„„ www.themorning.lk „„ Late City VOL 01 | NO 17 | Rs. 30.00 { TUESDAY } TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2021 ‘PHIs ARE NOT CONSULTED WHEN MAKING DECISIONS’

PAVING ‘VISIT ’ ANOMAA WAY FOR AN APP TO LAUNCH RAJAKARUNA JOINS IN MID-MARCH INTERNATIONAL JURY ‘INTERIM’? »SEE PAGE 6 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 11 »SEE PAGE 16

INDIAN RULING PARTY’S PLAN TO RULE SL CANCELLED JICA LRT Rs. 1 b consultancy GoSL not to engage fees due before April z Rs 3.9 b disbursements owed to JICA with BJP vision BY PAMODI WARAVITA The Morning learnt. of Urban Development, The Sri Lankan “Consultancy work Coast Conservation, Waste z SJB portends threat z JVP to study situ, TNA declines comment Government should, began in April 2019, and Disposal, and Community within the next one ended at the end of last Cleanliness told The BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE any political engagement regarding Speaking at an event in the and a half months, pay year. From April 2019 to Morning yesterday (15) this issue. state capital Agartala, Deb raised approximately Rs. 1 billion June 2020, around Rs. 4.5 on condition of anonymity. The Government will not be politically engaging with the Sparking fresh controversy, eyebrows when he disclosed Home to foreign consultants for billion have been paid for As such, the official issue of India’s ruling political party, the Bharatiya Janata Tripura Chief Minister Biplab Minister and senior BJP Leader their consultancy services their services. However, estimated that the remaining Party (BJP), announcing plans to form governments in Deb claimed that the BJP is Amit Shah’s alleged plan to form on the cancelled Japan payment from July to amount to be paid to the neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka. planning to expand its footprint saffron party-led governments International Co-operation December 2020 is yet to consultants would be just The Ministry of Foreign Affairs However, according to a high- not only across the country but in two neighbouring countries – Agency (JICA)-funded light be done,” a high-ranking less than Rs. 1 billion. is scheduled to release an official level Ministry source who spoke also in neighbouring nations, on Nepal and Sri Lanka. rail transit (LRT) project, official at the State Ministry Contd. on page 2 statement regarding the issue. to The Morning, there will not be 14 February. Contd. on page 2 No gender segregation Cancer Detection VACCINATION DRIVE ENTERS PUBLIC PHASE Vulnerable people of all ages in Police: Ajith Rohana Centres for all provinces z In Jaffna by March, islandwide by year-end eligible for vaccination BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI AND DINITHA “There are no plans to segregate RATHNAYAKE BY PAMODI WARAVITA z MPs prioritised due to interactions with public based on gender in the Police.” first being opened in Jaffna There are no plans within the A group of senior police The Ministry of Health next month. BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI yesterday (15), utilising the Secretary Dr. Amal Harsha de Police system to segregate officers officers, including former National Cancer Control “Currently there is only one The Government began remaining 250,000 Oxford- Silva said that the vaccination on the basis of gender, according Police Media Spokesman Programme (NCCP) is due to cancer early detection centre in vaccinating members of the AstraZeneca vaccines. will be administered to groups to Police Media Spokesperson Superintendent of Police Ruwan open new cancer early detection the country under the NCCP, public from all age groups Speaking to The Morning such as cleaners, garbage Deputy Inspector General of Gunasekara, have filed a petition centres for each province by in Narahenpita.” who are vulnerable to the yesterday, Ministry of Primary collectors, the media, and Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana. against the appointment of DIG the end of this year, with the Contd. on page 2 rapid contraction of Covid- Healthcare, Epidemics, and parliamentarians. He was responding to a query Jasingharachchi, who is the first 19 in the Western Province Covid Disease Control Contd. on page 2 made by The Morning in light of woman to hold this position in the petition filed by senior police the Police. officers against the appointment The case is to be heard at the of Bimshani Jasingharachchi as Supreme Court today (16). FINALLY, SOME PRIORITY the Deputy Inspector General of Meanwhile, the National Police (DIG) in charge of welfare. Police Commission (NPC), Speaking to The Morning when contacted in this regard, yesterday (15), DIG Rohana said said that the NPC under its new that there are no plans within the membership has had nothing Police to bring about segregation to do with Jasingharachchi’s based on gender. appointment. Customs holds black tile containers zIndustries Ministry commences probe BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE Then we process them by cutting A total of 10 containers of and edging. We are the only factory Residents of Grandpass in Colombo, including street cleaners who render a thankless job all year imported tile accessories and raw that makes skirting and step tiles round, received their first doses of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine for Covid-19 on a priority basis yesterday (15) materials are awaiting release in Sri Lanka.” PHOTO LALITH PERERA from the Customs authorities According to Unais, tile which have presently vetoed their accessories and raw materials release, The Morning learnt. were requested during the time According to Ultra Roofing the Government allowed imports, Pak-SL biz forum during Khan’s visit Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. Chairman but they received these containers BY PAMODI WARAVITA Speaking to The Morning, sources refused to comment A.M. Unais, the 10 containers only during this year. However, A one-day business sources at the High on whether Pakistani PM imported by his company from the cost of these materials and the forum is scheduled to be Commission of Pakistan in Sri Imran Khan is due to attend China are still under Sri Lanka exact date of the letter sent to the held in Colombo with the Lanka said that the business the event. Last month, Customs. He added that they are Ministry of Industries requesting for participation of a top-level forum, most likely to be held Foreign Ministry Secretary hoping to get the stock released tile accessories and raw materials delegation from Pakistan towards the end of this month, Prof. Jayanath Colombage soon. was not revealed to The Morning during Pakistani Prime would host both Pakistani told The Sunday Morning that “Our business is to import two- as Unais declined to respond to Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s and Sri Lankan business PM Khan is due to visit Sri by-two black tiles as they are not questions posed in this regard. visit to Sri Lanka, The community members. Lanka on 23 February. available in the Sri Lankan market. Contd. on page 2 Morning learnt. However, High Commission Contd. on page 2 COVID-19 CASES Village committee to pick Samurdhi beneficiaries BY PAMODI WARAVITA The department’s Media and Underutilised State the selection method. It ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES Division told The Morning Resources Development. is alleged that political The Department of yesterday (15) that village- These beneficiaries would influence when selecting Samurdhi Development level committees would be be recommended in place of Samurdhi beneficiaries had 75,965 has changed the selection in charge of recommending families who are withdrawing been an issue during the methodology for Samurdhi beneficiaries from the Samurdhi fund for United National Front-led DEATHS RECOVERED beneficiaries of the Samurdhi from 1 March, as decided their own personal reasons. Government’s tenure. fund, where a village-level by the State Ministry of The department further Each such committee 6,157 403 69,411 committee would henceforth Samurdhi, Household confirmed that this is would be headed by the SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU be allowed to recommend the Economy, Microfinance, done through village-level area’s Samurdhi development THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.45 P.M. ON 15 FEBRUARY 2021 beneficiaries, The Morning Self Employment, committees to eliminate officer. learnt. Business Development, political influence from Contd. on page 2 42 „„ www.themorning.lk { NEWS } Tuesday, February 16, 2021 PUCSL okays 300 MW Kerawalapitiya LNG Death toll surpasses power plant PPA 400 as Ministry The electricity sector Private Ltd. The unit price of electricity regulator, the Public Utilities “The PUCSL supplied by this power plant Commission of Sri Lanka recommended the inclusion is Rs. 14.98. Both diesel and (PUCSL), approved the of 18 amendments which LNG fuels can be used to urges extra caution power purchase agreement were not included in the generate electricity, and the (PPA) to build the 300 previous power purchase initial phase of generation megawatts (MW) liquefied agreement submitted for will continue to use diesel Another six Covid-19 deaths were natural gas (LNG) power approval, and the CEB and fuel until the LNG or natural confirmed by the Health Services Director plant in Kerawalapitiya. Lakdanavi have agreed to gas supply begins. General yesterday (15) increasing the death The decision was taken on include those. The CEB will “The PUCSL expects that toll in Sri Lanka to 403, the Government 13 February. purchase electricity for 20 the CEB will take actions to Information Department said. The PPA will be signed by years under this agreement,” expedite the construction of Meanwhile, Deputy Director General of Health the Ceylon Electricity Board said PUCSL Chairman this 300 MW LNG power Services Dr. Hemantha Herath said yesterday that (CEB) and Lakdhanavi Janaka Ratnayake. plant,” Ratnayake added. the people should be extra cautious of the new Covid-19 variant detected in the country. He requested the public to avoid large gatherings, private functions, and religious events. Govt. Analyst’s Dept. “We urge the people not to attend these events unless absolutely necessary. If and when you attend, strictly follow health guidelines,” he said. performance up 104% He also warned the people to avoid coming into contact with tourists, even though they are spending the time in the country inside a bio Healthcare workers taking precautions as they attend to the last rites of the Covid-19 deceased in January: Sabry safety bubble. Minister of Justice after their working hours until President's Counsel M.U.M. 7 p.m. and on certain days Ali Sabry has said that until 10 p.m. on an additional UK variant may be up to the Government Analyst’s shift duty. Department has been able Meanwhile, the Minister to increase the capacity and said that there are a large number of employees and number of cases pending show a performance growth in the Hambantota and 70% more deadly: Study of 104% in January 2021. Tissamaharama courts. UK Government scientific advisors say agencies across the UK. and Exeter Hospital Clinical Lead for Covid “In January this year “Therefore, new courtrooms the Covid-19 variant now predominant The new report is based on analysis of a Dr. David Strain. alone, 4,828 tests were with more space will be in our country may be up to 70% more dozen studies that found the so-called Kent “The higher transmissibility means that conducted and 5,060 tests established to expedite the deadly than previous variants, underscoring variant, named after the county where it people who were previously at low risk were completed, bringing the hearing of cases. It was also concerns about how mutations may change was first identified, is likely 30-70% more of being infected with Covid (particularly department to the level where proposed to select a suitable site the characteristics of the disease. deadly than other variants. The studies younger fitter females) are now getting reports can be issued in at and to look into the construction The findings from the New and Emerging compared hospitalisation and death rates infected and ending up in hospital,” Strain least a month,” he noted. Minister of Justice Ali Sabry of a new court complex,” the Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group, among people infected with the variant and said. “This is highlighted by the latest figures Under the special Minister added. published Friday (12) on the Government’s those infected with other variants. for hospitalisation that now suggest an arrangements prepared by the department on He said that the existing number of courts website, build on preliminary research The results of the analysis are worrisome, almost 50:50 male to female ratio compared the instructions of the Minister of Justice, the should be doubled to minimise the number released on 21 January. The group includes said University of Exeter Medical School to this being predominantly in men during officers were required to work free of charge of cases. experts from universities and public clinical senior lecturer and Royal Devon the first wave.” Contd. from page 1

be followed by new centres in the remaining are increasing both globally and locally each businessman and engages in wrongdoing, he till 19 February. GoSL not... provinces by the end of this year,” NCCP year. Within the last five years, Sri Lanka further added. When inquired about the reason for the According to the Indian press, Deb recalled Director Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana told The recorded an average number of 30,000 new prioritisation of MPs, Dr. de Silva said that a meeting with Shah, who was the then BJP Morning yesterday (14). cancer patients per year and an average 16,700 they are given priority because of their National President, ahead of the Tripura Since Sri Lanka is currently diagnosing on cancer-related deaths per year. There are Rs. 1 b... interactions with the public and that journalists Assembly election in 2018 during which average 82 new cancer cases and recording currently 24 cancer treatment centres in Sri The official further said that delays in bill and members of the media will also receive he had discussed the party’s alleged plan to 48 cancer-related deaths per day, Dr. Lanka, with nine of them being main provincial submissions and interruptions due to the the same priority due to the same reason. He spread its presence in the two neighbouring Vidanapathirana said that early detection of treatment ones. Covid-19 pandemic have led to this delay said that the administration of vaccinations countries and set up governments there. cancer is vital for early treatment and cure. in the payment. to the media will also begin soon. Deb has claimed: “During a close interaction “A third of cancers can be detected in the “The consultants were initially paid on a The remaining 250,000 vaccines that were in the state guesthouse, Ajay Jamwal (North- early stages and cured through timely treatment. Customs holds... monthly basis. However, after June 2020 we originally planned to be given to the first East Zonal Secretary of the BJP) said that the If detected early, cancers can be completely A letter was sent to Sri Lanka Customs only received the bills from them in October, priority group of health workers and frontline BJP formed its Government in several states. cured and the quality of life drastically signed by Ministry of Industries Development although they are supposed to give them security forces personnel as their second dose Responding to this, Shah said now Sri Lanka improved,” said Dr. Vidanapathirana. Division II Director Ashoka Kumara to release by the 14th of each month. As such, there will be utilised to vaccinate these vulnerable and Nepal are left. ‘We have to expand the According to Dr. Vidanapthirana, among these containers. has been a delay in payments which would groups. party in Sri Lanka and Nepal and win there females, the most common type of cancer Speaking to The Morning, Kumara said be rectified within the next one and a half “We learnt that the vaccination will be to form governments.’” is breast cancer, both globally and in Sri that according to the Extraordinary Gazette months,” he said. effective if the second dose is administered Expanding the BJP’s footprint and Lanka. She recommended that early detection Notification released on 16 April 2020 by the Speaking to The Morning yesterday, with a 12-week gap according to the latest establishing its rule in Sri Lanka would be a should be carried out through self-checkups by Ministry of Finance, the importation of tile Ministry of Finance and Treasury Secretary developments. We are to receive another set bad influence, said Samagi Jana Balawegaya observing the breasts for abnormal appearances accessories and raw materials was prohibited. S.R. Atygalle said that according to the work of vaccines next month,” said Dr. de Silva. (SJB) National Organiser and Parliamentarian such as lumps and colour changes 10 days However, according to the same Gazette, that has already been compensated on the Sri Lanka began vaccinating healthcare . after menstruation. imports are allowed under three points, he said. project, around $ 20 million or Rs. 3.9 billion workers and frontline security forces personnel Speaking to The Morning yesterday (15), Dr. Vidanapathirana further said that cervical “If the local value addition is more than would have to be paid by the Government on 29 January after Sri Lanka received a stock Attanayake noted that no one could interfere cancer, the third most common type of cancer 30%, if the materials are not available in the as disbursements to the JICA, as the project of 500,000 AstraZeneca Covishield vaccines in the internal affairs of another state by force, among females in Sri Lanka, can be detected Sri Lankan market, or if there is a more than commenced in April 2019, by utilising the from the Government of India. Sri Lanka adding that it shows the possibility of a threat. through a pap smear test. 30-day credit period, tile accessories and raw JICA fund. However, Atygalle said that he still awaits vaccines from the World Health “In this case, one can debate that the “Pap smear tests are available at women’s materials are allowed to be imported.” is unsure of the amount of the consultancy Organisation (WHO) COVAX facility for Communist Party of Sri Lanka and the Lanka clinics attached to the Ministry of Health. According to Kumara, he has put his fees which is yet to be paid. 20% of its population. Sama Samaja Party also have a foreign origin. Women between the ages of 35 and 45 must signature only on recommendation. He noted State Minister of Urban Development, Coast But these parties haven't influenced the internal prioritise this test, as early detection can lead that this was approved by the Additional Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Community matters of the country.” to early treatment and cure,” she assured. Secretary of the Ministry of Industries. “I Cleanliness Dr. Nalaka Godahewa confirmed Pakistan-SL biz... “If the BJP or any party tries to get involved Dr. Vidanapathirana emphasised that if have only signed this letter under covering to The Morning that while a compensation fee According to sources at the High in the internal politics of Sri Lanka, it would cancer is detected in the first and second approval,” Kumara said. would not have to be paid for the cancellation Commission, the aim of the aforementioned relate to racism or other issues where our party stages, then the patient must follow the advice According to Sri Lanka Customs Director of the project, the amount that has been used forum is to enhance and improve bilateral trade does not agree,” Attanayake noted. of medical doctors, instead of resorting to General Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Vijitha Ravipriya, from the JICA fund for activities such as relations between the two countries. Special Sri Lanka already has a ruling party and superstitious treatments and delaying medical the said letter was received last week but he consultancy fees would have to be repaid. focus would be given to the construction, the SJB does not see the need for involvement treatments. added that Customs will not grant permission The Cabinet of Ministers approved the pharmaceuticals, cotton, and gems and from India, he added. “Although chemotherapy treatments are to release these containers. cancellation of the JICA-funded LRT project jewellery sectors. “Allowing such influence can affect Sri difficult to endure due to temporary side When inquired by The Morning, Ministry in September 2020, citing that the project Tamil Progressive Alliance Leader and Lanka’s democracy. We need co-operation effects such as loss of appetite and hair, those of Industries Secretary Anusha Pelpita, was expensive, environmentally harmful, Member of Parliament (MP) between parties, but it does not mean that can be remedied,” she said. regarding the issuance of these import permits and would lead to the demolition of many had stated earlier this month that the Speaker a country or a party should interfere in the Dr. Vidanapathirana added that recently, by the Ministry of Industries contrary to the buildings. of the House had internal matters of a country and in this thyroid cancers have become the second Government policy, said that if the local value The loan agreement was signed between informed the party leaders that PM Khan would regard, we have a fair suspicion that the BJP most common type of cancer, a shift from addition is more than 30%, the Government Sri Lanka and Japan in March 2019, under be addressing the Sri Lankan Parliament. movement can also be a threat,” Attanayake cervical cancers. She told The Morning that allows importing tile accessories and raw the United National Front-led administration. PM Khan’s visit coincides with the further added. the NCCP is investigating the causes related materials. The approximately Rs. 48 billion loan for the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Politburo to this change. “In this case, even the company mentioned project, offered on highly concessional terms Council (UNHRC) session to be held in Member Wasantha Samarasinghe said that the Commenting on cancer cases among males, that the local value addition was around 37%. and conditions, included a 40-year repayment Geneva from 22 February onwards, where party would comment on the BJP movement Dr. Vidanapathirana said that oral cancer is The factory uses these imported materials to period for funds obtained for consultation a resolution on Sri Lanka will be moved by today (16) after studying the situation. the most common, followed by lung cancer make skirting tiles and step tiles.” services with a grace period of 12 years, a the Core Group on Sri Lanka. When questioned about the Tamil National and cancer in the oesophagus. However, he noted that following the 0.1% interest rate per annum for civil work Alliance (TNA)’s stance regarding the BJP, MP She also said that a third of cancers can be inspection of these imported tiles, he had and equipment, and a 0.01% interest rate for and President’s Counsel M.A. Sumanthiran prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. observed that a 37% value addition is not engineering services. Village committee... refused to comment on the issue and said: “I “Tobacco causes 15 types of cancer while likely and that the Ministry is investigating A local religious leader, the local grama do not want to comment on other people’s alcohol leads to five types of cancer. Areca the matter. niladhari officer, a public representative from comments.” nuts, typically consumed when chewing According to Pelpita, he has instructed Vulnerable people... the relevant local government (LG) body, a The Morning also attempted to contact betel leaf, results in oral cancer,” said Dr officials to start investigations on three main “There are certain groups among which the family planning officer, and a community Opposition MP and Tamil Progressive Alliance Vidanapathirana. points; whether these black tiles are available virus spreads very drastically. The cleaners, organisation leader would make up the rest Leader Mano Ganesan but the attempt proved She further mentioned that consuming at in the market, whether the said company would garbage collectors, and those in certain pockets of the body. futile. least five different types of fruits and vegetables survive without these tiles, and whether the of the country like Kolonnawa and Peliyagoda, While potential beneficiaries must apply All our attempts to reach the foreign policy per day and maintaining a physically active Government agreed on the said 37% value which are areas with overcrowded dwellings, for the fund, the committee and the Samurdhi hierarchy of the Government for an official lifestyle are also beneficial, as these reduce addition. were identified as vulnerable communities development officer would have to present comment proved futile. obesity and maintain the body mass index “If we agree on these facts, I will be able to earlier as well. We have started vaccinating a compiled list to the relevant Divisional (BMI), which in turn reduces the risk of cancer. give permission to release these containers. If them from yesterday.” Secretariat’s office by the 15th of every month. Cancer is a non-communicable disease not, we would take action against the officials It was reported that vaccination for MPs is The Samurdhi programme was launched in Cancer Detection... which is caused by an abnormal cell growth involved in this case.” to begin today (16) at the Army Hospital. The 1994 with the objective of eliminating poverty “Next month, we will be opening another in an uncontrollable manner in any part of However, the Government will not support Morning learnt from parliamentary sources in Sri Lanka by providing livelihood funds one at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. This will the body. The number of new cancer cases the industrialist who pretends to be a local that MPs will be able to receive their jabs to low-income families. 43 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 { NEWS } „„ www.themorning.lk PETITION TO CONDUCT SECOND PCR TEST WHO may provide vaccines CoA orders to maintain status quo to 27% of SL: General The Court of Appeal yesterday Thereafter, a test conducted on (15) ordered that the status quo be his body had returned positive for z Vaccination for general z Inoculation of MPs and over z Consider legal sector for early maintained with regard to a petition Covid-19, and the body was to be public commences 5,000 prison officers to begin vaccination, Saliya Pieris asks Sabry that was taken up, which was filed cremated. seeking the conduct of a second The petition said that since BY MIHI PERERA measures that had been adopted at the PCR test on a body. the Muslim faith does not allow Due to the successful handling of the vaccination process, the World commencement of this court term, The petition was filed on behalf for cremation, a second PCR test Health Organisation (WHO) is having discussions with a view to several courts including the Court of of a 26-year-old physiotherapist should therefore be obtained to providing Covid-19 vaccines to 27% of Sri Lanka’s population, said Appeal, and the courts in Kaduwela, who had worked at the Kotelawala confirm the authenticity of the first. National Operations Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee, Defence University, and had died The matter will be heard again (NOCPCO) Head General Shavendra Silva. were not able to function at different in his sleep. tomorrow (17). periods of time due to the discovery of He further said that the first batch of Elsewhere, General Silva said persons with Covid-19 including court vaccines provided through the WHO yesterday (15) that measures are being staff and lawyers at the court premises. will arrive in the first or second week of taken to bring down migrant workers, This has also resulted in members of Seven road deaths March. despite false reports circulating on the judiciary, court staff, and lawyers “We have already placed orders for a social media sites. being compelled to go into quarantine/ further 18 million doses of the Covid- “There are allegations levelled isolation. With reports of the discovery on Valentine’s Day 19 vaccine for the general public and against the Government on social of a new variant of Covid-19 with 500,000 of those vaccines will arrive in media, and some say that migrant higher transmissibility, the occurrence z Several vehicles seized over Sri Lanka soon,” he added. workers are suffering in foreign of such incidents could become more It was further revealed that an countries without being able to return to frequent. These experiences serve to unsafe driving islandwide lockdown has been ruled Sri Lanka. We understand their plight NOCPCO Head General Shavendra Silva highlight that all those who are involved out since the new variant of Covid-19 and we have already taken measures to in the administration of justice are at a A total of seven persons were motorcycles and three lorries were has been found mostly in quarantine bring them down in groups,” he added. the Covid-19 vaccine will be given to relatively higher risk of being exposed killed in road traffic accidents taken into Police custody during a facilities. He said that from around 16 He said that the Army was first Members of Parliament (MPs) today to Covid-19. Equally, litigants who on 14 February, and over 40 special raid in the Western Province. persons infected with the new variant, informed that only 45,000 expatriates (16). Accordingly, the AstraZeneca attend courts are also at risk. Due to the sustained injuries, said Police Media The drivers have been charged around 13 are those in quarantine are awaiting return to the country Covishield vaccine will be given to nature of their professional duties, some Spokesman Deputy Inspector with unsafe driving, said the Senior facilities. The remaining three include and that they had made arrangements all parliamentarians at the Military lawyers travel to different courthouses General of Police (DIG) Ajith DIG in charge of the Western a resident of Avissawella and a for them to return. However, it was Hospital, Colombo, today, he said. and have close contact with the public. Rohana yesterday (15). Province Deshabandu Tennakoon. construction worker in Colombo. later revealed that 93,655 persons are Earlier, Minister C.B. Rathnayake As such, there is also a greater risk of He pointed out that the majority Police have also rounded up 128 Furthermore, contact tracing of the awaiting return. was vaccinated. The Health Ministry the transmission of the virus.” of the injured and the deceased motorcycles for speeding. Lawsuits latter two is underway. “We should keep in mind that we has also decided to provide Covid-19 On another note, Tourism Minister were motorcycle drivers and have been filed in this regard against General Silva said that the variant can only bring down a limited number vaccination doses to 5,100 Prisons Prasanna Ranatunga said that whilst pedestrians, and warned against the owners. was reported through the stringent of persons at a time due to space Department officers starting from adhering to health guidelines, the drunk and reckless driving, Meanwhile, a special traffic healthcare surveillance system that constrictions in the quarantine centres. today, said Prisons Spokesman and Government will focus on organising including speeding. operation has been launched to had been in place. The team at the Whoever we bring down must undergo Commissioner Chandana Ekanayake. local and international conferences, Meanwhile, a total of 28 prevent traffic accidents, he added. Department of Immunology and mandatory a 14 days of quarantine. “The vaccination will commence today seminars, and exhibitions once again. Molecular Medicine of the University Therefore, the Government is taking all in the prisons in the Western Province. “Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, of Sri Jayewardenepura is reportedly necessary steps while paying attention After that, the doses will be provided to local and international conferences, conducting further research to find out to the health guidelines,” he further the remaining districts,” he added. This seminars, and exhibitions were Expedite reforms to whether there are mutated variants. said. decision was taken as prison officials suspended since last March. The Department Director Dr. Chandima He also noted that 674 migrant interact with infected prisoners and Government is focusing on allowing Jeewandara said that the virus variant workers in the United Arab Emirates the general public, especially in public this for tourists,” he said. ordinances and acts was identified from samples received (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and the Maldives transportation services. He was speaking at the inaugural from Colombo, Avissawella, Biyagama, were brought to Sri Lanka on 14 Furthermore, in a letter to Minister ceremony of the “Be Sri Lankan, Buy related to LG bodies: PM and Vavuniya. February and that a similar number of Justice M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC, Saliya Sri Lankan” local product exhibition Health Services Deputy Director was scheduled to be brought down Pieris PC has requested that those launched on 14 February in Colombo. Prime Minister Mahinda the relevant amendment and will General Dr. Hemantha Herath said yesterday as well. involved in the administration of justice “The Government has paid special Rajapaksa yesterday (15) instructed be presented soon. that the Ministry of Health is currently Meanwhile, the Covid-19 vaccination be considered eligible for the Covid-19 attention to encourage local products the relevant authorities to expedite At the meeting, Mayor of the conducting a study on the newly programme for the general public vaccine at the earliest. and industrialists. In the last Budget making proposed amendments Moratuwa Municipal Council identified Covid-19 strain and that they commenced yesterday from the Pieris said: “Depending on the too, we provided a number of special to the Municipal Councils and Samanlal Fernando stated that the will be able to come to a conclusion on Western Province. A total of 238 availability of stocks of vaccines, reliefs. The Covid-19 pandemic was Urban Councils Ordinances and revenue of the LG bodies has fallen the extent to which the strain has spread Covid-19 patients were reported those involved in the administration one of the reasons for the people to the Pradeshiya Sabha Act. sharply due to the Covid-19 situation following the study’s completion. from the Colombo District (16 from of justice, including members of buy local products, as people began He was speaking at a meeting of and that the shortage of staff in these He further said that it is best to wear Maharagama, 12 from Mattakkuliya, the judiciary, lawyers of both the to feel the value of local products. As the Forum of Local Government institutions has led to many crises. two facemasks for increased protection and 11 from Borella) on 14 February, official and unofficial bars, court staff domestic production increases, it needs (LG) Institutions at Temple Trees The Prime Minister reminded against the rapid spread of the virus. and 162 were reported from the including support staff, and prison a market. Exhibitions and conferences held yesterday. that the relevant recruitments “According to western medical Gampaha District (41 from Ragama officials should be considered for the like this are important to create such Accordingly, Minister of could be made through the experts, the strain is 56% to 75% and 10 each from Kadawatha and vaccine as early as possible, when the a market. Simultaneously, we will Public Service, Provincial programme of providing more likely to spread worldwide Ganemulla), out of the islandwide total administering of the vaccine to other resume holding local and international Councils, and Local 100,000 jobs. than the Covid-19 strain that started for the day, of 802. General Silva noted categories of professionals at similar conferences and exhibitions to prepare Government Janaka He also said that it was spreading worldwide from Wuhan, that those vulnerable to the infection risk commences. This would ensure the this market. But it will only happen Bandara Tennakoon the responsibility China. The most common symptoms and high-risk groups that interact continued functioning of courts, the rule on the recommendations of the health assured that of the people’s in people infected with this virus are directly with the public would be given of law, and the smooth administration sector. We are in discussions with the the relevant representatives to cough followed by fatigue, weakness, priority. of justice. I seek your intervention in health sector and other parties in this cabinet paper fulfil the promises headache, muscle aches, sore throat, Parliamentary Sergeant-at-Arms this matter.” regard. As a start, we started a pilot is already made before being and other symptoms.” Narendra Fernando said yesterday that He further explained: “Despite all project,” he said. ready for elected to power.

Police seize APPLICATION FOR LICENCE FROM THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES over 1,000 kg of In pursuance of section 34 of the companies act No. 07 of 2007 an application has been made to the Registrar of the companies for the licence directing an Association turmeric in Chilaw about to be form under the name and style of CENTENARY MOVEMENT to be registered with limited liability without the addition of the word “LIMITED” to the The Chilaw Police, acting on a tipoff, seized a consignment of turmeric that had been smuggled name. The objective for which the Application proposed to be established are. into the country from India yesterday (15). The consignment, containing 1,164.95 kg a) To produce national leaders who are marked by virtuous character , exceptional of turmeric, had been hidden inside a freezer competence , a profound clarity of vision and compelling compassion to serve in a truck. The freezer had been used on the their countrymen, by and through academic learning and other programs. pretence of preserving fish. Two suspects, residents of Chilaw and b) To energize, equip, enable a new generation to effectively and strategically lead Negombo, have been arrested, along with Sri Lanka to her Centenary of independence. the truck. The Chilaw Police added that the arrested c) to create a platform for national leaders’ long term sustainable solutions for suspects were scheduled to be produced before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with a student at the Grade 1 student admissions ceremony national transformation, political, socially and economically. the Chilaw Magistrate yesterday. d) To produce and promote innovative policies on the economic, health and Official ceremony held for wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, governance, environmental and agricultural Grade 1 student admissions and educational sectors of the nation. The official ceremony of President Gotabaya In addition, the e) To encourage a culture of active citizenship and proactive engagement to refine to admit students to Grade Rajapaksa. distribution of tablet and revive our nation’s capacity. So far as may be lawful for a non-for-profit One and distribute school The event was held at the computers for Advanced company described above and /or for objects of general public utility, to do all or uniforms was held yesterday Wimaladharma National Level classes also began (15) under the patronage School in Atabage, Gampola. yesterday. any of the following, namely a) Identify train, mentor and platform exceptional young leaders from across ISLANDWIDE DRUG RAIDS the nation, who have a passion and drive to serve towards national transformation. b) Create awareness and education among the broader public on key Kanjipani’s accomplice and economic, social and political challenges of Sri Lanka, and provide and promote innovative and insightful approaches to overcome these challenges. Badowita Asanka arrested f) Conduct nationwide research on key challenges and opportunities of Sri Lanka’s A total of six persons including a suspect heroin and Rs. 950,000 in cash. Furthermore, the Colombo Organised economic, social and political landscape named Mohamed Ajeem, who is an accomplice Another suspect, identified as drug kingpin Crimes Division has arrested two suspects in of underworld figure Kanjipani Imran, were Badowita Asanka, was arrested in Piliyandala Kahathuduwa, one with 20 g of heroin and the A copy of the article of association may be inspected at 5 Floor of Sharnell Building, arrested on 14 February with 20 g of heroin and by the Special Task Force with 146 g of heroin other with 202 g of heroin and a three-wheeler. No. 29/2, Visaka Road, Colombo 04. Notice is hereby given that any person, a hand grenade in Keselwatta, Colombo, Police at Piliyandala. Also, a 25-year-old associate of All suspects were expected to be produced Media Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Badowita Asanka was arrested in Wellawatta on before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Company or corporation objecting to the application may bring such objection within Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana said yesterday (15). 14 February in possession of 25 g of heroin and It was revealed that over 60 anti-narcotic 21 days from the date of publication of this notice by letter address to the Registrar Meanwhile, he said that a 38-year-old female Rs. 615,000 earned from drug trafficking, DIG raids had been conducted by the Police on General of Companies, No. 400, D R Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10. suspect was arrested in Wattala with 150 g of Rohana said. 14 February. 4 „„ www.themorning.lk { EDITORIAL/OPINION } Tuesday, February 16, 2021

While this doctrine is considered Err on the as applicable only to constitutional amendments and not to acts of Parliament, it is deemed so only side of caution Legislative on the implied understanding that such acts of Parliament are in the Authorities announced yesterday (15) that first instance in conformity with the a decision has been reached to vaccinate Constitution. In the case of the local members of the general public. PTA, this is obviously not the case. National Operations Centre for the The doctrine as has been applied Prevention of the Covid-19 Outbreak excess vs. judicial by the Indian and Pakistani apex and (NOCPCO) Head Gen. Shavendra Silva said superior courts have held that certain rights contained in the fundamental that this stage of the vaccination programme rights chapters, more specifically the will predominantly focus on vaccinating right to equal status before the law those closely dealing with the general public and the right to equal protection of in the Western Province. For this purpose, inactivism the law (not all fundamental rights the authorities will utilise 250,000 doses z An analysis of Weerawansa v. Attorney General and Others are considered basic, essential, or of the Oxford-AstraZeneca (Covishield) salient), fall within the ambit of that Analysing the applicable which forms the basic or salient vaccine, which was used in the very first legal regime and the SC’s stage of the vaccination programme that features of the Constitution and judgement thereby a key component of the started late last month targeting frontline A question arises at this juncture. basic structure too. health workers and defence and police Does the continued enforcement of a In these aforementioned cases, personnel. law which patently flies in the face of amongst others, constitutional Even though this stage of the vaccination the Constitution, in this case the PTA, supremacy, the republican and programme was successful and the not constitute a violation or denial of democratic forms of government, the authorities’ future plans regarding the Article 12 (1), specifically the clause secular character of the Constitution, overall programme look promising, what about the right to the equal protection the separation of powers between the of the law? Moreover, if one construes Legislature, the Executive, and the is not promising is the country’s prevailing thus, that indeed Article 12 (1) does Judiciary and the unitary character Covid-19 situation. In fact, the present get breached, does this not then at the of the Constitution have also been situation calls for extreme vigilance and Sri very least undermine (if not abridge recognised as the basic, essential, Lanka is now at a juncture where it has to or curtail or limit by way of altering fundamental, and salient features of step up the Covid-19 health guidelines the or destroying by way of revoking) the the Constitution, and as applicable public was asked to adhere to before. basic structure of the Constitution? in this instance, the freedom and It should also be taken into consideration dignity of the individual too. On the matter of the exercise Ultimately, the basic structure and remembered that being vaccinated does of sovereignty, Article 4 (d) doctrine, whilst recognising the wide not mean that one would become completely holds that all governmental ambit afforded to the Legislature via organs engaged in Executive immune to Covid-19 or that those who BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY the powers vested in the Parliament, do, don’t have to adhere to Covid-19 or administrative action or does not recognise “the power to health guidelines post-vaccination. First Who judges the judges? Between the harsh spotlight of the fourth otherwise, are duty bound to destroy or emasculate the basic estate, the apathy or vitriol of the court of public opinion, the hindsight respect, secure, and advance elements or fundamental features and foremost, there is a slight possibility fundamental rights that one can contract Covid-19 even after of posterity, and the cat-and-mouse game pertaining to the checks of the Constitution”. The doctrine and balances involving the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judicial being vaccinated. Secondly, even if one is is therefore a restrictive limitation branches of governance, the safest bet is with the brethren of judicial What is the basic structure of on parliamentary supremacy, not vaccinated, if others around them are not, peers. Yet, is the Supreme Court (SC), which is tasked with making the Constitution? The concept a contravention or usurpation of they are at a higher risk of both contracting special determinations on the constitutionality of bills, in erring on the originated from German jurist legislative power and authority. and spreading Covid-19. side of caution when it comes to preserving the interests of national Prof. Dietrich Conrad’s “implied In Sri Lanka, though The health authorities had recently security which are inevitably pitted against the need to protect the civil limitations of the amending power” parliamentary supremacy is recommended that people should ideally liberties enshrined in the Constitution, hamstrung by constitutional theory, which he explained as “any enshrined in the Constitution, where start wearing two masks instead of one. impediments or by judicial inactivism? If it is a case of the latter, what if amending body organised within under Article 75, the Legislature Another reason why the present situation it serves to perpetuate injustice on a systematic and gross scale, beyond the statutory scheme, howsoever is afforded the power to make any reasonable interpretation of proportionality? This is the challenge verbally unlimited its power, cannot legislation including to repeal, calls for extra vigilance is that the Covid-19 that Weerawansa v. Attorney General (AG) and Others (SC Application No. by its very structure change the amend, or add to the Constitution situation has drastically changed (worsened, 730/96) continues to pose. fundamental pillars supporting its and even have retrospective to be precise) from what it was last year. constitutional authority”. The basic application (in this instance, Recent studies conducted by Sri Lankan The facts of the case should be brought before a judge of structure doctrine (concerning the however such retrospective effect researchers have found new variants of the On the surface of it, the facts of the nearest competent court according basic, essential, fundamental features must be expressly stipulated in virus seen mostly in European countries in this case which involved an arrest to the procedure laid down in the law of the Constitution) subsequently the law being introduced), Article addition to the variants previously identified of a person by a police officer and that the said person may not be evolved out of Indian jurisprudence 75 (1) imposes a limit in that no for alleged unlawful activity (in held thus any longer sans a judge’s in SC cases such as a dissent in such law made by the Parliament in the country. In fact, studies have shown this case the illegal importation of order made in conformity with the Sajjan Singh v. State of Rajasthan, can have the effect of suspending that the transmissibility of the newly explosives) and detention by way of lawfully established procedure) of the then I.C. Golaknath v. State of Punjab the operation of any part of the identified variants of the virus are high. a ministerial order, both under the Constitution, had been infringed and (which reversed Shankari Prasad Constitution. Further, even though Moreover, let us not forget that Covid- Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary violated. Case closed. v. Union of India), before reaching Article 16 (1) states that all existing 19 cases are also on the rise, even though Provisions) Act, No. 48 of 1979 Not quite. its ultimate form in Kesavananda written law shall be valid and the Covid-19 statistics do not get as much (PTA), and an order for the remand Fernando J further states thus. Bharati v. State of Kerala, Indira operative notwithstanding any media attention as before. Let us also not of a suspect by a magistrate under “When the PTA Bill was referred to Nehru Gandhi v. Raj Narain, and inconsistency with the preceding forget that it was due to the rising Covid-19 the Customs Ordinance, are typical this court, the court did not have to Minerva Mills v. Union of India. provisions of the Fundamental of cases involving the draconian decide whether or not any of those The Pakistani SC has since taken to Rights Chapter of the Constitution, cases that the authorities decided to expand PTA. In this instance, the apex provisions constituted reasonable terming the principle as the salient the PTA was not part of the Covid-19 treatment facilities and direct more court, in a judgement penned by restrictions on Articles 12 (1) (the features doctrine. In the Golaknath existing written law at the time of people to home quarantine. Justice (J) Mark Fernando with Dr. right to equality before the law and case, Hans Raj Khanna J held: the promulgation of the Second Speculation was rife in the past few weeks A.R.B. Amerasinghe J and Ranjith the equal protection of the law), 13 “The power of amendment under (a Republican Constitution. Unwritten that the authorities may decide to impose an Dheeraratne J concurring, held that the (1) and 13 (2), permitted by Article particular article) does not include the laws on the other hand, refer to islandwide lockdown owing to the climbing requisite preconditions for an arrest 15 (7) (in the interests of national power to abrogate the Constitution laws which become so by virtue of Covid-19 cases and the emergence of new and detention to be valid had not been security and/or public security), nor does it include the power to alter customary practice. met, and that therefore, the petitioner’s because the court was informed that it the basic structure or framework of It is also pertinent to note that variants of the virus in the country. Even fundamental rights under Articles 13 had been decided to pass the Bill with the Constitution.”, adding however on the matter of the exercise of though the Government has not taken such (1) (which holds that no one should be a two-thirds majority (from all 225 that subject to the retention of sovereignty, Article 4 (d) holds that a decision thus far, that does not mean that arrested except in accordance with the parliamentarians including those not the basic structure, the power of all governmental organs engaged in the prevailing Covid-19 situation can be procedure set out in law and that the present – a special majority). The amendment is absolute and includes Executive or administrative action or considered safe or stable, or that it cannot person arrested should be informed PTA was enacted with a two-thirds within itself the power to amend otherwise, are duty bound to respect, get worse. of the reason for the said arrest) and majority, and accordingly, in terms articles of the Constitution, including secure, and advance fundamental Moreover, the fact that the country is 13 (2) (which states that anyone in of Article 84, the PTA became law those relating to fundamental rights rights. Also, as per the rule and custody, detention, or one who has despite any inconsistency with the as well as those which may be said to doctrine of harmonious construction not currently under lockdown does not been deprived of personal liberty constitutional provisions.” relate to essential features. in relation to the interpretation mean that the situation has gotten better. It and construction (in consonance merely means that Sri Lanka, like all other with other laws) of statutes, the countries, has decided to continue day- codified sets of laws found in the to-day activities without letting Covid-19 CARTOON OF THE DAY Constitution, has entrenched within impede people’s lives. it a symbiotic character. We cannot completely rely on either the In this context, Article 120 states Covid-19 vaccine or the Covid-19 health that the SC possesses the “sole and exclusive jurisdiction” to decide on guidelines. They are both equally important any matter pertaining to whether if the country is to see the end of this a bill or any provisions in it are pandemic and return to complete normalcy. inconsistent with the Constitution. It is also important to note that improving There are exceptions however to the immune system, which plays a major the exercise of this constitutional role in combating Covid-19, should also jurisdiction, and applicable in this receive public attention. instance involving the PTA which was thrust upon the Parliament as an What the health authorities can do in urgent bill, are Articles 120 (c) and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic is 120 (d), where if a bill or a provision limited, so is what the general public can which seeks to amend (constitutes do. Each party has its own responsibility. a repeal or alteration or addition) However, if both parties fulfil their or repeal and replace a provision in responsibilities for themselves and the the Constitution, is intended to be country, ridding the country of this passed with a parliamentary special majority as per Article 84, the latter pandemic would not be impossible. What is which deals with bills inconsistent brave and courageous at this point, is to err with the Constitution. In such an on the side of caution. instance, all that the SC determines is whether a referendum consequent to a special majority is required. No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. Article 123 (2) (b) holds that in Fax - 011 2 673 441 the event the SC determines that General - 011 5 200 900 a bill or any provisions in it are Sales & Marketing - 076 1 367 612 inconsistent with the Constitution, it Circulation Manager - 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367 620 only requires a special majority to be E-mail - [email protected] approved and passed and in the case Special Investigations Department - 077 7 714 078 of the SC’s special determination on Website - www.themorning.lk the PTA Bill (SC SD No. 7/79), they had held such. Contd. on page 5 45 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 { SPOTLIGHT } „„ www.themorning.lk former NCPA Chairman Prof. Harendra de (such as advice and support) does not work Silva, 80.4% of schoolchildren had reported in correcting misbehaviours, and that it has having experienced at least one incident of to be combined with punishment. Shattered corporal punishment. “The most common reasons for It also said that other than escalating to being punished were non-completion of physical abuse, corporal punishment has homework, not adhering to the school been associated with depression, hostility, dress code, and love affairs. Whilst the eardrums and and lowered academic performance among first reason is primarily a result of a highly children, and that psychological aggression examination-driven school system, which was also seen as a result of various values academic achievement over most correcting methods. other life aspects, the second and third are tattered psyches The study, titled “A Study on Child common experiences in the psycho-sexual Disciplinary Methods Practiced in Schools development of children and adolescents,”  Children too in Sri Lanka”, had been conducted in the report said, adding that it is therefore z six districts, namely Colombo, Galle, important to be concerned about why Sri Lankan schools’ love of have rights: SC Monaragala, Trincomalee, Mullaitivu, and teachers use such high rates of punishment Nuwara Eliya, and had been designed to on these, for they are ordinary life corporal punishment represent schools from different ethnicities, experiences of young people. BY SUMUDU CHAMARA  Teachers unaware sectors (urban, rural, and estate), and Among the recommendations presented administrative structures (public, private, and based on the findings of the study were: Sri Lanka is a country that takes pride in its history, culture, good values, and of the law’s content special education schools). having in place a clear definition on traditions, and keeps trying to instil so-called good values in the minds of children Of the types of punishments used in what constitutes corporal punishment with the belief that continuing traditional practices is more important than schools, 47.5% of students had been told to and physical abuse; having clarity in the ensuring that they benefit the country.  Focus on positive remain standing, while 43.7% of students current legal framework and circular on the How we shape the country’s next According to the aforementioned had reported their ears being squeezed (to teachers’ use of punishment; taking steps to generation has a direct impact on the future SC judgment, this circular states the discipline; insufficient inflict pain). In addition, 42.4% of students immediately inform the school authorities of our country, and therefore, adults have repercussions and possible legal redress on its own, claim who participated in the study had said that of the legal framework and the circular a huge responsibility when it comes to against teachers who punish students, they were hit on the bottom with a hard on punishing and disciplining; having in deciding on what values need to be passed even when it is done with the objective of teachers object such as a stick. place a detailed procedure on how teachers on to the next generation. maintaining discipline; offers alternative The study had also focused on the adverse use corporal punishment/psychological Corporal punishment is one such practice methods of discipline in place of corporal impacts of corporal punishment, and aggression and how physical abuse would that was a part of the country’s school system punishment; and also recognises that  Far-reaching said that 53.2% of students had reported be dealt with; strengthening the existing for a long time despite it being aimed at not corporal punishment, even when used as a having experienced at least one episode of inadequate student counselling system; educating children but instilling the fear of method of disciplining, may lead to legal psychological physical abuse, while 72.5% of students having a uniform evidence-based teacher punishment in them. action. had reported having experienced at least recruitment process; and setting stringent A recent Supreme Court (SC) verdict When contacted by The Morning, consequences one episode of psychological aggression. guidelines to eradicate the home work- emphasised that corporal punishment is Ministry of Education Secretary Prof. Kapila Of the total number of students who based, achievement-driven, competitive a practice that disregards the integrity, Perera said that he is yet to look into the participated in the study, 79.3% had reported atmosphere in schools. autonomy, and dignity of each child, drawing aforementioned incident, and was therefore who teach these subjects, however, have having experienced at least one episode of the public’s attention towards the fact that not able to provide any information about outdated attitudes, which may hinder this (positive) discipline, such as being given an Corporal punishment: A practice this practice that is still being continued any concrete future plans in this connection. activity. explanation as to why something was wrong, refused by the world despite being against the law. “Subjecting schoolchildren to (corporal) being given something else to do as an Corporal punishment is a practice that has Govt. has a responsibility to punishment is unacceptable, and there are alternative to what they had done wrong, and been rejected by a large number of countries The SC’s verdict sensitise teachers other methods (non-violent) to achieve being deprived of their privileges or being due to a multitude of reasons including its The SC made this observation in its To shed some light on teachers’ opinion the same objective. This practice (corporal grounded. ineffectiveness as a method of disciplining verdict involving a 15-year-old school about the practice of corporal punishment punishment in schools) should come to The study also said that 65.8% of the children and the long-term adverse effects it child who filed a Fundamental Rights (FR) in schools, The Morning spoke to Ceylon an end, and everyone should look at these teachers who participated in the study can have on children. petition claiming that his hearing ability had Teachers’ Union (CTU) General Secretary matters with an open mind,” Stalin noted. had reported using at least one strategy of According to the Global Initiative to been damaged as a result of being punished Joseph Stalin, who categorically condemned psychological aggression, while 88.7% of End All Corporal Punishment of Children, by a school teacher. The SC ruled that the this practice, and said that school teachers Raising awareness essential teachers reported using at least one strategy 61 states have fully banned corporal child’s FR had been violated, and ordered should be made aware of the circulars issued Meanwhile, the National Child Protection of positive discipline. punishment, while 27 more states have that compensation be paid to the child by the by the Ministry of Education. Authority (NCPA), one of the foremost The findings of the study had shown high committed to reforming their laws for a main respondent teacher and the State. He added that corporal punishment institutions tasked with protecting the rights rates of corporal punishment of students in full ban of the same. The SC, in its verdict, said that Sri of children is not allowed by law, as it of children in Sri Lanka, told The Morning schools. The findings also showed that the A recent global study, conducted with Lanka, as a signatory to the United Nations amounts to subjecting children to physical that its stance is that no child should be use of psychological aggression too was the objective of examining the association Convention on the Rights of the Child harassment. punished. Adding that there is no way to high, and worryingly, so was physical abuse, between corporal punishment bans and (UNCRC), has understood the need to Expressing his views about the recent gauge the severity of punishment, the NCPA which amounts to a criminal offence. youth violence, has shown that the ban of curb the widespread use and acceptance of SC verdict, he added that in the recent past, said that even though physical wounds may The report of the study noted: “Though corporal punishment is associated with corporal punishment. courts have issued two verdicts in connection heal, psychological trauma and damage students and teachers also reported the high the reduction of youth violence, and that In the aforementioned verdict, the SC said with subjecting schoolchildren to corporal caused to a child’s personality as a result of use of (positive) discipline, it appears that societies that prohibit the use of corporal that corporal punishment, as a method of punishment, and that seeking redress from corporal punishment may not heal the same it is done in conjunction with punishment, punishment are less violent for youths to correction, teaches children to fear violence the court is a child’s right. way. thus losing its potential for a positive grow up in than societies that have not and normalises violence as opposed to He added that the said SC verdict, in Speaking further, NCPA Director impact on the students. Most teachers and done so. bringing any sense of understanding of the addition to the main respondent of the case, (Planning and Information) Shanika principals believe in the efficacy of corporal The study, which was conducted with wrong committed or of the true societal i.e. the school teacher, required the State also Malalgoda told The Morning that the NCPA punishment. Some evidence suggests that the involvement of 403,604 adolescents value of discipline. Also, it said that to pay compensation to the victim, and that has launched a number of programmes to this is due to reasons such as their own from 88 countries, showed that compared encouraging corporal punishment normalises this is indicative of the fact that the education stop corporal punishment. experience of it in childhood, because with 20 countries with no ban, the group violence, undermines the dignity of the authorities also have a responsibility to take She emphasised that subjecting children senior teachers use it, and because they do of 30 countries with full bans (in schools child, and inflicts trauma in children, which steps to create an environment to make to punishment is not an option, and that not know of any other strategies to correct and in the home) experienced only a is reflected as unhealthy and disruptive attitudinal changes in teachers in this regard. introducing alternative disciplinary methods misbehaviours. In fact, a majority of teachers 69% rate of fighting in males and 42% in behaviour as adults. “These types of incidents imply that the is what should be done. had not received any formal training in females. It also found that 38 countries The SC also noted that while corporal Government has failed to properly fulfil its She added that through a circular issued classroom management, including the use of with partial bans (in schools but not in the punishment does not amount to torture in responsibility as far as raising awareness in 2011 by the NCPA and the Ministry of (positive) disciplining. Though a majority of home) experienced less fighting among itself in the instant case, the practice of the among teachers, especially about Ministry- Education, the appointment of school child teachers reported that they were aware of the females but not a lowering among males. infliction of physical or mental punishment issued circulars, is concerned,” Stalin protection committees had been suggested, circular recommending not to use physical In the Sri Lankan culture, children being which disregards the inherent dignity of stressed, adding that constructive court especially for students in classes above grade force on students, they also reported that dependent on adults, especially parents, a child amounts to inhuman or degrading verdicts show that a democratic culture that six. they were unaware of its contents. Because is seen as a factor that gives parents the punishment. protects human rights has emerged, despite Adding that attitudinal changes are of this, a confusion on what can be and right to take any decision concerning the certain parties’ opposition against such. necessary for behavioural changes, she cannot be done in correcting misbehaviour children’s lives. To make matters worse, the Education Ministry-issued He also emphasised that it is important that also said that the NCPA has focused on prevails.” Sri Lankan culture views that subjecting circulars on corporal punishment Sri Lanka acknowledges the fact that even raising awareness about children’s rights, It also pointed out that many students children to corporal punishment is an The Ministry of Education, as a state children are entitled to fundamental rights, particularly among principals and teachers, had indicated that they understood the need effective method of disciplining, which has institution directly involved in protecting the and that the Ministry of Education must by counselling teachers. She further said that for correction when they had misbehaved, caused the continuation of this practice. rights of schoolchildren, has issued a number raise awareness about such rights through a the NCPA supports these parties to act in but that they appeared to tolerate corporal Perhaps it is high time that Sri Lanka of circulars in connection with dealing with systematic programme. accordance with the guidelines. punishment, possibly even at abusive levels, comes to terms with the fact that children, as children in schools. Circular No. 12 of 2016, When queried as to whether training She added that in order to combat if it is done by teachers whom they viewed human beings, are entitled to have a say in issued on 29 April 2016, which was to be given to teachers before being recruited violations to children’s rights, the NCPA has as being skilled in teaching. “Their parents anything that affects them in any manner. implemented with effect from 2 May 2016, covers subjects that raise awareness about introduced the National Child Protection too do not complain against such teachers,” If Sri Lanka is to have a bright future, the superseding the Circular No. 17 of 2005 on dealing with children, he said that it is taught Policy as well. it added. next generation needs to be taught love and securing discipline within schools, remains under the child psychology subject, which The study also revealed an alarming kindness, and primitive, outdated practices the current circular concerning corporal includes understanding children and acting Sri Lanka’s situation finding that teachers and principals are of such as corporal punishment should end with punishment in schools. accordingly. He added that some of those According to a 2017 local study led by the firm view that only (positive) discipline our generation.

Contd. from page 4 provisions contained in the said clause could Premachandra De Silva and Others (S.C. and responsibility to uphold and safeguard have been invoked by the SC. Application Nos. 66 and 67/95), Dr. constitutionally enshrined guarantees by Legislative excess... In Ganeshanantham v. Vivienne Amerasinghe J, held that the court possessed hiding behind the veil of procedural law. Further, in relation to urgent bills, deemed Expropriation Law: Fraud on the State Goonewardene and Three Others (S.C. No. inherent powers to correct decisions made Judicial activism when judiciously applied urgent in terms of national interest, under and the People! Lame Duck Political 6/83 Special – S.C. Application No. 20/83.), per incuriam. Dr. Amerasinghe J, further can serve as a necessary measure and Article 122 (1) (b) (it has since been Leaders? Abuse of Legislative Process! Neville Samarakoon CJ, held that although explained: “A decision will be regarded as sometimes as the only bulwark against repealed), the President by way of a written Judicial Independence and Bias?”, Nihal Sri the court had no jurisdiction to revise given per incuriam if it was in ignorance of the numerous excesses of the Legislature. reference to the Chief Justice (CJ) can call Ameresekere noted: “At the hearing into the their own decisions, under the jurisdiction some inconsistent statute or binding decision In such instances, it is not an arrogation for the special determination of the SC constitutionality of an ‘urgent bill’, citizens afforded by Article 126, in relation to – wherefore some part of the decision of power, of the Parliament by the court. on whether any provision of such a bill is have no opportunity, whatsoever, of being fundamental rights, a dual determination as or some step in the reasoning on which It is solely a caveat. Therefore, it can be inconsistent with the Constitution, as such is a heard before the SC. Hence, it is due to to the infringement or threat of infringement it is based is found on that account to be argued with a certain measure or degree requirement. such very reason that Article 123 (3) of the and whether such is by way of Executive demonstrably wrong.” Elsewhere in the same of conviction that in Weerawansa v. AG On the other hand, Article 123 (3) (it too Constitution has an inbuilt estoppel (defined or administrative action, should be made. judgement it is noted: “An order made on and Others that, considering the available, has since been repealed) reads: “In the case of as when ‘a person is prevented from making Samarakoon CJ further held: “As a superior wrong facts given to the prejudice of a party relevant law and the space such affords a bill endorsed as provided in Article 122, if assertions that are contradictory to his/her court of record, the SC has inherent powers to will be set aside by way of remedying the for deft legal manoeuvring to assist in the SC entertains a doubt whether the bill or prior position on certain matters before the correct its errors which are demonstrably and injustice caused.” arriving at a fair and just conclusion, the any provision thereof is inconsistent with the court’) on the SC’s jurisdiction to determine manifestly wrong and where it is necessary court should have taken an activist stance, Constitution, it shall be deemed to have been as consistent with the Constitution, an ‘urgent in the interests of justice. Decisions made Conclusion to if not reverse, at the very least rectify the determined that the bill or such provision of bill’ on the constitutionality of which, the SC per incuriam (meaning that a judgement of It is therefore imperative that provisions point of law on which the case was decided the bill is inconsistent with the Constitution, entertains any doubts, whatsoever, in which a court has been decided without reference in the law be established to allow for the upon, that was adopted in this instant case. and the SC shall comply with the provisions event upon the very entertainment of a doubt, to a relevant and/or contradictory statutory post-enactment judicial review of legislation The doctrine of binding precedent in Latin of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this article.” ipso facto the ‘urgent bill’ is constitutionally provision or such provisions or applicable and prospective overruling. While judicial reads as stare decisis, which in English In the case of the latter Article 123 (2), deemed to have been determined to be rule/s or pertinent judicial precedent/s, activism is sometimes rightly derided when translates to “stand by things decided”. this concerns whether the bill in question inconsistent with the Constitution.” the latter being earlier judgements which used as a carte blanche licence to legislate In Weerawansa v. AG and Others, the should be placed on the Order Paper of the Unfortunately, Articles 122 and 123 (3) constitute binding authority, whereby a from the bench as per the whims and court should not have stood by things Parliament or not, or whether it can only have since been repealed respectively by way lack of care is shown) can be corrected. fancies of the black-robed wigs, leading decided. The result is that the cankerous be passed by a special majority or strictly of Sections 30 and 31 of the 19th Amendment These powers are adjuncts to the existing thus to judiciocracy, similar is the ill effect PTA, which has damned the detained, with a special majority plus approval at a to the Constitution but at the time of the jurisdiction to remedy injustice – they cannot caused by overcautious judicial restraint. both the legitimate political prisoners and referendum before the people. hearing of this case in the year 2000, they had be made the source of new jurisdictions to Judicial restraint is not a licence for the genuine offenders alike, to a life of earthly In “Socio-Political Realities, Hilton not been repealed and were very much part of revise a judgement rendered by that court.” court, simply put, to wash their hands off hell, continues to stalk our jurisprudence Hotel Fiasco and Ad Hominem Legislation, the existing law at the time and as such, the Further, in v. from performing their constitutional duty demanding its pound of human bondage. 46 „„ www.themorning.lk { HOTSEAT/FOCUS } Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Electronic device addiction ‘PHIs are not linked to obesity in SL: Study BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY significant association. While 47.6% of Addiction to the use of electronic children with technological addiction devices is a significant factor associated had behavioural morbidity, only 36.1% consulted with being overweight, and obesity of adolescents without technology and is also related to several physical addiction had identified behavioural and psychosocial morbidities among morbidity, which is statistically Sri Lankans, a pioneering study has significant. Furthermore, 48.2% of when making revealed. adolescents addicted to technology had This was noted in the first study physical morbidity, whereas 62.6% of on technology addiction among adolescents without technology and obese adolescents in Sri Lanka telecommunication device addiction decisions’ titled “Technological and electronic did not have physical morbidity, which communication device addiction and is also statistically significant. its associated physical and psychosocial There were also statistically z Policy decisions taken co-morbidity among obese and significant relationships between overweight children aged 10 to 14 technological device addiction and without awareness of ground years who attend the nutrition clinic at behavioural morbidities of appearing the Colombo North Teaching Hospital”. to be on a high while using the device, situation: Upul Rohana The article was authored by D.T.U. avoiding family and friends, the Denipitiya, M.A.M. Fernando, and P. denial of the actual status of using the Wickramasinghe and published recently device, and avoiding activities which in the Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health. were previously enjoyable to them. Addiction to technological and Similarly, the data showed a significant electronic communication devices is relationship between addiction to a BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI regulations on the common man when behind this drop is the breakdown of an emerging trend seen in adolescents. technological device and presence of The highly transmissible UK SARS-CoV-2 or coronavirus people at the top level are able to avoid machinery is laboratories and staff Technology addiction is defined as physical morbidities of headache and variant was detected in Sri Lanka last Friday (12). following the same rules. Programmes members testing positive. This has compulsive/impulsive online and/or vision problems. Although the implications this would have on the spread like “Gama Samaga Pilisandarak” created a significant backlog. There are offline computer/mobile device usage On the other hand, there were no of the virus in the country still remain unclear, there is are important and health officers of weaknesses in laboratory management. despite negative consequences to the statistically significant relationships no doubt that the role of Public Health Inspectors (PHIs), those respective areas are consulted Has this reduction in samples been user of the technology. It refers to between addiction and the lack of who are engaged in field-level Covid-19 control work when organising these events. But we analysed? Is the positive rate of the compulsive, uncontrollable dependence sleep, aches, stiffness, and numbness and contact tracing, would prove ever more difficult and sometimes see that the crowds do not samples being analysed correctly? Is to such a degree that cessation causes of hand (international studies showed increasingly crucial. Against this backdrop, The Morning follow the proper guidelines even at there an awareness of the fact that these severe emotional, mental, and that the combination of more TV, video, spoke to Public Health Inspectors’ Union of Sri Lanka such events. Then, we face difficulties samples are delayed? psychological reactions. and computer use led to more back President M.G. Upul Rohana about the implications of the when trying to get the public to follow What we see is that these decisions are The handling of technological devices pain, headache, attention-related, and detection of this variant on PHIs, the challenges they face, guidelines. This has made it difficult being taken without a proper awareness for non-academic purposes is rising. It physical problems in children who as well as the work they have been doing so far. for PHIs to do their job. Months of our of the ground situation. Before the affects academic performances, real life used more technology). There was a Below are excerpts of the interview. hard work is sometimes reversed when second wave, we advised that airline experiences, and social engagement. statistically significant relationship certain policy decisions are taken by crews be subjected to strict quarantine. Therefore, not only social network sites, between technological device addiction Do you have a new strategy to authorities. It was discovered later that the second but also technological dependency can and education, employment status of control the spread of the virus with There is also a massive delay in wave originated from an airline crew contribute to a behavioural change, thus the carer/caregiver, and the place of the detection of the new variant of issuing PCR reports. The 900 positive that was lodging in a hotel in the country leading to addiction to these devices. using the device (international studies SARS-CoV-2 within the country? cases being reported daily these days during their layover; the hotel staff had Common hedonic mechanisms may showed significant correlation between Though it was said that the UK pertain to data that should have been contracted the virus from them, which explain a relationship between obesity lower parental education and longer variant was detected in four areas of disseminated about five days ago. There has then been transmitted to a group of and addiction. The prevalence of being screen time and that children who had Sri Lanka, we still do not have a clear is a fivet o 10-day delay in issuing persons that had attended a function at overweight among adolescents has a TV in their bedroom had more of a idea if it has spread to other areas also, PCR test results. Then, there are issues this hotel. increased over recent decades and its tendency to become overweight by or of the behaviour of this variant in hospitalising the infected. In the harmful effects are more evident with spending more time - 4.6 hours a week within the country. This variant was Gampaha District, those infected wait Do you have sufficient PHIs to time as it progresses to adult obesity, - on viewing TV than children without responsible for a large number of cases for about five to six days until they perform the necessary duties when leading in turn to the development of a TV in their bedroom). just within about 15 days. But it was are taken to a hospital. So, we face it comes to Covid-19 control? What non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In a similar manner, screen time relatively not as disastrous as in India, problems from the side of the public, as are the problems your inspectors are According to the estimates of the World also showed a statistically significant when the variant entered the Indian they are concerned about the infected facing in performing these duties? Health Organisation (WHO), as of relationship with the above variables. population. Still, we don’t know how not being taken to hospital. But we Currently, there are 2,500 PHIs in Sri 2020 NCDs would have accounted Related to this, the number of hours this variant would transmit within our have been requesting the Government Lanka. We have about 350 vacancies for approximately three quarters of involved in spending on outdoor country. An analysis of last week’s data to take the necessary policy decisions left. A team is being trained for these deaths in the developing world. Sri activities was significantly related to shows that daily Covid-19 cases have and prepare a programme to keep the vacancies. But it’s a two-year diploma Lanka is in a state of accelerated technology addiction and screen time. spiked extraordinarily. Whether this infected in their homes and hospitalise and they have only completed six demographic, nutritional, and However, gender, school type, or area new variant is responsible for the spike those who show symptoms. We also months so far. Even if those vacancies epidemiological transition, in parallel of residence did not have a significant is a question we also have. However, requested for the 1990 ambulance are filled, we need at least 1,000 more to the socio-economic development relationship with technological device though we did have quarantine rules and service capacity to be increased for this PHIs with the current duties we have and urbanisation. As a result, unhealthy addiction or screen time. regulations in place, we were relaxed purpose. The hospitalisation is delayed to perform with regards to contact dietary practices and lifestyle changes International studies show a in our practices so far, where we didn’t at the moment because treatment tracing and other Covid-19 control make the adolescent population significant relationship between screen forcefully shut down functions that centres are running out of space to measures. We work around the clock at overweight and obese. time and the prevalence of obesity, were organised. But, weddings and accommodate more infected persons. the moment. We have made this request Studies have identified some physical increasing by 2% for each additional funerals are the only functions that are The capacities in treatment centres have to the Ministry of Health and they have and psychosocial consequences of hour of TV viewing. In adolescents, allowed to take place under the existing decreased. Asymptomatic patients can started taking certain action to meet this dependency on technology and its technology use has been linked to high quarantine laws and regulations. We will be quarantined in their homes. request. addiction in youngsters. Behavioural energy intake in the absence of hunger not be granting permission for any other In addition to Covid-19-related symptoms were considered as appearing while using the screen. Furthermore, functions, because the current situation responsibilities, we have other on a high while using electronic devices, advertisements of unhealthy foods is problematic. responsibilities such as following avoiding friends and family, not getting through unrestricted internet, TV, and On the other hand, what is most up on consumer health, vaccinating enough sleep as compared to normal bed mobile applications also promote the important is the kind of national policy schoolchildren, and dengue prevention. time, denying the actual usage time spent current eating habits. decisions that are taken after a proper An analysis of last Because of Covid-19, we could not on technological devices, and avoiding An international study revealed that analysis of the current situation. We week’s data shows follow up on that part of our duties for activities that were once enjoyable to social networks and TV viewing have pointed out two turning points before some time, but over the past two months, them. Physical morbidity patterns were an impact on physical inactivity as and we see this new variant as a third that daily Covid-19 we have resumed those duties as well. considered as headaches (non-sinister) well as on social withdrawal and low turning point. When cases were reported cases have spiked PHIs who come to work from far away with a frequency of at least once a psychological wellbeing, and this general in Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda, we have been having a hard time finding week, while vision problems were response pattern was partially confirmed requested for the Western Province to extraordinarily. lodging, as our involvement in Covid- accounted for by either new changes by another international study which be placed under lockdown at the very Whether this new 19 prevention work has made boarding in visual acuity, eye strain or tearing. showed an increased tendency for less least. But the Government did not do houses reluctant to admit PHIs. People Furthermore, non-inflammatory type psychological wellbeing among people this. Then, we requested that travel variant is responsible are scared and it is understandable. We aches, stiffness, numbness, and pain in with internet addiction. Meanwhile, an restrictions be imposed between 25 have certain issues with our allowances the palms and fingers were considered Indian study showed that the excessive December 2020 and 1 January 2021 for the spike is a as well. We are only entitled to a fuel physical ailments of technology usage. use of social networks resulted in a for travel from the Western Province, question we also have allowance of up to Rs. 5,000 and this Therefore, a cross sectional higher rate of depression, anxiety, and as the problem was within the Western is not sufficient. Also, not every PHI descriptive study was carried out at stress. In contrast to the findings of this Province at that time. This did not has a motorcycle and they are facing the Colombo North Teaching Hospital Sri Lankan study, an international study happen either. What we suggest this We have made suggestions to difficulties in arranging transport for within a six-month period during 2017- showed worse sleep quality in children time is that we go for a countrywide overcome these challenges, but we themselves. 2018. The study sample included obese viewing TV during the last 90 minutes lockdown until we arrive at a better have not received a response yet from and overweight patients in the age group before sleep. understanding of the behaviour of this the relevant authorities. PHIs get Are you getting the necessary of 10-14 years who had got registered Investigators have hypothesised that variant within the country and prepare a information about who tested positive support from health authorities as randomly at the nutrition clinic. A total watching TV is responsible for making proper plan to control the situation. But in their divisions from the office of the PHIs to do your duty? of 406 patients responded (response rate a person obese by one or more of three what we will have to do right now is to Medical Officer of Health (MOH) of that Sri Lanka has one of the best systems 98.5%). Males comprised the majority possible ways, such as the displacement be more strict with adherence to existing division. In addition, if contacts need to in controlling infectious diseases and (221 - 54.4%) while there were 185 of physical activity, increased calorie regulations. We did not file lawsuits be traced to someone who tested positive PHIs are at the lowermost tier of this (45.6%) females. The average age of intake while watching TV, or the effects against those who did not wear masks in elsewhere, that information too is sent system, working in the field. This system males was 12 years and three months, of advertising and reduced resting public places, but if we spot this now, we as an email through our information was created prior to Independence in while in females it was 12 years and metabolism. TV, movies, video games, will take that action. system to the MOH office. There are 1948. However, internal conflicts and one month. Majority (57.4%) were mobile phones, and computer networks What challenges will PHIs face problems we face in this process too. petty politics and jealousies within the overweight. Further, all children who have assumed an important central role when performing their duties in the Positive cases were reported in the public health system have made this attended the clinic were assumed to in children’s lives which invariably coming days if the Covid-19 situation Wariyapola Prison over the weekend, system its victim. The best example is have had access to at least one electronic influence the child’s health including worsens? but they are not giving this information how there was a problem as to whether device (mobile phones, laptop, tablet social isolation, violence, substance The biggest problem we have is out and they are not taking the necessary the Quarantine (and Prevention of computer, desktop computer, and abuse, and sexual behaviours. that circulars and orders issued by steps to take this forward with the health Diseases) Ordinance gave power to television (TV) during the past three Further, the researchers pointed institutions such as the Ministry of officers. Likewise, certain state and PHIs to direct people to quarantine. months. out that since data from a relatively Health are the result of decisions made private institutions are withholding this The Ministry of Health said that PHIs The result was that the proportion lower socioeconomic strata show without an awareness of the ground information, causing problems. do not have this authority because it of addiction was 168 (41.4%). Out of that addiction to technological and situation. The other is the lack of internal was influenced by the Government this, 93 (55.4%) were addicted to TV communication devices is fairly high, co-ordination or connection between As those who work in the field, are Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA). and 65.6% of this group were addicted it can be postulated that the condition units within the Ministry of Health when you consulted sufficiently when However, the Attorney General’s to cartoon programmes. The balance would be worse in higher socioeconomic issuing such orders. For example, we making decisions at the policy level? Department finally said that PHIs (75 - 34.4%) was most attracted to strata having more accessibility to such see that there are contradicting ideas We are not consulted. Because we are have the authority to do so though the games (73.3 %). In the study population, devices. between the Ministry of Health and not consulted in making policy-level Quarantine Ordinance. Because of these 43.6% had screen time of one to three The findings of this study, the authors the Epidemiology Unit. On the other decisions, it is possible that those in conflicts and professional jealousies, hours per day while 35.7% had more noted, are significant for the care of obese hand, we have issues when putting the Covid-19 control duties are unaware of the teamwork that should be within than three hours a day. The available and overweight adolescents with regard quarantine regulations into practice the delay in the (PCR) test results. The the Ministry, to tackle a situation such data showed an increasing trend of to the use of technological and electronic when certain politicians and people with sample number is gradually reducing. as this, is lost. The good public health identified physical and behavioural communication devices, and also to be power go on to violate these laws and There were times when about 20,000 system created by the White man is morbidities with technology addiction taken into consideration in designing regulations and act according to their samples were tested daily; currently, deteriorating. We must safeguard this and screen time, thereby denoting a programmes to address obesity. whims and wishes. We cannot impose it’s at 15,600. One of the main reasons public health system. 7 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk

‘Visitbusiness Sri Lanka’ app to Hayleys delivers highest-ever launch in mid-March PAT of Rs. 8.20 b z UNDP, ICTA working with SLTB on development z App to provide immigration data and safety info The Hayleys Group maintained its growth BY KAREN HAPUARACHCHI momentum in the first nine The Sri Lanka Tourism Board (SLTB) is to launch the official travel app months of FY 2020/21, “Visit Sri Lanka” in collaboration with the United Nations Development delivering its highest-ever pre- Programme (UNDP) and the Information and Communication tax profit of Rs. 11.51 billion, Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) in mid-March 2021. which represents a tripling of profitability compared to the Speaking to The Morning Business, to UNDP Sri Lanka to gain technical corresponding period of last SLTB Tourism Planning Director Prasad and management assistance for post- year. The performance reflects Jayasuriya said: “The Ministry of Covid-19 recovery efforts. growth in the core performance Tourism granted clearance on 1 January In addition to the travel app, SLTB of the group’s export-oriented 2021. So now we did some development. said that it worked with UNDP Sri Lanka businesses, relentless focus We have obtained the clearance from last year to develop a roadmap for the on cost efficiencies through several authorities and are waiting for tourism sector, engage in immediate the “Haysmart” programme, a nod from other authorities. We were donor co-ordination and procurement and improvements in the retail planning to launch an app that is easy support, and to co-host a roundtable and construction materials to use for everyone.” discussion with partners on the roadmap sectors. The period under Furthermore, Jayasuriya mentioned and the way forward. review reflects the strongest that the SLTB is trying its best efforts “Visit Sri Lanka” was incepted to information be shared by the tourists to Lanka Tourism Development Authority quarterly and cumulative Hayleys PLC Chairman and Chief to complete the development of the control the spread of the pandemic, control the spread to ensure their safety, (SLTDA) Chairperson Kimarli Fernando nine-month performance Executive Mohan Pandithage official version that is planned to be which will be accentuated once the the SLTB, in collaboration with the mentioned introducing the app last year. in the group’s operating released to the public, after obtaining country reopens for international tourists UNDP and ICTA, initiated the official Whilst Version Zero (V0) of the app history, and demonstrates its the essential clearances and approval in June 2020. travel app of Sri Lanka. was ready and awaiting authorisation adaptability and responsiveness from the relevant authorities. This app was initially planned as an “We will put the app link on the from the Immigration and Emigration in navigating complexities “We are trying our best to be advanced, extension of the online immigration online form, where tourists coming Department to be linked with the online stemming from the operating but right now, we have developed a form, where it would include more into Sri Lanka can download it. They visa process in August 2020, the SLTB landscape. manual system. It will be out as soon as information relevant to the present will be required to enter information highlighted that the official version The group’s revenue possible. We will try our best to release situation. Currently, the online on when they will be arriving and the was being tested and is currently under increased by 7% to Rs. it in mid-March,” Jayasuriya stated. immigration forms only require basic Level One and Two hotels they will development. 171.90 billion in the nine The SLTB highlighted that the app is information, such as the date of the flight. be staying at, which they can book In addition, the SLTDA said it months driven by continued in the final stage of development. Sri However, as the Covid-19 pandemic and pay for via the app,” speaking to expresses its delight at releasing the growth in the hand protection, Lanka Tourism has already reached out has made it necessary that more The Sunday Morning Business, Sri official travel app in mid-March. purification, agriculture, and textiles sectors. Gross profit growth amounted to 14% and reflects improvements Four more airlines come in core profitability – primarily in the export-oriented businesses. Meanwhile, the on board with Sri Lanka group continued to achieve cost efficiencies with BY KAREN HAPUARACHCHI the frequent travel activity from South consolidated administrative Hayleys PLC Co-Chairman Asian and Middle Eastern countries. expenses declining by 4% Dhammika Perera After the reopening of Sri Lankan This activity can also be seen in the during the period, reflecting airports to international tourism, four latest airline arrivals, as two of the the successes of Haysmart “While we expect our more airlines have come on board latest airline arrivals are from Middle – the group’s holistic cost export-oriented businesses with Sri Lanka, bringing the total Eastern countries. rationalisation programme. to maintain their current number of airlines flying into the “There are tourists from Germany, The earnings before interest, growth momentum and deliver country above 20, The Morning but there are only tourists coming tax, depreciation, and continued earnings growth, we Business learns. in, not airlines in operation. Also, amortisation (EBITDA) are also optimistic about our The four airlines that have recently there are no European or American recorded strong growth of domestic businesses, given come on board are Air Astana, Air airlines coming in at the moment. 38% to Rs. 22.60 billion. the resumption of economic From left: Shin-Nakamura Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. Ukraine, Oman Air, and Gulf Air. However, so far we have Emirates, The stellar performance activity and anticipated Managing Director Mohamed Iqbal Mohamed Speaking to The Morning Business, Qatar Airlines, and the airlines from of the hand protection and revival of Sri Lanka’s Mubeen and Board of Investment Sri Lanka Chairman Sanjaya Mohottala at the MoU signing Airport & Aviation Services Sri Lanka South Asian and Middle Eastern purification sectors represent economy. We commend the Limited (AASL) Chairman Maj. Gen. countries,” Chandrasiri elaborated. robust demand, timely capacity Government for their efforts (Retd.) G.A. Chandrasiri confirmed “We have worked with the expansions, improved product in creating a conducive E-Screen Systems that several airlines will be coming American, Singaporean, and other mix, effective supply chain environment for businesses into the country this year, along with airlines. They are operating right management, and ongoing cost to continue operations, despite partners with these latest airlines that have agreed now, but there are no airlines that are efficiencies. unprecedented challenges to operate in Sri Lanka. coming just yet,” Chandrasiri added. Agriculture and construction posed by the Covid-19 “There are more than 20 airlines He further highlighted that an materials sectors also recorded pandemic. I would also like to Shin-Nakamura coming to Sri Lanka,” he confirmed. additional three new airlines have commendable growth, while congratulate and acknowledge E-Screen Systems (Pvt.) Ltd., a screen A total of 23 flights are currently agreed to conduct operations into the consumer and retail the dedication and indomitable print solutions provider, joined hands with operating to and from Sri Lanka the country. “There are three more sectors delivered its highest- spirit of the Hayleys team, Japanese screen print giant Shin-Nakamura since the opening of the borders airlines that are planning to come; ever quarterly profitability which has been a vital factor Chemical Co. Ltd., to establish a state-of- to all international tourists on 21 There are three more airlines I cannot reveal their names, simply supported by targeted sales in the group’s success during the-art manufacturing factory in Kurunegala January. The flights operating that are planning to come; because they have not confirmed their campaigns, robust demand these challenging times,” for textile printing agents. The agreement to include SriLankan Airlines, Qatar I cannot reveal their names, arrival,” the AASL Chairman stated. for IT products, and effective said Hayleys PLC Chairman this effect was recently signed by Board of Airways, China Airways, Singapore simply because they have not The Government also granted margin management. Despite and Chief Executive Mohan Investment Sri Lanka (BOI) Chairman Sanjaya Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Ukraine confirmed their arrival approval to two airlines to operate continued losses in the leisure Pandithage. Mohottala and Shin-Nakamura Lanka (Pvt.) International Airlines, Oman Air, AASL Chairman Maj. Gen. (Retd.) in Sri Lanka, increasing the number sector, the group’s consolidated The Board of Directors of Ltd. Managing Director Mohamed Iqbal Emirates, and LOT Polish Airlines, G.A. Chandrasiri of registered carriers to nearly 40 earnings before interest and Hayleys PLC comprises Mohan Mohamed Mubeen. among others. last month. Ethiopian Airlines and tax (EBIT) increased by 40% Pandithage (Chairman and E-Screen Systems (Pvt.) Ltd. has been “Several private airlines are Maldivian Airlines are the two to Rs. 17.28 billion during Chief Executive), Dhammika serving Sri Lankan garment embellishers requesting to operate flights to Sri January, “a total of 35 airlines have approved, among six new applications the nine-month period. Perera (Co-Chairman), since 1968 with a wide range of textile Lanka, and we are encouraging them expressed their willingness to operate received by the Civil Aviation Resultantly, pre-tax profit Sarath Ganegoda, Rajitha dyes, chemicals, printing binders, inks, to come do so,” Chandrasiri added. flights,” Ranatunga added. Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL). nearly tripled to Rs. 11.51 Kariyawasan, Dr. Harsha and machinery in line with international In this context, Minister of Tourism Chandrasiri further pointed to the Pending approval to operate in Sri billion while profit after tax Cabral PC, Ruwan buyer compliance and standards. With the Prasanna Ranatunga in mid-January recent presence of German tourists to Lanka are GoAir, which is a Indian (PAT) amounted to Rs. 8.20 Waidyaratne, Hisham growing demand, both companies have said that, prior to the pandemic, highlight that even though european budget airline; Sky Capital Airlines, billion compared to Rs. 2.21 Jamaldeen, Aravinda Perera, collaborated in forming locally produced around 80 airlines were operating airline activity has decreased, tourists a Bangladesh cargo airline; Jetsar, an billion in the corresponding Jayanthi Dharmasena, Rohan textile printing binders and varnishes with to and from Sri Lanka; however, it from Europe and other countries visit Australian budget airline; Air Falcon, period of last year. Karr, and Gamini Gunaratne. Japanese technology, for direct and indirect might take a couple of months to get Sri Lanka. a cargo carrier from Pakistan; and exports. those airlines back on board. As of In addition to this, AASL mentioned Jazeera Airways from Kuwait. ICRA Lanka assigns (SL)A for LOLC’s proposed senior debt ICRA Lanka Ltd. has assigned the million Senior Unsecured Redeemable The ratings factor in the group’s profile, which includes local and foreign While ICRA Lanka takes group, on the back of its established issue ratings of (SL)A with a Stable Debenture Programme and the issue long track record and leadership funding partners. cognisance of the diversification presence, business experience, and outlook for the proposed Rs. 10,000 rating of (SL)A1 rating for the enhanced position in the Sri Lankan non-banking However, ICRA Lanka takes to newer geographies (Cambodia, funding raising ability would be million Senior Unsecured Redeemable Rs. 3,000 million Commercial Paper financial institutions (NBFI) sector, note of the weakening in the asset Myanmar, Indonesia, and Pakistan) able grow its business and provide Debenture Programme of LOLC Programme of the company. its experienced management team, quality profile of its Sri Lanka- over the recent past by the LOLC timely and adequate capital support Holdings PLC. ICRA Lanka has taken a consolidated commensurate risk management based non-bank finance companies group, ability to manage country- to the various group entities. The ICRA Lanka has an outstanding issuer view of the performance of the LOLC systems, and its adequate funding (NBFCs) and the deterioration in specific risks across businesses and outlook may be revised to “Negative” rating of (SL)A with a Stable outlook group, which has interests in various profile. The ratings also take comfort the overall earnings profile during regulatory cycles would be crucial in case of further weakening in for LOLC Holdings PLC. ICRA Lanka segments including financial services, from the improved capitalisation and 6MFY2020, as net interest margin from a rating perspective. Further, the profitability and asset quality also has an outstanding issue rating of insurance, manufacturing, trading, liquidity profile of the group, post (NIM) moderated and credit cost ICRA Lanka would continue to indicators of the group. The outlook (SL)A with a Stable outlook for the plantation, renewable energy, and leisure PRASAC divestment. Group gearing increased. The group’s ability to monitor the performances of the may be revised to “Positive” in case Rs. 5,000 million Senior Unsecured for arriving at the ratings. However, the 1 has reduced to about 2.6 times as control incremental slippages and non-financial service entities and of a significant improvement in the Redeemable Debenture Programme, group performance is primarily driven of September 2020, from 5.3 times improve the overall asset quality their contribution to the overall group overall financial profile of the group the issue rating of (SL)A with a Stable by the finance sector of the group and in March 2020. LOLC has access to over the next six months will be a going forward. and if the portfolio profile and asset outlook for the outstanding Rs. 2,000 hence the ratings reflect the same. funding, through its diversified funding key monitorable, going forward. ICRA Lanka believes that the LOLC quality improve. 48 business „„ www.themorning.lk { CONSTRUCTION/FINANCE } Tuesday, February 16, 2021 The issue with chrysotile cement roofing sheets z A misunderstood yet vital component of Sri Lanka’s construction industry Sri Lanka has a long established history of using fibre cement roofing extensive studies on the air quality sheets, namely chrysotile roofing sheets which are otherwise referred at various chrysotile cement roofing CBSL Payments and Settlements Department Director D. Kumaratunge, using to as white asbestos. Being the choice of construction giants across sheet production sites. The results the FriMi app at the event to perform contactless payments through LANKAQR the local industry, chrysotile has maintained a presence of over 60 from these studies have shown years in Sri Lanka. conclusive evidence that the emission levels of fibres are far below the The reason for the success of this included) are regulated by authorities. standard recommended levels (almost FriMi promotes material is quite simple, socio-economic The collective term, “asbestos” was zero). conditions of those in rural areas of used to refer to specifically two distinct In addition, the Ministry of Sri Lanka along with the subset of the types of minerals – serpentine and Environment has also instructed the population who fall under the urban amphiboles. The use of the latter is the negative image built around the NBRO to check the quality of air in all LANKAQR poor category depend on these sheets banned globally, while serpentine particular roofing product which in government buildings that have used for essential roofing. In the past, such chrysotile continues to be used by turn may cause a negative impact on chrysotile cement sheets to clarify FriMi, the digital banking Purama LANKAQR’ initiative households depended on roofing methods two thirds of the world population. the future of the roofing industry. the presence of any health risks. To experience and lifestyle partner encouraging Sri Lankans to adapt such as palm leaves and other tree leaves. The World Health Organisation date, the NBRO has not reported any powered by Nations Trust Bank with the changes in the payment Chrysotile burst into popularity thanks (WHO) is responsible for providing An accountable industry adverse findings, and all test results (NTB), was a part of the second landscape, by shifting to digital to its idyllic properties; UV ray resistance, equitable, unbiased, and research-based with safe manufacturing show almost zero fibres. phase of the Central Bank’s “Rata and contactless transactions. corrosion resistance, durability, lengthy information to all governments around processes Even in schools around the island, Purama LANKAQR” campaign We will continue to support service life, and of course, it came at a the world. However, research conducted In order to ensure the continued chrysotile cement roofing sheets have recently held at the Diyatha Uyana the Government and CBSL’s price that did not unsettle the poor who by the WHO with regard to this burning success of this industry despite the many been in use for nearly six decades. Boardwalk to raise awareness ‘Digital Banking Roadmap’ with were in need of shelter. issue has only been conducted in baseless allegations, manufacturers During this large expanse of time, among the public about cashless our progressive digital banking As the industry stands today, countries that use amphiboles and not are compelled to remain responsible there has not been a single health payments. services offered to all Sri Lankans chrysotile cement roofing sheets cover asbestos as a whole. Thus, the resulting throughout the product life cycle. issue reported in relation to the use of The Central Bank of Sri to help pave the way for a digital 35% of the total roofing sheet market report on chrysotile put forward In Sri Lanka, chrysotile cement these sheets. This shows that modern- Lanka (CBSL), together with economy.” requirement. Supplying this requirement by the WHO is based on selective roofing sheets are produced using 6-8% day high-density, non-friable cement licensed financial institutions and During the event, CBSL year-on-year are four manufacturing information. This information refers to of fibre. The remaining component roofing sheets do not present risks of LankaClear (Pvt.) Ltd., introduced Payments and Settlements plants which import roughly 400 metric asbestos in every form, regardless of that makes up a roofing sheet is purely any significance to school children. the LANKAQR code system with Department Director D. tonnes of chrysotile each year from established biochemical and scientific a cement mix. During manufacture, the aim of increasing financial Kumaratunge, alongside other the Russian Federation. Moreover, differentiation of fibre types. these fibres are encapsulated within In conclusion inclusion by moving towards a CBSL representatives, used the the industry in Sri Lanka supports Despite the constant dialogues on the cement matrix so that fibres cannot To an island nation where the less-cash society. FriMi app to perform contactless over 30,000 persons through direct potential health hazards said to have be emitted into the atmosphere under majority of the population are Commenting on their payments through LANKAQR. and indirect employment. been caused by chrysotile, it must be any conditions. poverty stricken, the ability to access involvement in this CBSL FriMi claims to offer a digital However, regardless of the importance emphasised that there is no evidence As a result of this crucial process, a affordable materials for housing is initiative, NTB Senior Vice banking experience with products of chrysotile roofing sheets, the industry to conclusively establish a significant public health risk is non-existent, thanks essential. The chrysotile cement President – Sales and Digital and services developed to delight has faced constant backlash and baseless correlation between health deterioration, to this tried and tested manufacturing roofing sheet is not just construction Banking Randil Boteju said: customers, thus providing novel allegations claiming that these sheets particularly cancer, and exposure to method. material. It serves as a way to improve “Ever since the launch of FriMi experiences. It was ranked pose a threat to the health of our society. chrysotile among the chrysotile cement the standards of living for communities in 2016, we have been at the amongst the Top 30 Best Digital roofing sheet users in Sri Lanka. Conclusive evidence that across the island. With that in mind, it forefront in inculcating the Financial Services Providers in Debunking the myths Furthermore, the confusion of naming depicts zero public health is important for legislators to analyse behaviour of contactless payments, the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and While roughly 400 minerals are drawn two distinctively characterised fibre and environment risks the facts and understand that there is by introducing innovative and Africa, as one of the Best Digital from the earth naturally in fibrous form, groups – the chrysotile and amphibole The National Building Research simply no risk involved in using these revolutionary features. We’re Banks and Financial Institutions only the use of six of these (chrysotile groups – have also contributed to Organisation (NBRO) has conducted roofing sheets. excited to be part of the ‘Rata by The Asian Banker. LinearSix launches solution Clicktoinsure.lk launched Through clicktoinsure.lk, customers can for financial services enjoy expert, personalised, and unparalleled insurance brokering services of Assetline Digital technology is changing the way to employees thinking and acting Insurance Brokers (Pvt.) Ltd. (AIBL) at way financial products and services smart – a critical success factor in anytime, anywhere in the country and at their are accessed and used, and the today’s dynamic environment, where convenience. innovative and disruptive financial remote working is becoming the norm Clicktoinsure.lk is platform that provides technologies being introduced by banks for many industries. Overall, Lime a gamut of information enabling customers through futuristic solution providers is a single interface platform that is to make informed decisions on the best- are increasing choice and improving ultra-efficient, extremely flexible, easy suited insurance solution for each of their convenience for these industries. to use and capable of handling end- unique requirements. Unlike most other From left: John Keells Properties Legal Officer Kanishka Herat, John Keells Properties Head of Sales Nadeem LinearSix with a strong commitment to-end banking operations,” noted online platforms of insurance companies, Shums, John Keells Properties Chief Financial Officer Ravi to technological innovation in the LinearSix Director LinearSix CEO Mario LinearSix Co-Founder and CEO Mario clicktoinsure.lk facilitates comparison of Wijeywantha, and John Keells Properties Sector Head Nayana financial services sector, has Dinesh Thomas Gooneratne Gooneratne. insurance solutions from multiple leading Mawilmada, with HNB Deputy General Manager – Retail over the past four years taken an For banks and financial organisations insurance providers without the hassle of and SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne, HNB Head of Personal Financial Services Kanchana Karunagama, and HNB Assistant increasingly active role in supporting to better customer experiences,” explained looking to amp their operations with physical visits; customers can weigh the pros Manager – Housing and Personal Loans Sampath Dodanwela the development of value driven LinearSix Director Dinesh Thomas. digital advancement, Lime is a seamless and cons and then buy the policy that suits contemporary technologies for “Lime solves very specific business business value generator that is easy to them best with just a click of a mouse. the financial services and banking problems such as customer on-boarding implement. “We realise that companies Whether you are a new or existing customer, organisations. and origination, debt collection and need flexibility and we offer them you can access and avail the benefits and JKH Properties As such, LinearSix has introduced a recoveries, customer care and certain accelerators to solve their business offers by merely registering with clicktoinsure. smart banking solution to the industry banking operations, and is built to meet problems with the possibility of lk. Existing customers also have the ease of to enable users to perform banking the needs of users through multiple customising to their speed and agility,” accessing details of the policies maintained with operations without the hassle of devices and interfaces and Omni affirmed Thomas. AIBL as well as paying their premium, online. partners HNB switching between multiple systems. Channel Experiences, thus enhancing Focused on employee experience, Commercial Bank, HSBC, Hatton National John Keells Properties The Freedom “Lime” by LinearSix, is a chat-based, productivity through time and cost Lime enables users to hit the ground Bank, Seylan Bank, and National Development (JKH Properties) stated it Mortgage plan conversational workflow interface savings among other benefits,” Thomas running, and requires minimum training Bank credit cardholders are now offered a six or has partnered with Hatton promises customers that streamlines user experience by further added. and familiarisation. LinearSix offers its 12-month interest-free instalment plan for AIBL National Bank (HNB) the financial relief of seamlessly integrating systems both With reduced documentation needs and fullest support to handhold companies premiums via clicktoinsure.lk. Additionally, to offer its exclusive a two-year interest- within and external to the bank. faster turnaround times, organisations throughout the implementation when you buy a full motor insurance cover “Freedom Mortgages” free period on their “Lime was conceived to solve can really capitalise on cost efficient process and afterwards, to ensure that through clicktoinsure.lk, a 10% cashback on home financing scheme mortgage, with the fundamental problems within banks. operations with Lime, resulting in the organisations make the best out of the basic premium is offered. for potential homeowners customer only having Our primary focus is on the user, whose ability to redeploy employees towards Lime. Comprising a well-balanced AIBL is one of the leading insurance looking to invest in its to pay 20% upfront experience is often overlooked in the other priorities while increasing top leadership team which synergises brokering companies registered with the TRI-ZEN development. pursuit of superior customer experience. line growth and minimising operational through the combination of business Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri The Freedom Mortgage Identifying the need to cater to the new risks that are usually human-centric and domain and technical skills, LinearSix Lanka (IRCSL) and a David Pieris Group plan promises customers “As one of the largest age employee, Lime enables banks to process-oriented. is no stranger to business operations company. “Assurance in Insurance” has led the financial relief of a private sector banks in generate great internal user experiences “Lime is designed to empower users and local culture, and is fully equipped to AIBL’s reputation of being the most trusted two-year interest-free the country, we have which translates into more competent and in order to maximise efficiency as well to help companies transform through insurance brokering company in the country. period on their mortgage, always worked to offer our efficient employees and ultimately leads as employee morale, which paves the automation and operational excellence. with the customer only customers the best possible having to pay 20% up method to achieve their front. The bank will fund dreams. This partnership up to 80% of the purchase is an ideal opportunity for ComBank aggregates all apps into one price and the loan will prospective homeowners be offered at attractive looking to invest in a Access to and use of Commercial Bank Commenting on the launch of the channel platform. The bank’s digital interest rates starting from modern living space for of Ceylon’s multiple mobile banking apps Aggregator App, Commercial Bank banking channels include ComBank just 7%. their dream home,” stated has become even easier with the bank’s Information Technology Assistant Digital, a highly secure, user-friendly and Investors are faced HNB Deputy General launch of an aggregator app that bundles General Manager Krishan Gamage responsive web application catering to with the opportunity of Manager – Retail and them together as a single download. said: “The Aggregator was identified both retail and business users. While the purchasing a home in the SME Banking Sanjay The Aggregator can be found by iOS as as a necessity as the bank’s offering ComBank Remit Plus App enables those heart of the city through Wijemanne. well as Android users in the App Store and of services through mobile apps began who use the bank’s remittance services the Freedom Mortgage Slated for completion in Google Play, respectively, by searching to expand. We continue to focus on to conveniently access remittance-related plan. Once the first 20% 2023, TRI-ZEN is a joint for “Commercial Bank”, the bank said. introducing more digital products and information and services, the ComBank is paid, the customer venture between Indra The Aggregator app eliminates the services to enhance access and versatility eSlip App launched recently encourages does not need to make Traders (Pvt.) Ltd. and John requirement of operating through separate to match the lifestyle and requirements paperless banking by facilitating cash and any further payments Keells Holdings PLC, and downloads of different apps launched of the modern customer.” cheque deposits to current and savings for a period of two years promises occupants luxury, by the bank and simplifies the mobile Once the Aggregator App is accounts. through this scheme, and smart-home residences in banking experience of customers. downloaded, it prompts users to select ComBank Q+ is Sri Lanka’s first the bank can also offer Union Place, Colombo 3. It currently enables customers to access one of apps in the suite to complete their Quick Response (QR)-based payment a grace on the capital The 53-storey residential five of the bank’s core mobile applications: operation. If the selected app already app launched under LANKAQR, while repayment for up to five development houses ComBank Digital, ComBank ePassbook, exists on the user’s device, it will be ComBank ePassbook provides access years. Additionally, the 891 one, two, and three- ComBank eSlip, ComBank Q+, and launched instantly. Users can register for to details of savings, current, personal loan process is supported bedroom apartments, each ComBank Remit Plus. The bank said all the apps that are relevant to them once and business foreign currency accounts, by HNB's back-end unit fully equipped with mobile apps it offers will eventually be downloaded through the Aggregator App. and credit card transactions on mobile processes to ensure a facilities and conveniences included, with new apps to be launched The ComBank Digital App is the devices. Commercial Bank was the first three-day loan approval geared towards connected being automatically updated on the integration of all its online and mobile financial institution in Asia to launch the period for all applications. living. Aggregator. banking channels on a single omni- revolutionary ePassbook. business 49 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 { CORPORATE/ADVERTORIAL } „„ www.themorning.lk Seylan offers benefits to credit cardholders Seylan Bank stated it is offering The new workspaces available to solopreneurs, SMEs, and international customers a 12-month 0% businesses instalment easy payment plan (EPP) on credit card transactions for health, education, insurance, Cosmos Workspaces and overseas ticket purchases, helping them to manage their offering, Seylan introduced a 0% interest A host of other discounts are also fresh meat purchases at Keells outlets on financials during a time of crisis. EPP for payments above Rs. 15,000, up available for electronics and furniture weekends, while Seylan VISA Signature Seylan credit cards aim to be an to Rs. 500,000 per annum, for hospital purchases at selected merchant outlets, and World Mastercard cardholders are to bolster MSMEs “essential card” within the market, bills, education payments, insurance, both physical and digital. entitled to discounts at any Keells outlet Cosmos Workspaces, an work, collaborate, and build offering benefits on daily essentials, overseas ticket purchases, gym In addition to the above offers, Seylan islandwide. These offers are valid until innovative office space solution connections. according to the bank. Through this memberships, and optical purchases. credit cardholders can avail discounts on 30 March 2021. provider, announced the launch The new space will operate of its services and facilities to 24/7, and offer desk, office, solopreneurs, local SMEs, and boardroom and meeting room international businesses looking rentals, equipped with amenities HNB SOLO partners with Stone ‘N’ String to set up operations in the heart such as high-speed internet, of the city’s up-and-coming photocopying and printing central business and lifestyle facilities, telephone and intercom hub in Colombo 2. lines, and parking spaces for those Employees working from driving to work. home as a result of the pandemic “Cosmos Workspaces was have come to recognise the many founded with the aim to provide challenges that arise from a a solution for small and medium home office. Additionally, sized businesses looking to freelancers, entrepreneurs, operate efficiently without having and also small businesses and to lease out an entire office space, The HNB and Stone ‘N’ String teams at the event startups in Colombo and abroad, or those aspiring to get local are constantly on the lookout for business efforts up and running,” HNB PLC stated it recently Mawatha, where HNB Deputy method to celebrate special days to purchase during February, across the country,” stated Stone a convenient and well-equipped said Cosmos Workspaces Director partnered with Stone ‘N’ String to General Manager – Retail and with their loved ones,” stated while the coupons will be valid ‘N’ String Chairman and Founder workplace in the city, while also Operations Meredith Ivor. offer discounts and deals through SME Banking Sanjay Wijemanne Wijemanne. until 31 March for redemption. Mohamed Muhiyadeen Saheed. economising on the operational “By providing our set of February via HNB's digital was present. Customers of the jewellery “As a leading jewellery To commence the campaign, aspects of running a full-fledged truly exclusive resources at app SOLO, in celebration of “The partnership is another store may purchase coupons at merchant with an extensive Stone ‘N’ String will offer the office. reasonable rates, we hope to Valentine's Day. The partnership step in promoting LANKAQR a 25% discount via the SOLO network across the country we first 25 customers who use HNB Cosmos Workspaces stated be able to provide companies was launched at the Stone ‘N’ to our customers and offering app. The discounted coupons are also excited to be a part of SOLO a ruby pendant set in it will feature both on-demand with a platform to not just help String showroom in R.A. de Mel a convenient and safe payment will be available for customers LANKAQR revolution sweeping sterling silver. and members-only individual the local business community and team spaces, and aims to thrive, but also on the long-term, Gangule Veda Medura allow individuals and companies to contribute productively to the EWIS awarded at Best to find flexible, creative country’s economy as a whole,” Workplaces Sri Lanka 2020 launches herbal eye treatment workspaces from which to she added. “Neth Suva Thepul”, an indigenous herbal treatment for dry eyes and a number of eye ailments, has been launched by Gangule Veda Medura of Panadura. Available in a sachet packet, like a tea bag, this can The EWIS team with the Best Workplaces award be used for fomenting eyes to relieve all pains and strains. The The ‘Neth Suva Thepul’ herbal E-W Information for Women 2020” for the Workplace” by Great Place to product has been registered at treatment product Systems (EWIS) and its second consecutive year. The Work Sri Lanka for the sixth the Department of Ayurveda. HDDES Group management with the COSMOS organic certification group companies emerged company actively promotes consecutive year. “Neth Suva Thepul” claims Gangule eye specialists. He victorious with three titles women empowerment with a With a reputation as a to bring relief to all eye pains claims to have used an ancestral being bestowed at the recently safe and secure environment pioneer in the country’s ICT and strains, such as dry eyes, secret formula to manufacture D’las International concluded awards presented for the staff, and this is well industry over 34 years, EWIS watery eyes, irritation, heaviness, “Neth Suva Thepul” with herbal by Great Place to Work reflected in its state-of-the-art claims to continue to embrace weariness or eye pains, and essences. Institute, Sri Lanka for the plant located at Sooriyawewa and take its people-centric removes dark circles around the “For the treatment a bag of receives COSMOS year 2020. EWIS together in Hambantota where over philosophy to greater heights, eyes. “Enhancing blood flow to ‘Neth Suva Thepul’ has to be with EWIS Peripherals was 80% of its workforce are recognising that its people optic nerves, this treatment gives dipped in boiled water for 15 recognised among the top women, breaking away are at the heart of everything comforts to those who read or minutes and then fairly warm organic certification 40 Best Workplaces for the from the traditionally male- it does. “Our staff are our work long hours with computers water, and the bag itself can be fifth year. dominant industry. biggest asset. Respect, sharing and wear spectacles,” said Dr. used to foment around the eyes. It D’las International (Pvt.) Ltd., industry’s supply chains which EWIS Colombo Ltd., Sri EWIS was ranked in the and caring is a way of life Ishara Fernando. is good to continue the treatment a manufacturer of fine fragrances feed into the food, feed, forestry, Lanka’s first and only fully- inaugural list of the “10 Best taught by our parents and this Dr. Fernando represents the daily. But those who have and natural body care products biomass, bio energy, social fledged Original Device Small and Medium IT/ITES is the very same philosophy fourth generation of a centuries- undergone eye surgery should in Sri Lanka, made history compliance and textiles markets. Manufacturing (ODM) Workplaces” in Sri Lanka. we follow and embrace at old Ayurvedic ophthalmologic not use this without medical by obtaining internationally For D’las International, plant was ranked among E-W Information Systems EWIS,” said EWIS Chairman specialist family known as advice,” said Dr. Fernando. recognised COSMOS organic the certification process was the “10 Best Workplaces is also certified as a “Great Sanjeewa Wickramanayake. certification for its high end conducted and awarded by product range and became the Control Union – South Korea first company in the island to and presented by its Sri Lankan own such certification awarded branch. D’las International (Pvt.) YouCab launches Foodie app by Control Union, a globally Ltd. is a proud member of the Recently, YouCab rallied together need was such that we needed to expedite app goes beyond radius limitations and recognised certification body HDDES Group of companies, their troops and established a manual the development of Foodie and introduce allows customers to order food from their based in the Netherlands. which engages in the supply of delivery network. YouCab, which is a it to the market at the earliest. favourite restaurants anywhere within the COSMOS (Cosmetic Organic natural, organic raw materials subsidiary of VirTrans Capital (Pvt.) Ltd., “Even though there is no lockdown per delivery network map. Standard) is a worldwide and ingredients for the past four brought together contact centre staff, travel se anymore, the dependency on delivery Merchants partnering with YouFoodie private standard that adheres to decades. partners who volunteered their services, platforms is so much more. Our attempt also have the added benefit of choosing the principles such as promoting the D’las offers a range of and operational staff members in a team is to bridge the gap between the customer partnership agreement brackets that suit use of ingredients from organic cosmetics including fine effort that gave birth to VirTrans Capital and supplier with a touch of inherent Sri the nature and size of their business instead farming, using environmentally fragrances, aromatic soaps, Delivery (Pvt.) Ltd. From the learnings of Lankan hospitality that is at the very heart of having to pay standard rates to the app sound and healthy production aromatic shampoos, body lotions, the delivery service and customer feedback, of YouCab’s operations as well.” owner. Restaurants and home bakers can and manufacturing processes and conditioners, shower gels, the “Foodie” app was developed and The Foodie delivery app connects set their own delivery times, view orders, expanding the concept of “green aromatic oils, aromatic diffusers, launched on 4 January 2021. Say hello to the newest ‘Foodie’ in town customers with merchants or suppliers confirm dispatches, track orders, accept chemicals”. and AURA incense sticks. More Speaking on the launch, VirTrans Capital who produce or supply food items through various payment options, and set minimum With its foundation in than 80% of the raw materials (Pvt.) Ltd. CEO Nirthaj Seelanatha said: homes. Food delivery in particular was travel partners who are willing to deliver order values and discounts, etc. agriculture and presence in over used in the manufacturing process “When the pandemic and subsequent hard to come by. Our taxi operations had items ordered to a customer’s doorstep. Currently serving the Western and 70 countries, Control Union are derived from organic or lockdown struck Sri Lanka in March 2020, been running for more than a year by that Customers have the ability to select a Central Provinces, Foodie has many Certifications has focused its natural sources. The D’las range people found it difficult to even get the time and the introduction of a food delivery payment option from online payment restaurant partners on board, some of efforts in developing services is mainly exported to the US, most basic of necessities delivered to their platform was in the pipeline. However, the to cash on delivery. Furthermore, the which are exclusive to the app. around the sustainability of the Europe, and Japan markets. HNB introduces vehicle leasing Airtel team receives remote training and skill development scheme for professionals Starting with the initial organisations resorted to cost in partnership with the lockdown in March 2020, cutting in different forms, we Postgraduate Institute HNB PLC stated that marketers, pilots, navigation countries, the market price for discounted interest rate from Airtel Lanka has been believed that learning was of Management, Sales it introduced a special officers, researchers, senior automobiles is higher in Sri the prevailing published rate. doubling down on digitisation more important than ever Leadership Development vehicle leasing scheme for academics, and C-Suite Lanka. Therefore even though Customers will also receive a of employee upskilling, before. Capabilities aim Programme conducted by professionals, with minimal executives, can make use of there are professionals who are Prestige Prime credit card, with learning and development to make organisations and the Colombo Business conditions, benefits, and low the new product. fit to purchase a vehicle, they the first year fee waived off. and the results are already individuals more resilient, School and all other internal interest rates, with the aim “Professionals have needs, are unable to do so. However, Notably, the leasing facility starting to show. adaptable, and innovative,” training programmes. These of increasing the standard of but with their time-consuming this special scheme combined does not require guarantors or an “With the prevailing explained Airtel’s Managing programmes have even living of this niche customer jobs, it becomes impossible with their existing remuneration affidavit declaring their assets. pandemic situation, workplace Director and CEO Ashish directly targeted ground-level base. to go through the tedious packages will help them opt for Professionals eligible for the cultures which were once Chandra. sales forces. The bank stated that process of obtaining a lease. the right vehicle and increase facility are provided with a designed to meet face-to- Over the past two quarters, Employees were also customers under the This scheme enables them to their quality of living.” special discounted interest rate face, inspire and collaborate over 85% of the company’s encouraged to take up any professional category, buy their dream vehicle by The scheme offers customers than the prevailing published are becoming obsolete. This workforce switched to e-learning courses including including doctors, accountants, making the process easier,” a residual payment equivalent rate, in addition to customised disruption presented a new digitised training programmes Coursera and the Airtel iLearn architects, financial analysts, stated HNB Senior Manager – to 25% of the market value of leasing facilities, tailor-made challenge especially for the which includes the Airtel programmes which they lecturers, lawyers, hospitality Leasing Niluka Amarasinghe. the lease. to suit each customer's budget continuation of learning and Executive Development believed would align with and providers, human resources, “When compared to other HNB will offer a special and income. development. Whilst many Programme conducted enhance their job knowledge. 104 business „„ www.themorning.lk { MARKET } Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Unit trust prices­ at 12 Feb. 2021 15 Feb. 2021 Fund name Unit selling price...... Unit buying price CSE Price List V.W.A. V.W.A. CHANGE V.W.A. V.W.A. CHANGE ASTRUE Active Income Fund 100.6334...... 100.6334 SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME PREVIOUS OPEN HIGH LOW TODAY’S (RS.) SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME PREVIOUS OPEN HIGH LOW TODAY’S (RS.) Astrue Alpha Fund 16.6189...... 15.6095 A.SPEN.HOT.HOLD...... 29,059...... 32.7...... 33...... 33...... 30...... 30.8...... -1.9 SINGER FINANCE...... 53,924...... 15.2...... 14.7...... 14.7...... 14...... 14.4...... -0.8 Assetline Income Fund 16.8335...... 16.8335 ABANS...... 3,544...... 175...... 180...... 180...... 175...... 176.75...... 1.75 SLT...... 13,140...... 37.3...... 37.7...... 37.7...... 35.8...... 36.9...... -0.4 Assetline Income Plus Growth Fund 17.9156...... 17.4188 ACCESS ENG SL...... 806,944...... 26.5...... 26.6...... 26.6...... 25...... 25.1...... -1.4 SUNSHINE HOLDING...... 94,305...... 86.8...... 90...... 90...... 85...... 85.5...... -1.3 Senfin Growth Fund 9.6800...... 9.3500 ACL...... 275,559...... 90.5...... 94.9...... 95...... 87.5...... 89...... -1.5 SWISSTEK...... 247,308...... 132.25...... 140.25...... 143...... 132...... 133...... 0.75 Senfin Money Market Fund 15.0810...... 15.0810 ACL PLASTICS...... 5,564...... 285.25...... 305...... 310...... 292...... 292.25...... 7 TEA SMALLHOLDER...... 5...... 39.9...... 38.5...... 38.5...... 38.5...... 39.9...... 0 Senfin Shariah Balanced Fund 12.4400...... 12.1100 ACME...... 98,378...... 6.2...... 6.3...... 6.3...... 5.7...... 5.8...... -0.4 TEEJAY LANKA...... 1,292,328...... 40.8...... 41.8...... 43.2...... 41.6...... 42...... 1.2 Senfin Shariah Income Fund 12.4296...... 12.4296 AGALAWATTE...... 400...... 27...... 27...... 27...... 26.7...... 26.9...... -0.1 THREE ACRE FARMS...... 63,075...... 251...... 253...... 253...... 240.5...... 247...... -4 Ceybank Growth 81.5000...... 77.9200 AHOT PROPERTIES...... 3,250...... 37.5...... 40...... 40.5...... 37.8...... 39.9...... 2.4 TOKYO CEMENT...... 300,502...... 76.9...... 80...... 80...... 73...... 74.2...... -2.7 Ceybank Gilt Edge Fund (A Series) 14.4939...... 14.4939 AITKEN SPENCE...... 263,420...... 67.6...... 67.6...... 67.7...... 64...... 64.5...... -3.1 TOKYO CEMENT [TKYO.X0000]...... 1,631,786...... 69.7...... 69.7...... 70...... 65...... 65.9...... -3.8 Ceybank Gilt Edged Fund (B Series) 11.0337...... 11.0337 ALLIANCE...... 11,740...... 52.6...... 51.4...... 51.5...... 50.7...... 50.8...... -1.8 UNION BANK...... 274,019...... 12.5...... 12.7...... 12.7...... 12...... 12...... -0.5 Ceybank High Yield Fund 13.8302...... 13.8302 AMANA BANK...... 535,235...... 3.6...... 3.6...... 3.8...... 3.4...... 3.4...... -0.2 UNION CHEMICALS...... 376...... 778.75...... 855...... 855...... 766...... 772...... -6.75 Ceybank Surakum Fund 12.3824...... 12.3824 ASIA ASSET...... 9,982...... 7...... 7.2...... 7.7...... 7...... 7.3...... 0.3 UNISYST...... 19,761...... 15.7...... 16...... 16...... 15...... 15.1...... -0.6 Ceybank Unit Trust 81.5000...... 77.9200 ASIRI...... 3,046...... 27.9...... 25.6...... 28...... 25.6...... 27.7...... -0.2 UNITED MOTORS...... 8,564...... 70.2...... 71.1...... 73...... 71...... 71.1...... 0.9 Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund (in $) 0.6996...... 0.6961 Ceylon Financial Sector Fund 7.8000...... 7.4300 ASIRI SURG...... 18,833...... 14...... 14.3...... 14.6...... 14...... 14.5...... 0.5 VALLIBEL...... 2,258,754...... 8...... 8.1...... 8.2...... 7.6...... 7.8...... -0.2 Ceylon Income Fund 22.2336...... 22.2336 AUTODROME...... 110...... 80...... 78.2...... 78.2...... 78...... 78.1...... -1.9 VALLIBEL FINANCE...... 178,368...... 124.75...... 134.75...... 134.75...... 122.5...... 123.25...... -1.5 CEYLON Index Fund 57.2900...... 54.9800 BAIRAHA FARMS...... 36,442...... 147.25...... 148.25...... 150...... 142...... 144.25...... -3 VIDULLANKA...... 270,016...... 5.5...... 5.6...... 5.6...... 5.4...... 5.5...... 0 Ceylon IPO Fund 5.5800...... 5.4700 BALANGODA...... 4,955...... 14.7...... 14.5...... 15.2...... 14.5...... 14.5...... -0.2 WATAWALA...... 32,343...... 56.4...... 57.1...... 58...... 56...... 56.3...... -0.1 Ceylon Money Market Fund 17.3493...... 17.3493 BUKIT DARAH...... 3,168...... 347...... 350...... 370...... 343...... 350.25...... 3.25 YORK ARCADE...... 506...... 179.25...... 200...... 207...... 156...... 200...... 20.75 Ceylon Tourism Fund 3.6700...... 3.5500 C M HOLDINGS...... 2,012...... 99.5...... 95.5...... 99.5...... 95.5...... 99.3...... -0.2 SECOND BOARD Ceylon Treasury Income Fund 6.1600...... 6.1600 C T HOLDINGS...... 61...... 171.5...... 172...... 176...... 172...... 171.5...... 0 ABANS FINANCIAL...... 240...... 24.6...... 25.5...... 26.9...... 25.5...... 25.6...... 1 Comtrust ADL Mudarabah Fund 11.6960...... 11.6960 CARGILLS...... 1,755...... 237.5...... 238...... 241...... 238...... 239.75...... 2.25 AMBEON CAPITAL...... 144,710...... 6...... 6.1...... 6.1...... 5.9...... 6...... 0 Comtrust Equity Fund 19.7300...... 18.8300 CARGO BOAT...... 1,050...... 70...... 68.1...... 70...... 68.1...... 69.9...... -0.1 ARPICO...... 103...... 191...... 200...... 200...... 180...... 180...... -11 Comtrust Gilt Edged Fund 10.4522...... 10.4522 CARSONS...... 1,712...... 308.75...... 325...... 325...... 305...... 310.25...... 1.5 ASIA CAPITAL...... 420...... 6.1...... 6.2...... 6.2...... 6.1...... 6.1...... 0 Comtrust Money Market Fund 11.8849...... 11.8849 CDB...... 1,403...... 121.25...... 113.5...... 122...... 113.5...... 120.25...... -1 BROWNS BEACH...... 4,062...... 12.4...... 12.8...... 12.8...... 12...... 12...... -0.4 First Capital Equity Fund (FCEF) 1,440.1600...... 1,368.1500 CDB [CDB.X0000]...... 78,093...... 80...... 80...... 80...... 75.3...... 78.3...... -1.7 COMM LEASE & FIN...... 17,784...... 7...... 6.8...... 7.1...... 6.6...... 6.8...... -0.2 First Capital Fixed income Fund 1,856.8500...... 1,856.8000 CENTRAL FINANCE...... 118,916...... 110...... 109...... 110...... 100...... 100...... -10 DIALOG FINANCE...... 10...... 53...... 53.2...... 53.2...... 53.2...... 53...... 0 First Capital Gilt Edged Fund 1,495.7900...... 1,495.7900 CENTRAL IND...... 28,156...... 127.75...... 129.75...... 132.75...... 126...... 128.25...... 0.5 DISTILLERIES...... 84,376...... 21.2...... 21.8...... 21.8...... 20.8...... 20.9...... -0.3 First Capital Money Market Fund 1,914.1500...... 1,914.1500 CEYLINCO INS...... 1...... 2001.5...... 1,900.50...... 1,900.50...... 1,900.50...... 2,001.50...... 0 FIRST CAPITAL...... 70,445...... 57.9...... 57.7...... 57.7...... 55.5...... 55.5...... -2.4 First Capital Wealth Fund 1,132.9200...... 1,132.8900 CEYLINCO INS. [CINS.X0000]...... 1,229...... 1195.5...... 1,175.00...... 1,175.00...... 1,099.00...... 1,100.00...... -95.5 INDO MALAY...... 70...... 1123.2...... 1,030.25...... 1,035.00...... 1,029.25...... 1,123.20...... 0 JB Vantage Money Market Fund 27.6831...... 27.6831 CEYLON GUARDIAN...... 41,823...... 130.5...... 137...... 137.5...... 130...... 131.25...... 0.75 KELSEY...... 497...... 35...... 35...... 35...... 35...... 35...... 0 JB Vantage Short Term Gilt Fund 14.9164...... 14.9164 CEYLON INV...... 55,898...... 75.6...... 76...... 78.5...... 73...... 73.6...... -2 KOTMALE HOLDINGS...... 240...... 243.5...... 240...... 240...... 220.25...... 221...... -22.5 JB Vantage Value Equity Fund 26.3600...... 24.7800 CEYLON TOBACCO...... 1,234...... 1100...... 1,090.25...... 1,100.00...... 1,075.00...... 1,085.00...... -15 LOLC DEV FINANCE...... 109...... 89.2...... 80...... 89.8...... 80...... 84.1...... -5.1 NAMAL Bank Fund 9.6235...... 9.2456 CHEMANEX...... 118,806...... 87.4...... 88...... 94...... 86...... 87.6...... 0.2 LOLC FINANCE...... 1,544,640...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 7.7...... 6.9...... 7...... -0.5 NAMAL Growth Fund 148.1028...... 138.2597 CHEVRON...... 132,408...... 107.5...... 106...... 106.25...... 101.75...... 102.75...... -4.75 MADULSIMA...... 3,310...... 9.1...... 9.00...... 9.80...... 8.40...... 9.50...... 0.4 NAMAL High Yield Fund 24.8022...... 24.8022 CIC...... 349,944...... 62...... 62.5...... 64...... 58.2...... 59.2...... -2.8 ODEL PLC...... 401...... 19...... 18.9...... 18.9...... 18.8...... 18.8...... -0.2 NAMAL Income Fund 14.2306...... 14.2306 CIC [CIC.X0000]...... 472,505...... 48.6...... 49.9...... 50...... 46.5...... 46.6...... -2 PDL...... 80...... 119.75...... 120...... 120...... 115.25...... 119.75...... 0 National Equity Fund 36.1077...... 33.7841 CITRUS LEISURE...... 13,690...... 9.5...... 9.5...... 9.5...... 9.4...... 9.4...... -0.1 PEOPLE’S MERCH...... 6,657...... 8.7...... 8.9...... 8.9...... 8.6...... 8.9...... 0.2 NDB Wealth Gilt Edged Fund 18.7352...... 18.7352 COLD STORES...... 82,311...... 660.25...... 660.25...... 665...... 650...... 664.5...... 4.25 SERENDIB LAND...... 275...... 2805...... 3,380.00...... 3,380.00...... 2,904.00...... 3,002.50...... 197.5 NDB Wealth Growth & Income Fund 47.8100...... 46.2700 NDB Wealth Growth Fund 11.0000...... 10.5600 COLOMBO CITY...... 496...... 1034...... 1,048.75...... 1,095.00...... 990...... 991...... -43 SHALIMAR...... 15...... 1203.2...... 1,203.25...... 1,203.25...... 1,151.00...... 1,203.20...... 0 NDB Wealth Income Fund 16.0630...... 16.0630 COLOMBO LAND...... 3,007...... 26.5...... 25.3...... 27.8...... 25.1...... 25.3...... -1.2 SINGER SRI LANKA...... 28,251...... 59.9...... 61.8...... 61.8...... 58...... 58.3...... -1.6 NDB Wealth Income Plus Fund 17.1292...... 17.1292 COMMERCIAL BANK...... 1,277,173...... 88.1...... 88...... 91...... 88...... 90.3...... 2.2 DIRI SAVI BOARD NDB Wealth Islamic Money Plus Fund 16.3444...... 16.3444 COMMERCIAL BANK [COMB.X0000]...... 90,455...... 79.6...... 79.5...... 80...... 78...... 79.2...... -0.4 AGSTAR PLC...... 20,952...... 7...... 7...... 7.1...... 6.7...... 6.8...... -0.2 NDB Wealth Money Fund 20.6763...... 20.6763 CONVENIENCE FOOD...... 80...... 1305.75...... 1,301.00...... 1,302.00...... 1,300.00...... 1,305.75...... 0 ALUMEX PLC...... 230,344...... 23.7...... 24...... 24.2...... 22.7...... 22.9...... -0.8 NDB Wealth Money Plus Fund 23.6188...... 23.6188 DANKOTUWA PORCEL...... 550,708...... 13.8...... 14.4...... 14.5...... 13.5...... 13.6...... -0.2 AMANA LIFE...... 1,476...... 10.6...... 9.9...... 9.9...... 9.7...... 9.7...... -0.9 Premier Growth Fund 7.0200...... 6.6700 DFCC BANK PLC...... 55,849...... 65.8...... 67.5...... 67.5...... 65...... 65.4...... -0.4 AMANA TAKAFUL...... 41,882...... 8...... 8.1...... 8.5...... 7.5...... 7.5...... -0.5 Premier Money Market Fund 18.7032...... 18.7032 DIALOG...... 7,755,045...... 12.2...... 12.3...... 12.6...... 12.2...... 12.5...... 0.3 AMBEON HOLDINGS...... 60,636...... 21.3...... 22.4...... 22.4...... 20...... 20.6...... -0.7 Softlogic Equity Fund 129.3527...... 122.9313 DIMO...... 3,480...... 591.5...... 600...... 600...... 540...... 543...... -48.5 AMF CO LTD...... 16...... 300.25...... 329.75...... 330...... 297.25...... 300.25...... 0 Softlogic Money Market Fund 104.6320...... 104.6320 DOCKYARD...... 81...... 77.6...... 77.5...... 82.9...... 77.5...... 77.6...... 0 ARPICO INSURANCE...... 27,296...... 24...... 24...... 24...... 23...... 23...... -1 Unit holders can contact relevant Fund Managers to obtain Unit Prices for redemptions within DOLPHIN HOTELS...... 50...... 24.9...... 23.5...... 23.5...... 23.5...... 24.9...... 0 ASIA SIYAKA...... 197,209...... 2.8...... 2.90...... 2.90...... 2.80...... 2.80...... 0 short duration from the date of investment where exit fee is applicable...... DURDANS...... 16,015...... 102...... 105...... 105...... 103...... 103...... 1 BANSEI RESORTS...... 15,926...... 8.2...... 8.3...... 8.5...... 8.1...... 8.5...... 0.3 DURDANS [CHL.X0000]...... 683...... 95...... 95...... 95...... 95...... 95...... 0 BERUWALA RESORTS...... 18,102...... 0.9...... 0.90...... 1.00...... 0.90...... 0.90...... 0 Ex­change Rates 15 Feb. 2021 E B CREASY...... 40,396...... 46.5...... 48...... 48...... 40.8...... 42.2...... -4.3 BOGALA GRAPHITE...... 25,589...... 22.9...... 24...... 24.5...... 23.6...... 23.9...... 1 (1) The average rates of the following (2) The approximate exchange rates EAST WEST...... 351,854...... 11.7...... 12.3...... 12.5...... 11.8...... 12.2...... 0.5 BOGAWANTALAWA...... 6,412...... 12.4...... 13.70...... 13.70...... 12.30...... 12.70...... 0.3 currencies quoted by commercial of GULF currencies based on previous EASTERN MERCHANT...... 46,862...... 6.1...... 6.4...... 6.4...... 5.9...... 6.1...... 0 BPPL HOLDINGS...... 43,553...... 14.8...... 15...... 15...... 14.3...... 14.5...... -0.3 banks in Colombo for Telegraphic Trans- day’s market weighted average rate for EXPOLANKA...... 8,010,328...... 51.8...... 52.9...... 53...... 49...... 49.4...... -2.4 fers (TT) at 9.30 a.m. are as follows. the US$ are as follows. BROWNS...... 363,735...... 204.25...... 209...... 215.5...... 194.5...... 196.25...... -8 CURRENCY BUYING RATE...... SELLING RATE COUNTRY CURRENCY...... INDICATIVE RATE FORT LAND...... 12,906...... 14.4...... 14.9...... 14.9...... 14.6...... 14.6...... 0.2 BROWNS INVSTMNTS...... 37,184,617...... 6...... 6.1...... 6.2...... 5.5...... 5.6...... -0.4 Australian Dollar 149.3289 ...... 153.9689 Bahrain Bahrain Dinar ...... 514.5138 GRAIN ELEVATORS...... 408,011...... 159...... 160...... 163...... 150.5...... 154.25...... -4.75 C T LAND...... 6,179...... 29.5...... 28.5...... 30.4...... 28...... 30...... 0.5 Canadian Dollar 150.5637...... 156.4529 Kuwait Kuwait Dinar ...... 641.1864 HDFC...... 2,940...... 40.1...... 41...... 41...... 39.8...... 39.9...... -0.2 C.W.MACKIE...... 445...... 47.4...... 48.5...... 48.5...... 46.8...... 46.8...... -0.6 Chinese Yuan (Renminbi) 28.9543 ...... 30.7784 Oman Oman Rial ...... 503.8357 Euro 233.6053 ...... 239.5857 Qatar Qatar Riyal ...... 52.8576 HEMAS HOLDINGS...... 264,510...... 89...... 94...... 94...... 87...... 88.1...... -0.9 CEYLON BEVERAGE...... 30...... 779.75...... 750.25...... 751.25...... 750.25...... 779.75...... 0 Japanese Yen 1.8343 ...... 1.8813 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian Riyal ...... 51.7106 HNB...... 1,083,602...... 139.5...... 141.75...... 146.25...... 139.25...... 140...... 0.5 CEYLON TEA BRKRS...... 56,505...... 3.6...... 3.6...... 3.7...... 3.5...... 3.5...... -0.1 Singapore Dollar 144.7516 ...... 149.3472 UAE UAE Dirham ...... 52.8080 HNB ASSURANCE...... 27,317...... 60.2...... 60.1...... 60.7...... 58.7...... 59...... -1.2 CFI...... 411...... 93.3...... 100...... 100...... 99.9...... 100...... 6.7 Sterling Pound 267.6381...... 274.2545 Swiss Franc 214.2916 ...... 222.1493 HNB [HNB.X0000]...... 160,728...... 110...... 110...... 112...... 107.5...... 108...... -2 CITRUS HIKKADUWA...... 746...... 5.4...... 5.7...... 5.7...... 5.5...... 5.5...... 0.1 US Dollar 192.7900 ...... 197.0300 HOTEL SIGIRIYA...... 944...... 54.1...... 66.9...... 66.9...... 57.5...... 59.2...... 5.1 CITRUS WASKADUWA...... 21,047...... 3.7...... 3.8...... 3.8...... 3.6...... 3.6...... -0.1 HOTELS CORP...... 2,627...... 12...... 12...... 12...... 11.7...... 12...... 0 COM.CREDIT...... 14,637...... 23.6...... 24.1...... 24.6...... 23.5...... 24.1...... 0.5 Market Indicators 15 Feb. 2021 HUNTERS...... 28...... 750.5...... 730...... 749...... 730...... 750.5...... 0 COMMERCIAL DEV...... 13,854...... 129.5...... 133.25...... 137.75...... 115.75...... 127...... -2.5 INDUSTRIAL ASPH...... 14,572,739...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.5...... 0.5...... -0.1 E - CHANNELLING...... 12,335...... 6.4...... 6.2...... 6.2...... 6.2...... 6.2...... -0.2 JANASHAKTHI INS...... 5,256...... 28.7...... 29...... 29...... 28.7...... 28.8...... 0.1 Price indices Today...... Previous day EDEN HOTEL LANKA...... 21,747...... 11.5...... 11.7...... 11.9...... 11.1...... 11.2...... -0.3 JKH...... 4,788,276...... 154.25...... 158.5...... 163...... 153.25...... 160...... 5.75 CSE ALL SHARE PRICE INDEX 7,907.27...... 7,985.00 ELPITIYA...... 30,098...... 49...... 51.3...... 51.3...... 43...... 46...... -3 KANDY HOTELS...... 1...... 5.1...... 5.2...... 5.2...... 5.2...... 5.1...... 0 FORTRESS RESORTS...... 31,621...... 10.6...... 10.6...... 11.3...... 10.5...... 10.5...... -0.1 S&P SL20 3,163.59...... 3,180.24 KEGALLE...... 43,181...... 120.25...... 122...... 129.25...... 118...... 128.25...... 8 GALADARI...... 1,651...... 8.4...... 9.1...... 9.2...... 8.8...... 8.8...... 0.4 TRI ON ALL SHARE (ASTRI) 10,598.39...... 10,702.58 KELANI CABLES...... 6,742...... 124.25...... 127...... 129.75...... 123...... 123...... -1.25 GUARDIAN CAPITAL...... 116...... 32...... 32...... 32.4...... 32...... 32...... 0 TRI ON S&P SL20 5,198.03...... 5,225.38 KELANI TYRES...... 51,438...... 88.3...... 89.2...... 89.2...... 83.5...... 85.1...... -3.2 HAPUGASTENNE...... 5...... 18...... 16.7...... 16.7...... 16.7...... 18...... 0 VALUE OF TURNOVER(Rs.) 6,010,492,400.00...... 5,170,530,300.00 KINGSBURY...... 14,222...... 12.5...... 12.1...... 12.8...... 12...... 12.5...... 0 HATTON...... 45,624...... 9.1...... 9.2...... 9.2...... 8...... 9...... -0.1 DOMESTIC PURCHASES 5,901,931,000.00...... 5,109,808,100.00 KOTAGALA...... 2,730...... 6.9...... 6.9...... 6.9...... 6.7...... 6.8...... -0.1 HNB FINANCE...... 17,035...... 9.7...... 9.5...... 9.5...... 9...... 9.1...... -0.6 DOMESTIC SALES 5,797,333,000.00...... 4,419,659,800.00 L O L C HOLDINGS...... 1,235,492...... 430.75...... 455...... 480...... 425...... 434.5...... 3.75 HNB FINANCE [HNBF-X-0000]...... 2,700...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 7.2...... 7.2...... -0.3 LANKA ALUMINIUM...... 128,529...... 23.4...... 25...... 25.8...... 22...... 22.4...... -1 FOREIGN PURCHASES 108,561,616.00...... 60,722,384.00 JETWING SYMPHONY...... 7,199...... 9.4...... 9.3...... 9.4...... 9...... 9.3...... -0.1 LANKA HOSPITALS...... 1,412...... 46.5...... 47...... 48...... 44.5...... 47.5...... 1 FOREIGN SALES 213,159,584.00...... 750,870,660.00 JOHN KEELLS...... 11,050...... 72.2...... 75.5...... 80.1...... 75.5...... 80...... 7.8 LANKA IOC...... 96,226...... 23.2...... 23.2...... 23.2...... 22...... 22.2...... -1 KAHAWATTE...... 200...... 31.1...... 31.5...... 31.8...... 31.5...... 31.8...... 0.7 VOLUME OF TURNOVER(NO.) 134,488,528.00...... 184,789,536.00 LANKA REALTY...... 200...... 34.5...... 34.8...... 34.8...... 34.7...... 34.8...... 0.3 KEELLS FOOD...... 7,964...... 149.5...... 149.5...... 149.5...... 136.5...... 142...... -7.5 DOMESTIC 132,446,376.00...... 179,881,632.00 LANKA TILES...... 922,451...... 235.75...... 250...... 268...... 243...... 245.5...... 9.75 KEELLS HOTELS...... 558,994...... 10.9...... 10.9...... 11...... 10.5...... 10.5...... -0.4 FOREIGN 2,042,143.00...... 4,907,903.00 LANKA VENTURES...... 80...... 49.9...... 50...... 50...... 50...... 49.9...... 0 LANKA CERAMIC...... 3,806...... 166.25...... 166...... 166...... 154.25...... 155.5...... -10.75 TRADES(NO.) 34,989...... 36,214 LANKA WALLTILE...... 672,834...... 256.5...... 273...... 290...... 255.25...... 261.5...... 5 LANKEM CEYLON...... 1,142...... 30.8...... 30.00...... 30.00...... 30.00...... 30.00...... -0.8 DOMESTIC 34,535...... 35,480 LAUGFS GAS...... 13,399...... 26.9...... 27...... 27...... 25.8...... 26...... -0.9 LAUGFS POWER...... 46,413...... 10.3...... 9.9...... 10.6...... 9.5...... 10.2...... -0.1 LAUGFS GAS [LGL.X0000]...... 33,097...... 19.5...... 18.9...... 18.9...... 17.7...... 18.6...... -0.9 FOREIGN 454...... 734 LAUGFS POWER [LPL-X-0000]...... 181,161...... 7...... 7...... 7.1...... 7...... 7...... 0 LAXAPANA XR...... 103,884...... 14.5...... 14.8...... 14.9...... 14.5...... 14.6...... 0.1 CORPORATE DEBT 273810720...... 207324 LOTUS HYDRO...... 70,190...... 9.7...... 9.8...... 9.9...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 0 LB FINANCE...... 50,197...... 239.75...... 240...... 245...... 223...... 224.75...... -15 MAHAWELI COCONUT...... 777...... 28.1...... 28...... 28...... 26.1...... 28...... -0.1 GOVERNMENT DEBT 0...... 0 LEE HEDGES...... 2,002...... 76.6...... 78...... 78.9...... 78...... 78...... 1.4 MAHAWELI REACH...... 1,290...... 14.9...... 13.1...... 13.8...... 13.1...... 13.6...... -1.3 LISTED COMPANIES (NO.) 283...... 283 LION BREWERY...... 42...... 572...... 579...... 579...... 572...... 572...... 0 MARAWILA RESORTS...... 221,017...... 2...... 2...... 2...... 1.9...... 1.9...... -0.1 TRADED COMPANIES (NO.) 253...... 261 LMF...... 111,175...... 185.75...... 190...... 190...... 176...... 176.75...... -9 MASKELIYA...... 1,021...... 12.5...... 12...... 12...... 11.5...... 12...... -0.5 LVL ENERGY...... 264,792...... 9.7...... 10.1...... 10.1...... 9.4...... 9.9...... 0.2 MARKET PRICE EARNINGS RATIO(PER) 14...... 14.1 MILLENNIUM HOUSE...... 64,184...... 6.2...... 6.2...... 6.2...... 5.6...... 5.8...... -0.4 MALWATTE...... 20,657...... 13.9...... 12...... 14...... 12...... 13.6...... -0.3 MARKET PRICE TO BOOK VALUE (PBV) 1.3...... 1.3 ON’ALLY...... 337...... 37...... 35...... 36...... 35...... 36...... -1 MALWATTE [MAL.X0000]...... 3,123...... 8.6...... 8.5...... 8.5...... 8.5...... 8.5...... -0.1 MARKET DIVIDEND YIELD (DY) 2.2...... 2.2 ORIENT FINANCE...... 25,051...... 15.8...... 13.5...... 16...... 13.4...... 15.3...... -0.5 MELSTACORP...... 1,204,569...... 60...... 58...... 58...... 52.5...... 52.7...... -7.3 MARKET CAPITALIZATION (Rs.) 3,457,286,564,175.00...... 3,491,269,076,905.00 PEGASUS HOTELS...... 1,037...... 32.5...... 32.5...... 32.5...... 32.5...... 32.5...... 0 MERC. SHIPPING...... 751...... 82.9...... 80.9...... 80.9...... 76.8...... 78.1...... -4.8 PRIME FINANCE...... 2,590...... 12.9...... 13.1...... 13.6...... 13.1...... 13.6...... 0.7 MERCHANT BANK...... 10,637...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 7.1...... 7.2...... -0.3 RAIGAM SALTERNS...... 50,508...... 5.9...... 6...... 6.1...... 5.9...... 5.9...... 0 MULLERS...... 298,440...... 1.2...... 1.1...... 1.1...... 1...... 1...... -0.2 1. Overnight Money Market Transactions RENUKA CAPITAL...... 6,812...... 8.3...... 8.4...... 8.4...... 7.9...... 8...... -0.3 NAMUNUKULA...... 7,788...... 180...... 181...... 181.75...... 177...... 179.75...... -0.25 Call Money Market...... Repo Market RENUKA HOTELS...... 28,925...... 77...... 75...... 79...... 75...... 78.5...... 1.5 NAT. DEV. BANK...... 539,807...... 90.8...... 90.4...... 94.9...... 89...... 89.5...... -1.3 Weighted Average Rate (%) 4.54 4.55 RICH PIERIS EXP...... 6,091...... 379.75...... 375...... 375...... 350...... 370...... -9.75 NATIONS TRUST...... 45,353...... 61...... 61.3...... 61.9...... 61...... 61.1...... 0.1 Minimum Rate (%) 4.52 4.55 ROYAL PALMS...... 3,916...... 15.1...... 17.4...... 17.4...... 16...... 16.1...... 1 NAWALOKA...... 50,271...... 5.2...... 5.3...... 5.3...... 5.1...... 5.1...... -0.1 Maximum Rate (%) 4.55 4.60 SATHOSA MOTORS...... 19...... 231.25...... 230.25...... 230.25...... 230.25...... 231.25...... 0 NESTLE...... 129...... 1190...... 1,199.75...... 1,200.00...... 1,150.00...... 1,166.50...... -23.5 Total Gross amount (Rs. million) 6,255 7,792 SERENDIB ENG.GRP...... 30,002...... 6.7...... 7.1...... 7.1...... 6.5...... 6.5...... -0.2 OVERSEAS REALTY...... 217,909...... 16.5...... 16.6...... 16.6...... 15.7...... 15.9...... -0.6 Total Net amount (Rs. million) 6,155 7,792 SERENDIB HOTELS...... 1,711...... 15.6...... 15.5...... 15.7...... 15.5...... 15.6...... 0 PAN ASIA...... 525,026...... 18.1...... 18.5...... 19...... 17.7...... 17.9...... -0.2 2. Use of the CBSL Standing Facility SINGER IND...... 8...... 95.4...... 104...... 104...... 96...... 95.4...... 0 PANASIAN POWER...... 965,936...... 3.7...... 3.7...... 3.8...... 3.6...... 3.6...... -0.1 Standing Deposit Facility (Rs. million) 153,746 SINGHE HOSPITALS...... 1,100,821...... 2.3...... 2.3...... 2.4...... 2.1...... 2.2...... -0.1 PEOPLE’S INS...... 30,055...... 32.5...... 33...... 33...... 31.2...... 31.5...... -1 Standing Lending Facility (Rs. million) - SINHAPUTHRA FIN [SFL.P0000]...... 3,555...... 4.8...... 4.2...... 4.9...... 4.2...... 4.6...... -0.2 PEOPLES LEASING...... 383,241...... 13...... 13.1...... 13.1...... 12.6...... 12.8...... -0.2 SOFTLOGIC...... 56,323...... 13.6...... 13...... 13.9...... 13...... 13.4...... -0.2 3. CBSL Treasury Bill/Bonds Holdings PIRAMAL GLASS...... 3,592,660...... 9.6...... 9.7...... 9.8...... 9.3...... 9.5...... -0.1 SOFTLOGIC CAP...... 367,655...... 4...... 4...... 4.1...... 3.8...... 3.9...... -0.1 Face Value (Rs. million)...... 769,848.88 PRINTCARE PLC...... 9,599...... 31.9...... 33...... 33...... 30.5...... 31.8...... -0.1 Book Value (Rs. million)...... 755,206.22 SOFTLOGIC FIN...... 7,660...... 11.2...... 11.1...... 11.1...... 10.9...... 11.1...... -0.1 R I L PROPERTY...... 337,620...... 7.3...... 7.6...... 7.7...... 7...... 7...... -0.3 SOFTLOGIC LIFE...... 311,465...... 32.2...... 33...... 34.3...... 32.8...... 33.1...... 0.9 REGNIS...... 13,169...... 114.25...... 114.75...... 115...... 110...... 110.25...... -4 TAL LANKA...... 6,760...... 14...... 14.1...... 14.2...... 13.8...... 13.8...... -0.2 TOP 10 GAINERS RENUKA AGRI...... 741,363...... 4.2...... 4.3...... 4.4...... 4.1...... 4.2...... 0 UDAPUSSELLAWA...... 9,964...... 25.7...... 26.7...... 26.7...... 23...... 23.3...... -2.4 Company VWA VWA Change Change RENUKA CITY HOT...... 919...... 240...... 239...... 242.5...... 239...... 242...... 2 UNION ASSURANCE...... 65...... 315...... 312...... 315...... 310.5...... 315...... 0 Prev. Close Days Close (Rs.) % RENUKA FOODS...... 1,207...... 16...... 16.4...... 16.5...... 15.9...... 16...... 0 VALLIBEL ONE...... 12,415,597...... 65.7...... 72...... 80...... 68.1...... 70...... 4.3 YORK ARCADE 179.25 ...... 200...... 20.75...... 11.58 RENUKA FOODS [COCO.X0000]...... 9,960...... 13.4...... 13...... 13...... 13...... 13...... -0.4 JOHN KEELLS 72.2 ...... 80...... 7.8...... 10.8 WATCH LIST HOTEL SIGIRIYA 54.1 ...... 59.2...... 5.1...... 9.43 RENUKA HOLDINGS...... 152,102...... 17...... 16.3...... 17.1...... 16...... 16.4...... -0.6 ANILANA HOTELS 1.2 ...... 1.3...... 0.1...... 8.33 RENUKA HOLDINGS [RHL.X0000]...... 58,742...... 13.2...... 10.5...... 13.9...... 10.5...... 12.8...... -0.4 ANILANA HOTELS...... 507,402...... 1.2...... 1.3...... 1.4...... 1.2...... 1.3...... 0.1 CFI 93.3 ...... 100...... 6.7...... 7.18 BIMPUTH FINANCE...... 1,023...... 8.4...... 8.3...... 8.3...... 8.1...... 8.3...... -0.1 SERENDIB LAND 2,805.00 ...... 3,002.50...... 197.5...... 7.04 RESUS ENERGY...... 3,268...... 26.6...... 25.2...... 26.5...... 25.2...... 26...... -0.6 KEGALLE 120.25 ...... 128.25...... 8...... 6.65 RICHARD PIERIS...... 5,686,613...... 15.5...... 15.5...... 16.2...... 15.3...... 15.9...... 0.4 BLUE DIAMONDS...... 28,066...... 0.6...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0 ROYAL PALMS 15.1 ...... 16.1...... 1...... 6.62 VALLIBEL ONE 65.7 ...... 70...... 4.3...... 6.54 ROYAL CERAMIC...... 2,807,427...... 333.5...... 400...... 405...... 348...... 353...... 19.5 BLUE DIAMONDS [BLUE.X0000]...... 399,100...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0 AHOT PROPERTIES 37.5 ...... 39.9...... 2.4...... 6.4 S M B LEASING...... 1,827,152...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 0.6...... 0.6...... -0.1 HUNAS FALLS...... 57...... 150...... 150...... 150...... 150...... 150...... 0 TOP 10 LOSERS S M B LEASING [SEMB.X0000]...... 655,237...... 0.4...... 0.4...... 0.4...... 0.3...... 0.3...... -0.1 HVA FOODS...... 61,864...... 6...... 5.8...... 5.8...... 5.5...... 5.6...... -0.4 SAMPATH...... 1,112,594...... 174.25...... 176...... 180...... 166.75...... 167.75...... -6.5 LANKEM DEV...... 28,223...... 4...... 4.1...... 4.1...... 3.9...... 4...... 0 Company VWA VWA Change Change S M B LEASING 0.4 ...... 0.3...... -0.1...... -25 SAMSON INTERNAT...... 61...... 140.5...... 142...... 142.25...... 142...... 140.5...... 0 MACKWOODS ENERGY...... 45,495...... 3...... 3...... 3...... 2.8...... 2.8...... -0.2 MULLERS 1.2 ...... 1...... -0.2...... -16.67 SANASA DEV. BANK...... 86,067...... 62.2...... 62.5...... 62.5...... 60.5...... 60.7...... -1.5 NATION LANKA...... 1,028,920...... 0.9...... 0.9...... 0.9...... 0.8...... 0.8...... -0.1 INDUSTRIAL ASPH. 0.6 ...... 0.5...... -0.1...... -16.67 S M B LEASING 0.7 ...... 0.6...... -0.1...... -14.29 SEYLAN BANK...... 93,396...... 52.1...... 51...... 54.9...... 51...... 52.1...... 0 RADIANT GEMS...... 4,750...... 29.7...... 30.5...... 30.8...... 30...... 30.2...... 0.5 MELSTACORP 60 ...... 52.7...... -7.3...... -12.17 SEYLAN BANK [SEYB.X0000]...... 257,048...... 47.6...... 48.5...... 48.5...... 45...... 45.7...... -1.9 SINHAPUTHRA FIN...... 10,500...... 7.4...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 0.1 NATION LANKA 0.9 ...... 0.8...... -0.1...... -11.11 STANDARD CAPITAL 81.3 ...... 73.4...... -7.9...... -9.72 SEYLAN DEVTS...... 66,573...... 15.9...... 16...... 16...... 15.6...... 15.6...... -0.3 STANDARD CAPITAL...... 169...... 81.3...... 70.1...... 80...... 70.1...... 73.4...... -7.9 UDAPUSSELLAWA 25.7 ...... 23.3...... -2.4...... -9.34 SIERRA CABL...... 313,523...... 7.5...... 7.6...... 7.6...... 7...... 7.1...... -0.4 TESS AGRO...... 418,095...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.7...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0 E B CREASY 46.5 ...... 42.2...... -4.3...... -9.25 KOTMALE HOLDINGS 243.50 ...... 221.00...... -22.5...... -9.24 SIGIRIYA VILLAGE...... 1,850...... 35.1...... 35...... 35...... 33.1...... 33.8...... -1.3 TESS AGRO [TESS.X0000]...... 150,221...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0 114 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Nicki Minaj’s dad killed by “People who wonder if the hit-and-run driver glass is half Nicki Minaj’s father has been struck empty or full and killed by a hit-and-run driver miss the point. in New York’s Long Island. Police The glass is have said that Robert Maraj, 64, was refillable” walking beside a road on Friday (12) – Unknown evening when he was hit by the car, which then fled the scene. He was then taken to hospital in critical condition, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday (13).

Rajakaruna has previously worked with Philip Chea, who himself is a programmer and brunch curator of other international film festivals. The post-pandemic film festival Speaking briefly on film festivals and the new normal, Rajakaruna shared that the IFFK’s judging process this year, like most film festivals now, was virtual, taking the pandemic into account. “This is a difficult time,” Rajakaruna said, adding that 2020 and the pandemic have had an impact on all film festivals the world over, with some postponing, and some needing to cancel their events outright. “I was in two juries ANOMAA last year around this time, I was president of a jury PHOTO © SRI LANKANS AT INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS FACEBOOK PAGE at the Nepal International Film Festival, and was a juror at the International BY NAVEED ROZAIS RAJAKARUNA Women’s Film Festival in Renowned Sri Lanka filmmaker Anomaa Rajakaruna Dhaka. After that, everything came to a standstill. Most has been invited to be part of the “International joins international jury people postponed, but some Jury” at the 25th International Film Festival of Kerala cancelled, and others came up (IFFK), which opens in India on the 10th of this month. with solutions on how to cope Through her work as a filmmaker, Rajakaruna has International Film Festival of Kerala with the situation.” documented the lives of women and children and has films, renowned directors, to be part of a jury at the emerging filmmakers from In her own case, addressed issues such as women in armed conflict, technicians, and spectators International Film Festival of three major continents in the Rajakaruna revised how the displacement, sexual harassment, and violence from across the globe and Kerala (IFFK), which began in film festival circuit – Central Jaffna International Cinema against women. is acknowledged as one of 1994, and the fourth time a Sri and South America, Africa, Festival was presented, India’s leading cultural events. Lankan has qualified to be part and Asia. extending the programme to last Rajakaruna is the The International Film The IFFK 2021 is a of the main jury at the IFFK The IFFK holds a special three months, and assessing the Festival Director of the Festival of Kerala multi-location film festival with previous Sri Lankan place in Rajakaruna’s heart health situation before holding Jaffna International Cinema with its first leg taking place members of the IFFK’s as this is the first festival physical presentations whenever Festival, Artistic Director of The International Film from 10 to 14 February in International Jury including she had ever participated possible. The pandemic has had the Colombo International Festival of Kerala (IFFK), is Thiruvananthapuram and 17- film director Tissa Abeysekera in as a filmmaker. “It is a a silver lining, however, with Women’s Film Festival, one of India’s most prominent 21 February in Kochi, two of pleasure to be part of this in 2002, film director Prasanna Rajakaruna sharing that with and Founder of the Agenda film festivals and is hosted by Kerala’s major cities. panel,” Rajakaruna said, Vithanage in 2009, and film film festivals needing to be 14 Short Film Festival, the Kerala State Chalachitra As part of the IFFK adding: “Especially with the taken online, the reach of film director Sumathi Sivamohan Colombo. She curates the Academy on behalf of the International Jury, Rajakaruna other jurors, some of whom festivals has grown drastically. in 2018. Monthly Film Forum at the Department of Cultural joins the likes of South Korean I have worked with before. “Going online brings it to Goethe-Institut Colombo. Affairs of the Government of film director Kim Hong Joom, Being part of the IFFK It’s a pleasure to work with an international audience,” Rajakaruna curated 10 Kerala. Over the years, the Indian film director Anoop them. All of us bring in our Rajakaruna said, and this editions of the European IFFK has come to be known Singh, Singaporean film critic Speaking to The Morning own experience and way of has given us room to rethink Film Festival in Sri Lanka as Asia’s best managed and Philip Chea, and Nigerian film Brunch on being part of the evaluating films. Working our programming. Maybe in and has served as a juror probably the world’s most director Newton Aduka. IFFK’s International Jury, with a very eminent jury the future, we will do online at over 20 national and people-centred film festival. This is the 10th time a Rajakaruna shared that the like this, you learn a lot and segments for film festivals. Not international film festivals. The IFFK charms the best Sri Lankan has been selected panel she is part of focuses on you contribute as well.” just us, but everyone. SUWA ARANA A place for healing Indira Cancer Trust breaks ground on first dedicated paediatric palliative care centre BY NAVEED ROZAIS Suwa Arana is set to provide holistic care for children from the Across the board, cancer is a moment of diagnosis, providing heartbreaking disease, but this is active total care of the child’s doubly so in the case of children mind, body and spirit, including diagnosed with cancer. Leukaemia multidisciplinary care for the (cancer of the blood) is the most child to give them their best prevalent form of cancer in children, chance at fighting their illness. as well as cancers of the brain, bone, The Suwa Arana concept is built liver, kidneys, and eyes. on the idea that nothing else Yesterday (15), the Indira Former Speaker of Parliament and should matter to a family except Cancer Trust, one of Sri Lanka’s Indira Cancer Trust Patron the care of their child, especially foremost charitable organisations, speaking at the event things like where their next meal broke ground on their latest initiative and financially. Almost all will come from, and where they laying the foundation (literally) of children diagnosed with cancer are can lay their head. Former Speaker of Parliament and Indira Cancer Trust Patron Karu Jayasuriya laying the foundation stone of the Suwa Arana facility Suwa Arana, a proposed dedicated treated at the Apeksha Hospital, paediatric palliative care centre – the Maharagama. The Suwa Arana facility family room comes designed to The ground floor of the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. A major difficulty faced by The proposed Suwa Arana create a comfortable setting, with facility features a dining area and a children diagnosed with cancer, facility is a building of six floors ensuite bathrooms with disability recreational area. The dining room The need for holistic palliative and their families, is the need for with 32 individual family rooms, a access, a sofa, cupboards, and is designed to include nature and the care for children accommodation for paediatric rooftop garden, and a ground floor beds for the child and their family. facility will also include a specialised Approximately 750 children patients whose treatment regimes for dining with a recreational area. Each bedroom will also include kitchen to provide nutritional home- are diagnosed with cancer each are long and require frequent visits. Aimed at providing an optimal a balcony with greenery and a cooked meals to patients and their year, and this number is increasing. Many families are unable to afford healing environment to stimulate soothing view. Some rooms are families. The rooftop garden will floor of the Suwa Arana facility will This diagnosis, not only affects this kind of long-term care, which and support the inherent healing also designed with moveable walls also be designed to include nature house the Indira Cancer Trust, giving the child concerned, but also their only adds to the stress and trauma capacity of children, families, and in case larger family gatherings in healing with different areas of the them a new base from which to families, emotionally, physically, they are facing. care providers, each individual need to be accommodated. garden designed to inspire and renew engage in their invaluable work. the spirit, and cultivate a sense of The Indira Cancer Trust peace, serenity, and healing through works on over 20 projects that programmes on yoga, meditation, support patients with all type of music, and art therapy. cancers, including Sri Lanka’s first helpline for cancer patients The Indira Cancer Trust’s and their families, Sri Lanka’s first new home hair and wig donation programme, The proposed Suwa Arana financial support, relaxation therapy, facility is the latest initiative of the scholarship schemes, livelihood Indira Cancer Trust, which, since development, as well as many other 2016, have worked tirelessly to activities, including those related to support patients with cancer, both paediatric cancer. The Indira Cancer Trust broke ground on their latest initiative laying the foundation of Suwa Arana, a proposed dedicated paediatric palliative care centre adult and paediatric. The second PHOTOS KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM 124 brunch „„ www.themorning.lk { ARTS/CAUSE } Tuesday, February 16, 2021 ‘NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE STRENGTH OF A WOMAN’ Sandra Mack on Ayu, life, and more

BY VENESSA ANTHONY have been involved in the field of theatre and story inspired by real events. Ayu is about film more as a passion than anything else. I Nishmi’s life journey when the chips are down Growing up, Sandra Mack grabbed have acted in many stage plays, a documentary in her life. I was honoured to act alongside stars every opportunity to be part of stage or two, one tele drama, and then in 2018, in like Jagath Manuwarna, Ashan Dias, Malini productions that headed her way. She Ayu the movie. My earliest recollection being Fonseka, and child star Kenara Weeratunga. on stage was as a shepherd in a nativity scene. had her big break with the movie “Ayu”, I actually wanted to be an angel, but when you ÄÄ What is the message behind it? where she played the role of Nishmi, are six years old, you take what you are offered. From my point of view, there are many a paediatrician, and portrayed her I must thank the directors who trusted me to messages. Never underestimate the strength of a struggles in life. do justice to the characters. Kisara Yatiyawela, woman; the knowledge of knowing when to let We caught up with Mack for a chat about Indu Dharmasena, Jith Pieris, Andrew David, go of things we love to hold on to and that no Ayu and more. and Scott Richards and Rudi Corens from the situation in life should be taken at face value. British Council in Colombo, are some of the ÄÄ How did you begin your stage play directors I have learnt a lot from. I ÄÄ What are your plans for 2021? I want to spend more time honing my acting career? will always remember the first big production Still from the movie Ayu I wouldn’t describe my involvement in I acted in. I played one of the women in “A archery skills. I would like to represent my acting as a “career”, as is it not my occupation. Chorus of Lamenting Women” in the most storytelling in the most compelling manner. country at an international level. I just completed My chosen career for many years has been spectacular theatre production The Libation Unlike the movies, we creative people get a book written and designed by me for a client advertising. However, since my childhood, I Bearers, a play by Aeschylus the Greek a 30-second time belt to convince target and am hoping to publish it soon. I started a tragedian. The play was set in the open air at audiences of a single message. So, in a sense, foundation in memory of my parents – the Mack the British Council. It was directed by Rudi it is the shortest short film requiring very high Smiles Foundation, that supplies dentures to low Corens and I was probably the youngest actor entertainment value that I get to make. Writing and no-income elders in society. I want to ensure acting alongside some of the “greats” of English and helping direct my scripts is the best part of many more people benefit from it in 2021. And, theatre in Sri Lanka at the time – Michelle my job. of course, the launch of Ayu the movie. I can’t Leembruggen, Richard de Zoysa, Manorani I have also turned a sport I love into a wait to hear what moviegoers have to say. Saravanamuttu, Ranmali Pathirana, Peter and passion. I am an archer. It is more than a sport Ä Maria d’Almeida, Kumar Mirchandani, and to me. I am completely won over by the sheer Ä What advice would you give to many more. That production had a great impact level of commitment this sport demands of someone who wishes to follow in on me. It was powerful and star-studded and mind and body. A lot of discipline and focus your footsteps? a huge success. Acting may not be my career, is required. The idea of becoming better than Have dreams. Follow your dreams. Don’t but what I felt during this particular stage myself every time I shoot an arrow makes me let anyone tweak your dreams. Don’t take your production certainly triggered in me a deep love more passionate about the sport. And it applies eye off the target in life. If you fall and feel for acting. to daily life too. hurt, stand up, wipe the tears, and start again. Photography is something else I love doing. There will always be people to criticise your ÄÄ What made you realise you had a Taking portraits of people is what I enjoy best. journey. But remember, it’s up to you whether passion for acting? you want to give people who bring you My constant desire to bring characters ÄÄ Tell us about Ayu. down your precious time of day. That’s their to life and portray in the character my own Ayu is a must-watch. I may be partial to it, problem, not yours. Take care of your parents. interpretation. What’s more, the more I got but Ayu is a gem of a movie. This is Chathra Remember that your smile is the most precious involved, the more I realised my love and Weeraman’s second film as director. His first gift you can give someone. And it doesn’t cost ability to get into character. Also, there is a was the period film “Aloko Udapadi”. Chathra you anything. certain happiness that I feel when I know I have is young, bold, and unafraid to explore new done justice to a certain challenging role that concepts. Chathra had been looking for a person I have been entrusted with. Perhaps all of this to play the lead role Nishmi for months before made me realise this passion for acting. he stumbled upon a TV commercial where I What are your other passions? played the role of a paediatrician. That’s when Advertising. This passion…I made he contacted me, and the rest is history. Ayu is it my career. I see myself as a “creative about Nishmi, a paediatrician facing unexpected concepts” person. I love coming up with challenges in life, and her journey to discover creative entertaining ideas for clients. So I life’s truths. A deadly secret begins to destroy set up a creative outfit called “Ketikatha”. As everything and everyone she loves as she digs an advertising person, my challenge is also deep for answers to set her mind free. It is a The SOS Vocational Training Centre in Monaragala This truly is a unique childcare BY VENESSA ANTHONY poverty and psychosocial reasons. Programme” that focuses on mechanism that aids in giving a This vocational training centre is alleviating poverty-stricken second chance to children who The SOS Vocational Training registered under the Tertiary and families out of poverty. The have lost their families. 2021 Centre in Monaragala was Vocational Education Commission ultimate objective of this project marks 40 years of presence by SOS established in April 2006. Since (TVEC) and is highly recognised. is to ensure children do not end up Children’s Villages in Sri Lanka. Monaragala is located in one of the This training centre provides in childcare institutions owing to Since its humble beginning in 1981, poorest provinces in the country, it free vocational training courses to numerous problems families face this organisation has cared for was assessed that support is much youths in need. The courses provided due to poverty. This is why SOS numerous children without parental needed in this area for youths are: “Automobile Mechanic”, which focuses on strengthening poor care, strengthened many families, from disadvantaged families who is a one-year course; “Welder”, families by nurturing their skills and provided skills training to cannot afford education due to which is a seven-month course; and knowledge so it will help them youths in need, for a better future. “Wood Craftsman”, which is a find better sources of income, one-year course; “Electrician”, which in turn will enable them to How you can help another one-year course; “Computer care for their own children without All of this social work is Applications Assistant”, a six- problems. Up to now, over 3,300 carried out with help from local month course; and “Baker”, which such poor families have made use and foreign donors. However, the is another six-month course. All of this programme in Sri Lanka coronavirus pandemic has badly courses are conducted with extensive Co-ordinator Najzi Ralli on Centre Certificate” issued by the to come out of poverty and gain affected donations, which this theory as well as practical lessons the organisation’s goals and Tertiary and Vocational Education financial freedom and security, organisation depends on in order so students may obtain hands-on achievements. Commission – 2020. Ralli informed us. to care for children in need and experience before they are sent to the The SOS Vocational Training continue its social projects. Since field. After the completion of each Prominent awards won by Centre is part of SOS Children’s SOS’ ‘Family-Like Care’ and this pandemic is a global crisis, course, the students are awarded this training centre Villages, Sri Lanka, which is a 40-year presence continuity of foreign donations with a NVQ Level 3 certificate. The The SOS Monaragala childcare organisation that provides Talking about what they do, too are at risk. Therefore, SOS courses are all provided completely Vocational Training Centre has won a holistic approach to the care of Ralli added that SOS Children’s Children’s Villages is reaching out free of charge to students, who many prominent awards over the children without parental care. Villages builds families for to all Sri Lankans for support in may not otherwise be able to afford years including “Best Islandwide There are six SOS Children’s children without parental care and caring for children without parental education. The SOS Vocational Private Sector Training Provider” Villages in Sri Lanka, currently other vulnerable children. When care in Sri Lanka, especially in this Training Centre in Monaragala has and “Best Private Sector Training caring for over 800 children children cannot stay with their time of crisis. all the latest equipment and tools Provider for the ”, without parental care. Apart family or have no family, SOS needed to provide highly updated which were won on World Youth from the Monaragala training Children’s Villages offer them a You can contact centre, there are three more SOS and comprehensive courses to its Skills Day in 2019, organised by safe and loving home, a caring 0763 227 422 students. the Ministry of Skills Development vocational training centres in the mother, together with supportive or 0718 693 208 The Morning Brunch spoke and Vocational Training, to name country. There is also another siblings, which makes up a family- to SOS Children’s Villages Sri a couple. They have also been project of SOS which is called like environment. This concept is if you would like to donate to help Lanka, Piliyandala Communications awarded the “Four Star Training the “SOS Family Strengthening called SOS “Family-Like Care”. SOS Children’s Villages’ presence in the island children in need brunch 134 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 { COLUMNS/EVENTS } „„ www.themorning.lk

“The Bonsoir Diaries” by Kumar de Silva is a cocktail of was he who volunteered and produced chapters, bursting at their seams with pithy asides, a trail of the highly successful Sinhala Bonsoir faux-pas, and tit-bits from behind-the-scenes, marinated years later. with anecdotes and drizzled with nostalgia, revealing Just as I enjoyed working with Yasmin everything you never saw on your favourite television Rajapakse, I also hugely enjoyed working THE TEAM GROWS. show…from the ‘80s through the ‘90s into 2000. with Chintha. As we sat at the editing table, there were times when he with the key safely deposited CHAPTER could almost read my mind and OUR STUDIO IS ‘BORN’ in my pocket. do what I wanted done, without It was relatively tough to even having to be told so. work in this basic setup. It If Yasmin was totally crazy however spurred our creativity 6 and nutty, Chintha was absolutely and challenged us in return. Over calm and collected. I found myself the years, we transformed this basic swinging between these two polarities. little studio into a chic Parisian restaurant, He had a very peaceful and calming the stage of the French César Awards, influence on our sporadic madness. We the Moulin Rouge, the green room of grew to be a strong trio and formed a the Avignon Theatre Festival, and loads strong bond, which resulted in each of more. us giving of our best to Bonsoir. P.S. 1: Ah, I still remember Yasmin and Chintha on board I waiting every morning to pounce on During the early years, we had a Chintha’s ala paang – fresh bread from few technical personnel loaned from the bakery behind the Manning Town flats, ITN. This ad-hoc arrangement wasn’t a hop across the railway line, stuffed with very conducive. Cultural Counsellor delicious, home-made potato mix. He was Bernard Prunières then spoke to ITN’s very often left with the crumbs! Thevis Guruge and in 1988, we recruited P.S. 2: That bakery is still there. The Chinthananda Abeysekera, one of ITN’s bread is still great. So are the maalu THE Production Officers. paaangs and the roas-paangs! Try them! Chintha is the son of veteran Next week: Chapter 7 – Bonsoir Early recordings at broadcaster, poet and lyricist, the “shoots” with friends and neighbours the Bonsoir Studio legendary Chitrananda Abeysekera. down Rosmead Place Versatile and multi-talented Chintha (The views expressed in this The Embassy of France in Sri Lanka is at 89, Rosmead Place, “trebled” up as cameraman, lighting article are that of the author and do Colombo 7. It has been there since the year dot, I think. This DIARIES specialist, and editor. An asset to Bonsoir not in any way represent the views of was once a quiet and shady tree-lined avenue, devoid of the with his technical acumen and skill, it the newspaper) high rises and commercial establishments it has today. I was told that, once upon a time, it Ours was a far cry from what a TV Our editing unit, the U-matic low had played home to rose meadows and studio was supposed to be – a very large band – derogatorily called the gona hence the name “Rose-Mead”. I wished basic rectangular space with cupboards model – and camera were in an adjoining to believe this story until …. Upatissa all around. We began with three 1 kW smaller room. Attygalle, a long-standing resident (see lights hung from the ceiling – two in front When recordings took place, we bolted Chapter 8), hastened to add that the road to light up both sides of the face, and the the main door and hung a notice saying: might have been named after the First other behind, as a backlight. “Ne pas déranger SVP. Enregistrement en Baron Rosmead, Sir Hercules Robinson, Railings were suspended from the cours” (Please do not disturb. Recording one-time Governor of Ceylon. ceiling in front of the cupboards… and in progress). The old air-conditioners The Bonsoir Studio was housed in the voilà! When the curtains were pulled made a huge din and were thus switched French Embassy. The current Cultural across, the cupboards disappeared from off. Phones were unplugged from the Affairs Counsellor and his team now view. wall sockets. occupy what was once our former studio. We had two basic curtains – black and Our studio was NOT soundproofed Celebrating I still often end up in a time warp and grey – as our only backdrops for many, and so, those who needed to were told to Chinta’s birthday get very nostalgic whenever I visit him many years down the line. We later hee-ed quickly empty their bladders (and bowels) in his office. and haw-ed and got a blue and a green. if need be. The toilet door was then locked

‘Keep Speaking, Keep Improving, Keep Moving’ Singer partners with Anoma’s Kitchen z 2019 World Champion of Public Speaking to speak at Toastmasters webinar New video series on The “D82 Spotlight”, is a webinar your culture, your mind, your heart, and self-reflection helped to navigate series conducted by District 82 of to people who are different from you.” those challenging times. usage guidance for Toastmasters International, at which Beverly is a project manager at J.P. “Our intention from this webinar is international speakers and leaders from Morgan’s Corporate Investment Bank to bring to Sri Lanka the international the movement are hosted to speak on and specialises in operating model flavour of Toastmasters and share with kitchen appliances how to develop your professional and enhancement, business technology our audiences the skills needed to find Singer Sri Lanka PLC Perera said: “We are delighted personal lives. On the second episode adoption and end-user training and their voice, and succeed in achieving announced that it partnered to partner with Anoma’s of the series, D82 Spotlight will feature development sector. A dynamic leader their professional goals,” noted D82 with YouTube creator Anoma Kitchen to launch a video series the 2019 World Champion of Public with extensive competency in strategic Public Relations Manager Mafaz Wijethunga, to launch an which will enhance product Speaking, Aaron Beverly from the US, projects, communication, and team Ifharm. “We are already off to a great exclusive product awareness awareness of more than 10 on 20 February 2021. leadership. start with DTM Deepak Menon and video series. The partnership modern kitchen appliances. Beverly will be speaking on how he In this episode, not only will Beverly Aaron is surely going to keep the bar was declared with an MoU This video series will provide went from being a quiet introvert who be sharing his story, experiences, and raised.” signing at the Singer Mega a wealth of knowledge on hated public speaking to becoming the insights, but will also take questions In one of his speeches, Beverly Colpetty store. Singer’s wide range of kitchen 2019 World Champion in his keynote from the audience. memorably said: “Just because you Under the partnership, appliances including tips for titled “Keep Speaking, Keep Improving, The D82 Spotlight’s first episode say more, people will not remember Anoma Wijethunga, the long-term usage. Anoma’s Keep Moving”. featured Toastmasters International what you say. So, let’s make the words culinary expert behind the Kitchen YouTube channel has Beverly mentioned in his Immediate Past President Deepak we do say count.” popular YouTube channel, a growing subscriber base and championship winning speech “An Menon, who shared with the audience “The D82 Spotlight” will be hosted Anoma’s Kitchen, will we will be able to grasp a wider unbelievable story”, how the world the lessons he learned leading a global on Saturday, 20 February at 7 p.m. conduct a video series audience through this video should accept one another, despite organisation through a pandemic, and Interested parties may register via the Aaron Beverly educating the audience on series.” differences. He further said: “Open how his past experiences, Toastmasters, District 82 website to register a seat. her take on over 10 state-of- While most other cooking the-art kitchen appliances YouTube channels only focus on tips for usage, proper on food recipes, Anoma’s maintenance, cleaning, and Kitchen stands out among more useful insights, while the rest to deliver highly treating them to delicious important tips and tricks for Canada contributes CAD 1 million recipes. households to make their life Anoma’s Kitchen is in the kitchen easier. one of the most-viewed Sri “It is a pleasure to to World Food Programme Lankan YouTube channels partner with Singer, an in the category of cooking, acclaimed company, for a Supports Sri Lanka’s National School Meal Programme and boosts local farming with an active subscriber campaign that will allow us base in excess of 450,000, to educate the households The United Nations World Food impact on food systems. The project This programme will also boost local which includes both local and on a wide range of versatile Programme (WFP) and the Government includes community engagement economies and help alleviate poverty overseas food enthusiasts. The kitchen appliances. Most of Sri Lanka welcome a funding of and behaviour change campaigns to among rural communities.” channel has accumulated Sri of the people are unaware CAD 1 million (Rs. 151 million) address disproportionate workload “Covid-19 has highlighted Lankans around the world, of their versatility and from Global Affairs Canada to help and care responsibilities placed on vulnerabilities within our food systems who continue to embrace sometimes, even though they smallholder farmers cultivate nutritious women, while enhancing nutrition and calls for urgent interventions to her cooking recipes and tips. buy a kitchen appliance, they crops for the National School Meal education and promoting better eating strengthen the path of food from farm Many viewers have praised are unable to make full use of Programme. habits. The project will also assist to table,” expressed WFP Sri Lanka Anoma’s Kitchen for the it due to lack of knowledge Responding to the impacts of Covid- in building resilience of farmers to Deputy Country Director Andrea reliable content and additional on usage. This video series 19, the Home Grown School Feeding recurring climate shocks by boosting Berardo. “Part of the solution lies in tips shared by her on the will bring solutions to most project will provide nutritious and safe productivity of family farms. creating a formal structure to place kitchen appliances used in her of their concerns and I school meals to vulnerable primary “Canada is pleased to re-engage with smallholder farmers at the centre of videos. recommend this to everyone school children by linking the National WFP in supporting the Government of food systems, ensuring that regular Commenting on the new who aspires to be clever at School Meal Programme with local Sri Lanka to improve nutrition among supply meets regular demand. By partnership, Singer Sri Lanka the modern kitchen,” stated smallholder farmers. The project will schoolchildren and food security harnessing WFP’s expertise in food Two farmers from Manmunai West, PLC Marketing Director Shanil Wijethunga. benefit an estimated 1,700 female Batticaloa who are currently engaged in in Sri Lanka, both of which were and nutrition, the Home Grown School farmers and 170,000 children in several WFP’s resilience building project which negatively impacted by Covid-19,” Feeding project creates diverse benefits districts across the Northern, Eastern, promotes sustainable agriculture noted Canadian High Commissioner to improve the livelihoods and nutrition and North Central Provinces. an estimated 170,000 primary grade David McKinnon. “This is great for Sri standards among entire communities.” The Home Grown School Feeding school children who receive free meals Lanka’s agricultural self-sufficiency and WFP has been supporting the National project is an innovative approach and in school, by ensuring that the meals for girls’ retention in schools, especially School Meal Programme since 2003 the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. It is provided are nutritious, diverse, fresh in these Covid times.” to improve nutrition standards among designed to boost the local economy and culturally appropriate. The meals “Sri Lanka welcomes Canada’s school children. Canada has been one of and improve the nutritional status of are also an incentive for families to support to supplement the current the largest contributors to Sri Lanka’s communities in regions with poor send their children, especially girls, nutrition programme for school School Meal Programme, providing nutrition standards and high levels of to school. children,” stated State Minister of funds in excess of CAD 10 million (Rs. poverty. By purchasing produce for the The project focuses on empowering Women and Child Development, 1.5 billion) to WFP from 2003 to 2017, school meals from local smallholder women and contributing to gender Pre-School and Primary Education, benefitting over 450,000 children. This farmers residing in the vicinity of the equality. The smallholder farmers School Infrastructure and School latest funding from the Government schools, the project creates a predictable selected for the project will be Services Piyal Nishantha De Silva. of Canada enables WFP to augment outlet for farmers and a stable income primarily women – mostly mothers “We invest considerable resources in its support to the programme and From left: Anoma’s Kitchen Founder Anoma Wijethunga, Singer Sri Lanka while stimulating local production of of the schoolchildren – from some the National School Meal Programme contributes towards the achievement PLC Senior Brand Manager – Kitchen and Small Appliances Gayan Perera, nutrient-dense crops. of the poorest households, who and we welcome WFP’s assistance to of Sustainable Development Goal 2: Singer Sri Lanka PLC Assistant Brand Manager – Kitchen Appliances Lakshika Gamage The funding from Canada will benefit have been hard hit by Covid-19’s make it more effective and sustainable. Zero Hunger. 144 sports „„ www.themorning.lk { SPORTS } Tuesday, February 16, 2021 When there were no extras at all in a Test innings z England gave zero extras when India scored 329 in Chennai on Sunday (14) – a fascinating world record!

BY M.L. FERNANDO

On Sunday (14), when India were all out for 329 runs, no extras had been given by England, in their second Test played at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium at Chepauk in the South Indian city of Chennai. These 329 runs were in fact the highest total scored by a team in any completed Test innings where there were no extras (no-balls, wides, byes, leg byes, or penalty runs). It is an extremely commendable feat Former Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha (centre) with former judges R.V. Raveendran (left) and Ashok Bhan showing the report, which was submitted in the Supreme Court, during by a bowling side on any standard. a press conference in New Delhi in 2016 The previous highest was exactly one run short (328) when India bowled out Pakistan in a Test played in 1954-55 in Lahore. A full list is given below for all the totals of completed Test innings of over 200 runs where the number of extras had been Prolific Indian leg-spinner Subhash What is the Lodha “0”. Mentioned first is the bowling Gupte (1929-2002) took 5/133 in a team which didn’t give at least a marathon spell of 73.5 overs when India didn’t give a single extra as single extra: Pakistan scored 328 all out in 187.5 1. By England vs. India (329) – overs in Lahore in 1955 Chennai 2020-21 2. By India vs. Pakistan (328) – 5. By England vs. Australia (236) Committee? Lahore 1954-55 – 1991-92 z 3. By England vs. South Africa 6. By New Zealand vs. Bangladesh It rocked the Indian administration (252) – Durban 1930-31 (234) – Hamilton 2018-19 The Lodha Committee was 9) There should be separate governing 4. By England vs. South Africa 7. By West Indies vs. Bangladesh appointed by the Supreme Court of bodies for the IPL and the BCCI and (247) – Nottingham 1960 (231) – Dhaka 2011-12 India on 22 January 2015 as a result 6 STICKY POINTS FOR BOARD a 15-day gap between IPL season and of the report submitted by the national calendar The BCCI has problems with several suggestions of ON THIS DAY – 16 FEBRUARY Justice Mukul Mudgal Committee, 10) One state, one vote policy. after an investigation into the 2013 the Justice Lodha panel. Here are some major ones: This means, even a large state with 1931 – Birth of Gamini (IPL) betting multiple representatives will have one Goonesena (pictured), scandal. One state, one vote: States Term limits: Maximum of three vote (as a single state). States like former Ceylon and The committee consisted of three like and Gujarat terms of three years each, with a Maharashtra and Gujarat were earlier Nottinghamshire cricketer. members, namely, retired Chief Justice 1 have multiple teams. BCCI says 4 cooling-off period between each having multiple representations and He died in 2011, aged 80, of India Rajendra Mal Lodha, Ashok implementing this would hit term. BCCI sources say this would voting rights in Australia Bhan, and R.V. Raveendran, both retired 11) A nine-member Apex Council traditional powers like hurt continuity Supreme Court judges in India. and Baroda should replace the 14-member BCCI 1933 – England regained the The Lodha Committee was appointed working committee. Each of these Three-member national selection Ashes, thanks to bodyline mainly to analyse and recommend Bringing BCCI under RTI Act: office-bearers has a three-year term tactics implementable actions for the following: 5 panel: Critics say this is too small for and can contest for a maximum three (i) Improving the Board of Control for BCCI says board doesn’t receive any a large country like India terms 1954 – Birth of Michael Cricket in India (BCCI) 2 govt. grants 12) Setting up of a Players’ Holding, legendary (ii) Assessing the quantum of Association to safeguard the interests West Indies fast bowler punishment for former BCCI and Retirement age of BCCI Crackdown on ads: Panel wants TV and give a voice to the cricketers nicknamed “Whispering Gamini Goonesena International Cricket Council (ICC) Head officials: Lodha panel wants to set ads only during intervals. BCCI sources 13) Formation of a Women’s Cricket Death” Narayanaswami Srinivasan’s son-in- 3 it at 70, and also bar ministers and 6 claim this would cause a 75% (1,500 and Selection Committee to ensure law Gurunath Meiyappan and British bureaucrats which would disqualify equal attention 1959 – Birth of tennis legend John McEnroe of the US businessman Raj Kundra in the 2013 IPL crores in Indian rupees) loss in the betting scandal (the spot-fixing scandal many powerful administrators board’s telecast rights revenue Aftermath 1972 – debut of Lawrence Rowe of West Indies, that involved Rajasthan Royal team’s The Indian Supreme Court (SC) versus New Zealand in Kingston; scores 214 and 100 in the players Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Ajit a two-judge bench consisting of Justice public (barring cricket players, officials, in its judgement disagreed with the match Chandila, and Ankeet Chavan), and Ibrahim Kalifulla and T.S. Thakur, and administrators) Lodha Committee’s One State, One (iii) Analysing the role of Indian sports the Chief Justice of India. The final 4) Match-and spot-fixing to be made Vote recommendation (No. 10 above). 1972 – First NBA player emerged who scored 30,000 points - business professional and Reliance judgment upheld the Lodha Committee a criminal offence The SC has restored full membership Wilt Chamberlain in 940 games Industries CEO-Sports Sundar Raman. recommendations, paving the way for a 5) The players and BCCI officials of Maharashtra and Gujarat Cricket The Lodha Committee report was major change within the BCCI. should disclose their assets to the board Associations. 1973 – Outstanding South African batsman during 1938-39, submitted on 14 July 2015. In brief, the Lodha Committee offered so as to ensure they do not indulge in The cooling-off period for cricket Pieter Van der Bijl died The recommendations of the Lodha the following recommendations: betting administrators was increased from Committee shook the BCCI hierarchy and 1) Divide the Indian cricket governance 6) No BCCI office bearer should have every three-year tenure to once after 1992 – Los Angeles Lakers retired Magic Johnson’s #32 uniform its related associations. The BCCI raised into two parts: cricketing and non- more than two consecutive terms a continuous tenure of six years. objections to the recommendations and cricketing 7) No BCCI office-bearer should be The number of selectors would be 1993 – Sandra Völker swam world record 50-metre backstroke approached the Supreme Court. 2) BCCI should come under the RTI Minister or government servant increased from three to five, to make in 28.33 seconds The final judgment by the Supreme (Right to Information) act 8) No BCCI office-bearer to be above sure that talent doesn’t go unrecognised Court was delivered on 18 July 2016, by 3) Betting should be legalised for the 70 years of age from various parts of the country. The audacity of SLC hierarchy’s superfluity Square was also revealed that the same MP Patali , Hathurusingha person started drawing his salary was unable to explain why he was contract Cuts two months prior to being hired. attending the inquiry if SLC did In addition, none of the SLC not come within the jurisdiction Neither the President nor BY SUDAT PASQUAL officials present, including the of his Ministry. the CEO knew how much Manager of CA, could provide The CEO did not know how time was left on former men’s To be honest, I was not details of the charity work many invoices were raised each national Coach Chandika expecting much from the undertaken. A subsequent audit month on average. Ashley de Hathurusingha’s contract when President, Secretary, Treasurer, has revealed that in 2016, SLC Silva said that SLC raised 20 it was abrogated by SLC; nor or the Chief Executive Officer spent Rs. 14 million at Lord’s to invoices on average even though were they able to provide how (CEO) of raise Rs. 13 million for CA. CA his organisation has not been much has been spent on legal (SLC) when they went also spent Rs. 690,000 to audit conducting any tournaments or fees on the matter. When asked before the newly minted a total of 28 receipts. CA spent hosting tours due to Covid-19 why the in-house lawyer was not COPE (Committee on Public another Rs. 1.2 million to clear a from March 2020 to January involved, neither could provide Enterprises) for the second noodle shipment from Singapore 2021. He was corrected by his an answer except to say that time in the span of 12 months. that was deemed not fit for own accountant. an outside lawyer vetted the SLC brain trust – the term is human consumption. Some CA contract. The President of SLC used very loosely here – was at funds were also deposited in an Still using same didn’t know the name of all the IT service their depressing worst during account of the ECB (English and On 11 February, SLC officials were called before the COPE for a second time. The hearing was mercifully brief lawyers who were representing their first innings at COPE in Wales Cricket Board), though but what was obvious from the outset was that SLC officials who attended the hearing were not prepared to SLC is still using the same IT his organisation. 2020, or so I thought. Then no one knew why. answer the queries posed to them software and service provider I watched a tape of SLC’s Cricket Aid, which was that allowed the release of Next SLC election second innings at COPE on 11 established in 2004 to help the project because the provincial the outset was that SLC officials confused about the parameters approximately $ 190,000 to CEO Ashley de Silva February 2021 and was forced the victims of the Boxing Day association of the area was not who attended the hearing were not of his authority, etc., all while an unauthorised account. The admitted that Hathurusingha to change that conclusion. Tsunami, was not registered as functioning. SLC had paid the prepared to answer the queries talking over each other. CEO was unable to inform the refused to agree to a contract Let me recap some of the a charity until 2016, let’s not Ports Authority Rs. 2 billion for posed to them. Let’s recap the low points of committee of the time lapse with an exit clause in favour of revelations that came out of forget. the land at Sooriyawewa, but the It was also obvious that SLC the second COPE hearing. between when the monies were SLC. Yet, Hathurusingha was the first hearing in 2020. land was not handed over to SLC officials who were present were SLC President Shammi Silva due and when his organisation hired, without an exit clause. Sooriyawewa Stadium until COPE intervened. mainly concerned with covering was unable to explain how or who filed a complaint of fraud when it These same individuals who Cricket Aid CEO Ashley de Silva was their own rears. The CEO was decided the number of members was found the outstanding money obviously are incapable of SLC’s charitable arm not aware that China Harbour Second COPE hearing passing the buck to the Ex-Co, the of the Executive Committee of was not received. exhibiting shame or remorse Cricket Aid (CA) spent Rs. 2.4 Corporation, which constructed On 11 February, SLC officials President was passing the buck SLC. The CEO admitted that if he for the misery they have brought million on charitable activities the Sooriyawewa Stadium, had were called before COPE for a to the previous committees and Secretary to the Ministry of was not informed by his finance on the game are likely to be and Rs. 3.9 million on the tacked Rs. 3 billion as penalties second time. The hearing was his own Treasurer, the Treasurer Youth and Sports Affairs declared department, he would not be occupying the seats of power person who was managing to their bill. The CEO said an mercifully brief (less than two was seeking shelter from all, the that SLC was independent of his aware of the monies that were at SLC after the next election. CA during a two-year period. It audit couldn’t be conducted on hours). What was obvious from Secretary to the Ministry was Ministry, but, when confronted by owed to his organisation. Digest that, Mr. Minister! sports 154 Tuesday, February 16, 2021 { SPORTS } „„ www.themorning.lk India 1st innings 329 England 1st innings 134 INDIA 2ND INNINGS st Foakes b Leach 26 Shubman Gill lbw b Leach 14 Cheteshwar Pujara run out (Pope/Foakes) 7 Virat Kohli (Capt.) lbw b Ali 62 Rishabh Pant (wk) st Foakes b Leach 8 c Pope b Ali 10 Axar Patel lbw b Ali 7 Ravichandran Ashwin b Stone 106 Kuldeep Yadav lbw b Ali 3 Ishant Sharma c Stone b Leach 7 Mohammed Siraj 16 Extras (b 5, lb 15) 20 Total (all out in in 85.5 overs) 286 Fall of : 1-42 (Gill, 11.2 ov), 2-55 (Pujara, 18.6 ov), 3-55 (Sharma, 21.1 ov), 4-65 (Pant, 25.3 ov), 5-86 (Rahane, 30.3 ov), 6-106 (Patel, 36.1 ov), 7-202 (Kohli, 65.4 ov), 8-210 (Yadav, 67.6 ov), 9-237 (Sharma, 76.4 Here’s a TIE! ov), 10-286 (Ashwin, 85.5 ov) Bowling: Olly Stone 6.5-1-21-1, Jack Leach 33-6-100- It’s a tie! The first in cricket history! This was on 14 4, Moeen Ali 32-7-98-4, Joe Root 4-0-15-0, Stuart Broad December 1960 at the Brisbane Cricket Ground in suburb 9-3-25-0, Dan Lawrence 1-0-7-0 Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.

seen across the ‘Gabba pitch. The excited Windies close in-fielders, including Solomon seen on far left, and the two desperate batsmen plus the perplexed spectators seen behind the picket fences by the wheeled sight screen all play a dramatic role in this black- and-white iconic “gem” taken, evidently, from a higher, zoomed- Ashwin in angle. Revelations Background The hard-fought five-match brings Chennai This unbelievable result, for the series was won by Australia 2-1 first time after 83 years and 497 only in the last over of the final Test matches since the inception of played at MCG! On that day, 15 Test cricket, was only a prelude February 1961, a massive crowd to one of the most memorable almost witnessed yet another tie. to its feet series ever. The home team, The Kangaroos wanted to stamp z Series squaring win looks inevitable for India in second Test led by , met the their authority, yet the Windies resurgent West Indians under were never to give in easily – India have two days to take ENGLAND 2ND INNINGS (TARGET 482) Frank Worrell, the first black to identical to the way Arjuna and seven England wickets. England Rory Burns c Kohli b Ashwin 25 lead the Caribbeans, who were Co. counterattacked the Aussies need a further 429 runs to score Dom Sibley lbw b Patel 3 on the threshold of independence in their 1995-96 tour, amid on and with seven wickets in hand, also Dan Lawrence not out 19 after a prolonged battle against an off-the-field intimidation. in two days. There is only one Jack Leach c Sharma b Patel 0 oppressive white rule. outcome that is possible! Joe Root (Capt.) not out 2 In the final over, their lethal Afterword This is the situation after day three Extras (b 5) 4 fast-bowler Wesley Hall was After the final Test, Worrell yesterday (15) in Chennai between Total (for 3 wickets in 19 overs) 53 tasked to stop the Aussies from made a symbolic presentation of India and England in the all-important Did not bat: , Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wk), scoring six runs in eight balls (one his maroon cap, tie, and blazer to second Test of a four-match series, with Moeen Ali, Stuart Broad, and Olly Stone over consisted of eight deliveries Benaud, saying they represented a place in the finals of the International Fall of wickets: 1-17 (Sibley, 8.2 ov), 2-49 (Burns, then, not six) as he took the ball at his head, neck, and body. He also Cricket Council (ICC) World Test 15.6 ov), 3-50 (Leach, 16.6 ov) 5.55 p.m. Australia were 227 for said he could give no more as his Championship at stake. Bowling: Ishant Sharma 2-1-6-0, Axar Patel 9-3-15-2, seven, needing 233 runs to win. “legs weren’t worth having”. Two The local hero Ravichandran Ashwin Ravichandran Ashwin 8-1-28-1 But by the penultimate delivery, days after this, the losing team elevated the hosts to this commanding Australia were 232/9 needing one was given an unexpected ticker- position. Having taken a brilliant 5/43 run off two balls. Lindsay Kline tape farewell in the Melbourne on the second day, Ashwin scored a pushed the ball towards square leg city by an emotional home crowd sensational century – his first in his and set off for the winning run. flocking there in thousands. home ground Chepauk – and then But Joe Solomon stopped it and A Test “tie” was to be seen shored India up with a partnership of 96 hit it straight to the stumps about again only after 25 years, in with Virat Kohli on day three. 12 metres away with only one September 1986 in Chennai, Ravichandran Ashwin celebrates his fifth Test century yesterday (15) Ashwin’s 106 ensured England were stump to aim at. Ian Meckiff was when India tied their first match PHOTO © BCCI set a mammoth 482 to chase on a pitch run out by inches. Australia are all of a three-Test series against becoming increasingly difficult to bat out for 232 with one ball to spare Australia. The series ended in a on. The visiting batsmen came out resulting in this magnificent tie. nil-nil draw. with intent, and battled for 19 overs, but were reduced to 53/3 by stumps. Analysis Photographer The setting sun in the picture Photo courtesy Hulton Archive, is depicted by the long shadows Central Press Have you read a book called ‘The Art of Sports’? z It’s never ‘one thing and nothing else’ – in sports or anything else Thereby you can be the director of the mediocre teams to victories. Think of how Interception opponent’s fate.” well-oiled sporting machines came apart. yy “Strategy without tactics is the slowest Now revisit the quotes (and there are many more of them). Relevant or irrelevant? BY MALINDA SENEVIRATNE route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” Cricketer can learn from a general Practice makes perfect. We’ve all heard yy “The opportunity to secure ourselves The quotes are from a handbook, a classic, that, haven’t we? There’s no substitute for against defeat lies in our own hands, but about military engagement; “The Art of War” hard work. You can read all the books on any the opportunity of defeating the enemy is by Sun Tzu. Sun Tzu’s ideas have multiple subject but that won’t make you an expert when provided by the enemy himself.” applications, for “war” can be used as a metaphor it comes to putting the learning into practice. yy “In the midst of chaos, there is also for all kinds of engagements including politics, There are innumerable truisms, innumerable opportunity.” sports, business, and even self-improvement. quotable quotes, innumerable rules of thumb. Yes, Sun Tzu’s book is a classic, but what makes So many that they can often overwhelm. It’s yy “Victory comes from finding something classical is the approach as much like having a hundred coaches giving you tips. opportunities in problems.” as the contents. A cricketer can learn from a Information is good, overload can cripple. yy “Do not engage an enemy more powerful general and vice versa, a politician can learn It’s never “one thing and nothing else” – in than you. And if it is unavoidable and from a violinist and vice versa, a captain from sports or anything else. We learn from multiple you do have to engage, then make sure the conductor of an orchestra, a priest from a sources, we learn in rehearsals, we learn when you engage it on your terms, not on your lay person, a millionaire from a mendicant, a we play or engage. enemy’s terms.” scribe from an illiterate, and so on. Consider these quotes yy “It is more important to out-think your Sun Tzu’s ‘Art of War’ Now it is not unusual for, say, a chess player enemy, than to outfight him.” How does one pick the right book, one might to pore through chess literature. It is not unusual yy “Convince your enemy that he will gain ask. Well, it’s not easy. However, if you accept for a cricketer to read the biographies of the best very little by attacking you; this will the notion that there’s wisdom in all things, batsmen, bowlers, keepers, or captains. It is not diminish his enthusiasm.” in persons and in books, in the wind and the unusual for a committed professional to think seasons, the flavour and the making of an ice “I can’t waste time reading anything outside my yy “When strong, avoid them. If of high cream sundae, from a fairytale and a parable, sport”. If I need to study, let me read relevant morale, depress them. Seem humble then you can learn from any manuscript. Indeed literature, people tell themselves often enough. to fill them with conceit. If at ease, you’ll see manuscripts at every turn. You They probably believe that if study is part of exhaust them. If united, separate them. will recognise “lessons” and soon enough learning to battle better and there’s limited time Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their the lessons will come looking for you. There’s no ‘best starting point’ in this exercise, but Sun Tzu’s ‘Art of War’ is not a book you can go wrong with to practice and peruse “relevant stuff”, then surprise.” From there, it’s only a hop, skip, and a jump one has to be careful when picking up a book you will also suffer a defeat. If you know be heard. There are not more than five yy “Concentrate your energy and hoard your to application. As long as one reads “texts” or downloading an article from the internet. neither the enemy nor yourself, you will primary colours, yet in combination they strength.” closely, reflects on meanings, takes the Let’s consider the following quotes, which trouble to extrapolate and discover for oneself succumb in every battle.” produce more hues than can ever be seen. Now reflect and revisit them are all about engagement that have victory as There are not more than five cardinal examples that affirm the particular principles. yy “Supreme excellence consists of breaking an end point. tastes, yet combinations of them yield Now reflect on your favourite sport; the There’s no “best starting point” in this exercise, the enemy’s resistance without fighting.” one you take part in or the one you enjoy but Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” is not a book you yy “If you know the enemy and know more flavours than can ever be tasted.” following most. Think of the heroes, can go wrong with. yourself, you need not fear the result of a yy “There are not more than five musical yy “Be extremely subtle, even to the point of heroines, and the heroic moments. Think (The writer can be reached at hundred battles. If you know yourself but notes, yet the combinations of these five formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, of the improbable victories and the mind- [email protected] or www. not the enemy, for every victory gained give rise to more melodies than can ever even to the point of soundlessness. blowing defeats. Think of captains who led malindawords.blogspot.com) „„ www.themorning.lk Tuesday, February 16, 2021 Entries called Japanese firms dislike the Olympics! for Eliyakanda More Hill Climb than 50% of Organised by the Southern Japanese firms Motor Sports Club for the are in favour 25th consecutive year, the of Tokyo 2020 SLT-Mobitel-sponsored postponement Eliyakanda Hill Climb is now or cancellation, calling for entries which are it was reported closing on Friday, 19 February. yesterday There will strictly be no late (15). A survey entries accepted. Entries by think tank can be submitted through “Tokyo Shoko the website www.smsc.lk. Research” found Motorcycle events will be on more than 50% 27 February while motor car of Japanese firms were in favour of the postponement or cancellation of events will be on 28. the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

FOREIGN sports SPORTS IN BRIEF

 Barty into quarters, Pegula shocks Elina Svitolina World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty only needed 71 minutes to defeat American Shelby Rogers and move into the Australian Open quarter-finals yesterday. Barty, who is aiming to become the first Australian to win the women’s singles since 1978, triumphed 6/3, 6/4. American Jessica Pegula produced a shock 6/3, 3/6, 6/3 win to knock out fifth seed Elina Svitolina. The world No. 61’s win on Rod Laver Arena took her into the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time. The 26-year-old will face fellow American Jennifer Brady, who beat Croatia’s Donna Vekic 6/1, 7/5.

From left: Muttiah Muralitharan, Kushil Gunasekera, and

 Nadal, Medvedev reach Aus Open quarter-finals Former champion Rafael Nadal and fourth seed Daniil Medvedev both cruised into the Australian Open quarter-finals yesterday (15). Spaniard Nadal, the 2009 winner and No. 2 seed, gained a routine 6/3, 6/4, 6/2 win over Italy’s 16th seed Fabio Fognini at Melbourne Park. Nadal will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight tomorrow (17). The Greek fifth seed was handed a walkover win in round four after Matteo Berrettini of Italy had to withdraw because of an abdominal injury. Tsitsipas had been due to play ninth seed Berrettini in the final game at Rod Laver Arena yesterday. “I have had a problem with my abs so I spoke to the doctors, and they PAVING WAY told me it could just get worse,” said Berrettini, 24.  Shamsi, Rizwan rise to career-best T20I rankings South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has grabbed a career-best second position among bowlers while Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has raced to 42nd place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20I Player Rankings after standout performances in the three-match series that Pakistan won 2-1. Shamsi’s series-topping six wickets, which included a haul of four for 25 in the final match, helped the left-arm wrist-spinner overtake Australia’s Adam Zampa, England’s Adil Rashid and Afghanistan’s Mujeeb Ur Rahman to within three points of top-ranked Rashid Khan of Afghanistan.  Man Utd will ‘put up fight’ in title race: Solskjaer FOR AN Manchester United “have to put up a fight” and will not “give away” the Premier League title early, insists manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. United drew at lowly West Brom and are second in the table, ahead of Leicester on goal difference, but seven points behind runaway leaders Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side, who have won 15 games in a row in all competitions, also have a game in hand on both ‘INTERIM’? sides. Solskjaer said his side needs to “put City under pressure”. z Petition filed in Court of Appeal to change SLC Constitution

BY REVATHA S. SILVA the current SLC failed last evening. SLC term expires after February A petition was filed yesterday (15) by 12 high-profile personalities Intention is to reduce the Meanwhile, another former SLC involved in local cricket, directly and indirectly, against Sri Lanka number of votes official who is part of the ongoing Cricket (SLC) administration. “It’s (a situation where) 12 election campaign from the SLC  Paks overpower South Africa to win T20I series As a result, the Sports Minister “Until the issue is sorted out petitioners are asking for the opposition, said the incumbent SLC Pakistan chased down 165 to win the T20I series against South Africa and become the first men’s Namal Rajapaksa, SLC President the (Sports) Minister can then change of SLC Constitution. We ex-co cannot continue to run the team in international cricket to win 100 T20 matches on Sunday (14). Tidy knocks from Mohammad Rizwan (42) and Babar Azam (44) had broken the back of the chase for the hosts, and it was Hasan Ali Shammi Silva, and his Ex-Co have intervene to appoint an interim to are asking it through a writ petition sport after February, since their two- who steered Pakistan to victory, hooking two sixes and a four off the penultimate over to wrap the win reportedly been noticed by the run the affairs of the game. The on the Court of Appeal. We are year term will be over at the end of up with eight balls to spare. Court of Appeal on 15 March, one International Cricket Council (ICC) not targeting any individual or any this month. month away from the day of the can hardly intervene in such a group,” one of the petitioners said. “For the next three months, before petition. context,” a former SLC official told “In India, the Lodha Committee the elections, the current SLC SLC is going for its next AGM on The Morning Sports yesterday. (see our Page 14 lead story) committee can’t continue to run the 20 May. brought down the number of affairs. It is unlawful. They have to Entering SLC without clubs to 32. In Pakistan also, they leave the cricket board. A similar The 12 petitioners election brought it down to about 18. We thing happened in 2018 too,” he 1. Muttiah Muralitharan, 2. Sidath “It is interesting that Muralitharan are asking the same thing from our said. Wettimuny, 3. Michael Tissera, is one of the petitioners while also judiciary,” he added. 4. Vijaya Malalasekera, 5. Kushil sitting in the Cricket Committee “Sri Lanka has 147 votes Petitioners’ statement Gunasekera, 6. Somasundaram appointed recently by the Honourable now. Some clubs are having the Following is an extract from the Skandakumar, 7. Ana Punchihewa, Minister. Now he is moving the same number of votes that the statement issued by the petitioners 8. Rienzie Wijetilleke, 9. Dinal court of law to change the SLC controlling clubs are having at the yesterday: Phillips PC, 10. Hon Justice (Retd.) Constitution. The situation can moment. The request (through said “Today (yesterday) we, like- Saleem Marsoof PC, 11. Dr. Palitha also be read as an indirect move petition) is to observe all that and minded patriots, have got together Kohona, and 12. Thilan Wijesinghe by another party to enter the make a new Constitution, basically to seek legal redress to right the Will this sudden, unexpected cricket board without facing the for voting,” he said further. wrongs in the governance of SLC. move be a tactical move aimed at election in the form of an interim The petition is being supported We believe that the time has come to appointing an Interim Committee administration,” he added. by President’s Counsel Sanjeeva walk the talk. Not acting now during to SLC? Muralitharan is also a member of Jayawardena and Dr. Milhan these dire times for our cricket “The reasons for agitation, as the cricket committee appointed by Mohamed, instructed by Sudath would have been a dereliction of our mentioned in the petition, look both the Sports Minister and SLC Perera Associates. collective duty. Having considered  Alonso discharged from hospital after reasonable enough to convince any to supervise national cricket. The “Our main request is to reduce the matter seriously, we have filed fracturing jaw sober mind. But how long will all other members of the said committee the number of clubs that are a Writ Petition at the Court of Fernando Alonso has been discharged from hospital after suffering a fracture of his upper jaw in a cycling accident last week. The two-time Formula 1 world champion, 39, collided with a car while on a these changes take to come into are Aravinda de Silva (Chairman), voting in SLC elections. The Appeal (CoA) of Sri Lanka seeking training ride near his home in Lugano, Switzerland, on Thursday (11). His Alpine team said Alonso will fruition. Will any such move to Kumar Sangakkara, and Roshan decision in this regard would be a a new Constitution for the flawed now have “a short period of complete rest”. Pre-season testing takes place in Bahrain from 12-14 March, reduce the number of clubs not be Mahanama. landmark judgement, we believe,” governing body administering before the first race at the same track on 26-28 March. challenged in the Supreme Court? Our efforts to contact an official of he explained. cricket in the country.”

Printed by the Kalukodayawa, Malwana Press & Published by Liberty Publishers (Pvt.) Ltd. 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7