... 77.5...... 77.5...... 77.5...... 77.4...... 77.5...... 0 ON’ALLY...... 6,556...... 41.7...... 36.1...... 40...... 36...... 38.7...... -3 TRADED COMPANIES (NO.) 273...... 279 LION BREWERY...... 20...... 621...... 605...... 605...... 605...... 621...... 0 ORIENT FINANCE...... 108,026...... 15.5...... 15.5...... 16...... 14.2...... 15.3...... -0.2 MARKET PRICE EARNINGS RATIO(PER) 14.2...... 14.4 LMF...... 47,559...... 182.25...... 185...... 188.5...... 175...... 178.75...... -3.5 PALM GARDEN HOTL...... 2,009...... 28.9...... 29...... 30.4...... 29...... 29.8...... 0.9 MARKET PRICE TO BOOK VALUE (PBV) 1.4...... 1.4 LVL ENERGY...... 54,031...... 10...... 10.3...... 10.4...... 10...... 10.1...... 0.1 PEGASUS HOTELS...... 419...... 33.9...... 34...... 34...... 33.8...... 33.9...... 0 MARKET DIVIDEND YIELD (DY) 2.1...... 2.1 MALWATTE...... 5,721...... 13.4...... 13.6...... 13.6...... 12.4...... 12.7...... -0.7 MARKET CAPITALIZATION (Rs.) 3,744,996,587,666.00...... 3,789,151,267,731.00 PEOPLE’S MERCH...... 14,384...... 8.7...... 8.9...... 9...... 8.9...... 8.9...... 0.2 MALWATTE [MAL.X0000]...... 6,619...... 9...... 9...... 9...... 9...... 9...... 0 PRIME FINANCE...... 1,671...... 13.5...... 13.4...... 14...... 13.3...... 13.3...... -0.2 MELSTACORP...... 1,364,001...... 66.7...... 66.5...... 67...... 59.9...... 63.6...... -3.1 RAIGAM SALTERNS...... 71,481...... 6.4...... 6.5...... 6.8...... 6.4...... 6.4...... 0 MERC. SHIPPING...... 10...... 92.6...... 90.2...... 90.2...... 90.2...... 92.6...... 0 RAMBODA FALLS...... 515...... 18.2...... 20...... 20...... 18.5...... 18.5...... 0.3 1. Overnight Money Market Transactions MERCHANT BANK...... 60,118...... 8.4...... 8.4...... 8.5...... 8.2...... 8.2...... -0.2 RENUKA CAPITAL...... 558,874...... 9.7...... 9...... 9.4...... 8.8...... 9.1...... -0.6 MULLERS...... 445,764...... 1.3...... 1.4...... 1.4...... 1.2...... 1.2...... -0.1 Call Money Market...... Repo Market RENUKA HOTELS...... 100...... 77...... 75...... 75...... 75...... 75...... -2 NAMUNUKULA...... 16,171...... 200...... 200...... 200...... 196...... 196.5...... -3.5 Weighted Average Rate (%) 4.54 4.55 RICH PIERIS EXP...... 3,137...... 454...... 450.25...... 470...... 425...... 427.5...... -26.5 NAT. DEV. BANK...... 1,187,148...... 97.4...... 100...... 100...... 89...... 96...... -1.4 Minimum Rate (%) 4.54 4.54 ROYAL PALMS...... 2,797...... 18...... 18...... 18...... 17.8...... 17.8...... -0.2 NATIONS TRUST...... 91,128...... 64.1...... 65.6...... 65.6...... 62.9...... 63.1...... -1 Maximum Rate (%) 4.55 4.68 SATHOSA MOTORS...... 59...... 246.5...... 250...... 250...... 241...... 246.5...... 0 NAWALOKA...... 206,810...... 5.5...... 5.5...... 5.9...... 5.4...... 5.8...... 0.3 Total Gross amount (Rs. million) 16,300 12,287 SERENDIB ENG.GRP...... 24,027...... 7.4...... 7.4...... 7.4...... 6.7...... 6.9...... -0.5 NESTLE...... 354...... 1252.5...... 1,255.00...... 1,300.00...... 1,255.00...... 1,296.25...... 43.75 Total Net amount (Rs. million) 16,300 12,287 SERENDIB HOTELS...... 17,129...... 16...... 15.7...... 16.5...... 15.7...... 15.9...... -0.1 OVERSEAS REALTY...... 1,248,371...... 18.9...... 19.4...... 19.5...... 16.9...... 17.5...... -1.4 2. Use of the CBSL Standing Facility SERENDIB HOTELS [SHOT.X0000]...... 3,200...... 10...... 9.9...... 9.9...... 9.8...... 9.8...... -0.2 PAN ASIA...... 2,766,824...... 20.3...... 21...... 21.5...... 19.1...... 20...... -0.3 Standing Deposit Facility (Rs. million) ...... 120,533 SINGER IND...... 3,630...... 113...... 113.25...... 119...... 113.25...... 113.25...... 0.25 PANASIAN POWER...... 1,358,339...... 3.8...... 3.8...... 3.8...... 3.7...... 3.7...... -0.1 Standing Lending Facility (Rs. million)...... - SINGHE HOSPITALS...... 1,101,569...... 2.8...... 2.8...... 2.9...... 2.6...... 2.7...... -0.1 PEOPLE’S INS...... 280,671...... 34...... 35.5...... 35.5...... 32.2...... 32.8...... -1.2 SINHAPUTHRA FIN [SFL.P0000]...... 2,100...... 4.5...... 4.7...... 4.7...... 4.6...... 4.6...... 0.1 3. CBSL Treasury Bill/Bonds Holdings PEOPLES LEASING...... 514,536...... 14...... 14...... 14...... 13.8...... 13.9...... -0.1 SOFTLOGIC...... 1,301,101...... 14.4...... 14.5...... 15.3...... 13.8...... 15...... 0.6 Face Value (Rs. million) ...... 736,242.88 PIRAMAL GLASS...... 3,624,074...... 9.9...... 10...... 10.2...... 9.7...... 9.8...... -0.1 Book Value (Rs. million) ...... 722,415.87 SOFTLOGIC CAP...... 121,651...... 4.2...... 4.4...... 4.4...... 4.1...... 4.1...... -0.1 PRINTCARE PLC...... 2,031...... 33.4...... 34.5...... 34.5...... 32.8...... 33...... -0.4 SOFTLOGIC FIN...... 27,204...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 11.7...... 12...... 0 R I L PROPERTY...... 368,463...... 7.7...... 7.8...... 7.9...... 7.5...... 7.6...... -0.1 SOFTLOGIC LIFE...... 142,414...... 33.1...... 33...... 34.1...... 32.9...... 33.2...... 0.1 REGNIS...... 10,015...... 129.5...... 129...... 131...... 120.25...... 127.25...... -2.25 TOP 10 GAINERS TAL LANKA...... 8,260...... 16.1...... 16...... 16.4...... 16...... 16...... -0.1 RENUKA AGRI...... 751,054...... 4.6...... 4.7...... 4.8...... 4.5...... 4.6...... 0 Company VWA VWA Change Change TRANS ASIA...... 151...... 62.1...... 64.8...... 64.8...... 64.8...... 64.8...... 2.7 RENUKA CITY HOT...... 15,947...... 275...... 275...... 281...... 275...... 275...... 0 UDAPUSSELLAWA...... 6,960...... 27.1...... 27...... 27...... 26.7...... 27...... -0.1 Prev. Close Days Close (Rs.) % RENUKA FOODS...... 62,482...... 17.1...... 17.7...... 17.7...... 17...... 17.1...... 0 SERENDIB LAND 1,812.50 ...... 2,265.50...... 453...... 24.99 UNION ASSURANCE...... 2,107...... 312...... 315...... 315...... 311.25...... 313...... 1 RENUKA FOODS [COCO.X0000]...... 2,830...... 13.9...... 14...... 14...... 13.8...... 13.8...... -0.1 DIALOG FINANCE 50 ...... 59.6...... 9.6...... 19.2 VALLIBEL ONE...... 6,246,420...... 81.9...... 85...... 88...... 79...... 80.3...... -1.6 CONVENIENCE FOOD 1,269.25 ...... 1,441.25...... 172...... 13.55 RENUKA HOLDINGS...... 188,357...... 19.5...... 19.9...... 19.9...... 18.6...... 19.1...... -0.4 CFI 106.5 ...... 118.25...... 11.75...... 11.03 WATCH LIST TALAWAKELLE 89.7 ...... 98.5...... 8.8...... 9.81 RENUKA HOLDINGS [RHL.X0000]...... 33,952...... 14.6...... 14.6...... 14.6...... 14...... 14.2...... -0.4 CENTRAL FINANCE 116.5 ...... 125.5...... 9...... 7.73 RESUS ENERGY...... 45,532...... 27.7...... 27.5...... 27.5...... 25.9...... 26...... -1.7 BIMPUTH FINANCE...... 57,830...... 9...... 9...... 9...... 8.5...... 8.6...... -0.4 CARGO BOAT 70.6 ...... 75...... 4.4...... 6.23 RICHARD PIERIS...... 643,305...... 16.2...... 16.5...... 16.5...... 15.9...... 16...... -0.2 BLUE DIAMONDS...... 31,258...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 0.8...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 0 DOLPHIN HOTELS 25 ...... 26.5...... 1.5...... 6 BLUE DIAMONDS [BLUE.X0000]...... 51,202...... 0.4...... 0.4...... 0.4...... 0.3...... 0.3...... -0.1 NAWALOKA 5.5 ...... 5.8...... 0.3...... 5.45 ROYAL CERAMIC...... 826,955...... 398.5...... 400...... 400...... 351...... 383...... -15.5 KELANI VALLEY 89.5 ...... 94.2...... 4.7...... 5.25 S M B LEASING...... 8,134,469...... 1.3...... 1.3...... 1.4...... 1.1...... 1.1...... -0.2 CEYLON PRINTERS...... 539...... 62...... 63...... 63...... 63...... 63...... 1 HVA FOODS...... 202,776...... 6...... 6.00...... 6.00...... 5.80...... 6.00...... 0 TOP 10 LOSERS S M B LEASING [SEMB.X0000]...... 23,562,880...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.4...... 0.5...... -0.1 SAMPATH...... 2,948,613...... 201.5...... 209...... 210...... 193.25...... 195.25...... -6.25 LANKEM DEV...... 312,199...... 4.4...... 4.4...... 4.6...... 4.2...... 4.3...... -0.1 Company VWA VWA Change Change SAMSON INTERNAT...... 19...... 151...... 151...... 151...... 151...... 151...... 0 MACKWOODS ENERGY...... 11,752...... 3.3...... 3.3...... 3.3...... 3.2...... 3.2...... -0.1 BLUE DIAMONDS 0.4 ...... 0.3...... -0.1...... -25 OFFICE EQUIPMENT 86.9 ...... 70.9...... -16...... -18.41 SANASA DEV. BANK...... 119,566...... 62.8...... 63...... 65.3...... 61.6...... 62.6...... -0.2 MULTI FINANCE...... 7,610...... 8.4...... 8.5...... 9...... 8.5...... 8.8...... 0.4 S M B LEASING 0.6 ...... 0.5...... -0.1...... -16.67 SEYLAN BANK...... 71,575...... 57.7...... 58...... 59.5...... 56...... 56.5...... -1.2 NATION LANKA...... 711,264...... 0.9...... 0.9...... 1...... 0.8...... 0.9...... 0 S M B LEASING 1.3 ...... 1.1...... -0.2...... -15.38 OFFICE EQUIPMENT...... 100...... 86.9...... 70.9...... 70.9...... 70.9...... 70.9...... -16 YORK ARCADE 248.25 ...... 212.75...... -35.5...... -14.3 SEYLAN BANK [SEYB.X0000]...... 498,297...... 48.8...... 48.1...... 48.8...... 45.8...... 47.1...... -1.7 INDUSTRIAL ASPH. 0.7 ...... 0.6...... -0.1...... -14.29 SEYLAN DEVTS...... 93,151...... 17.2...... 17.2...... 17.2...... 16.6...... 16.7...... -0.5 PARAGON...... 523...... 57.8...... 56.6...... 56.7...... 56.5...... 56.5...... -1.3 TESS AGRO 0.7 ...... 0.6...... -0.1...... -14.29 SIERRA CABL...... 885,744...... 8.3...... 8.2...... 8.3...... 7.7...... 8...... -0.3 SINHAPUTHRA FIN...... 30,952...... 8.5...... 8.3...... 8.3...... 8...... 8...... -0.5 LOLC DEV FINANCE 121.75 ...... 105...... -16.75...... -13.76 VALLIBEL FINANCE 159.5 ...... 146.25...... -13.25...... -8.31 SIGIRIYA VILLAGE...... 20,874...... 39.4...... 42...... 42...... 38.5...... 39.3...... -0.1 TESS AGRO...... 365,279...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 0.8...... 0.6...... 0.6...... -0.1 ARPICO 213.5 ...... 196...... -17.5...... -8.2 SINGER FINANCE...... 91,534...... 17...... 17.2...... 17.5...... 15.9...... 16.4...... -0.6 TESS AGRO [TESS.X0000]...... 234,977...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.5...... 0.6...... 0 114 Tuesday, February 2, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk Twitter bullying inspired new THOUGHT FOR THE DAY film ‘Land’: Robin Wright Fifty-four-year-old Robin Wright said during a Sundance Film Festival Cinema Café talk on Sunday (31 Jan) that she needed an escape from newfound horrors plaguing society, so “Act as if what she found herself directing a new movie, Land, about human kindness. “I wanted to make a movie at that time you do makes a because there was so much pain in our country...Just difference. the ugliness that was going on in the world with, It does.” you know, the explosion of Twitter. Everybody was – William James a judge and there was so much bullying going on. I thought about the effect that had on children, and how that’s changing, psychologically, our cellular makeup. All this darkness and meanness.”

BY NAVEED ROZAIS such a taboo subject. Perera explained that this lack of Though we live in the Information Age, there can discussion, especially on the brunchsometimes be an absolute lack of information and part of teachers, contributes to conversation on topics that are considered “taboo”. why people are uneducated. One such conversation is sex and sex education, a topic “Discussion begins at home and which Sri Lankan culture frequently sweeps under the continues at school. If parents WOMEN ARE and teachers can feel free to rug because of its “unseemly nature”. Unfortunately, educate kids on this topic, then it this often leads to the younger generation having wouldn’t be very taboo,” Perera a significant knowledge gap when it comes to sex, explained. sexuality, and sex education. SEEN AS The Morning Brunch Bridging the gap reached out to entrepreneur, Perera shared that fixing law graduate, and talk show the gaps in knowledge when it host Kishani Alanki Perera who comes to sex and sex education recently appeared on Durex Sri is something that needs to be SEX OBJECTS Lanka’s Pillow Talk with Danu, approached from multiple fronts. discussing the need for more “Firstly, parents should feel KISHANI ALANKI PERERA open conversations on sex and comfortable talking to their kids sex education, getting her views when they feel their kids are old Building awareness on sex and sex education on how we can address and build enough to grasp the subject and awareness on conversations that educate them about sex as well can be considered “taboo”. as how to protect yourself from STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Importance of awareness If parents are very open with their and open conversation kids, kids too will feel comfortable Knowledge truly is power, coming to their parents with an and lack of awareness means kids issue,” Perera said. and young adults are not aware of “Secondly, sex-ed should things like sexually transmitted be made compulsory in schools. diseases (STDs) because they Thirdly, organisations or the aren’t comfortable having Government can actually have discussions. awareness programmes and “We need to educate projects to help raise awareness, kids and young adults on the especially in rural areas.” importance of things like Awareness and sex protection, and normalise this sort of discussion, even among those Discussion begins at home and education in the digital age who don’t have access to such continues at school. If parents Recent years, and education,” Perera said, adding and teachers can feel free to especially 2020 with the onset that awareness will help prevent educate kids on this topic, then of the pandemic, have seen things like unwanted pregnancies it wouldn’t be very taboo an exponential rise in people and abortions, many of which Kishani Alanki Perera interacting and living their lives take place because of knowledge digitally. Speaking on whether gaps in teens and young adults considered such a taboo in Sri this increased digital presence as when it comes to sex and Lanka, Perera shared that this a good thing, Perera shared that contraception. is in part due to our culture. to her, it was a positive. Open conversations “Sri Lankans believe it’s not “Everyone uses social also help societal shifts a part of our culture to discuss media nowadays. It’s a good take place. “I think such things and that this is platform to raise awareness. I society at large, in inappropriate. They believe don’t think it is negative because Sri Lanka, objectifies private matters should be kept things can change when the women, which comes private. This is changing in the pandemic is over, and then through in catcalling, younger generation – a lot of you can slowly move from sexual harassment, and young adults and kids are open having online conversations to harassment on public to having conversations now. It’s having real conversations. At transport. Women are seen as not as taboo as it used to be, but the same time, most kids are sex objects. If we normalise in general, when you think of being homeschooled these days, these conversations and build it, it is still very taboo,” Perera so because of that, parents can awareness, women wouldn’t be elaborated. actually have these conversations looked at and treated this way,” This social censure combined physically with their kids. For Perera said. with a lack of education, and those who are unable to have this often compounded by teachers conversation with their parents, Breaking taboos who shy away from the topic, having access to social media Speaking on why sex is contribute heavily to sex being becomes important.” SAYURI JAYARATHNE on being crowned Top Model Sri Lanka she saw how nice the pictures turned out, she was captivated and slowly realised that that was where her passions lay. In order to pursue her newfound dream, she joined BK Model Management, where she was mentored by Brian Kerkoven. Going into detail on her first modelling experience, she added: “When I started, I was BY VENESSA ANTHONY the “” for designer, choreographer, do pageants. “I was more like so confused and I didnt know pageant. Jayarathne is a past pupil stylist, and model manager Brian a tomboy growing up, but my how to walk on a ramp, or pose odel Sayuri Jayarathne, of Lexicon International School Kerkoven. sister was studying fashion for pictures, but after a lot of who was recently in Kurunegala and has attended Speaking to The Morning designing at that time and she training sessions, Brian trained crowned Top Model the International Institute of Brunch, Jayarathne told us that wanted me to be the model for me to be who I am today.” M Health Sciences in Welisara. She growing up, she never had a her portfolio and I didnt have Sri Lanka, will go on to represent ││Contd. on page 13 her country in the 27th edition of is at present working as a model dream to become a model or a choice.” She added that once 124 brunch „„ www.themorning.lk { ARTS/EVENTS } Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Pasan Liyanage on RedFox’s 7th anniversary and more BY VENESSA ANTHONY

Pasan Liyanage is an Power of Play staging a performance in-demand music producer, for the benefit of schoolchildren known for his talent of bridging the technical and creative aspects of a song from its journey from a raw track to a polished record. Mutual empowerment Speaking to The Morning Brunch, Liyanage told us that his interest in the music industry was sparked at a very young age. “I always through theatre and drama enjoyed listening to music; I even studied Western music Pasan Liyanage at the SLIM Digis 2.0 BY NAVEED ROZAIS in school, because I wanted to understand how music was The pandemic has emphasised created.” Later, he worked at that in times of crisis, it is easy for the Hit Factory Audio Institute, the voices of the marginalised to where he delved deeper into be lost. The pandemic, with its the mysteries of creating and lockdowns and unrest, has seen producing music. escalations in violence against After he gained sufficient experience and knowledge in women and girls, as well as the field, he opened his own violence against other ethnic and audio production company, gender minorities. by the name RedFox. This Power of Play is an organisation enabled him to experiment and election campaign theme song that has held empowering women and orchestrate new music genres Wada Karana Ape Viruwa, girls close to its hearts since its inception and reach heights in the music which was quite the hit on 10 years ago. Founded in 2011, Power industry, backed by a devoted iTunes. of Play harnesses the highly adaptable team of professionals. Liyanage commented nature of theatre and performance to RedFox is to celebrate its that he doesn’t have a certain tell stories and create experiences with seventh anniversary this year. style of music. “As I’m into universal appeal and cultural diversity It has been in the industry for a commercials, I have to be in a way that breaks down barriers and very long time, and has made well-versed in all aspects brings different communities together. a name for itself as a premier of music, not just focused Performance art is never really audio production company. on one. I’m not trapped to a given much thought as a medium of Commenting on this milestone, genre, I will do whatever style communication, and this is something Liyanage said: “We’ve done I please, depending on the Power of Play as an organisation strives quite a good job so far, in song.” He added that he finds to correct. my opinion. People are now experimenting with different The Morning Brunch spoke to Power recommending us to everyone styles and genres quite fun. of Play Founder and Artistic Director they know, which is a good During the pandemic, Sulochana Dissanayake to learn more Sulochana Dissanayake sign that you are doing honest RedFox had to move all about how they have been empowering PHOTO CHAMILA KARUNARATHNE work.” He added that they are operations to work from home. women and girls against the backdrop However, Dissanayake shared that as programmes have been very successful, loved for being on time with “Even voice artists had to of the pandemic, as well as for some much as we now empower young girls, physical programming allows Power of their work, and they ensure voice at home, but it wasn’t insights into what they’ve got planned to we do not equally empower young boys Play to reach mass audiences. that they are always up to date too bad. We worked as usual; celebrate 10 years of Power of Play. who are still raised with the traditional “Online reach is still very minimal, on the current music trends everything was fine and went masculine messages of being strong to and has lots of economic and class and equipment to provide their quite smoothly.” Empowerment is a two-way street the point they are often shamed when barriers where if you can’t access online clients with the best service With RedFox, Liyanage Having travelled extensively showing emotions, resulting in their learning, you’re left out completely. This money can buy. hopes to do more music out across Sri Lanka over the past decade, emotional growth often being stunted. is not ideal for this kind of messaging Explaining what of the country and work with with Power of Play and working at “What happens is we only approve where everyone should be reached,” RedFox does, he said: “We artists abroad as well. “I love the grassroots level in locations in all anger and violence as emotional Dissanayake added. focus mostly on TV and the Indian and Tamil market, provinces, Dissanayake noted that expressions for boys and they grow up radio commercial audio and I have an avid interest women are already empowered, recalling into males who perpetuate the cycle of 10 years of empowerment productions,” adding that in the Hollywood market as how she has met female heads of violence. So no matter how much we they have produced half of well.” He revealed that RedFox households in areas like Puttalam, Jaffna, through theatre Sri Lanka’s TV commercials, has taken steps in moving empower girls, we will always face With Power of Play celebrating their Galle, and many more places in Sri which is quite the impressive forward with this goal, adding violence against women if we don’t work 10th anniversary this year, Dissanayake Lanka who prove this. She also noted big feat. He noted: “Other than that they are currently working on boys too,” Dissanayake said. shared that there are several programmes changes in the way girls are now being that, we are into music with a few big labels at the planned to make this milestone. raised, and the messages being conveyed production as well.” moment. Empowerment amidst and “We are partnering with GIZ to to girls in childhood, with many girls Listing out a few of his Elaborating on his plans release a series of videos on gender, today across the island being groomed following the pandemic renowned productions, he for 2021, he commented that With the pandemic demanding communal responsibilities during and for corporate positions and breaking the added: “I have worked with they are planning on releasing an entire shift of how most people after a pandemic, fake news and being glass ceiling at a young age. many famous artists over Mariazelle Goonetilleke’s approached their work, Dissanayake conscious of the information we spread. the years like the likes of Kandy Lamissi in a new way, shared that 98% of Power of Play’s We’re launching this on International Tehani, Bachi Susan, and with a twist that nobody will work went online, focusing on emotional Women’s Day with GIZ. In addition, many more. Some of the hits be able to stop themselves resilience and compassion, skills Power we’re also working on programming to included Sihinie by Sanuka from vibing too. They are also of Play deemed essential for making it reach mass audiences on the issues of ft. Tehani, Maath Mage working on another new song through the pandemic. Through online sexual bribery and gender sensitisation,” Hitha Hadannam ft. Tharuka with Bachi Susan and Nadimal workshops for kids and adults, Power Dissanayake said. Gunarathne and Ashawari Perera. Liyanage also has the of Play used puppets, role play, and In celebration of their anniversary, ft. Kalpana Nanayamadhu.” humble dream of helping the drama to instil these values and still Power of Play will also be reaching out He also produced Gotabaya needy by initiating a food drive conversations on gender equality. to puppeteers globally to explore the Rajapaksa’s presidential chain one day. These programmes had a huge impact on uses and methods of puppetry and how audiences, both at the corporate and the they differ across the world. Moreover, individual levels, giving adults and kids Power of Play will be shining a valuable tools to survive challenges. spotlight on their local puppets, Post the pandemic, Dissanayake has interviewing them on the last 10 years lots of plans for Power of Play – from of social media. celebrating its 10th year of operation to Kicking off 2021, Power of Play working with men and boys to foster the has started a physical engagement foundations required for gender equality. with the Merrill J. Fernando (MJF) “We’re looking to reach out to Charitable Foundation in . fathers and male youth on social media to Every Friday from 10.30 a.m. to 11 open up dialogue on the pressures they’re a.m., Power of Play will be conducting a facing. We’re talking empowerment for live storytelling and puppetry workshop women, but not removing any traditional from the MJF Charitable Foundation. pressures from men,” Dissanayake said. The programme, which is completely Dissanayake also explained that free and can be watched via the MJF Power of Play is looking forward to Charitable Foundation, is bilingual getting back to physical programming (Sinhala and English) and is aimed at as soon as possible. While their online children still being homeschooled. brunch 134 Tuesday, February 2, 2021 { LIFESTYLE/CAUSE } „„ www.themorning.lk THE FRENCH CANCAN – Contd. from page 11 SAYURI JAYARATHNE... LEGENDARY THEME MUSIC Even though she is not actively be new rules and regulations in place engaged in it currently, she is also a during pageants, enforced while followed. They were mostly quadrille order, exploited talented athlete and dancer. travelling and during her middle-ranking courtesans, in Paris for the benefit of Jayarathne noted the stay for preparations. She THE and only semi-professional such British and American Miss Sri Lanka pageant commented that it will entertainers; unlike the tourists as will pay well as her big break: “When be very challenging, but dancers of the 1890s, such to be well shocked. Its I joined Miss Sri Lanka challenges are something that as La Goulue and Jane exact nature is unknown to for the Top Model of she loves and learns from, Avril, who were highly paid anyone connected with this the World 2019, I came so she is looking forward for their appearances at Companion.” second runner up and won to the pageant while taking the Moulin Rouge and The cancan has two titles to represent my precautions against Covid-19 elsewhere. often appeared country in two different and coming back safe. DIARIES Wikipedia also in ballet, most pageants,” adding that this She also added that due notes: “A cancan notably Léonide CHAPTER feat was something she to this pandemic, there are dancer would Massine’s never expected to happen, very limited opportunities in sometimes stand La Boutique “The Bonsoir Diaries” by Kumar de Silva is a cocktail but she gained an immense the field: “I think it’s not just very close to a man Fantasque of chapters, bursting at their seams with pithy amount of confidence and the modelling industry that and bet that she (1919) and Gaîté asides, a trail of faux pas, and tit-bits from behind 4 opportunities along the has been affected, but every could take off his Parisienne, as well the scenes, marinated with anecdotes and drizzled way. She commented: “Even though I other industry is struggling too.” hat without using her as The Merry Widow. with nostalgia, revealing everything you never saw couldn’t win the title for the Top Model She reminisced her favourite moment hands. When he took the A particularly fine on your favourite television show…from the ‘80s of the World 2019, I’m representing Sri in her modelling career to be when she bet, she’d execute a high kick example can be seen at the Lanka in the Top Model of the World was crowned as the second runner up through the ‘90s into 2000. that would take off his hat – climax of Jean Renoir’s 1954 2020.” of Supermodel International World in I joined Bonsoir six stockings. The main features and give him a quick look at film French Cancan. French Sharing her thoughts on representing Thailand, when she was just 17 years old, months after its inception, of the dance are the lifting her drawers while she was painter Henri de Toulouse- Sri Lanka at the Top Model of the noting that it was a magical moment that and the theme with its French and manipulation of the at it. It was also a warning Lautrec produced several World pageant, she said: “I think this she is sure never to forget. cancan music was already skirts, with high kicking and that anyone taking unwanted paintings and a large number is a very good opportunity for me to Sharing her hopes for 2021, she there. It was very catchy, suggestive, provocative body liberties with a dancer could of posters of cancan dancers. gain a lot of experience and it’s a very noted: “So 2021 just started and the world easy-to-remember, and soon movements.” expect a kick in the face.” And so Bonsoir and big responsibility to represent a country is struggling because of this pandemic. became instantly identified The cancan first appeared Early editions of the the French CanCan became because I am not just representing myself, I’m happy to represent Sri Lanka in the with the Bonsoir TV in the working-class Oxford Companion to Music inseparable! but 21.8 million Sri Lankans. So, I will do Top Model of the World pageant which programme. It was to remain ballrooms of Montparnasse defined the cancan as: “A Next week: Chapter my best to bring the title to my country!” will be held on 5 March in . I’m so for many years. in Paris around 1830. It was boisterous and latterly Five – Yasmin Rajapakse on She also explained that due to looking forward to giving my 100% and I had people telling a more lively version of the indecorous dance of the board! me that in certain shops, “galop”, a dance in quick the prevalent pandemic, there will winning the title!” restaurants, public places 2/4 time. The cancan was, and even homes, the French therefore, originally a dance cancan music meant that for couples, who indulged in it was 9 p.m. on a Monday high kicks and other gestures SL students granted access night. Funny how the mind with arms and legs. works and the associations At this time, and it makes. People had throughout most of the to Covid vaccine in the UK Sri Lankan students pursuing their international students to access these unconsciously come to tell the 19th century in , the higher studies in the UK will be able vaccinations, just as they can access time with the French cancan. dance was also known as to access the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine healthcare, including older international Such was the impact this the chahut. Both words are that is being rolled out students or those with delightful little piece of music French, cancan meaning across the country. The UK underlying medical conditions had on the general public. We “tittle-tattle” or “scandal”, Government has expressed who will fall into priority were delighted too, to say the hence a scandalous dance, its commitment to support categories. least. while chahut meant “noise” or international students during Speaking about the We later explained to “uproar”. Covid-19, with Universities’ vaccine announcement, Study our viewers that the French The dance did cause Minister Michelle Donelan Group UK and EU Managing cancan was really a piece something of a scandal, writing an open letter to Director James Pitman said: of music called “le galop and for a while, there were students thanking them for “We are anticipating some infernal” from Orpheus in the attempts to repress it. their patience at provisions positivity for the forthcoming Underworld (1858), the first Occasionally people dancing introduced to tackle the academic year and would full-length operetta written the cancan were arrested, but spread of the virus. She has like to take this opportunity by the German-born French it was never officially banned, confirmed that the students to thank our students for composer Jacques Offenbach as is sometimes claimed. will not be charged to apply Study Group UK and showing patience throughout (1819-1880). Throughout the 1830s, it for testing or treatment for EU Managing Director the global pandemic. This According to Wikipedia: was often groups of men, James Pitman Covid-19. vaccine, combined with “The French cancan is a particularly students, who The UK has ordered 40 effective treatments, will high-energy and physically caused the most outrage by million doses of this vaccine overall be significant in making Covid-19 a demanding music hall dance, dancing the cancan at public – enough to immunise up to a third of manageable disease, thereby allowing traditionally performed by a dance-halls. the population. In fact, the Government us to return to normality soon, so that, chorus line of female dancers But women performers has secured early access to over 357 going forward, we can welcome a who wear costumes with long were much more widely million vaccine doses through several greater number of Sri Lankan students skirts, petticoats, and black known in the period that vaccine developers. This will enable to the UK.”

World Wetland Day Ramsar Wetland City The designation of Colombo as a Ramsar Wetland City is a milestone achievement that provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to Saving the wetlands of suburban Colombo actively engage in the protection and restoration of the wetlands in the city and its suburbs. With increased public awareness, international support, WNPS continues restoration of Bellanwila-Attidiya bird sanctuary and combined government and citizen action, Colombo can embrace its green infrastructure and Wetlands play an important downgraded the precious bird the advantages of urban wetlands. role in our natural environment. sanctuary in Bellanwila-Attidiya Preserving Colombo’s wetlands is a long-term investment in sustainable urban infrastructure that They reduce the impact of floods, to a swamp of Annona Glabra. will pay off in many ways. In six years, Sri Lanka will absorb pollutants, and improve The authorities who manage the have to justify the retention of Colombo’s Wetland water quality. They provide habitat sanctuaries failed to control this City status. Until then, it is up to all the stakeholders for animals and plants and many invasion of the aggressive alien to work towards this goal to make the city a global contain a wide diversity of life, species. leader in wetland conservation. supporting plants and animals that When WNPS heard the further information on the species are found nowhere else. cry for help, they immediately of trees required. Colombo is a city built on responded by finding a sponsor to One of the objectives of the and around wetlands. Despite provide the funds for the necessary project is to provide a refuge for progressive loss and degradation, restoration work. In 2019, WNPS the critically endangered endemic wetlands still cover some 200 embarked on this project. The primate, the Purple-faced langur 2 km of the Colombo metropolitan Enriching the food source for birds work commenced with help from (Semnopithecus vetulus nestor), area and suburbs. The wetlands and endemic western purple-faced leaf the Sri Lanka Land Development which has lost most of its natural Volunteers from corporates joining in on the clean-up and replanting are fundamental to the wellbeing monkey Corporation (SLLDC) first to habitat. The primate expert on of the people of Colombo and its clear the walking trail of 1.6 km the technical advisory panel has suburbs. All the wetlands, even Colombo Metropolitan Area. endangered animals. Although 20 The Department of Wildlife of Annona Glabra, replacing it assisted us in recommending the most degraded ones, still The wetlands provide a critical critical species inhabit the wetlands Conservation which manages the with carefully selected indigenous suitable tree species to be planted provide a range of indirect benefits land mass which helps to maintain of Colombo, these include four Bellanwila-Attidiya Sanctuary species recommended by a team of particularly along the nature trail. to everyone, such as their ability the richness of Colombo’s species of dragonfly, two species confines its activities mostly eminent scientists who are experts WNPS is also studying and to mitigate floods, cooling of the biodiversity. of butterfly, four species of land to retain their land extent from in the field. monitoring the water quality climate, and regulation of pests. Over 250 plant species, snails, two species of freshwater encroachment while the sanctuary Green Isle consists of a 40- of the two inland lakes and the The wetlands can reduce including nine endemic, nine fish, two species of amphibian, two itself was getting degraded. acre island where the restoration surrounding canals. This research extreme air temperatures and nationally threatened and 11 species of reptile and four species Despite all the benefits that is taking place. Last year, two is carried out by a team from the make the city more liveable due nationally near-threatened of mammal. Two of the endangered the wetlands provide, wetlands inland lakes were created and a University of Kelaniya. The Green to evaporative cooling. Estimates species of plant are present in the mammal species include the continue to be completely lost or fair amount of Annona Glabra was Isle site provides ample research suggest that the wetland soils wetlands. Almost 280 species of Fishing cat (Prionailurus progressively degraded. thinned out with the assistance of opportunities for scientists animals, including 32 endemic viverrinus) and the Otter (Lutra contain approximately 1.43 million Background to the Green the Sri Lanka Land Development interested in flora and fauna in metric tons of carbon – that is species, are present in these urban lutra). Corporation. To date, over 1,500 wetland systems. WNPS is ready wetlands. Isle Project equivalent to almost 90% of the Bellanwila-Attidiya wetland saplings of recommended tree to provide all the necessary annual carbon emissions from the The wetlands support The Bellanwila-Attidiya species have been planted. Each assistance for scientists and bird sanctuary wetland bird sanctuary provided sapling is tagged and numbered researchers who wish to carry out The Bellanwila-Attidiya a suitable habitat for many bird and their growth is carefully such studies. wetland bird sanctuary was species, including some rare monitored. The four-year project, gazetted in 1990. According to migrants like the Glossy Ibis and In 2021, a further 1,000 currently in its second year references, it extends 372 hectares the Combed Duck. However, in selected tree saplings will be managed by the WNPS, is and is situated on the South Eastern the past 20-30 years, due to the planted, while Annona Glabra is mainly funded by Abans PLC outskirts of Colombo, directly east uncontrolled spreading of the gradually thinned out further. The as principal sponsor, and further of Attidiya and south of Bellanwila aggressive invasive alien species project maintains a tree nursery supported with funds from a few temple. The Bellanwila-Attidiya Annona Glabra the sanctuary lost and those who are interested in wellwishers of WNPS, while sanctuary falls within the upper almost all of its indigenous flora. supporting the project with plant receiving the continued support of catchment of the Bolgoda river This uncontrolled growth saplings are most welcome to the Sri Lanka Land Development basin. of the invasive alien species donate plants. WNPS can provide Corporation. Bellanwila-Attidiya wetland 144 sports „„ www.themorning.lk { SPORTS } Tuesday, February 2, 2021 The day Sri Lanka won their first ‘official’ ODI z Looking back at the SL vs. England ODI series at SSC in 1982 Palitha Perera On Saturday, 13 February 1982 at the Singhalese Sports 15-team event, Sri Lanka It was the Club (SSC) grounds, Sri Lanka played their first “official” beat Canada by 60 runs on one-day international (ODI). That was against England 21 June in Worcester, to raise first series under , while Sri Lanka was captained by their stakes for ICC Full . Membership, which they to be England played two ODIs of the Lankan cricket board and received in two years from then. telecast live in that series, over a weekend, the ICC. Interestingly, the ICC Trophy with the second match being was held simultaneously with The first ODI against England held also at the same venue on Before first ODI on Saturday, 13 February 1982, was the 1979 World Cup. The World shown live on TV. England won it by Sunday, 14 February 1982. Coming into the first Cup began on 9 June, with five runs. It was the early days of live After losing the first match by “official” ODI, Sri Lanka had the two semi-finals held on 20 TV coverage in the entire Asian region. just five runs, Sri Lanka fought played six “unofficial” one-day June. The ICC Trophy final Here is how pioneering radio and back to record a famous victory games, all of them being at the was held on 21 June, and the TV cricket commentator and journalist Palitha Perea, who was part of the the next day. It was their first ICC World Cups. They played World Cup final was held on 23 commentary team in the series, “official” ODI win at either three matches in the first-ever June, where West Indies beat recalled the proceedings at SSC during home or away. They won by World Cup in 1975 in England, England to win their second title the second match on Sunday: three runs in the final over of and three again in the 1979 “The SSC was packed that day. The The following day’s Daily News match report by veteran journalist Sa’adi at Lord’s. the match. edition of the World Cup, also match went right down to the wire. I Thawfeeq titled ‘First Official Limited-Over victory – with a ball to spare, Brief Scores: remember England lost their last five The Englishmen were here held in England. They beat Lanka clinch it… by three runs’. One photo depicts debutant Arjuna wickets for just 10 runs that day, when that time to play Sri Lanka’s India in 1979 to record the first- Ranatunga, only 18 then, making his famous leg-side slash England vs. Sri Lanka they chased 216 in 45 overs to win the inaugural Test match, which ever win in any form of ODI – Second and final ODI at series 2-0. “It was a big collapse. England had was to be held from 17-21 against a Test country. yy 11 June 1975: Lost against New Zealand by nine SSC, Colombo on Sunday, 14 February 1982 at the P. Sara a very strong side. Graham Gooch, Results of first-six Australia by 52 runs at the wickets at Nottingham February, 1982: , Ian Botham, Keith Oval, Colombo. Oval Fletcher, Chris Tavare, and Mike Gatting ‘unofficial’ ODIs: yy 13 and 15 June 1979: Sri Lanka 215/7 in 45 overs The International Cricket ( 86, Arjuna – it was a very deep batting lineup. yy 14 June 1975: Lost against Match against West Indies Council (ICC) had bestowed yy 7 June 1975: Lost against Ranatunga 42, 26; Ian “They had bowlers like Botham, Test status on Sri Lanka the Pakistan by 192 runs at called off due to bad weather John Lever, , and Derek West Indies by nine wickets Botham 2/29, John Lever 2/51) Underwood. previous year (1981), after a Nottingham at the Oval (15 June was the at Manchester reserve day) England 212 all out in 44.5 “When Sri Lanka were inserted long battle between the officials (60 overs per side) yy 9 June 1979: Lost against overs (Graham Gooch 74, Geoff to bat first by Fletcher, our opening yy 16 and 18 June 1979: Cook 32, Keith Fletcher 38; batsman Sidath Wettimuny carried his bat through the to score Beat India by 47 runs at Ashantha De Mel 2/14, Ajith de a fine unbeaten 86 runs, and Arjuna Sri Lanka’s cricketing woes: Some food for thought Manchester (the match was Silva 2/44) Ranatunga contributed with 42 before Over the last five years or so, cricketing discussions in of a broader social issue that binds us on all fronts – two-match one-day international series, played at SSC played on two days) yy Sri Lanka won by he was run out. It was Arjuna’s first the country have been very hot. The debate was centering political, social, economic, and cultural. Here, cricket is on 13 and 14 February 1982, is also believed to be the Result: match. I remember Roy Dias was hit on two aspects in general. only a part of it. It is not an exception. Isn’t the same first-ever international cricket encounter to be telecast 1979 inaugural three runs in that match. 1) Why has Sri Lanka’s cricket deteriorated so much deterioration starkly evident in other spheres, such as live on TV in the island. ICC Trophy yy Toss: England “England needed six to win in the in the recent past, to the utmost disappointment of the politics, culture, arts, etc.? Even four decades ago, with scarce resources and an last over bowled by Ashantha de Mel. millions of people here who wholeheartedly crave for “our However it could be, Sri Lanka needs to save the game amateur bunch of players, Sri Lanka fought tooth and nail During the 1979 World yy Series: Two-match They had three wickets in hand. Yet team” to do well? of cricket for the future, unpolluted, unharmed, and as a against a mighty English side. Cup, Sri Lanka played the series drawn 1-1 they lost two wickets in the first four 2) How and when we are going to come out of this unique and belligerent prospect as ever. That’s because In the other article on this page, we will try to direct balls. They scored only two runs in inaugural “ICC Trophy”, under yy Man of the Match: mess – and is it actually possible to do it anyway? cricket is probably the best vehicle for Sri Lanka to reach our readers’ attention to how, about two decades ago, Anura Tennekoon, which those four balls. The problems could be much bigger than our eyes can the outside world on a positive note. It is our main sport; a renowned cricket writer Robert Craddock discussed the Sidath Wettimuny was organised for the non- “England needed four runs from see. It is not just the “ugly” cricket-board politics. It is not great social unifier in our country. And, most of all, it is one changing face of Sri Lanka national team’s prospects yy Umpires: K.T. Francis and the last two balls with their last pair in. merely about corrupt and selfish administrators ruining of the greatest sources of satisfaction for all Sri Lankans. as they were transforming from amateurism to Test playing countries (ICC I remember taking the sport so as to meet their own ends. It is not only With that in mind, we will look today at almost 40 professionals. Associate Members) of the P.W. Vidanagamage a very high catch from Willis in the the lack of player commitment, indiscipline, and many years ago, when Sri Lanka saw her first-ever ODI match at The stories might shed light on our effort to find time. It was held from 22 May yy ODI debuts: Arjuna deep to win the match for Sri Lanka. corruption allegations they are involved in. home. It was in fact the first ODI series the Lankans played better answers to the lingering problems pertaining to Sri to 21 June 1979 in England. Ranatunga and The crowd was elated. The series was What we are experiencing today is perhaps a result after gaining Test status. This Sri Lanka versus England Lanka’s cricket at present. squared.” Reaching the finals of the Mahes Goonatilleke Good life softens one-day champions

‘They taught the world a new and exhilarating way to play the one-day game. If the World Cup is played for 100 more years, we may never see a winning team as dominant as Sri Lanka was in the 1996 tournament.’ Here is skipper (on left) sharing a letter with team-mates. From left: and Asanaka Gurusinha as Manager looks on, on 16 March 1996 at , Pakistan before the World Cup finals

We reproduce an article written by popular shake hands with Australia after a rough-house he found they weren’t as hungry and their with the function that you’d prefer to miss, cricket writer Robert Craddock after Sri Lanka one-day final in Sydney was a sign of unity commitment to training had wavered. but thought you had better attend. was eliminated from the 1999 World Cup first- and strength, however unsporting. For a while he was angry and frustrated. Your focus becomes your life rather than your round in England. Barely three years after their Eventually, he quit. sport, and with each moment of recognition you stunning World Cup win, Sri Lanka cricket lost Toe-to-toe secretly say: “This is what I’ve worked for.” its captivating game, mainly due to the rapid They stood toe-to-toe in every scrap and Faded? influx of money and changing lifestyle, argues the toughness gained from wars won and lost Sri Lanka’s one-day form has faded to the Dynasties won’t last forever Craddock. Are extensive amounts of money helped them take home the World Cup a couple point where they have lost seven games in a The senior core of this Sri Lankan team and sponsorship deals indirectly hampering the of months later. But life changed forever for row. On last year’s one-day rankings, they – Ranatunga, Jayasuriya, Mahanama, and commitment of our young cricketers? the Sri Lankans from the moment Captain are a moderate No. 5 in the world. Tillekeratne – deserve all they get from the Success and the big dollars that flow from Arjuna Ranatunga raised the World Cup on For the Sri Lankans, no peak is higher than game. They came together a decade ago after it has turned a once mighty Sri Lankan cricket that humid night in Lahore in 1996. the World Cup. Between the world cups they Sri Lankan selectors pensioned off about half team soft. When the Sri Lankans toured Players who had spent their cricketing lives drift around the world playing unfulfilling the side and decided to go young. Australia four years ago, they were desperate, on the breadline were set for life overnight. At two and three-Test series, mostly against They taught the world a new exhilarating hungry men eager to prove to a doubting world home, there were dinners for them everywhere, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand. way of playing the game, and if the World Cup Sri Lankan cricket must be taken seriously. sponsors falling off their coat-tails. The West Indies have played them just is played for 100 more years, we may never They played for pride and peanuts, but they The Sri Lankan Government gave them three times, England six, and Australia 10, see a winning team as dominant as Sri Lanka didn’t care. prime blocks of land in Colombo, a collection and they have no big historical series like was in the 1996 tournament. In Hobart that year’s Coach around the country gave the 14 members in Popular cricket writer Robert Craddock the Ashes. The Sri Lankan team is not the But dynasties don’t last forever. The fat lady had to cancel a team dinner because half the the squad at least $ 40,000 each – big money first group to find they simply cannot reclimb is gargling out the back. side could not afford the $ 30 buffet. in Sri Lanka. And the money kept coming. the mountain. After this year’s World Cup, a few more When he arrived in Perth, batsman Hashan even named a savings account in his honour. senior players will drift into retirement and Sri Tillekeratne sent his washing to the home of a Not hungry again When Ranatunga raised the World Cup, he It happens all the time Lanka will be taken back to the years when local Sri Lankan journalist whose wife washed Tillekeratne, who works for the Singer was Sri Lanka’s Sir Edmund Hillary, planting Swimmers like Jon Sieben and Duncan they had a group of angry young pups ready it and rushed it back before play the next day. company, recently bought a large plantation a flag on top of Mt. Everest. He was John Armstrong won Olympic gold medals when to take on the world. He couldn’t afford to have it done at the team outside Colombo. He lives in a palatial house Bertrand winning the 1983 America’s Cup. they were youngsters, their lives revolving By Robert Craddock, The Herald Sun, hotel (mind you, neither can most of us). in the suburb of Piliyandala, and has built his Sri Lankan cricket had its heart’s desire and around the black line at the bottom of the pool. January 1999 Angered at being branded ball-tamperers and parents a house next door. the generation of players who did it would But life changes with success. The 5 a.m. (Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock is regarded as one chuckers, they came to Australia in the one- Arjuna Ranatunga has three cars, including never be as hungry again. starts become 5.30 a.m. starts. The rest sessions of the best authorities on sport in Queensland, dayers that summer like few teams had come a Mercedes Benz. Sanath Jayasuriya became When Coach Whatmore tried to get them in the afternoons become punctuated with Australia. He is a senior sport journalist and to Australia before. Even their decision not to the face of Pepsi, and a Sri Lankan bank to regroup and set new goals after the Cup, corporate golf days. The early nights get lost columnist for The Courier-Mail too) sports 154 Tuesday, February 2, 2021 { SPORTS } „„ www.themorning.lk Qu te from a legend After Yupun, emerges Nawab of Pataudi: The one- eyed tiger of Indian cricket Vinura Lakmal in z Sri Lanka’s men’s 200 m indoor record bettered after 16 years

BY CHATHURA RANASINGHE the Palaindoor di Ancona indoor stadium, More than the Sri Lanka record that now and hope to do better things for the Vinura Lakmal set a new Sri Lanka Lakmal clocked 21.97 seconds to go past I set, what is more important for me country in the future,” he added. record in indoor men’s 200 m on Manura Lanka Perera who had run 200 m is the fact that I was able to improve Lakmal’s new record is an improvement Sunday (31 January) in an indoor 16 years ago to a timing of in 22.20 seconds my last year’s personal best by eight of the previous Sri Lanka record by about athletic championship held in in 2005, also in Italy. Lanka Perera too had milliseconds. I slipped slightly in one of 23 points of a second. Lakmal won third Ancona, Italy. been training in Italy. the bends too. I have a few more hopes place on Sunday out of 109 participants Notably, Sri Lanka’s Yupun Abeykoon The opportunity to participate in an for the future,” Lakmal told The Morning in the men’s 200 m event. set a new Sri Lanka record in men’s 60 nm international indoor track and field event Sports yesterday (1) from Italy after his Claudio Licciardello, an Italian barely a week ago. is itself a rare experience for a Sri Lankan achievement. Olympic medal-winning sprinter of 2008, In the country of the blind, it has In the championship on Sunday, organised athlete, it is believed. “Many people tried to pull me down. is the Coach of Lakmal. He is, notably, been said, the one-eyed man is by the Italian track and field association at “This is my first race this year. But I have forgotten about those things the Coach of Yupun Abeykoon too. king. But in the keen-eyed world of cricket, a fellow with just one good eye, and a bit, has to settle for some- thing less than the perfection he once sought. Lucky me, despite this, to have been able to play the game all over the world in the company of the giants.

– Former India cricket Captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (Nawab of Pataudi)

Being hailed as India’s greatest cricket captain ever, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, alias Nawab of Pataudi (1941-2011), led India in 40 out of 46 Tests he played in during 1961-75, winning nine of them. He led Indian cricket out of its defeatist mentality instilling a positive, winning attitude. Nicknamed “Tiger Pataudi”, he scored 2,793 runs at an average of 34.91. The term “Nawab of Pataudi” refers to an Afghan Muslim lineage of rulers established in 1804 in the former princely State of Pataudi situated in Northern India. Tiger’s father was the eighth Nawab of Pataudi – Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi – who played first-class cricket for both England and India. Tiger is the last Vinura Lakmal broke Sri Lanka’s men’s 200 m indoor record on Sunday (31 January) in an championship held in Ancona, Italy Nawab and married legendary Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore in 1969. Film stars Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan are their children. MOUTH-WATERING ENGLAND-INDIA TEST SERIES TO BEGIN ON FRIDAY On 1 July 1961, he was a passenger in a car which was involved in an accident in Hove, England. A splinter of glass from the Media picks India’s playing XI for first Test broken windscreen penetrated and permanently damaged his right eye. This caused Pataudi The mouth-watering clash between India vs. England is 2) Should Kuldeep Yadav be included in the XI? India’s probable XI for the first Test against to see a doubled image, but he was soon in about to unfold. As the four-match Test series is due to start 3) Will team management persist with England: the nets learning to play with one eye. In six on Friday (5), there has been a lot of speculation emerging or they will bring in Axar Patel in the team? months, Tiger made his Test debut, playing regarding India’s playing XI for the first Test. Ahead of the opening Test of the four-match series, the 1. Rohit Sharma, 2. Shubman Gill, 3. Cheteshwar Pujara, against England in . He scored 103 in Inside Sports had a look at the three big decisions which 4. , 5. Ajinkya Rahane, 6. Rishabh Pant, 7. the third Test in Madras, helping India win Three big decisions: Indian team management, including Coach and Ravichandran Ashwin, 8. Axar Patel/Washington Sundar, 9. her first-ever series against England. 1) Should it be Rishabh Pant or Wriddhiman Saha? skipper Virat Kohli, can take on team India’s final playing XI. Kuldeep Yadav, 10. Ishant Sharma, and 11. Jasprit Bumrah

The work that inspires accolades is the better text all sides in the most glowing terms too. Add rebounding, the humility and, of course, difference to someone or even a community. some activism and social service (the former those little or great acts or the right words I am thinking of a moment way back in Interception helped by profile and the latter by the big at the time that were spoken which made a the year 2017 when a retired professional bucks top athletes demand and get) and it’s sportsman reached out to a young man in a BY MALINDA SENEVIRATNE a nice after-story. rival franchise. The young man had lost his Now, here’s the real question: What does sister to a tragic accident the day before an it take to get someone to that dizzying place? all-important game. This is what he said: “It Someone dies. And in these days of social We have already shoved aside contemplation is up to you to decide whether or not to play. media, social grief overflows. It’s not new. of that moment on account of the distraction The one bit of advice I would give you is, if Long before Twitter, Facebook and such, factor. It would be presumptuous to offer you are going to play, then you gotta play; people would go “RIP”. Not “May he/she an answer and have one believe it is even maybe you can find some peace in a moment rest in peace”, but just “rest in peace”, as half-way comprehensive, out there. If you ever need anything, just reach though the departed could hear/read. Maybe but here’s a suggestion: out. I’m here for you.” the departed can, we don’t know for sure. when encomiums The young man played. His team fell 0-2 Alright. Let’s be less morbid now. Forget overflow, check out behind in a seven-game series. After the second death. How about retirement? The recipient the characters, how consecutive loss, he reached out to that retired The National Olympic Committee (NOC) joined can read/hear retirement encomiums unlike they performed, player to ask if he could go over some of the Crysbro in an initiative named ‘Next Champ Athlete eulogies, this we know for sure. Here’s a what sacrifices were game film and help him unshackle himself Sponsorship’. Here is Crysbro’s Amores Sellar (right) question: Do sports persons ever wonder what made, what moments from the defenders in the opposing team. presenting a scholarship to one of the 20 recipients kind of retirement-response is in store for of reckoning were So they set up laptops and did a video tour them? Here’s another: Do they go about their encountered and how of the game action. Together. The young work or, let’s say, do they play in anticipation they were faced, the man’s team won that series and the next. NOC and Crysbro of a particular kind of retirement-response? moments when they Thereafter the young man got injured. The common sense “sports” wisdom would fell and how they got The franchise halted. join to light say “such would distract and therefore be back on their feet, the Ok, here are the names. Isaiah Thomas unnecessary”. drive, the successes and of the Boston Celtics was the young man. Olympic hopes Anyway, here are some after-the-fact failures, the will to Kobe. Yes. Kobe Bryant. That was the comments regarding a sportsman whose win, fierceness other guy. And yes, the unnamed player As part of its ongoing mission to empower time had come: in competition, talked of in the after-story accolades aspirations of young athletes in Sri Lanka, poultry “He told me to be the best version of acknowledgment was he. Kobe Bryant. producers Crysbro recently held a scholarship myself. Access to [him] elevated my career. of greatness in It’s been a year since he flew “above awarding ceremony to a select group of 20 gifted He went above and beyond. [He] would others, the and beyond”, a fact which of course young athletes who were picked under an initiative say ‘go out there and inspire the kids. [He fall from prompted a second wave of after-fact of the National Olympic Committee (NOC). mainstreamed the problem of homelessness grace, the accolades. You can read all about it, The event, named “Next Champ Athlete in [….]. My car just got smashed and he was but you’d be missing it all if you forgot Sponsorship”, took place at the NOC Headquarters there to help out. [He] made a difference to read what he did on the basketball in Colombo and saw the participation of NOC for women in sports. [His] mentality meant court. How “greatness” was achieved. President Suresh Subramaniam and its Secretary more than [the sport].” How he fell. How he picked himself up. The General Maxwell De Silva along with Crysbro The observation, ‘going above and beyond,’ revisit to the fundamentals. The will to swallow Senior Marketing Manager Amores Sellar. could be about effecting a quantum leap of pride. The readiness to learn from the greats. “As a home-grown company, our vision for over sorts in the chosen sport, but even this, like the The work ethic. The insane determination to 50 years has been to drive a lasting, positive change rest, is about conduct outside the battlefield. win. His errors. The correctives. His human in Sri Lanka’s rural communities while bolstering The fact of being a sporting personality and frailties. His humanity. the country’s food security agenda. Therefore, we of course a star does make it easier and of So when you hear the lovely words, listen, are extremely honoured to join forces with the course gives more visibility that your typical by all means. But don’t forget that the words NOC through a landmark MoU signed last year, good samaritan would obtain, but it’s still were inspired by the work. That’s a textbook which was an initiative that saw fruition now with rare to receive these kinds of accolades. it wouldn’t harm reading. the awarding of these life-changing scholarships Let’s forget the social service/activism. Our readers can reach the writer that are intended to groom and empower the future There are high achievers who, at the point Isaiah Thomas (left) on [email protected] or www. torch-bearers of Sri Lankan sports,” Sellar said and Kobe Bryant of retirement, receive commendations from malindawords.blogspot.com in a media communiqué yesterday (1). „„ www.themorning.lk Tuesday, February 2, 2021 Names proposed for SLC Cricket Committee Under a sort of revamp of Sri Lanka’s cricket, Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has recommended Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) names to be included in a proposed Cricket Committee for SLC. “I Tokyo 2020 woes not over yet have recommended names The Japanese Govt. is expected to extend the state of emergency in Tokyo and 10 other to be appointed in the new prefectures/provinces where the coronavirus infection rate remains high, until 7 March. The Cricket Committee of SLC. Tokyo 2020 Olympics are scheduled to run from 23 July to 8 August, with the Paralympics This Committee will monitor the progress of players and coaches ensuring due to follow from 24 August to 5 September. A recent survey found that around 80% of that the objectives agreed upon by the Sports Ministry and the SLC are fully Japan’s people want this year’s Olympics to be cancelled or postponed. enforced,” the Minister tweeted over the weekend. Roshansports Abeysinghe says he does not manage any players Popular cricket commentator Roshan “I categorically deny that either I or anyone Let any player come out and say I manage Perera, , Tillakaratne too. I did it more as a Abeysinghe, responding to the news item connected to me is managing players at those players, or the so-called proxy of mine Dilshan, and . Some of them service than a The Morning Sports published on 1 February present. I gave that up a long time ago. If is managing anyone. That’s not my business. are retired and some of them are working with money-making (Monday) on page 16 under the heading anyone could prove or mention a player’s If I do not manage a player, what interest do others. That was some seven years ago. When enterprise.” “Charlie Austin should be chased out: Arjuna name that I manage, I’m willing to meet I have in that player’s selection? I managed players, I helped enough young Roshan Abeysinghe Ranatunga” announced the following: that person. I’ve managed players such as Thisara cricketers. I used to help them financially

Outgoing National FOREIGN Selection Committee Chairman Ashantha SPORTS IN BRIEF de Mel says will be the right person to fill the vacancy he created

Lionel Messi  Messi scores 650th goal Lionel Messi scored his 650th goal for Barcelona with a wonderful free-kick as they beat Athletic Bilbao to move up to second in La Liga on Sunday (31). Athletic had a five-man wall, a player lying behind the wall and another on the line but Messi still managed to curl the ball into the top corner - his 49th free-kick goal for the club. Athletic were level when Jordi Alba turned a cross into his own net, but Antoine Griezmann slammed in the winner from Oscar Mingueza’s pass. Barcelona moved above Real Madrid on goal difference, but the rivals both sit 10 points behind Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand on both sides. Madrid defeated Cadiz earlier in the day.  Six Nations rugby begins on Saturday (6) The 2021 Guinness Six Nations rugby will be held from Saturday, 6 February, to 20 March. “A Six Nations without fans was once an implausible concept,” said BBC yesterday (1). As the 2021 tournament begins behind closed doors, many supporters will be grateful to have any international rugby at all. Hard-fought wins may not be rewarded by roaring crowds, but with a British and Irish Lions tour due to begin in five months --coronavirus permitting-- the home nations still have plenty to play for. If the past year has taught us anything, it is to expect the unexpected so who knows what the world will be like come the end NEXT HEAD OF THE NATIONAL CRICKET SELECTION COMMITTEE of the tournament in March? Mahela is the

Shabnim Ismail  SA women lead Pakistan right choice, says 2-0 in T20Is Shabnim Ismail’s blitz of the Pakistan top-order helped make light work of defending their 133/5 total in the second women’s T20I against Pakistan in Durban. Ismail, who in the previous match had added her 100th and 101st T20I wickets, ended with figures of 5/12 as they limited Pakistan to a final score of 115/7. Pakistan once again saw the collapse of their top-order hamper their batting efforts. Ashantha de Mel BY REVATHA S. SILVA to the very top, coming up in the form of a long Who is the best person to take up the hot seat of the to the number-one place. Is there tour in the Caribbean this month. Chairman of the National Cricket Selection Committee? anyone better than him?” he “(But) in Sri Lanka, the The opinions might vary, but “He (Jayawardene) is now asked. “Bring Sri Lanka to the problem is that we don’t pay according to outgoing Head of coaching the Mumbai Indians number-one position!” like the way the Mumbai Indians the Committee Ashantha de Mel, (in the or De Mel further said that could be paying,” also noted none other than former Sri Lanka IPL). Now he has the possibility Jayawardene has a great eye de Mel. Captain, remarkable batsman, to pick the Sri Lanka team which to select players, adding that “The Chairman of the selectors and the current Mumbai Indian he thinks is the best. He should he may have to make some is paid an amount close to about Coach Mahela Jayawardene is do it by committing time by commitment if he is to take up two to three lakhs per month  England cleared in India the right choice. himself,” de Mel added. the position. here. There is nothing else. We England’s cricketers have been cleared to leave quarantine in India “I think it is Mahela “Then we can see what After the three-member need to go for the matches by after the squad returned negative Covid-19 test results yesterday. The full group will now be able to train together for the first time since Jayawardene. He is the one who changes he will make, compared National Selection Committee our own vehicles etc. with that arriving from Sri Lanka on Wednesday (27). , Jofra Archer, is in the National Sports Council to the changes that we had made was disbanded following the money,” he explained. and Rory Burns have already begun training, having arrived in India (NSC) now. He can serve well (during de Mel’s tenure). I think resignation of de Mel last week, “I can’t say whether Mahela separately after missing the Lankan series. The first Test of the four- for the development of cricket. that’s the best thing,” de Mel Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and would commit such a big job match series begins in on Friday (5). If he says that the game needs to further said in this chat with the Ministry of Sports have (in India) and take up the post  be rectified, he can come and do journalist Danushka Aravinda. announced they are going to here. But if you ask me who is Serena ready for her 24th major Mahela Jayawardene (right) with Mumbai it,” said de Mel in a recent online “Mahela is current (up-to- appoint a new panel soon. Sri the most suitable person, that’s Serena Williams says she may not have been able to play in the Indian skipper Rohit Sharma Australian Open had it not been pushed back by three weeks. The first interview. date) with the game. He brought Lanka’s next assignment is him,” de Mel reiterated. Grand Slam of the year was delayed to allow players to quarantine. Williams, chasing a record-equalling 24th major singles title next week, said she “needed the extra time” to fully recover from an Achilles injury sustained at the US Open in September. She and Britain’s Katie Boulter won their openers as warm-up events began yesterday. Williams claimed a 6/1, 6/4 victory over Australia’s Daria Gavrilova. SPORTS DIARY ON THIS DAY – 2 FEBRUARY

Tuesday, 2 February INTERNATIONAL 1967 Formation of the American Basketball Association was LOCAL Cricket – Abu Dhabi T10 League: announced Tennis – 105th Colombo 1973 debut of Sir Richard yy Match No. 16 - Qalanders vs. Championship 2020 which was to begin Hadlee, New Zealand's legendary all- Maratha Arabians (5.30 p.m.) yesterday (1) in Colombo will now get rounder, vs. Pakistan in Wellington underway on Friday (5) due to traffic yy Match No. 17 – Delhi Bulls vs 1991 scored 267 diversions for the Independence Day Pune Devils (7.45 p.m.) versus New Zealand at Wellington rehearsals. Further info could be gained 1995 Henry Olonga no-balled for yy Match No. 18 – Northern Warriors Serena Williams from the Sri Lanka Tennis Association in a -Pakistan (SLTA) official website, www.sltennis.lk vs. Deccan Gladiators (10 p.m.) Test

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