www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020

For verified information on the Quarantine Unit COVID-19 TOTAL CASES TOTAL CASES coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any 0112 112 705 ACTIVE CASES of the following authorities CASES IN Epidemiology Unit Health THE WORLD 45,035,410 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 9,619 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 9,141,798 233,386 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 1,182,522 INDIA 8,070,589 120,899 BRAZIL 5,469,755 158,468 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 1,581,693 27,301 19 4,142 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 5,458 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] 32,848,199 FRANCE 1,235,132 35,785 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 10.00 P.M. ON 29 OCTOBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU

NEW COVID-19 DETECTIONS RESURGENCE OF COVID-19 MUTHURAJAWELA WETLANDS TOTAL CASES Police to bar waste trucks 130 ICU beds ready BY SARAH HANNAN 6,145*Stats updated as at 9.30 p.m. on 29 October Minister of Environment issued instructions to bar the entry of trucks COVID-19 carrying scrap metal into the Muthurajawela wetland area with immediate effect. Information Dept. to treat patients Speaking to The Morning, Amaraweera noted: “While we are still finalising the employee infected zOnly five Covid-19 patients in ICU zOver 5,000 patients under medical care necessary regulations through the amended An employee of the Department (National) Environmental Act, I have of Government Information tested BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA Hospital (IDH). According to Army Commander issued directives to the Central positive for Covid-19, health “There are around 140 ICU Lieutenant General Shavendra Environmental Authority (CEA) officials confirmed yesterday (29). Around 130 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds are ready beds in the country, out of which Silva, a total of 414 more persons to work closely with the law to manage Covid-19 patients around the country, 130 beds have been allocated to tested positive for Covid-19 enforcement institutions to put an according to the health authorities. manage Covid-19 patients, mainly yesterday (29). end to the continued dumping of 50 persons max at in hospitals in Homagama and All fresh cases were linked to industrial waste, scrap metal, Medical Services Deputy that only five patients were Mulleriyawa,” he added. the Minuwangoda-Peliyagoda and other debris to the Minister of religious events Director General Dr. Lal currently being treated at the All ICU beds are equipped with cluster. wetland.” Environment Mahinda Health authorities requested the Panapitiya told The Morning ICU at the Infectious Diseases ventilators, he said. Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Amaraweera public to limit attendees in religious activities to a maximum of 50 persons. MASS DISINFECTION WASTE CONTAINERS FROM UK Over 5,000 active cases 20 more to be returned today BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA within the next week. send back 20 containers on under medical care Customs Department 30 October.” Confirmed Covid-19 cases in Sri Another two consignments Spokesman Sunil Jayaratne He said an additional 65 Lanka topped the grim milestone of the illegally imported said 20 containers would be containers would be sent next of 9,000 on Wednesday (28) as 335 garbage containers are to sent back today (30). Wednesday (4 November). more persons tested positive for the be repatriated to England “We got the green light to Contd. on page 2 virus. The Department of Government Information said all the new cases were linked to the Minuwangoda- Peliyagoda cluster, which has so far registered 5,731 infections in total. SJB expels nine MPs, Several villages informs Speaker out of isolation Chief Opposition Whip and Samagi yesterday (29), indicated that nine MPs The order to isolate all the villages Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of were expelled from the SJB and asked in the Kalutara District with a high Parliament (MP) , to appoint seating for them on the risk of Covid-19 was lifted, except The Borella Environmental Unit of Police, together with the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, in a letter addressed to Speaker of Government’s side. for one village, Army Commander disinfected the Castle Street Hospital for Women yesterday (29) Parliament Contd. on page 2 Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva stated PHOTO ESHAN DASANAYAKA yesterday (29). Persons crossing Western COVID-19 BRANDIX CLUSTER COMPLAINT AGAINST ARMY OFFICER Province monitored 67 recoveries AG transfers probe to Commander to directly Reports emerged of several persons who had organised recorded in SL another CCD team probe allegations excursions and pilgrimages Attorney General (AG) Dappula Crime Division (CCD) to a special The Army Commander is to Sampathnuwara District Hospital attempting to leave the Western The Ministry of Health said 67 individuals de Livera gave instructions to investigating team to be appointed look into the allegations made by and its staff. Province before the curfew was who previously tested positive for Covid-19 transfer the probes on the Brandix from other units. the Government Medical Officers’ Furthermore, the GMOA, in its imposed yesterday (29), Police were discharged from medical care as they apparel factory from the Colombo Contd. on page 2 Association (GMOA) against an letter, called on the Army Chief to Media Spokesperson Deputy made complete recoveries. Army officer, The Morning learnt. rectify the situation and informed Inspector General (DIG) Ajith Contd. on page 2 BROKEN PCR MACHINE The GMOA yesterday (29) wrote the Minister of Health that they were Rohana said. to Minister of Health Pavithra compelled to withdraw their services Chinese assistance Wanniarachchi, charging that at the Sampathnuwara District English newspaper All lobby Brigadier K.K.S. Parakum had been Hospital as trade union action. journalist tests positive correspondents sought for repairs verbally abusive to the Head of the Contd. on page 2 The breakdown of a Hospital in Ragama has delayed QUARANTINE A journalist employed in a leading to self-quarantine PCR machine at the newly nearly 20,000 PCR test results, weekly English newspaper tested established laboratory in the The Morning learnt. CURFEW AND ISOLATED AREAS positive for Covid-19 yesterday All lobby correspondents who covered Colombo North Teaching Contd. on page 2 (29). parliamentary sittings last week were asked „ Western Province to self-quarantine, stated the Parliament of „ Kurunegala district Sri Lanka yesterday (29). yy Kuliyapitiya CMC looks at using Contd. on page 2 Speaker signs 20th yy Pannala yy Giriulla clinics for quarantine Salons and churches yy Narammala Amendment yy Dummalasuriya The Colombo Municipal Council in Kattankudy closed Speaker of Parliament considered as the law of the (CMC) is expecting to use the Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena country with immediate „ Nuwara Eliya District buildings, mostly community The Special Task Force in Kattankudy assented to the draft bill of effect, Parliament Deputy yy Hatton town centres, that house CMC clinics as decided to close all churches and the 20th Amendment to Secretary General and quarantine centres for suspected hairdressing salons in the Kattankudy area the Constitution yesterday Chief of Staff Neil „ Ratnapura District Covid-19 patients or their contacts, from yesterday (29), owing to the current (29). Iddawela stated. yy Palabaddala Mayoress of Colombo Rosy Covid-19 risks. The new constitutional Contd. „ Mannar District Senanayake stated. amendment will now be Speaker Mahinda on page 2 yy Periyakadai Yapa Abeywardena yy Pattitottam CPC filling stations FRENCH TERROR ATTACK open during curfew 3 dead; woman beheaded The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said its filling A knife-wielding attacker shouting on Twitter that it had happened in or One of the people killed inside the stations will remain open during “Allahu Akbar” beheaded a woman and near Notre Dame Church, the largest church was believed to be the church quarantine curfew imposed in the killed two other people in a suspected in the city. warden, Estrosi said, adding that a Western Province during the long terrorist incident at a church in the Estrosi said the attacker had woman had tried to escape from inside weekend starting today (30). French city of Nice yesterday (29), repeatedly shouted the phrase “Allahu the church and had fled into a bar * Updated as at the Police and officials said. Akbar”, or “God is greatest”, even opposite the 19th Century neo-Gothic 10.00 p.m. on 29th October SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2 Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi, who after he had been detained by the building. Source: Sri Lanka Police described the attack as terrorism, said Police. Contd. on page 2 2 the morning NEWS Friday, October 30, 2020

Contd. from page 1

130 ICU... Kiriella stated that these MPs will no the attack. “As a sign of mourning and the following will take place with the longer hold a position in the Parliamentary solidarity with the victims and their loved introduction of the new Amendment. Information... According to reports, 62 of them were Committee of the Opposition, and in ones, I call on all Muslims in France to Under the observation of Parliament, the Accordingly, the individual, an office identified from quarantine centres while keeping with the SJB by-laws, an inquiry cancel all the celebrations of the holiday of President possesses the power to appoint assistant in the Department, had gone to the remaining 352 were close contacts of will be carried out on all nine members in Mawlid.” the Chief Justice, justices to the Supreme the Peliyagoda Fish Market on 16 October. earlier cases. the future and necessary disciplinary action The holiday is the birthday of the Court, President of the Court of Appeal Whilst people who went to the Meanwhile, 67 individuals who will be taken thereafter. Prophet Mohammad, which is being and its judges, the Attorney General, the Peliyagoda Fish Market were told to previously tested positive for Covid-19, When asked about the legal hold MP celebrated Thursday. Inspector General of Police, the Auditor undergo a PCR test, he had remained at the were discharged from medical care after claims to have over the Estrosi said the victims had been killed General, and the Ombudsman. office premises without being informed, making complete recoveries. SJB, Kiriella stated that the party’s Ex-Co in a “horrible way”. The Article which says the President and spent the night in one section of the According to the situation report, shall take a decision over her actions, “The methods match, without doubt, shall, on the advice of the Prime Minister, Department. 12 persons at the National Institute of and that the leadership has the necessary those used against the brave teacher in appoint from among MPs the ministers to Infectious Diseases (NIID), two at the paperwork to expel and remove her as a Conflans Sainte Honorine, Samuel Paty,” be in charge of ministries will be repealed Welikanda Base Hospital, 25 at the member from the SJB at any moment. he said, referring to a French teacher in the 20th Amendment, and the President Kattankudy Hospital, eight at the Teldeniya The nine MPs who were expelled from beheaded earlier this month in an attack in will have the power to appoint the Prime 50 persons... Base Hospital, nine at the Homagama Base the SJB after voting in favour of the 20th a suburb of Paris. Minister and the ministers at his discretion. The public was urged to pay particular Hospital, and one at the Galgamuwa Base Amendment as a whole or over Clause The attack comes while France is still The President also possesses the power to attention regarding Full Moon Poya Day Hospital have returned to health. 17 that allowed a dual citizenship bearer reeling from the beheading earlier this hold a ministerial post under his purview. today (30). This new development brings the total to enter Parliament were; Diana Gamage month of middle school teacher Paty by a The number of Election Commission Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) number of novel coronavirus recoveries (National List), A. Aravindh Kumar man of Chechen origin. members has been revised to five and the Director Dr. Palitha Karunaprema said that reported in the country to 4,142 as of last (Tamil Progressive Alliance/Up-Country The attacker had said he wanted to President is given the power to appoint religious activities cannot be carried out as evening, while Sri Lanka’s confirmed People’s Front), , Faizal punish Paty for showing pupils cartoons of members of the election body as well as its usual in areas where quarantine curfew is cases stand at 9,205. However, 5,044 of Cassim (Sri Lanka Muslim Congress the Prophet Mohammad in a civics lesson. Chairman. imposed. them are still under medical care. [SLMC]/National List), H.M.M. Harees It was not immediately clear if The President has been empowered “We request that religious activities in (SLMC), M.S. Thowfeek, Naseer Ahamed yesterday’s attack was connected to the by the new constitutional Amendment to areas outside the Western Province, where (SLMC), A.A.S.M. Raheem (All Ceylon cartoons, which Muslims consider to be dissolve Parliament after two-and-a-half (quarantine) curfew is not imposed, be Makkal Congress [ACMC]), and S.M.M. blasphemous. years of its sitting, amending the previous carried out on a small scale with less than Police to... Muszhaaraff (ACMC). Since Paty’s killing, French officials Article which stated that Parliament could 50 persons per event, as per the health The Police Environmental Protection – Sarah Hannan – backed by many ordinary citizens – not be dissolved until four-and-a-half years safety recommendations.” Division was instructed to monitor the have re-asserted the right to display the of its sitting. He added that the highest risk of the activities and take necessary action, should cartoons, and the images have been widely The Constitutional Council will be virus is for elderly people over 60 years they observe any individual or company displayed at marches in solidarity with the abolished and instead the Parliamentary of age as well as people with conditions attempting to dump any type of waste Commander... killed teacher. Council has been introduced. such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood material, and prevent trucks from crossing Military Spokesman Brigadier Chandana That has prompted an outpouring of Being a dual citizen will no longer pressure, and kidney disease. the perimeter. Wickremesinghe said the issue had been anger in parts of the Muslim world, with serve as a disqualification to run for the “The important thing here is that they The Minister had also recently ordered taken up by Army Commander Lt. Gen. some governments accusing French presidency or contest a parliamentary take their medication properly. It is very the Ja-Ela Divisional Secretariat to Shavendra Silva. President Emmanuel Macron of pursuing election as the barrier was removed by the important for such adults to stay at home,” survey the land expanse that belongs to “The Army Commander will directly an anti-Islam agenda. newly passed Amendment. he added. the Muthurajawela wetland and make investigate the allegation made against the In a comment on recent beheadings in The power to appoint heads of necessary arrangements to demarcate the Army official,” he said. France, the Kremlin said yesterday it was departments is now vested with the same. – Skandha Gunasekara unacceptable to kill people, but also wrong Cabinet. Land grabbing and encroachment to insult the feelings of religious believers. Through the 20th Amendment, the Over 5,000... allegations too surround the Muthurajawela (Reuters) number of Supreme Court judges has been Twenty-seven of them have been wetland in addition to the mismanaged 3 dead... increased from 11 to 17 while the number detected from quarantine centres while 202 waste disposal that has been taking place “The suspected knife attacker was shot of Court of Appeal justices was raised from of them were identified as close contacts for a considerable amount of time. by the Police while being detained; he is 12 to 20. of earlier cases. The remaining 106 were The Ministry of Environment is to take on his way to hospital, he is alive,” Estrosi Speaker... confirmed to be contacts of coronavirus necessary legal action against individuals told reporters. Hence, the existence of the Constitutional patients connected to the Peliyagoda or entities that have caused serious damage “Enough is enough,” Estrosi said. Council has been abolished forthwith, Fish Market. As per Epidemiology Unit to the ecosystem and biodiversity of the “It’s time now for France to exonerate he said, adding that all provisions of the AG transfers... statistics, 5,111 active coronavirus cases Muthurajawela wetland, it is learnt. itself from the laws of peace in order to Amendment (law) will now be in operation. Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) are still receiving medical treatment as of definitively wipe out Islamo-fascism from C.D. Wickramaratne was directed to take last afternoon (29). our territory.” The draft bill was signed at the Office of the relevant measures in this regard. Out of the 9,205 infections confirmed Reuters journalists at the scene said the the Speaker in the presence of the Secretary AG’s Co-ordinating Officer State in Sri Lanka, 4,075 in total have made 20 more... Police armed with automatic weapons had General and Deputy Secretary General of Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said the complete recoveries to date. “Another 65 would be sent on 4 put up a security cordon around the church, Parliament. directives came after it was revealed that The country’s Covid-19 death toll hit 19 November. There are 20 more such which is on Nice’s Jean Medecin Avenue, The 20th Amendment was passed with certain CCD officers tested positive for on Tuesday (27) as three infected persons containers that we will be sending within the city’s main shopping thoroughfare. a two-thirds majority in Parliament on 22 Covid-19. including a 19-year-old fell victim to the the course of November.” Ambulances and fire service vehicles were October, as 156 legislators voted in favour virus. These are part of the 225 containers of also at the scene. of the constitutional amendment while 65 Sri Lanka witnessed the highest daily waste product from England that were In Paris, lawmakers in the National MPs voted against. count of Covid-19 cases on 23 October illegally imported in 2017 and 2018. Assembly observed a minute’s silence in (SJB) MPs Chinese... with a record total of 866 fresh positive solidarity with the victims. Diana Gamage, Ishak Rahuman, Ali Sabri National Operations Centre for cases. The second highest was recorded on The Police said three people were M. Raheem, Ahamed Nasir, Mohomed Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak 6 October with 739 infections. confirmed to have died in the attack Harees, Faizal Cassim, Aravindh Kumar, (NOCPCO) Head Army Commander SJB expels... and several were injured. The French and M.S. Thowfeek had voted in favour of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva Speaking to The Morning, Kiriella said: prosecutor’s Anti-Terrorist Department the draft bill, much to the surprise of many. had instructed officials from the Health “The MPs clearly dishonoured the three- said it had been asked to investigate. Former President and current Sri Ministry to immediately address the issue Several villages... line whip decision that the SJB took to A police source said a woman was Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and take necessary action within 48 hours. The isolation order issued on Badugama vote against the 20th Amendment. We decapitated. French politician Marine Le Parliamentarian was Lt. Gen. Silva told the media that the Nawa Janapadaya in Matugama was not no longer recognise them as members of Pen also spoke of a decapitation having absent during the vote. machine was currently placed at the lifted and will continue until further notice. the Opposition, which is why I requested occurred in the attack. Apart from the abolishment of the Medical Research Institute (MRI) and the Speaker to assign them seats on the A representative of the French Council Constitutional Council, several other measures were in place to rectify the Government side going forward.” for the Muslim Faith strongly condemned major constitutional changes including malfunction immediately, and to begin the operation. Persons crossing... He said a technician from China would Speaking to the media, he said that only arrive in the country soon to fix the a limited number of individuals will be machine. allowed to enter or exit the boundaries of It was further revealed that a PCR the Western Province. machine purchased for Rs. 250 million “No person who is not involved in Cartoon of the day with the assistance of Asian Development essential services will have the opportunity Bank (ADB) was placed at the National to cross these boundaries. The same will Institute of Infectious Diseases in apply for the expressway. In addition, Mulleriyawa in May 2020, but had roadblocks have been set up at the exit and malfunctioned six days ago. entry points of the Western Province since (MM) last morning. “The meaning behind this curfew is not that Covid-19 will spread only after 12 midnight. The aim is to prevent infected CPC... persons within the Western Province Three filling stations will be open in leaving the province. Some are allowed to each police division during the period of leave within reason. We will look into it if the quarantine curfew. people leave the province without a proper reason,” he added. 67 recoveries... According to the situation report, 12 at the National Institute of Infectious English... Diseases (NIID), two at the Welikanda The PCR test of the individual obtained Base Hospital, 25 at the Kattankudy on Wednesday (28) returned a positive Hospital, eight at the Teldeniya Base result, following which, he was directed Hospital, nine at the Homagama Base for medical care, sources further said. As Hospital, and one at the Galgamuwa Base of last evening, he was awaiting his second Hospital have returned to health. PCR test result for confirmation. This new development brings the total number of novel coronavirus recoveries reported in the country, as of last afternoon (29), to 4,142. Meanwhile, the number of CMC looks... Sri Lanka’s confirmed cases stood at 9,205. Speaking to the media on Wednesday However, 5,044 of them were still under (28), the Mayoress said the municipality medical care. would be able to transform 35 community centres accordingly. “We are already making arrangements in this regard and have allocated funds,” All lobby... she said. She also said the CMC would This was following a journalist working take measures to distribute dry rations for an English weekly newspaper testing among the citizens living in areas where positive for Covid-19. As of last evening, quarantine curfew has been imposed. the journalist was awaiting the results from Meanwhile, the Mayoress said about a second PCR test to reconfirm whether he 1,150 people tested positive for Covid-19 is indeed infected. in eight days within the municipality. the morning 3 Friday, October 30, 2020 business Two-thirds of SL’s private sector employees struggling financially: IFC study

Almost two-thirds of 140,000 result of the pandemic. bills, compared to their male counterparts. The report also found that one in five include developing meaningful flexible work employees in Sri Lanka’s leading The report is based on a survey conducted “Covid-19 has changed workplace dynamics respondents reported to be concerned about policies, supporting staff – particularly women companies are struggling to meet among 15 leading Sri Lankan companies across radically. Among many other things, ‘working possible job loss, and one in 10 said they may – with access to technology, introducing safe personal and family financial a range of sectors – banking and finance, fast- from home’ has become the new normal. need to find new employment. Two out of five transportation, and providing mental health and obligations due to the impact of moving consumer goods (FMCG), information Our research shows that despite household employees surveyed said they may need to wellness support. Covid-19, a new report revealed. technology, garments, and manufacturing. The responsibilities and additional hours of work, supplement their income, while one-third of A similar assessment by Women in Work, companies surveyed employ more than 140,000 women have reported an increased level of them believed they would need to upskill or “Gendered Impacts of Covid-19 on Small The report, “Gendered Impacts of Covid- employees, including almost 85,000 women. productivity during this period as compared retrain in a new area. In addition, almost one- and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Sri Lanka”, 19 on Employment in the Private Sector”, by According to the study, female employees to men,” said IFC Country Manager for Sri third of employees surveyed experienced a presented a snapshot of the pandemic’s Women in Work, a partnership between the were more likely to have experienced increased Lanka and Maldives Amena Arif. “We think salary reduction and almost 40% of them had impacts on the country’s small and medium International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a hours, remote working, a change in job role, or that this new setup has allowed more women their benefits reduced due to the pandemic. enterprises. member of the World Bank Group – and the to have been re-allocated to a different business to better manage work and home fronts. This The latest IFC-DFAT (Department of IFC is the largest global development Australian Government, highlights that almost unit or work location. Moreover, female also presents an opportunity for employers to Foreign Affairs and Trade) findings also offer institution focused on the private sector in three quarters of the companies surveyed employees faced the greatest stress in terms of reassess certain company policies to best suit recommendations to better support working emerging markets present in more than 100 experienced a negative impact on revenue as a meeting increased electricity and other utility the needs of their employees.” men and women in the private sector. These countries. Pandemic Recovery in Urban Settings z Why it’s important to plan for the unplanned

in urban areas. The cluster consisted of small Building resilience and ensuring living spaces, home to around 62 families preparedness is a worthwhile investment on a 20-perch land. Not only do these small compared to costs that have to be incurred By Chathurga housing units lack basic amenities such as when managing an emergency unprepared. Karunanayake sanitation, water, and ventilation, but their In this regard, addressing shortcomings in placement also makes social distancing an urban public healthcare facilities is important. impossible task. In such neighbourhoods, As recommended in IPS’ “Sri Lanka: State On 31 October, the world marks World residents tend to congregate in public of the Economy 2020” report, rectifying Cities Day. Urbanisation has intensified many spaces and visit neighbours. Tracking and longstanding and often neglected issues of the most pressing global challenges over controlling socialising patterns in highly that weaken healthcare systems such as the last few decades. Today, responding to the congested areas adds to the challenges expanding designated hospitals for infectious Covid-19 pandemic has become a top priority making lockdowns and curfews redundant. diseases, investing in intensive care units, for the vast majority of towns and cities According to the 2016 Household Income expanding testing capacities in hospitals Pyxle Founder, Chairman, and Executive Director Presantha Jayamaha and Trabeya across the world, which account for over 95% and Expenditure Survey (HIES), urban areas and incorporating enhanced channels for CEO Sanjay Popat of total reported Covid-19 cases, according to are home to a majority of families living informing, and educating the underprivileged the UN-Habitat Covid-19 Response Plan. in shanties and slums. Nevertheless, the communities are some key measures to Research also shows that densely current administrative definition of “urban” strengthen the health policy response. SL-based Pyxle populated areas and underserved settlements significantly underestimates the real extent In terms of assisting livelihoods of the without access to basic infrastructure of urbanisation in Sri Lanka. According to underprivileged, it is important to promote facilities, those in strategic locations with UN-Habitat III, in Colombo, an estimated economic inclusion. While the provision International and Trabeya high land value, those on reservations 68,812 households are located in 1,499 of funds and food rations at a subsidised required for new infrastructure, and those underserved settlements, accounting for more rate is beneficial, it is important that more on the periphery with adequate housing than half of the city’s population; about 74% emphasis is given to permanent solutions. In announce merger requiring only improvement of infrastructure of these scattered and small settlements have doing so, as suggested by the World Bank, continue to provide a ready channel for the less than 50 housing units. slum upgrading can include aspects such as Pyxle, a global digital consultancy based domains, and the entities have aggregated resurgence of pandemics. Furthermore, a majority of slum dwellers improving marketplaces and kiosks for street out of Sri Lanka, which helps middle a highly global customer and partner Sri Lanka is no exception to these realities. in urban areas are employed in self-managed, vendors and supporting local employment market companies accelerate their digital network, including being a certified Densely populated and underserved areas, low-wage jobs in the informal sector, earning opportunities through labour-intensive works. transformation journey, yesterday (29) Microsoft Gold partner. including slums and shanties, have seen the daily wages. The informal nature of their Living conditions of slum dwellings need announced that it has reached an agreement “We have worked very closely with incidence of a high number of Covid-19- employment, with no protective measures, improvements, coupled with relocation to merge with Trabeya, an advanced data Pyxle over the last few years, and our positive cases during the past few months. makes them vulnerable to sudden earning activities. This requires proper urban analytics and artificial intelligence products engagement has deepened and grown in Given that well-developed urban areas losses as well as access to food and other planning to manage Sri Lanka’s dense and solutions company serving a global scope. This merger presents an important generally react fast in terms of mitigation basic needs. This in turn exposes them to population and enforcement of policies to customer base, with its operational team milestone in cementing our strong efforts, the hardest-hit during pandemics are higher risks, when they are compelled to ensure a successful relocation exercise, not out of Sri Lanka and its headquarters in relationship, and our joint capabilities those in less developed areas. They are also ignore precautionary measures in desperate only in urban centres but also in peri-urban Singapore. The company said that the will create significant synergies. We are vulnerable to such outbreaks, highlighting the attempts for survival. areas and suburbs. Urban planning should combination of these two entities “creates immensely excited about the future,” said urgency with which solutions to these issues Initiatives to improve underserved focus on informal settlements and the urban a leader” in the data industry with the Trabeya CEO Sanjay Popat. need attention. settlements poor that have been disproportionately management, capabilities, resources, and Post the strategic merger, Presantha As the world responds to the Covid-19 In the recent past, successive governments affected by the pandemic. As a solution scale to successfully capitalise on the Jayamaha will step down from his role pandemic and works towards recovery, Sri have undertaken many initiatives to improve to high-dense populations living in small opportunities in this field. as Chairman and Executive Director Lanka should explore ways of halting the the conditions of slums, shanties, and other areas, a threshold level of population Pyxle accelerates digital transformations of Pyxle, paving the way for younger spread of future pandemics, stimulating underserved settlements in urban areas. After density per square mile can be adopted, for businesses with its holistic assessment leadership in the group to ascend. recovery, and building resilience in the war, the Urban Development Authority based on extensive research. of their current and desired digital roadmap Jayamaha was instrumental in building underprivileged urban settings. This article (UDA) embarked on a project to rehouse Disaster-risk-reduction planning and and digital maturity, and thereafter outlines Pyxle over 17 years and played a vital discusses how Sri Lanka can address these underserved settlements as part of the response and pandemic prevention and implements an optimal data solution role in its trajectory. He will be divesting challenges. Colombo City Beautification Project. planning must be incorporated into urban with product innovation and engineering, his stake to current shareholder Tavistock Covid-19: Impact in urban settings Several regulatory reforms have also planning in Sri Lanka. As suggested hosting, cloud and technology operations, Group, an international private investment Despite the lack of exposure to similar been implemented: (1) a policy decision to by Pan American Health Organisation robotic process automation, as well as organisation. pandemics in the past, Sri Lanka was relocate 66,000 low-income people from (PAHO), this can include measures such systems integration. Trabeya enables “I have led Pyxle as Founder/CEO, and exemplary in curtailing the first wave of underserved settlements into high-rise as establishing an emergency operations businesses to make effective decisions then Chairman, through private equity the Covid-19 crisis, despite what has taken housing in 2010, (2) a national housing centre, continually assessing needs, quickly with its data-driven machine investment, growth, and change through place this month. Early measures adopted programme named “Janasevana” aimed at identifying resources, planning for intelligence solutions. Springboard, its many cycles over the last 17 years. The by the country – such as self-isolation, building one million houses during 2010- response, implementing the response, and cloud-based platform, seamlessly integrates opportunities before us with this merger are contact tracing, referring suspected cases to 2015, and (3) the ongoing Colombo Urban preparing communities for recovery. plug-and-play tools, including proprietary very exciting, but, as for me, it is the right quarantine centres, curfews, lockdowns, and Regeneration Project to construct 30,000 *This article is based on IPS’ “Sri Lanka: artificial intelligence products, into existing time to let a new team take the combined closure of schools and workplaces – made low-cost housing units within the next three State of the Economy 2020” report on business workflows to achieve real-time business further and release more value,” this possible. However, the numbers could years and another 40,000 units in the three “Pandemics and Disruptions: Reviving Sri analytics to enhance performance. said Jayamaha. have been further controlled had there been years thereafter. Lanka’s Economy Covid-19 and Beyond”. The merger of both companies creates a The benefits of the transaction proper urban planning procedures. This is However, much more remains to be done, (Chathurga Karunanayake is a Research comprehensive offering all on one platform Expansion of offerings, all on a single especially so, given that some large clusters particularly in terms of urban planning and Assistant at IPS and holds a BA in that delivers digital strategy planning and comprehensive platform, Springboard, were located in small urbanised areas in management, as exposed by Covid-19. The Economics (Hons) from the University of systems integration, data management and from digital strategy planning and systems Colombo. pandemic has allowed room to rethink, Colombo. She also holds a DipLCM from visualisations, and deep analytics powered integration to data management and The outbreak in Bandaranayake Mawatha, replan, and redesign urban settings to be the University of West London, UK. She by proprietary artificial intelligence tools visualisations and deep analytics powered Colombo is an excellent example of how more resilient to future outbreaks. can be reached by emailing chathurga@ to enable a smooth and fully integrated by proprietary artificial intelligence tools diseases spread in underserved settlements Building better ips.lk) customer experience to better serve to support the customers’ entire digital business needs. journey “We are thrilled to bring together Combining both companies’ extensive our complementary offerings to further and growing capabilities to enhance Commercial Bank launches SME credit card advance our customers’ experience at every customer satisfaction through a complete stage of their digital journey,” said Pyxle solution offering Commercial Bank of Ceylon recently Founder, Chairman, and Executive Director Excellent working relationship between launched a Mastercard-branded credit card Presantha Jayamaha. “This strategic the two management teams which share exclusively for entrepreneurs in the SME merger provides us with the opportunity successful track records globally (small and medium enterprises) sector. to enter a promising new era to leverage Strong support of long-term and mutual Mastercard Sri Lanka and Maldives Country our combined core competencies in digital shareholder Tavistock Manager Rajesh Mani was a special guest strategy as well as data analytics and Become a leading incubator for at the launch event. Pictured here at the artificial intelligence. We see huge potential innovative technology and top talent in launch event are (from left), representing to create a turnkey experience for our Sri Lanka, and provide accelerated growth Commercial Bank, Head of Card Centre customers, which will give our employees opportunities to combined employee base Thusitha Suraweera, Deputy General the opportunity to have an even greater Popat concluded: “We very much look Manager – Marketing Hasrath Munasinghe, impact on the businesses that we work forward to welcoming both companies’ and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Sanath with.” employees into our combined vision and Manatunge, and Mastercard Sri Lanka and The combined teams bring deep are enthused about the new opportunities Maldives Country Manager Rajesh Mani knowledge and insights in their respective that we can jointly pursue together.” and Director Sandun Hapugoda. the morning 4 Friday, October 30, 2020 brunch BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE Amidst quarantine curfews and a generally mellow mood, some Yudhanjaya Wijeratne’s good news caught our attention. Currently No. 34 on the Audible top 100 list, Sri Lankan sci-fi author Yudhanjaya Wijeratne’s latest novel “The Salvage Crew” is performing exceedingly well for Wijeratne’s very first foray into the audiobook market. ‘THE SALVAGE CREW’ Wijeratne shared that some of the credit for the attention the audio version of the book is receiving should also be given to its narrator, Nathan Fillion aka. narrated by Nathan Fillion Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds of the TV show “Firefly”, which, despite its relatively short life span, has remained incredibly popular; the Firefly franchise has since expanded to other media, including comics and a role-playing game. Fillion has largely avoided doing traditional TV/film acting roles since the conclusion of his long-running TV show “Castle”, except for rare voice cameos in films like Guardians of the Galaxy or in video games such as Halo. However, he now lent his voice for his very first audiobook narration for Wijeratne’s “The Salvage Crew”. The tale is essentially a space exploration adventure told from the perspective of a snarky artificial intelligence (AI) (voiced by Fillion), the AI overseer of a mismatched worse- than-C-team of misfits and a salvage Nathan Fillion plan that goes disastrously wrong. The novel is also unique in how it Buddhists, as they already believe in was written, with its author crediting reincarnation and therefore they suffer his co-author – OpenAI technology and less of a shock in their conversation proprietary code, born of Wijeratne’s which is somewhat of a “rebirth”. interest in work that is machine plus man Wijeratne said that he has an avid rather than machine versus man. fan base here in Lanka, with most of Speaking to Wijeratne about his those involved in Comic Con and also use of technology to write a novel, he the Geek Club being the first to buy his shared that it was a bit of an experiment, ebooks and download the audiobook. stating that he designed a number of For those fans, he said he tries his best programmes, a planet generator, and a to make his novels available for free; generator for people which produced especially during these times, he does characters with specific traits, skills, and not want them to be paying in dollars. mental disabilities, which then created Speaking also about how Covid-19 his misfit band of a crew that went on has affected his work, Wijeratne shared to do things even he could not have that it has been difficult; his focus has predicted. really suffered and he has found it He shared that since OpenAI extremely challenging to keep working. released GPT-2, he has been using the However, he said that while of course it 117M and 345M models to create a has been a tragedy with the publishing machine poet, generating poetry that industry suffering and many people he tested out on Instagram, which got losing their livelihoods, things have him thinking about doing the same for a gone largely digital, which has allowed novel. for more inclusion and diversity, not to Wijeratne spoke of how he drew mention less trees being cut. inspiration from the first computer He said that especially system to defeat a chess grandmaster, when you consider genre Garry Kasparov; the computer system fiction, it would usually be was called Deep Blue and was developed white men dominating, by IBM. He said that following the loss, however there has been a Kasparov did not go on a crusade against shared. However, he said there have Sharing that Lankans tend to want recent call for diversity the machine but rather encouraged the been occasions where he has thoroughly to read about Sri Lanka, for which and it has allowed man-plus-machine concept where “we enjoyed audio books, such as Neil there are plenty of extremely talented more art to reach work as a unit”. Gaiman’s anthologies that are now authors who are already catering, audiences while also He said that as we are now, we are available in audio format; and with Wijeratne added that he did not allowing publishers the human-plus-machine combinations regards to the involvement of Fillion wish to go through the process of opportunity to take more “with our mobile phones summoning narrating his story, he thought what physically publishing the book in Sri risks. strangers from the internet” and as a sci- better person to narrate it than Captain Lanka, as after inviting 20-30 people Finally, Wijeratne fi enthusiast, he felt that he had to think Mal himself! to the launch and encouraging them shared with us some details of a way to actually do it without just With regard to the novel’s success, to buy the copy, things just end there. on his upcoming work. writing about it. Wijeratne expressed his gratitude to his With his chosen publisher being He said he was working on Wijeratne also spoke of his thoughts publisher Aethon Books and Podium very ebook friendly, even with the a nonfiction book which is on audiobooks and how he himself Audio “for all the work they’ve put in publishing industry having come an interesting hybrid of Eric has never particularly been a fan. “I finding the best pieces for this puzzle”. to a standstill almost, his work still Kripke’s “The Boys” and some tend to read much faster than the speed With these US-based services, we asked receives exposure. Lankan flavour, of which more an average person speaks,” he said, Wijeratne about his audience – whom He said, however, that he does could not be disclosed as he and so he has never been particularly does he write for? He said that while he have Sri Lankan elements in his plans to have a traditional interested in it. Considering it is a tool does have a considerable number of Sri stories; for example, in “The Salvage publishing debut in the US; of convenience, if it doesn’t speed up Lankan fans, he does not write for Sri Crew”, the programme, which was also, two upcoming sequels to the process, then the point is lost, he Lankans. once human, prefers to convert “The Salvage Crew”. Yudhanjaya Wijeratne Round 3 of the Sri Lankan Media Gender Charter live discussions gets underway “It is sad to notice that the same discussion while 540 viewers joined via portrayal of gender in a professional get caught up in media marketing and society which considers women as Facebook live during the livestream. South setting. The discussion was very interactive commercialisation. Journalists are often noble has also branded women as media Asian Women in Media Co-Convener since there was an active engagement of rendered helpless inside this framework.” commodities. It’s a bitter paradox!” Dilrukshi Handunneththi was featured the audience both on Zoom and Facebook. After an interactive discussion, When it comes to gender portrayal in as the speaker while Attorney-At-Law It enabled them to come up with different Handuneththi concluded the discussion the media, it should certainly be an equal Nethmini Medawala was the moderator. questions related to the topic and thereby by saying: “There are more engagements combination of maintaining values, ethics, The discussion provided insights by directly interact with the speaker to find and the industry does have futuristic and institutional mechanisms as a whole. tracing some of the vexing drawbacks answers. In order to expand the discussion conversations, yet women are a bit Taking a great leap forward, the Sri Lanka prevailing in the current media landscape to a wider audience, the SDJF launched reluctant to point out or raise their voice Development Journalist Forum (SDJF) such as driving factors for media outlets eight Facebook watch parties. As a against any kind of negative gender completed the third #Media4Everyone to stereotype women, how media needs to result, the SDJF has received 631 views, portrayal in the media.” Facebook live discussion on the topic “Do be more proactive in dealing with gender 355 engagements, and 23 constructive The #Media4Everyone live discussion we have a fair portrayal of gender in Sri biases especially during a national crisis, comments through Facebook. series is designed and implemented by Lankan media?”, on 18 October 2020 via the trend among some alternative media “We often see roles of women being the SDJF under the Media Empowerment Zoom and Facebook live from 6 to 7.15 p.m. attempting to build a culture of gender discriminated against in the media. for a Democratic Sri Lanka (MEND) This discussion series was hosted stereotypes, and deeply rooted patriarchal Sometimes the same society which programme supported by the International to promote the importance of enhancing values that hinder fair portrayal of gender considers women as noble has also branded Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) gender equality and justice in Sri in media. women as ‘media commodities’,” read one and is funded by the United States Agency Lankan media, “for fair use of media “It’s the silent crime as nobody dares of the comments on Facebook by Shavini for International Development (USAID). for everyone”. Nearly 20 participants to speak,” added Handunneththi, while Wathsala. Agreeing to the point discussed To access the live discussion, please representing diverse spheres of academia, emphasising that institutional mechanisms by the speaker, Darshan Fernando left a visit https://www.facebook.com/LDJF.org/ gender, and media took part in the Zoom are not in place to mitigate the unfair comment, stating: “It’s important not to videos/670579150130559. the morning 5 Friday, October 30, 2020 sports Boston Marathon BBC forgets Reeva Rugby legend ‘JJ’ no more postponed further Steenkamp? Legendary Wales and Lions rugby player Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, next year’s Boston The BBC has removed the trailer of a new J.J. Williams died yesterday (29) aged Marathon has been postponed until at least the third documentary series on controversial athlete 72. Williams, who was christened “John quarter of the year, international media said yesterday Oscar Pistorius named The Trials of Oscar James”, was known throughout the (29). It is usually held on the third Monday of April, Pistorius. That is after receiving criticism over its sports world by his initials “JJ”. JJ was but the 2021 edition will not be run until “at least the failure to name Pistorius’ murder victim Reeva considered one of the finest finishers of fall of 2021”, the Boston Athletic Association (BAA) has announced. The event was cancelled Steenkamp. Six-time Paralympic gold medallist Pistorius was jailed for 13 years in the game. He scored 12 tries in 30 Tests as Wales won four Five Nations titles, this year, the first time the Boston Marathon was cancelled in its 124-year history. 2017 after shooting his girlfriend through a locked door on Valentine’s Day in 2013. including two Grand Slams, during the 1970s. Cricket’s dirty social media spat z Marlon Samuels hits back at Shane Warne: ‘You are so great but still begging for jobs in cricket’

be his arch-rival on the field. While Stokes has FIFA taken a sly dig at Samuel over his abusive posts, President Gianni Warne has simply slammed the ex-Windies Infantino cricketer on social media, Times Now said yesterday (29). FIFA President Infantino tests “Ha, ha, I need help – this coming from positive for Covid-19 the first cricketer to do a face surgery to look FIFA President Gianni Infantino has tested young,” Samuels wrote in his Instagram story, positive for Covid-19, football’s world- targeting Warne. governing body has confirmed. He also added a disgusting hypothetical The 50-year-old Swiss has gone into conversation between Warne and the doctors: quarantine as a result of the positive “Doc, can I use the skin from my belly doc. diagnosis. No, Warny mate, we must use the skin from “FIFA President Gianni Infantino has your a** batty face. Boy calm down,” Samuels received confirmation that he has tested has added. positive for coronavirus. The FIFA President, In another story, Samuels once again targeted who has reported mild symptoms, has Warne and wrote: “You’re so great but yet still immediately placed himself in self-isolation begging jobs in cricket. I am so ordinary but a and will remain in quarantine at least for great businessman, lol. My schoolmates (are) 10 days,” the governing body said in a still around. That’s speaks volume bi***h lol.” statement. Earlier, Warne in his tweet had alleged “All people who came into contact with that Samuels has no friends and even his the FIFA President during the last few days ex-teammates dislike him. The former have been informed accordingly and they are Australian spinner had suggested the ex-Windies being requested to take the necessary steps. all-rounder to seek help. FIFA sincerely wishes President Infantino a speedy recovery,” it added. How did the feud start? The news comes with Infantino, who is an It all started after Stokes described his International Olympic Committee member, 14-day quarantine in New Zealand as “bad” the subject of a criminal investigation in and “tough” after he flew back home midway Switzerland. during the Test series between England and Pakistan earlier this year. Opening about the quarantine period on a BBC podcast, Stokes had do that to Marlon Samuels?’ I said: ‘No, it’s revealed his brother asked him if he would want that bad’ – that’s how tough it was,” he had Warne (left) and Samuels Samuels, with whom he had several clashes on said further. the field, to undergo such a 14-day isolation. Samuels reacted to Stokes’ comments with Stokes had responded by saying he would not a disgusting post on Instagram where he Former West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels had virtually been abused by Instagram stories. The Aussie great has told wish quarantine even on Samuels. “I posted a targeted him and his wife. “No white boy Samuels has hit back at Shane England all-rounder Ben Stokes and Warne Samuels to “get help”. few Instagram stories and some of the England could diss me in the sports and no get back Warne in a scathing manner after over a comment from the former. In retaliation, The whole controversy erupted after boys were messaging me, asking: ‘What it’s diss look at this **** still thinking about me the legendary Australian spinner Samuels has now targeted the legendary a comment from Stokes on Samuels over like?’ And I was saying: ‘It wasn’t the most give me 14 days with you wife turn har into reacted to Samuels’ comments Australian spinner. quarantine in the current times of the Covid- enjoyable thing you ever have to do, I wouldn’t Jamaican in 14 seconds mate none of yall on the social media platform On Wednesday (28), Warne had reacted 19 pandemic. wish it on my worst enemy,” Stokes told BBC. knows me that simply means it’s my ******* on Twitter after Samuels posted expletive- Stokes had said he would not wish a seven- “I text my brother saying the same thing, superior skin tone,” Samuels had written in Instagram. laden posts on him and Stokes on one of his day quarantine even on Samuels, who used to and my brother asked: ‘You wouldn’t even his Instagram story.

It can be remembered that M.J. Marzook Garden Club (KGC) used to hold Kandy Wahid, a resident of Mahiyawa, went on to the famous Lanka Plate Tournament. represent Sri Lanka at the Billiards World They had players like Lester Cabral, G.B. Musings Championship in Canada. Wahid was the Yatigammana, Faize Samad, K.A. Dinapala, by Hafiz Marikar first to do so from Kandy. Wilbert Gamage, Gazally Saheed, Simon Then there was another cueist named Marawanagoda, Palitha Wickremasinghe, R. Letchuman. He, also from Mahiyawa, Mervin Jayasundara, Jude Fernando, Jhan Billiards and snooker, generally known as played in many overseas tournaments. Other Mohamed, S. Chandrakumar, P.M.B. “cue sports” or “billiard sports”, have had renowned upcountry cueists include Tuany Amarasekera, and George Hemachandra. a long and rich history in this upcountry Amidon from Katukelle, Abdul Razak, also Those were the days when every leading capital. from Katukelle, and Faiz Samad. hotel in Kandy had a public bar and a Such sports had been in existence in good billiards tables. Royal Hotel, Castle, Kandy since the days of their very inception Kandy YMMA and KLC Victory, and Kings Hotel – they all had an in the island. But today, no one cares much Kandy YMMA, which was one of the active cue sports culture then. for those cue sports. Billiards and snooker founders of billiards here, used to run it have taken a nosedive here in Kandy. in a sorry state towards the latter stages. Despite many cries… The billiards Then people like Dr. Samad Ismail, A.S.M. Today, the game seems to be popular at Those vibrant days table seen Naufel, Mamu Ismail, and Afzal Marikar many “parlours” in the district. And clubs Now there are no billiards tournaments at the worked earnestly to bring it back on track such as the University Recreation Club, picturesque in Kandy. In the past, there were inter- Hunnas Falls there. Kandy Club, Kandy Sports Club, and Kandy club matches too. All such events and Hotel in Kandy Kandy Lawn Club (KLC), which was Garden Club continue to have tables. Their competitions are no longer evident now. housed at the present D.S. Senanayake members do play but one can hardly see In the past decades, the Kings Cue Club, Despite continuous cries... Library premises then, was also famous any tournaments being conducted. Catholic Club, Lawn Club, Public Service for billiards. Mainly doctors, government We have been highlighting this sad Club, Mahanuwara YMBA, Kandy YMMA, servants, and lawyers took to the game destiny of Kandy cue sports for many Kandy Garden Club, Kandy Club, and Kandy cue sports in disarray! there. Some of the leading players there moons now. Yet, it is sad to note that as Peradeniya Faculty Club took to the game covered billiards table, bounded by rubber to revive the sport in Kandy. included Dr. C.D.L. Fernando, Parakrama a city with such an illustrious history in very seriously. Their tournaments provided cushions. Ranasinghe, Jadi Silva, S. Sangakkara, cue sports, Kandy has more or less only a immense recreation to the upcountry cueists. Today, thanks to some keen promoters of Top upcountry cueists M. Vanderput, S.B. Karaliyadde, Abdul couple of clubs that are actively conducting cue sports, only Mahanuara YMBA and the The most looked-forward-to tournament Razak, M. Jabar, D.B. Ekanayake, and billiards and snooker at the moment. Is revival evident? Public Services Club keep the sport going. here was the Kandy District “Lanka Plate” Mohideen Shah, to name a few. This club, It’s time the authorities who run billiards Cue sports, they say, are a wide variety However, billiards and snooker, which Billiards and Snooker Championships, unfortunately, does not exist anymore. and snooker in Sri Lanka look into this of games of skill. They are formally played are on the doldrums here for many years, organised by the Sri Lanka Billiards and dilapidating state of cue sports in Kandy, with a cue-stick which is used to strike presently has a glimmer of hope. Some of Snooker Association, with the Kandy KGC and the cuing Kandy hotels once a strongholds of the sport in the billiard balls, moving them around a cloth- the past players are making elaborate plans Billiards and Snooker Association assisting. We can still recall that at one time, the entire island.