Sunday 25 JULY 2021 Late CITY Edition Vol: 10/33 Price : Rs 70.00 Inside Story Divided Opposition Brings Government Together Through NCM A special discussion was held at UNP TOKYO leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence last OLYMPIC 2020 Sunday concerning the NCM that was filed in Special Parliament against Minister Udaya Supplement Gammanpila by the SJB. Inside A8-9

Domestic work will require paperwork in future By Hansi Nanayakkara Women who work as domestic workers will be required to register at the Divisional Secretariat, along with a recommendation by the Grama Niladhari, the Women Development Officer and the Child Rights Officer prior to their employment, State Minister of Women and Child Development, Pre-schools and Primary Education,...

Story Continued on page 2 Child Labour Listed Arrest of Bathiudeen’s wife, in-laws Suspects produced before as ‘Dangerous JMO By Eunice Ruth and Keerthi Mendis The wife and father-in-law of MP Rishad Bathiudeen were arrested on Friday (23), along with the person who Occupation’ brought the girl to Colombo, in connection with the death of a 16-year-old girl, who served as a domestic worker at the MP’s residence.

– NCPA Chair Story Continued on page 2 Will be enacted as a law soon By Sulcohana Ramiah Mohan Authority (NCPA), Prof. Muditha Widanapathirana. He said currently the proposal is with the legal Child labour, which includes underage domestic draftsman and it would be soon enacted as a law. workers, has been listed under ‘Dangerous The NCPA Chairman said, “Prior to 18 June Occupations’ and will soon be enacted as a law, 2021, there were 52 occupations that were said Chairman of the National Child Protection considered as dangerous occupations and now...

Story Continued on page 2 Delays in receiving AstraZeneca doses Delta variant NCPA records Health Ministry cases shoot up 72 cybercrimes By Dilanthi Jayamanne and mulling options Tharaka Samman last six months By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan By Dilanthi Jayamanne The number of cases infected with the delta variant of the coronavirus, In the first half of 2021, The Health Ministry will shot up when several more were the National Child Protection decide on the next best course diagnosed with COVID-19, Deputy Authority (NCPA) has of action with regard to those Director General, Disaster Management recorded 72 cybercrimes, who received the first dose of and Emergency Response, Dr. which technically could the AstraZeneca vaccine and Hemantha Herath said. reach around 144 cases by are awaiting the second dose, Dr. Herath, when contacted on Friday the year end, Chairman of Deputy Director General, Dr. (23), said a total of 68 cases of the the National Child Protection Hemantha Herath said. COVID delta variant had been detected Authority (NCPA), Prof. from random sample testing. Muditha Widanapathirana said. Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 SL to seek SJB, JVP petition against return of ola leaf manuscripts proposed Finance Bill By Nabiya Vaffoor a petition with the Supreme Court, – Jayakody Friday (23). He has filed a Special The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Determination Petition in the Supreme By W. K. Prasad Manju and the JVP filed separate petitions in Court challenging the constitutionality of the Supreme Court against the proposed the Bill titled ‘Finance’ which was placed State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Finance Bill. The Bill presented in on the Order Paper of Parliament on 20 Promotion, Rural and Ayurvedic Hospitals Parliament by the Finance Minister on 20 July. The petitioner is seeking a Development and Community Health, Sisira July, proposes amnesties for the declaration that several clauses of the Jayakody told Ceylon Today the attention of the voluntarily disclosure of taxes that Bill require approval by a public Government is focused on bringing back to Sri should be disclosed under the law. referendum and require a two-thirds Lanka, about 2,000 ola leaf manuscripts,... SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne had filed majority in Parliament.

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 sunday 25 july 2021 news Government Moves Anura Kumara slams Basil’s Finance Bill By Anuradha Herath fishermen or usual Government to Remove SL from employees and the general public. JVP Leader Anura Kumara If there had been no Court case Dissanayake told Ceylon Today if against Finance Minister Basil Makandure Madhush had not Rajapaksa in connection with a died, it would have been possible house in Malwana, an opportunity COVID Red List for his black money to be made would rise through this Bill to even By Anuradha Herath Malaysia, Myanmar, Minister Ranatunga said Covid pandemic can be white through Minister Basil obtain that house, he alleged. Singapore, Philippines, these countries are holding removed for Sri Lankan Rajapaksa’s new Finance Bill. Speaking further the JVP leader Minister of Tourism England, Portugal, Italy, discussions with the workers who are hoping to The first Bill submitted by added that this Bill on white paper Prasanna Ranatunga said Germany, Australia, Government through their go for jobs and education to Minister Basil Rajapaksa, as the is a black Bill and that it is not a arrangements are underway Norway, Bahrain, Nepal, Ambassadors in Sri Lanka foreign countries including Minister of Finance, is to set up a Bill for which a law has to be to remove Sri Lanka from Japan, Vietnam, France and so that this country can be the Middle East. law “to turn black money into compiled for the general public the COVID-19 red list New Zealand are included in removed from the Red List or Subsequent to it being white,” the JVP leader alleged and that it is a Bill that has been countries. the Red List and people from in other words to relax travel declared that students who adding that it is a fact that all prepared for close deceitful This is due to be done here are banned from restrictions. need to go overseas for should realise. He said such persons and friends. He also said subsequent to discussions visiting those countries and Minister of Foreign Affairs education purposes should wealth that has been earned that what this indicates is a with the Ministry of Foreign at the same time, various Dinesh Gunawardena said obtain both doses of a through illegal means is possessed message that those who are Affairs in the upcoming travel restrictions have been that at the same time, vaccine, the Minister said by politicians as well as thieving engaged in business legally while weeks. imposed subject to Covid discussions are being held the opportunity to go to a black businessmen, those dealing paying taxes should avoid tax Kuwait, United Arab rules and regulations in with relevant countries so foreign country will be made in drugs and persons maintaining payments and earn money Emirates, Laos, Qatar, those countries as well. that prohibitions due to the available. brothels and not by farmers or illegally.

Continued from page 1 Domestic work...... School Infrastructure and and Child Development have teenage pregnancies and Child Labour Education Services, Piyal extended their support to the children subjected to abuse Nishantha de Silva, said. Police and are conducting and torture. Addressing a Media inquiries into the children The pilot project will be briefing, the State Minister who lost their parents and initiated on 24 July in the said the National Child dropped out of school. Nuwara Eliya District to find Protection Authority (NCPA) Furthermore, special solutions to the above issues, Listed... and the Ministry of Women attention will be paid to he added. ...the list has increased to He also said children under punishment for employing a 76, including child labour. 16 years of age cannot go minor is quite tough in the He said a child between 16 fishing in deep sea as it will existing law, he added. and 18 cannot be engaged in a also be considered a Child abuse takes place dangerous occupation in the dangerous occupation once within the four walls and it country. the law is enacted. has to be brought to the He added the age limit for He said the punishment for NCPA’s attention, he anyone to be employed had employing underage children underlined. Health Ministry... been raised from 14 years of is severe and so far it is not “We need to be alerted,” he age to 16 from 18 June 2021. been amended. “The told Ceylon Today. He said on Friday (23) the Ministry would wait for given the AstraZeneca Ministry was informed that another week or so before COVISHIELD vaccine as it would receive more doses deciding on what to do next. their first dose against the of the vaccine by Monday A total of 925,242 persons coronavirus. However, the (19). However, there have received the first dose move was called off after it were delays in vaccine of the AstraZeneca vaccine was announced that more Delta variant cases... arrivals causing further while the second dose has doses of AstraZeneca was delay in administering the been administered to only expected to arrive by 19 There were more cases to be He noted that the Alpha Delta was first detected in second dose, he noted. 385,885, the Epidemiology July. found in all parts of the variant of the virus had been the Dematagoda Aramaya Responding to questions Unit’s website showed. Director of the Health country. “In other words, the identified from Beruwala, Place in Colombo City. Dr. regarding the delay and the Health Authorities aimed at Promotion Bureau, Dr. variant had spread Galle, Angoda, Kotte, Jeewandara noted that increasing vulnerability of administering the Pfizer Ranjith Batuwanthudawe throughout the country,” he Kolonnawa, Ratmalana, unvaccinated persons were at recipients of the vaccine›s vaccine as the second dose said there was no fixed date said. Nawagamuwa, Mahabage, risk and that it could lead to first dose, he said the for those who had been for the vaccine’s arrival. Thereby the number of Katunayaka, Negombo, “hyperlocal outbreaks.” cases which were at 38 at the Matara, Dambulla, Vavuniya Meanwhile, Director of the beginning of this week has and Mullaithivu. Health Promotion Bureau doubled. Director of the Department (HPB), Dr. Ranjith Dr. Herath said that the of Immunology and Molecular Batuwanthudawa revealed cases had been detected from Medicine of the University of that currently gene Negombo in the Gampaha Sri Jayawardenepura, Dr. sequencing was conducted at SL to seek return... District, the City Limits, Chandima Jeewandara, the Sri Jayawardenapura and Piliyandala and Ratmalana quoting a study in China, said Colombo Universities. ...which contain valuable between 700 and 1,000 photocopies every possible from the Colombo District, the viral load of the delta However, the Health Ministry traditional medicinal years old and that most of measure will be taken to Koggala and Karapitiya, from variant, which was first was focussed on obtaining the prescriptions, which were these ola leaf manuscripts bring back to the country the Galle District, Iranamadu identified in India, was 1,000 technology for sequencing for stolen from this country are on display at museums these ola leaf manuscripts in Kilinochchi, and times more than those several other lab facilities during invasions, as soon in England and several which are a heritage of Sri Poonthottam in the Jaffna infected with the original including the Medical as possible and that initial more are to be found at Lanka. District. coronavirus strain. Research Institute. discussions on this have museums in various He also said that further already commenced. countries in Europe. discussions are underway He said that it has been He added that to obtain a at diplomatic level to get reported that items stolen photocopy of one page of these priceless, Ola leaf about 200-300 years ago, these Ola leaf manuscripts manuscripts, which contain include ola leaf manuscripts at museums in England, invaluable traditional Suspects produced... containing valuable they have requested a sum medicinal prescriptions, traditional medicinal of 25 Sterling Pounds and belonging to our heritage, Police Spokesman SDIG and torture. revelation that a female prescriptions which are in addition to the returned to our country. Ajith Rohana said a Police Investigations further domestic worker had been team had conducted revealed that, apart from allegedly raped for several investigations and taken a bringing the girl to Colombo, years at his private residence. number of statements subjecting her to abuse and SDIG Rohana said that including from two domestic using her for domestic following investigations into workers who previously labour, the suspects had also the death of 16-year-old girl, SJB, JVP petition... served at Bathiudeen’s committed the offence of it was also revealed that a private residence. trading her. 22-year-old domestic worker “The Bill encourages under certain laws; to provide majority, but this Bill Police are seeking a Accordingly, Bathiudeen’s was also raped from 2015 to further tax evasion and will for the imposition of a tax on encourages nothing but 72-hour detention order to 46-year-old wife, Shihabdeen 2019 by Bathiudeen’s not secure a net benefit to the the taxable supplies, income money laundering. If there conduct further inquiries on Ayesha, her 70-year-old brother-in-law at his private State. That would be and assets,” stated are earnings that should be the suspects. father (Bathiudeen’s father- residence. discriminatory of taxpayers/ Wickramaratne on his social disclosed under the law it Divisional Children and in-law) Mohammed The 22-year-old woman is citizens who have already media account. should be disclosed legally, Women’s Bureau unit of the Shihabdeen, as well as the also from the Dayagama area paid relevant taxes. Some In the meantime, former taxes should be collected Borella Police and Colombo broker from Dayagama, who and she was also brought to clauses in Bill are arbitrary, JVP MP Sunil Handunneththi inside that legal frame. Just South Divisional Crimes brought the girl to Colombo, Colombo by the same irrational, and grossly noted the Bill encourages because the Government is Detective Bureau are jointly Ponnaiah Parandaran alias trafficker. The said trafficker unreasonable, contrary to the nothing but money lacking financial provisions, investigating the death of the Shankar (66), have been is due to be produced before rule of law, public trust laundering. we cannot let them launder teenager. The Police have taken into Police custody. The the Magistrate’s Court. “A doctrine and sovereignty of “If Makandhure Madhush, illegal earnings which was collected scientific, Police have obtained 20 separate investigation will be the people. The preamble of the drug lord, was alive he deprived from the taxpayers,” circumstantial, technical statements in connection to conducted in this regard,” the Bill says that it is to will also get a chance to added Handunneththi. evidence and information the incident. said SDIG Rohana. enable persons to voluntarily invest all his black money in He expressed these views, about bank statements. The Meanwhile, Bathiudeen’s All four suspects were disclose undisclosed taxable this country. The Parliament Friday (23) speaking to the evidence revealed that the girl brother-in-law was arrested produced before the Colombo supplies, income and assets should legislate a provision Media at the Supreme Court had been subjected to abuse on Friday (23) following a JMO Friday (23) evening. required to be disclosed which generally benefits the premises.

NCPA records... He also said most of the cent of the cybercrimes were According to him, in 2019, the account holders,” he added. cybercrimes registered are from the recorded from outside Colombo City NCPA had recorded 51 cybercrimes, He added that that the cyber areas of Sri Jayewardenepura and and 30 per cent from around in 2018, 43 cases and in 2020 it surveillance unit was introduced on Homagama. “I don’t understand Colombo, he added. “What does it was 152 cases registered. October 2020 and the NCPA is why, but most of the cases and reveal? Cybercrimes have spread to “The NCPA has been operating a assigned to first identify the local cybercrime prevalence is in these every nook and corner of the Cyber Unit from 2019 but from and arrest him or her. In case they two areas,” he emphasised. country,” he said. He said cyber 2020 they have a Cyber Surveillance cannot identify the person, they do In 2017, cybercrimes were high sexual violence has leaped to 80 per unit under which we had monitored so through the TRC, SL CERT, in Colombo reaching up to 70 per cent while non-sexual cybercrimes and registered 52per cent cases Police and though the FB account cent and 30 per cent outside (cyber bullying) has been 20 per without the knowledge of the person and arrest him. Then the NCPA will Colombo; however, it is now the cent according to their latest engaged in the crimes. In 10 months also deactivate their social media other way around. In 2020, 70 per statistics. we deactivated many Facebook account. News Sunday 25 July 2021 A3 DS Officers Should Ensure Children Under–16 are in School By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan trend of not only underage girls being sold as domestic labour but also being sexually abused Thirty one civil society and other organisations and treated inhumanly during this have called for the Government to end child pandemic,” they pointed out. labour, trafficking, and sexual exploitation, which According to the Employment of Women, Young are being conducted with impunity in the country. Persons, And Children Act (No. 47 of 1956) of Sri They said the underage girl, who was employed Lanka, children aged between 16 and 18 can be as a domestic aide, at the residence of former employed for a common good. But before so Minister and present Member of Parliament employing children between the age of 16 and 18, Rishad Bathiudeen, and succumbed to her burn the Labour Commissioner should be informed of injuries, was only 16 years and 8 months of age the reason. Further, the law says that no one can while employed. During her employment, she was employ a child in such a manner as to prevent the only permitted to communicate with her family a child from attending school. Therefore, the young few times over the phone, but was denied visits to girl’s employment as a domestic aide is improper her family. as her education had been They further noted that education is disrupted. Furthermore, the post-mortem report compulsory for every child in Sri Lanka, until the states that the victim has been sexually abused age of 16. “There are officers attached to each for some time. In terms of the Penal Code, sexual Divisional Secretariats such as Child Probation exploitation is an offence and sexual harassment Officer, Child Protection Officer and Women at the workplace is a punishable crime too. Development Officer etc. and their work is to The Women’s Action Network, Suriya Women’s ensure that the children get educated and do not Development Centre - Batticaloa, Mannar drop out from schools before 16. Women’s Development Federation, Centre for “These officers are mandated to work within the Human Rights and Development, Affected community to protect children, like this girl and Women’s Forum - Ampara, Muslim Women help them with their education. If there are Development Trust - Puttalam, Rainbow Pillars dropouts, they must work with the families and for Creativity, Women Aid Network- East, Eastern community to ensure that they go back to school. Social Development Foundation, Institute of Hence, this case also sheds light on another dark Social Development -Kandy Rural Development side of the systemic failure of protecting and Foundation, Law and Human Right Centre - promoting child rights in this country. It is not Jaffna, International Centre for Ethnic Studies, new that up-country children are being used as National Peace Council Association of War forced labour in this country for decades. Rarely Affected Women, Hashtag Generation Centre for has this cruelty been brought to light. Further, Policy Alternatives were amongst those who women’s groups have observed an increasing signed the petition.

Basil holds talks with GMOA

Discussions held between Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa and the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) in regard to the steps taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and the issues faced in the field of healthcare held at the Ministry of Finance. A4 Sunday 25 july 2021 focus Rise in child abuse cases calls for tougher stances Cybercrimes Menace Spreading Faster

By Sulochana report to the Education Department Ramiah Mohan on schools welfare. The gap between them and the other committees is also The death of a 15-year-old girl due a cause for child labour and abuses, to severe burn injuries while working he added. as a maid in the house of a powerful “Overall, the laws are strict and the politician has become a popular people of the country should engage talking point. It just got serious in making sure a child in their family attention (the circumstances and outside is not abused. He surrounding her death is still mentioned that the 1929 hotline can unclear), but employing underage be used to report culprits and register children from the estate sector by rich a case. families, factories in Colombo and “It has to be brought to our other big cities around the country attention because crimes take place has been an age old practice in Sri within four walls and we need to be Lanka and is now on the rise. alerted,” he underlined. The mysterious untimely death Having said that the age limit for caught attention islandwide anyone to be employed has been launching a series of protests; not raised from 14 years of age to 16 and unlike following the gang-rape on 18 June 2021, the NCPA has Vithya’s death in Jaffna several years included child labour in the list of ago. In between those years, many dangerous occupations. “Prior to 18 child abuse cases were highlighted June, the list of dangerous occupation and cases are still proceeding. The had only 52 and now it has increased case of a minor who had been sexually to 76 including child labour and a exploited in an online network is child between 16 and 18 cannot be another recent incident that is being engaged in a dangerous occupation.” investigated by the Police. Three He said the new amended law and suspects have been arrested over the proposal is with the legal draftsman death of the teenage maid, but there and it would be enacted as law soon. is more to it. Circumstances He also said children under 16 and 18 surrounding her death are still under cannot be employed in deep sea probe including who committed the fishing or mining as one can be crime and how it occurred, and the booked under dangerous occupation masses are anticipating justice for the law, once it is enacted. young school dropout-turned maid. He said the punishment for In Sri Lanka, its common to ask a employing those underage is tough friend with links to the plantation our nation's children,” he further and so far it has not been amended. sector for a ‘maid’, for obvious reasons said. On cybercrimes, the NCPA because they are under the poverty A victim saved Chairman noted that cyber sexual line and can be easily employed as harassment is on the rise while domestics. Velu Rebecca, a mother of a cyber-bullying takes the second place Protecting children is a 24 hour job 15-year-old daughter in Norwood in in the country. and every citizen has the right to the Nuwara Eliya District, has an Such cybercrimes are seen on most police their children as well as other abusive husband. He has been social media like Facebook, he added. children. All forms of child abuse constantly taking his anger out on “Children are being lured to accept should be reported to the 1929 hotline his wife with other members of the anonymous invitations on Facebook such as child labour, abuse and family. Working in Colombo, she has and they get into many chats and are torture, or if a child’s right to immense problems with her abusive bullied,which the parents are not education, health and food is husband and has lodged over five aware of. It also important for close neglected. complaints to Norwood Police and at family members to keep an eye on However, rather than showing a nearby Police Station where she their children first and foremost to empathy to children,some parents, works. Several months ago, over an avoid abuse,” he stressed. teachers, paymasters, take advantage argument at home, Rebecca’s According to him, in 2019 the of their innocence and turn into husband dragged their young NCPA had recorded 51 cybercrimes, abusers, rapists, sexually molesters, daughter from the house and took in 2018 it registered 43 cases and in exposing them to pornography and her to his village in Nuwara Eliya. He 2020 it was 152 cases. However, in harassing them online. The victims left his daughter with his sister who the first six months of 2021 they run to Police only to be exploited even has adult sons. She missed school recorded 72 cybercrimes which is more .pushing lawmakers to pay may for over seven months. As she was technically around 144 cases by end more attention and put in place studying in grade 10, her school of this year. proper mechanisms to monitor and teacher alerted the school Principal He said the country needs to more manage such situations. and complained to the Zonal efficiently combat all types of violence Parenting is not easy and sadly the Education Department. The girl and that cyber sexual violence has first instances of child abuse are received a letter asking her to report leaped to 80 per cent while non- committed by those who are at home, to school over which her aunt sent sexual cybercrimes (bullying) has especially parents. The abused her back to her village. The child who been 20 per cent according to their silently cross those fences or die in was unhappy about missing school latest statistics. the hands of the predator. was forced to come back. She later Combating crimes against children avenue and became the body Plantation Companies (RPCs) have went back to school happily. Cyber-Surveillance is a world order. Sri Lanka signed the responsible for implementing adhered to a child protection policy She was warned not to be absent The NCPA has been operating a Convention on the Rights of the Child children’s rights. Thus, with the that forbids paid or unpaid and told that she will not be able to cyber-unit from 2019, but from 2020 on 26 January 1990 and ratified on objective of implementing the CRC, employment of children under 16, sit for her O/Ls this year. Since she they established a cyber-surveillance 12 July 1991. As a follow-up to the the Department created the post of they were less certain of the extent to is one of the school’s top students, unit under which they had monitored United Nation's Convention on the Child Rights Promotion Officer and which their supply chain was free of the school Principal helped her go and registered 52 per cent of the cases Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the recruited graduates for the post. The child labour. Part of the supply chain back to school. without the knowledge of the Government of Sri Lanka formulated recruited officers were placed in every is the smallholders from whom leaf This is commendable networking perpetrator. “In 10 months we the Children’s Charter in 1992. Divisional Secretariat in order to tea is sometimes bought”. that saved the child from dropping deactivated many Facebook Furthermore, the Optional Protocol on provide the atmosphere and facilities Also,several plantation related out of school, but it does not happen accounts,” he said. Involvement of Children in Armed necessary to ensure child rights at Government Ministries in the past, all the time. He added that the cyber- Conflict was signed on 21 August regional level. such as Livestock and Rural Chairman of the National Child surveillance unit was introduced in 2000 and was ratified on 8 There is a legal officer and a Community Development, the Protection Authority (NCPA), Professor October 2020 and the NCPA is September, 2000. Signing the chairperson who handles matters Ministry of Hill Country New Villages Muditha Widanapathirana, who is assigned to first identify the suspect Optional Protocol on Sale of Children, related to children in Sri Lanka. Infrastructure and Community also the Chair Professor of Forensic and arrest them. “In case we cannot Child Prostitution and Child There are numerous questions on Development etc., had offices Medicine, University of Sri identify the person, we identify them Pornography was signed on 8 May how to combat child abuse in the pertaining to assisting with the Jayewardenepura responded to though the TRC, SL CERT, Police and 2002 and ratified on 22 September country and whether the NCPA can welfare of children, social and several questions by Ceylon Today. though their Facebook account and 2002. do it alone. Is their networking active economic development and He lamented that school committees then arrest them. Then the NCPA will Universal Declaration of Human an accurately operating? Are the community development but, that were set up in all schools are also deactivate their social media Right by its article 25, International zonal education division doing the whether those offices/officials had defunct and that is a big blow to a account.” Covenant on Civil and Political right right thing? Are MPs vigilant about any idea what was happening to child. “In 2017 cybercrimes were high in by its articles of 17, 23, 24 and child abuses in their constituencies? estate school dropouts has not been He underlined that in 2016 the Colombo reaching upto 70 per cent International Covenant on Economic, According to one NGO– Save the highlighted anywhere. Ministry of Education made it and 30 per cent outside Colombo Social and Cultural by its article 11 Children, Sri Lanka, their last survey It is high time the MPs, trade compulsory for schools to form however, it is now the other way (ii), have confirmed that every person conducted in 2016 found that one unions representing their committees which included the local around. In 2020, 70 per cent of the has the right to the wellbeing of his per cent of children (43,343) between constituents in the plantation sector Grama Niladhari. cybercrimes were reported outside family including food, clothing, 5 to 17 years of age are engaged in wake up to the child labour and It was also compulsory for the Colombo City and 30 per cent has shelter and healthcare with social child labour with 90 per cent of this abuse issues and bring awareness to school committee to convene four been around Colombo. It indicates protection against unavoidable and population (39,007) engaged in the vulnerable community. meetings per year and monitor their that the crimes have spread to every difficult situations while enjoying the hazardous forms of child labour. President’s message is clear: “Act students and their activities but they nook and corner of the country,” he privacy and adequate standards of With regard to the plantation now and End Child Labour” are not in operation now. added. living. Most of these international sector, the research identified This year’s World Day against Child That aside, he also pointed out that He also said that most of the conventions are violated and incidences of child sex trafficking Labour on 12 June was themed "Act in 2018, a Government circular was cybercrimes registered are from areas neglected that has led to crimes and commercial sexual exploitation now - End Child Labour" and issued by the Department of such as Sri Jayewardenepura and against children and humanity. of children in the tourism industry President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Education to form School Child Homagama. “I don’t understand why What stakeholders of a across six Districts. The findings message was,“As adults, it is our Protection Committee and that the but most cases and cybercrimes are clearly indicate the trafficking of responsibility to protect the NCPA should be the mother body. prevalent in these two areas,” he child’s life can do? children for sexual exploitation and childhood of our children.” Further “This Committee under NCPA is emphasised. in prostitution or other forms of he added that Sri Lanka is currently active and held discussions on the “A responsible person with the right It is the Ministry of Women and commercial sexual exploitation, both committed and taking part in the defunct school committees. Six top- attitude will never employ a child. Child Affairs which holds the mantle of which are among the worst forms mission launched by the ranking officers of the Education Some don’t just report on crimes to implement all the above of child labour. International Labour Organisation Department and two from NCPA have against children. They are under conventions. The National The study uncovered some and the United Nations Children's been engaged in this committee,” he some pressure and bad attitude Department of Probation and Child worrying facts regarding the Fund to eliminate child labour before added. towards others may lead to such Care Services functioning under this prevalence of some of the worst forms 2025. “I am fully committed in He said that the school committees negligence.” Ministry diverted its services to a new of child labour, “While Regional fulfilling the mission of protecting need to start up so that they could ([email protected]) news sunday 25 july 2021 A5 Three Soldiers Nabbed CEA raids sachet factory The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) conducted a raid on factory at Jamburaliya, in the Kesbewa for Demanding Bribes area, where sachets were being manufactured illegally. By Keerthi Mendis demanded Rs 15,000 to allow to visited a household in Seeduwa to Over 3,000 sachets were continue her activities without demand Rs 80,000 to allow them found at the factory. Officers from the Chilaw and hindrance. continue their illegal drug trade. The Also, the CEA ordered that Seeduwa Police arrested three soldiers The two suspects had then left her Negombo Division Police had managed the sachets, which were for demanding protection money from saying they would be back to collect to arrest the suspect. issued to the market, be those involved in the sale of illegal the sum later. Afterwards, the woman When contacted, Army Commander immediately withdrawn and drugs. had lodged a complaint with the General Shavendra Silva said there that they would take legal Police said two of the suspects had Chilaw Police, which led to the arrest would be an inquiry into the activities action against factory visited a woman, allegedly involved in of the two suspects. of the three soldiers and that they owners. the drug trade in Chilaw, and had Meanwhile, another soldier had would be interdicted. (ER)

Govt launches project to increase Recording testimonies from child abuse victims organic compost by 300%

The Ministry of Urban by the Sri Lanka Land According to the plan, the expected to increase the Development and Housing Development Corporation Commercial Fertilizer capacity of bio-fertiliser Funding received for has launched a with an additional Company has placed an produced by programme to increase the investment of Rs 850 order for 4,000 metric Kerawalapitiya Garbage. amount of organic million. tonnes of organic compost This Project currently special video units compost produced from 15 Following the from the Kerawalapitiya involves about 70 people metric tonnes per day to government’s policy Garbage project. and the project already 50 metric tonnes per day. decision, the Commercial The Colombo Municipal receives 500 metric tonnes – Piyal Nishantha The Kerawalapitiya Fertilizer Company, which Council acts as the main of garbage per day. The Garbage Project, which is already engaged in the garbage supplier and the garbage is piled up for By Faadhila Thassim courts have been created to hear was launched in April production of chemical other garbage suppliers about 6 months to child-abuse cases in Provinces 2017 after the collapse of fertilisers, has also are local municipal decompose and a solution Funds to establish nine video to expedite the legal process and the Meethotamulla initiated a programme to councils of Wattala, is sprayed to remove the evidence recording units at the added that District Secretariats Garbage Dump, is process and produce Ja-Ela, Dompe and odour from the garbage. provincial level to record have been instructed to compile currently being developed organic fertilisers. Attanagalla. It is also (ER) testimonies from victims of child a report on offences against abuse has been allocated, State children from their respective Minister of Women and Child Divisional Secretariat Development, Preschools and Coordinating Committees every Primary Education, School month. Infrastructure and Education Nishantha also stated that Navy seizes Kerala Cannabis worth Rs 32 M Services, Piyal Nishantha said. stern actions will be taken in He said that evidence will be accordance to the Penal Code The Navy seized a haul Detachment of red handed with 16 Kerala Cannabis in total. recorded from the victims in a against those responsible for the of Kerala cannabis worth Vettalakeni in the parcels of Kerala The accused was manner that will not jeopardise death of the 16-year-old girl over Rs 32 million along Northern Naval cannabis in his identified as a resident of their security, adding that a domestic worker at SJB MP with a suspect. The Command was able to possession. After the Mulliyan area, aged discussion pertaining to the Rishad Bathiudeen’s private Consignment weighs over apprehend a suspect who interrogating the suspect, 33. The suspect along establishment of the recording residence, irrespective of 107.8kg and was detected had attempted to escape the Navy also managed to with the stock of Kerala units was held on Thursday positions held by the offender, during a foot patrol along the scene after being recover 24 more sacks of cannabis was handed (22). adding that the investigation the beach area of spotted by the foot patrol Kerala cannabis hidden over to the Marudankeni He further added that special should also be expedited. Kadeikadu, Vettalakeni in the Kadeikadu beach near a house in the area. Police for onward legal on 22 July. area. Therefore the Navy action. Accordingly, the Naval The suspect was caught recovered 40 packages of (NV) A6 Sunday 25 July 2021 focus

Endless teacher strikes Future of the Country Held Hostage? By Thameenah Razeek Week-long strikes have little effect We are currently living in an unpleasant era in which adults have Academics have contended that begun to abandon Sri Lanka’s future protesting against certain things is in order to brighten their own. We are necessary, but week-long strikes have ruled by a regime that has already had little effect, and it is the students begun to sink our future, oblivious to who suffer by missing important the fact that those futures are the ones learning days. According to academics, that will lead to Sri Lanka becoming a concerned citizens and the developed country. Government must take this issue However, both of these people are seriously and reach a conclusion, well-known societal decision-makers. because there will be no progress or One type of adult is classified as a social transformation in the country ‘teacher,’ while the other is classified without education.“On such a critical as a ‘government.’ issue, the Government cannot afford Teachers are perhaps the most to delay making effective decisions.” important members of our society Ceylon Today interviewed ten because they provide students with a teachers, seven of whom were against sense of purpose, prepare them for the strike. Two of the seven continued success as global citizens, and inspire their online education behind closed them to succeed in life. The doors, while the others avoided it Government, on the other hand, is entirely. viewed as a provider of goods and When queried, the two teachers, who services that individuals are unable to wished to remain anonymous, stated provide for themselves. Both of these that strikes are not the solution, but notions are no longer valid in Sri that they have become more common Lanka, where teachers and in recent years, and that people seem governments are attempting to figure to find an easy way to solve the out what they want to do with their problem, and that the Government lives. Teachers who have been affected increased, as rising commodity prices be disagreements about the measure, does not appear to take any problem by salary disparities for years are now have rendered their pay insignificant. but he did explain why teachers’ seriously until major events occur. erecting billboards demanding that The right of children to an education positions were shifting so quickly. She stated that she went to a State- they be addressed, while the is being hampered by the ongoing In most developed He claimed that, in addition to run school and a university and Government stands by and watches strike, which is becoming less and less countries, schools opposing the KDU Bill, teachers, as a understands how difficult it is to the drama unfold. effective. Meanwhile, the Government responsible group, should not blame become the person you truly want to Decades of slow but steady progress has failed to meet the demands of the have been designated or put pressure on innocent students be. toward educating more children strikers. Despite the fact that as a zone of peace, seeking to survive through online “What is the students’ fault for throughout the country came to an education is a human right, the education. Teachers’ unions missing important learning days? end in 2020. In an effort to slow the education sector has been almost with no unpleasant demanded that the Government hand Although teachers’ demands are spread of the coronavirus, an completely destroyed. incidents from over control of the education sector to reasonable, they should not act in an unprecedented number of children In a situation where a pandemic has capable individuals, claiming that the erratic manner that jeopardises had been locked out of their primary, struck at the core of a human being, either–the State or education system has been virtually students’ futures. They are able to secondary, and upper grades in the Government has harshly rebels. Therefore, decimated despite its status as a communicate with the appropriate schools across the country by April. condemned this behaviour. Children, schools and other human right. authorities. Students are similar to As the pandemic progressed, some who are less likely to experience the What is worse, tens of thousands of dough that can be shaped into any schools reopened for in-person more severe symptoms of COVID-19, educational students who faced exams last year shape.” teaching or for some students, while were forced to forego their right to an institutions operate are still waiting for their results. Even When asked why the other five others have remained closed ever education and accept restrictions that if schools reopen soon, students will teachers aren’t teaching the students since, with learning taking place to harmed their friendships and mental efficiently, and be unable to advance to the next like the other two, they said they’d love varying degrees online or elsewhere health as part of public efforts to children the have educational stage without the results. to, but if they were caught teaching, remotely. There have been waves of protect the health and save the lives of Teachers have withdrawn from both the trade unions would charge them school openings and closings in the their families, friends, teachers, and access to their the preparation of G.C.E. Advanced with a variety of offenses. These Western Province. community members, according to fundamental right to Level 2021 admissions and online teachers did not want their names or As a result of an ongoing teacher Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya education education. The G.C.E. Advanced Level the name of the union to be made strike, teachers have withdrawn from Rambukwella. Examination was repeatedly public. providing online studies, exacerbating postponed, causing students to A student preparing to sit for the the country’s education crisis. Government’s defence become increasingly concerned. G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination Teachers will not participate in The Government’s only defence was on track for education and that it has However, the SLFP, the this year said he is completely opposed distance learning until their pay is that it is working hard to keep children launched numerous programmes to Government’s primary faction, has to strikes.“The future of our country is that end. urged the relevant authorities to in our hands. The Government should In response to teachers and intervene in the matter and assist in take steps to meet teachers’ needs, principals withdrawing from all online its resolution. Minister Dayasiri and teachers should take steps to teaching activities, Rambukwella Jayasekara stated that the teachers’ ensure that we don’t waste valuable stated that any group that incites strike has been going on for several time during this pandemic. Strikes teachers to strike is heinous, adding years, and that despite the strike, they have become a low-cost and simple that at a time when the country is have continued to teach our dear way of expressing dissatisfaction with dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, children without complaining for the almost anything. Although everyone people should consider how past two years, despite the pandemic. recognises that a strike is not the best reasonable it is to hold the education While apologising for some option, it remains popular in our of nearly 4,300,000 children hostage. ministers’ anti-teacher remarks, he society. If we want a bright future for He was perplexed as to why trade noted that those remarks had also our siblings, we need to find a solution unions in Sri Lanka were initially hurt teachers’ feelings, and that they to the strike as soon as possible,” he protesting against the marginalisation believe it is completely wrong to treat said emphatically. of higher education, citing the them in this manner. The SLFP’s In most developed countries, schools proposed General Sir John extremely successful 1956 campaign have been designated as a zone of Kotelawala National Defence slogan, “sanga, veda, guru, govi, peace, with no unpleasant incidents University (KDU) Bill, and are now kamkaru (Buddhist clergy, ayurvedic from either–the State or rebels. demanding a pay rise. doctors, teachers, farmers, and Therefore, schools and other He didn’t say whether there would workers) pancha maha balavegaya,” educational institutions operate included teachers (five great forces). efficiently, and children the have He concluded by saying that access to their fundamental right to teachers are among our pancha maha education. Political parties and other balavegaya and that the SLFP is interest groups, on the other hand, entitled to defend their rights. call for school strikes and even include Nimnadh Ramakrishnan, a doctor students in their protests. Thus, and father of three, believes that the whether schools should be designated Government is more concerned with as a zone in which everyone respects a the demands of demonstrators than student’s right to learn and grow is a with the needs of innocent burning question. The Government schoolchildren.“Their right to requires a comprehensive plan to education should be protected, and prevent the so-called educational educational facilities should be built maestros from ‘blindfolding’ the as soon as possible. Strikes may be members of the public. Everyone the solution to some problems, but not involved should get the strike all. It will be resolved through direct mentality out of their heads. Allow talks and mutual understandings, as people to do whatever they want. By committed by the relevant staging strike after strike, nothing will authorities,” he said on behalf of his be accomplished. Please do not allow children, who have been affected by innocent children to suffer as a result the Government-labour dispute. of your indecision. focus sunday 25 july 2021 A7 J’Pura Research Elevates Status of Sinopharm Vaccine By Faadhila Thassim recommended its use for 60 years and above. Women people aged 18 and above were underrepresented in the COVID-19 vaccinations adding that the safety data trial and the median duration around the world could be are limited for persons above of follow-up available at the considered as the light at the 60 years of age (due to the time of evidence review was end of the tunnel owing to the limited number of participants 112 days. fact that it immunises the in clinical trials). Critics against the public and reduces the risk of The WHO further stated causalities arising as a result that while no differences in research of contracting COVID-19. safety profile of the vaccine in The COVID-19 vaccination older adults compared to The College of Medical drive in Sri Lanka began late younger age groups can be Science Sri Lanka January 2021 and several anticipated, countries commenting on the research different types of vaccines have considering using this vaccine stated that the research only arrived in the country and have in persons older than 60 years focused on the Beijing been administered to the should maintain active safety Institute of Biological public. monitoring. Products (BBIBP-CorV) One such vaccine is China’s WHO stated that a large vaccine and not a comparison Sinopharm vaccine that has, multi-country Phase 3 trial of vaccines currently being according to a research carried has shown that 2 doses, used in Sri Lanka and that out by the Allergy, Immunology administered at an interval of therefore it is unethical to use and Cell Biology Unit, 21 days, have an efficacy of 79 the research to say that the Department of Immunology per cent against symptomatic Chinese coronavirus jab was Molecular and Molecular SARS-CoV-2 infection 14 or of superior quality. Medicine of the University of more days after the second They further stated that the Sri Jayewardenepura, proven dose. Vaccine efficacy against vaccine itself was not globally to have developed antibodies hospitalisation was 79 per accepted while only Sri Lanka against the vaccine in over 95 cent. was focused on proving its per cent of individuals in Sri It was stated that the trial superiority adding that many Lanka. Prof. Neelika Malavige Dr. Chandima Jeewandara was not designed and powered workers could not be sent to The WHO Strategic Advisory to demonstrate efficacy Europe and Middle East Group of Experts (SAGE) on those who have contracted Chandima Jeewandara, and SAGE has thoroughly assessed against severe disease in countries as these countries Immunization issued Interim COVID-19 and have been the Colombo Municipality the data on quality, safety and persons with comorbidities, in did not accept the Sinopharm recommendations for the use cured. The antibody responses Council and included efficacy of the vaccine and has pregnancy, or in persons aged vaccine. of the inactivated COVID-19 to the delta variant and researchers from University of vaccine BIBP developed by neutralising antibodies were Oxford including Prof. Graham Sinopharm/China National similar to levels seen following Ogg and Prof. Alain Townsend. Pharmaceutical Group. natural infection. The funding for this study Research Ninety five per cent of was provided by the World individuals were proven to Health Organisation, UK According to the Allergy, have been seroconverted Medical Research Council, the Immunology and Cell Biology following two doses of the Foreign and Commonwealth Unit, Department of Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV Office and the Chinese Immunology Molecular and vaccine. While individuals Academy of Medical Sciences Molecular Medicine of the between 20 to 39 years old had (CAMS) Innovation Fund for University of Sri very high seroconversion Medical Science (CIFMS), Jayewardenepura as there are (development of antibodies) China. Ethics approval has limited data of the rates of about 98.9 per cent, been obtained from the Ethics immunogenicity of the the seroconversion rates in Review Committee of the Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV in individuals of 60 years and University of Sri different populations, antibody above was 93.3 per cent and Jayewardenepura and all responses against different lower. necessary patient/participant SARS-CoV-2 variants of The vaccine induced consent had been obtained and concern and T cell responses, neutralising antibodies in the appropriate institutional the immunogenicity of the 81.25 per cent of vaccine forms have also been archived. vaccine, in individuals in Sri recipients and these In conclusion, the Lanka was investigated. neutralising antibody levels Department stated that SARS-CoV-2-specific were similar to levels seen Sinopharm/BBIBP-CorV antibodies were measured in following natural infection. The appeared to induce high 282 individuals who were antibody levels to the delta and seroconversion rates and seronegative at baseline, and beta variant were similar to induce a similar level of ACE2 receptor blocking levels following natural antibody responses against antibodies, antibodies to the infection although the antibody ACE2 receptor, B.1.617.2 and receptor binding domain (RBD) levels were lower for the Alpha B.1.351 as seen following of the wild type (WT), B.1.1.7, Variant. natural infection. B.1.351 and B.1.617.2, ex vivo According to the Prof. Malavige stated that and cultured IFNγ ELISpot Department, the vaccine while vaccinations in general assays, intracellular cytokine recipients only had a 1.38-fold does not mean that COVID-19 secretion assays and B cell reduction in antibody titers to could be completely eradicated ELISpot assays were carried the Delta variant compared to and that being vaccinated is out in a sub cohort of those the Wuhan variant, compared not a guarantee of not vaccinated at 4 weeks and at 6 to a 10-fold reduction to the contracting the virus, vaccines weeks (2 weeks after the beta variant. The vaccine also reduces the risk of casualties second dose). induced T cell and memory B adding that the general The Department investigated cell responses. precautionary methods and immune responses to the The research team included health guidelines should be Sinopharm vaccine and found scientists from the Allergy, adhered irrespective of being that the vaccine induced Immunology and Cell Biology vaccinated or not. antibody responses in over 95 Unit, Department of WHO on Sinopharm COVID- per cent of individuals, similar Immunology Molecular and 19 Vaccine to levels seen following natural Molecular Medicine, including According to the World COVID-19 illness which means Prof. Neelika Malavige, Dr. Health Organisation (WHO), A8 SUNDAY 25 JULY 2021 EDITORIAL EDITORIAL SUNDAY 25 JULY 2021 A9 Divided Opposition Brings Government Together Through NCM Opposition refuses to allocate time for Ranil to speak PM comes to the rescue of Opposition

A special discussion was held at UNP He attempted to speak for a second time Wickremesinghe. Signed by 43 SJB claiming that the CID was preparing Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s residence when he realised his mistake but Minister MPs including Opposition Leader to arrest him in connection with the last Sunday concerning the NCM that was Wimal Weerawansa objected to the move. Sajith Premadasa, the motion cites an terror attack. filed in Parliament against Minister Udaya Few other Government rankers including official statement by ruling Sri Lanka Party activists met Wickremesinghe Gammanpila by the SJB. Lawyers and party Leader of the House Dinesh Gunewardena Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) general last Thursday at the leader’s house to seniors were in attendance. During the joined Weerawansa in objecting to the secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam air their views related to the present We Have Failed discussion most of the seniors inquired move. blaming the price hike on political Situation. Sandith whether there was any possibility to At this juncture, Premier Mahinda Gammanipla. Samarasinghe charged at the outset submit amendments to the NCM Rajapaksa intervened and requested “The new Finance Minister must that the SJB which brought the NCM to Protect Our during the course of the debate. Then Weerawansa to permit Marikkar to also be included because the price rather than going after the Minister most of the lawyers who were present read the motion. He requested has not been brought down as concerned had found fault instead Children mentioned that as per the Speaker Abeywardena also to promised,” said Wickremesinghe, with the Speaker during the debate. Constitution, Standing Orders and allow Marikkar to read it, referring to statements made by a Abeywardane too lamented that the Parliament Privileges Act, any MP could saying the Government was number of backbencher-MPs in the SJB instead of focusing their The State is the ultimate guardian of all children of a submit amendments. ready to face the NCM. Government who claimed that newly attention on Gammanpila had nation. Consequently, the State has an obligation to At this stage UNP Chairman Vajira Meanwhile, amendments sworn in Finance Minister Basil instead strived to take an Opposition make sure that children are provided with all Abeywardena was of the opinion that if there tabled by UNP National List MP Ranil Rajapaksa would not have allowed a MP to the cleaners. Range Bandara necessary safeguards, within the family as well as in are no legal impediments then the UNP must Wickremesinghe to the No-Confidence fuel price increase. also said that the SJB had proposed wider society, and put in place legal recourses when propose amendments as not only Motion against Minister of Energy Udaya “This motion has evidently been a new law in Parliament that if our such safeguards fail. Gammanpila but the Minister of Finance too Gammanpila were deemed unacceptable by brought over a statement attributed leader is to speak in the House then Two separate incidents, involving two children, in has to be held accountable over the spike in Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on to MP Sagara Kariyawasam. He has the UNP would have to inform that to the past few weeks shocked the nation to its core. One domestic fuel prices. Deputy Leader Ruwan Tuesday (20). since retracted that statement. He is the SJB leader. He said this alone was the trafficking of a child for sexual exploitation, Wijewardene too opined that the NCM The matter was discussed in Parliament no longer of that position,” he added. has shown as to how much the SJB where more than 40 suspects were arrested including should have been filed against the entire when the debate on the NCM resumed for the Wickremesinghe said the is running scared of the UNP leader. the girl’s mother, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet by the SJB rather than targeting a This is not politics. second day. No-Confidence Motion has resulted in Ruwan then mentioned that the UNP Mihintale Pradeshiya Sabha, drivers, a designer who solitary Minister. Wickremesinghe had proposed that the bringing Government MPs together. leader had never resorted to such had worked on the ads promoting the victim online, a Accepting the recommendations put This is just a Media NCM be brought against the Government as “Now all the Ministers have united. action when in the House and he too Buddhist monk, a captain and several crew members forward by party lawyers and seniors, the stunt. If those who a whole, and not just against Gammanpila. The Government is collectively ready bemoaned the measures taken by the of a ship, a gem merchant, a consultant doctor and a party leader decided to propose an to show its strength,” he said. SJB. Ruwan said that due to around former Finance Minister of a foreign country, making amendment to the NCM where the target was moved this Motion had Opposition divided on NCM a trillion rupees of currency notes it one of the most horrifying incidents of sexual the entire Cabinet rather than the Minister Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB) Leader Easy Win being printed there was sufficient exploitation recorded in the country. concerned. In the meantime, the leader a slight idea about Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the SJB’s Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila local currency here but not much On the other hand, the child had been sold online to confided to party seniors that he will be politics, they would not decision to move a No-Confidence Motion triumphed over SJB’s sinister plan to dollars. a number of suspects over a period of three months for speaking about the present political plight against Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila oust him, as the No-Confidence He said even in the Fort black prices as varied as Rs 15,000, 20,000 and 30,000, and faced by two Opposition MPs Rishad have presented this was a politically ‘foolish one’ and a Media Motion brought by the latter against market dollars had become scarce. trafficked to various parts of the country – particularly Bathiudeen and Harin Fernando in the NCM. Why am I saying stunt. him was defeated by a majority of 91 The leader remarked that the only at a time when an inter-provincial travel ban was in House. Participating in the NCM debate in votes. mudslinging campaign. They cannot the outspoken MP, said alternative left for the Minister of place. This prompted Court to order law enforcement Wickremesinghe submitted a copy of the this? Gammanpila rep- Parliament, Dissanayake said the SJB’s The NCM received 61 votes in favour bring Basil Rajapaksa down, nor can Wickremesinghe. Finance is to go on bended knees to authorities to investigate who aided and abetted speech that he intended to deliver in move would further strengthen the and 152 against. they bring the SLPP down,” said Fernando, who has been criticised the IMF and seek loans as the transporting the child across the country. Parliament to his party members present. He resents one faction of Government. The SLPP voted against the motion. Pradeep. for not sharing information his late country has begun to run dry of gas Further investigations have revealed that this child went to Parliament on Monday morning with this Government. “This is not politics. This is just a Media The SJB, UNP, Jathika Jana The MP made this remark in father was said to have given him and fuel. had previously been subjected to sexual abuse by her the aim of handing over a copy of his stunt. If those who moved this Motion had a Balawegaya (JJB) and Illankai Tamil response to a question about Abeywardane too about an imminent attack on Sagala Ratnayake then proposed There are some other father in 2013 and had in fact, lodged a complaint amendment to the NCM to the Speaker. slight idea about politics, they would not Arasu Katchi voted in favour of the speculation that President lamented that the churches on 21 April 2019, made a that the UNP should strive to cash in with the Meegahawatte Police Station. She had later Wickremesinghe noted in the proposal factions who are not have presented this NCM. Why am I saying NCM. Rajapaksa may not contest the next startling revelation in Parliament in on the political situation in the been produced in the Mahara Magistrate's Court. “Parliament resolves that it has no this? Gammanpila represents one faction of When the votes were being counted, Presidential Polls. Reporters also SJB instead of April this year. The MP claimed that aftermath of the NCM. The leader Dismissing the issuance of a Court Order requiring confidence in the competence of Minister of pleased with them this Government. There are some other Minister Mahindanada Aluthgamage questioned Pradeep about the investigations by former Criminal added that the party should gear them to supervise the girl, the Department of Energy Udaya Gammanpila and all other factions who are not pleased with them said that SJB MPs Harin Fernando, alleged rift between the SLPP and focusing their Investigation Department (CID) itself to carry out its political work to either politically or Probation and Child Care Services had then given the Ministers in the Cabinet to function as either politically or personally. We saw that Hesha Withanage and Chaminda Industries Minister Wimal attention on Director Shani Abeysekara had suit the post COVID-19 situation in child’s grandmother custody over her, as her mother Cabinet Ministers any longer.” personally Ministers like Dayasiri Jayasekara and Wijesiri were not present in the Weerawansa. revealed that an intelligence officer the country. He urged the party to had left the country for foreign employment. In accordance with Standing Order 43, the Vasudeva Nanayakkara openly spoke about Chamber to vote. “Minister Weerawansa says there Gammanpila had who had been arrested in connection formulate the necessary plan for it Reportedly, the victim was eight years old at the time, MP gave Notice of the following amendments that. We can understand their hints. Now “Why are they not here? Even our are political rogues, but there are no with the bombings had had and he assured that he will do the whilst her mother was 22. to the No-Confidence Motion against what did the SJB do? They brought an Harin is not present,” Aluthgamage rogues in the SLPP. However, there instead strived to discussions with the perpetrators of necessary work in Parliament for it. Upon an inquiry made by our reporter as to whether Gammanpila: “In line 37 (of the NCM), delete NCM in that backdrop. Now, those who had said. may be such rogues in a party that take an Opposition the attack. He requested Vajira, Range and this online sex-trafficking ring could have been the word ‘Energy’ and add the words ‘Energy started to speak about political conflicts in In response, the SJB queried where is aligned with the SLPP. That’s a “Let’s presume that Fernando’s Ruwan to look after the political work prevented had the Police conducted thorough and all other Ministers in the Cabinet.’ In seasoned MPs in the House. Afterwards the Government will become silent. The Minister Chamal Rajapaksa was. question that only he can answer,” MP to the cleaners. father did give the information. If the outside Parliament. investigations into the initial complaint, SDIG Ajith line 37, delete the words ‘Cabinet Minister’ Wickremesinghe held talks with the TNA SJB by moving this motion made them Aluthgamage was heard saying ‘in said Pradeep. Range Bandara also Police didn’t act on the information SJB in trouble Rohana said although it is true that such a complaint and add the words ‘Cabinet Ministers’.” leader and MPs, Muslim party MPs and the silent. That is why we say that this is a quarantine.’ PTA to stay given by the Indian intelligence was made, it is of no relevance to the ongoing case, as Before that, at the Parliament lobby JVP concerning the NCM brought against politically foolish move. This is not politics. After Speaker Mahinda Yapa said that the SJB had services, do you think they are going over Rishad the victim had been exploited by her mother and her Wickremesinghe was seen having cordial Gammanpila. This is only a Media stunt,” he said. Abeywardena announced that the The Presidential Commission of to act on what Harin Fernando’s other guardians. talks with a group of SLPP and SJB MPs. One MP opined that, by bringing the NCM Ranil Wickremesinghe was also of the NCM was defeated, the Government Inquiry, appointed to appraise the proposed a new law father had said?” he said. The incident of a minor domestic When questioned as to why the Department of Then one MP inquired about the veracity of a against a solitary Minister the Government opinion that the No-Confidence Motion has MPs clapped, expressed their joy and findings of Previous Commissions Wickremesinghe said in his speech worker at SJB MP Rishad Probation and Child Care Services had not followed up rumour that the SJB has decided not to will be able to join forces and defeat it with resulted in bringing Government MPs shouted ‘Jaya Wewa!’ and Committees on Human Rights in Parliament that if that all information regarding the Bathiudeen’s residence dying after on the girl after handing her over to her grandmother, allocate time for the UNP leader to speak ease. The UNP leader said it was due to this together. The House was adjourned until 3 and the Way Forward, in its interim our leader is to speak Easter Sunday attack had been sustaining severe burn injuries have the Media briefing was concluded prior to a full during the NCM debate. reason that his party had proposed to amend “The Energy Minister was one of the August. report, states that it does not agree provided by the Indian Intelligence to now led to a division in SJB with a answer being given in this regard. Wickremesinghe was hopeful that the the NCM to target the whole Cabinet. parties responsible for the fuel price The SJB moved the motion alleging with requests to repeal the in the House then the the Sri Lankan authorities on the group supporting the Days after this incident Police arrested five suspects Speaker would ensure the rights of MPs to increase. But it’s actually the Finance that Gammanpila was responsible for Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). UNP would have to morning of the attack. Parliamentarian and another group including the victim’s father for sexually abusing speak in the House. At the Speaker’s Office PM to Marikkar’s rescue Minister that increases the price, in any the recent fuel price hike. The PCoI interim report which, was “So, if you now come to question seeking justice on behalf of the victim another teenage girl. Police said, among the suspects having handed over a copy of his amendment SJB MP S.M. Marikkar opened the debate Government. As far as I know, this has not handed over to President Gotabaya inform that to the him on a matter which is not relevant and her family. taken into custody is a woman who had aided and to the NCM, he urged Speaker Mahinda Yapa from the Opposition side but it was much changed. So the Finance Minister is also President’s indication Rajapaksa on 20 July, further states and which has been dealt by a A group of politicians representing abetted the crime that took place in Nawalapitiya. Abeywardena to allocate time for him to air later did he and his colleagues in the responsible. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on that the PTA should be reformed in SJB leader. He said Presidential Commission of Inquiry, estate Tamil communities on Friday Investigations have revealed that a total of 10 people his views during the debate. Opposition realised that they have forgotten “Correct me if I’m wrong, but the cost of Monday (19) gave a conclusive hint line with the laws against the this alone has shown there is only one conclusion: they lodged a complaint with the Police had abused the 13-year-old victim. Investigations are The Speaker assured Wickremesinghe will to read the motion first. Instead of reading living committee also discussed this matter that he was prepared to go for a prevention of terrorism in other want to intimidate him,” he said. Headquarters representing the family underway to arrest six other suspects who are be allocated time not only because he was a the motion, he made a speech against – which means the Ministers on that second term and would therefore countries including in the UK. as to how much the Quoting British constitutional of the 16-year-old girl who died currently absconding. former Prime Minister but is one of the most Gammanpila and the Government. committee must also be included,” said contest the next Presidential Poll. The PCoI, which has paid special theorist Thomas Erskine May’s under suspicious circumstances at The other horrifying incident reported at a private “To fulfil my agenda for this country attention to the Sections 9, 11 and SJB is running seminal work on Parliamentary the private residence of MP residence of a Member of Parliament. A girl who had and its people, not only the next three 13 of the PTA, has made three key scared of the UNP procedure, Wickremesinghe said: Bathiudeen. been sent for employment at this particular years but a further five years will be recommendations, in its interim “Erskine May has said attempts to Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) politician’s house, when she was a minor, had died of available,” he said. report, with regard to the leader. Ruwan then influence members in their conduct Leader Mano Ganesan, Deputy suicide and according to forensic reports, had been The President had reportedly made implementation of the PTA in a more mentioned that the by threat is a breach of Parliamentary Leader TPA Palani Digambaram, MP subjected to sexual exploitation over a period of time. these comments during a meeting democratic manner. Privileges. So, this is intimidation of Velu Kumar and MP Udaya Kumar According to Police, the girl was admitted to the convened with heads of media The PCoI has highlighted the UNP leader had a member which violates the while claiming investigations are not National Hospital with burn injuries on 3 July where institutions held at the Presidential possibility to expedite the hearing of privileges of the House.” conducted in a proper manner also she succumbed to the injuries on Thursday, 15 July, Secretariat on Monday. cases of those who are being never resorted to He further said that it also betrays has insisted that father-in-law was while her post-mortem revealed evidence of ‘chronic Rajapaksa, who contested the 2019 detained for a minimum of three such action when in a failure to provide correct involved in sexually abusing the vaginal penetration’, though no further details were Presidential Poll, as a non-partisan months or a longer period under the information to the Speaker, victim. provided. candidate, was elected as the Provision Nine of the PTA by filing the House and he too “They said they wanted to question The group earlier met Senior DIG- On early Friday morning, the MP’s wife, father-in- country’s ninth Executive President indictments against them and to bemoaned the on these issues but the fact is that Western Province Deshabandu law and brother-in-law had been arrested following with an overwhelming majority. confine the detainees to their own has already been done and finished. Tennakoon and demanded the hours of Police interrogation. Police recorded The President while striving to fulfil homes or the residential areas under measures taken by The inquiry was on why the Police appointment of a Special Police statements from two former maids who had worked at the policies contained in his election special security instead of detaining didn’t act on the information. So, they Investigation team into the the MP’s residence, prior to the recruitment of the manifesto titled ‘Vistas of Prosperity them in prisons in line with the the SJB gave the Speaker and the House false suspicious death of a minor who teenage domestic aide. MP’s brother-in-law was and Splendour’ is presently, taking Section 11 of the PTA. information,” Wickremesinghe said. served as a domestic aide. arrested for allegedly sexually abusing a 22-year-old great pains to overcome the COVID- It also proposes the importance of Meanwhile, Minister of Public The group led by MP Mano former maid who had worked at the MP’s residence 19 pandemic which has ravaged the establishing an Advisory Board, Security Sarath Weerasekara Ganesan met SDIG Tennakoon to from 2015 to 2019. globe since last year. consisting of not less than three De-facto Opposition responding to the former Prime request a fair investigation into the Behind this sordid incident is the tragic tale of President Rajapaksa in March 2020 persons, representing all ethnic Minister said that there is no plan to death of the 16-year-old girl who exploitation of children from the Estate sector, who said that he will not be seeking a groups, to advise the President or the Leader arrest MP Harin Fernando. allegedly been subjected to rape and are routinely employed as domestic servants, where second term as he needs only one Minister in charge of Defence under Last week in Parliament, UNP “Fernando has said he knows who subsequently succumbed to burn they are subjected to physical, psychological and term to finish what he had started. the Section 13 of the PTA. Leader Wickremesinghe was seen the mastermind was. So, if he knows injuries. sexual abuse. The story of this girl would have gone However, the recent indication of The President, in an extraordinary acting in the role of Opposition the mastermind, he has a They also demanded that the unnoticed by many had it not had happened at the his seeking a second term comes in gazettes issued on 21 January and 12 Leader which he was accustomed to. responsibility to tell that to the CID removal of Borella OIC Chief residence of the highly influential politician. the wake of his brother Basil February appointed members to the He said the detention of MP Rishad in the interest of national security,” Inspector Duminda Balasuriya from These two incidents highlight not only how much Rajapaksa, who was recently PCoI to investigate, inquire into and Bathuideen and alleged attempts to said Weerasekara. ongoing investigation claiming there the safeguards have failed to protect our children, but appointed Finance Minister, has been report or take necessary action on the arrest MP Harin Fernando infringe The Attorney General, on 14 July, is no transparency in his conduct. also how spectacularly the legal recourses that should touted as a possible future findings of the preceding upon the privileges of the entire informed the Supreme Court that MP The group also urged Senior DIG come into play in instances where such safeguards presidential candidate of the ruling Commissions or Committees Parliament. Fernando will not be arrested until 1 Tennakoon to take measures to fail, also fall short of protecting our children. SLPP in the next Presidential Election. appointed to investigate human rights Wickremesinghe told Parliament September 2021. exhume the body and call for a fresh These two children were firstly let down by their Basil Rajapaksa is the most violations, serious violations of Monday (19) that while MPs aren’t Party activists forensic report. parents; then the law enforcement agencies who qualified to run for the presidency in International Humanitarian Law (IHL) exempt from arrest, the House must The Tamil MPs led by MP Ganesan should provide them with protection; and next by the the event President Gotabaya and other such offences. be informed of the cause of a visit RW’s house further told DIG Tennakoon that it’s State institutes that are specifically instituted to Rajapaksa doesn’t seek re-election in The PCoI is chaired by Supreme member’s detention. not an ethnic issue or about the provide them with protection. They have only one last four years’ time, SLPP MP Sahan Court Judge A. H. M. D. Nawaz. The Meanwhile, Police moves to Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa ruling party, or the opposition party hope left – the Judiciary. Let us all hope that these Pradeep was quoted earlier as saying. other members are retired Inspector question main Opposition Samagi Peiris informed the Court on this but it’s about issues related to law children at least get the justice they deserve from the “As the SLPP, we are quite clear that General of Police Chandra Fernando, Jana Balavegaya MP Harin Fernando matter when a Fundamental Rights and order in the country. criminal justice system of the country! Basil Rajapaksa is qualified to retired District Secretary Nimal over a statement he had made (FR) petition by Fernando was heard “This new Police team should find contest. Some camps that are not Abeysiri and former Mayor of Jaffna regarding the Easter bombings were on 14 July. The petition sought an out more about her suspicious death keen on the idea are now engaged in a Yogeswari Patkunarajah. an attempt to intimidate injunction restraining his arrest and reveal it to the public.” A10 sunday 25 july 2021 focus A question of national immunisation How Effective is Current COVID Vaccination Strategy?

By Dilanthi Jayamanne non- academic school staff are being vaccinated in a bid to open schools by The World Health Organisation the month of August 2021. (WHO) which has been the lighthouse to which all nations have looked to for Progress within guidance in their battle against COVID- Colombo City 19 has said: “Vaccines save millions of lives each year. Vaccines work by The Chief Medical Officer of the training and preparing the body’s Colombo Municipal Council - Public natural defences – the immune system Health Department (CMC-PHD), Dr. – to recognise and fight off the viruses Ruwan Wijayamuni said that his and bacteria they target. After department had been able to vaccinate vaccination, if the body is later exposed over 80 per cent of its over 70 to those disease-causing germs, the population. Also, it had vaccinated body is immediately ready to destroy close to 70 per cent of its over 30 them, preventing illness. population. “We hope to complete There are several safe and effective vaccinating the over 30s living in the vaccines that prevent people from CMC area by the end of this month,” he getting seriously ill or dying from said with confidence. COVID-19. This is one part of managing The Council has even deployed a COVID-19, in addition to the main mobile service to meet with the deadline preventive measures of staying at least by vaccinating those who are unable to one metre away from others, covering a travel or stand for long hours in queues cough or sneezing into your elbow, for the jab. The CMC-PHD has frequently cleaning your hands, inoculated close to 80 per cent of the wearing a mask and avoiding poorly people living in tenement gardens ventilated rooms. (wattas). As of 3 June 2021, the WHO has Of the 107,025 of people who had evaluated that the following vaccines received the first dose of the Oxford against COVID-19 have met the AstraZeneca COVID-19 COVISHIELD necessary criteria for safety and Kanchana Wijesekera Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni jab, 20,000 had received the second efficacy: namely AstraZeneca/Oxford dose while there were another 88,000 vaccine, Johnson and Johnson, Adviser who explained at the time that While the second stage was bent on the pending recipients for the second dose. Moderna, Pfizer/BionTech, Sinopharm the initial 500,000 doses of vaccination of Government and private The PHD Chief said, “The jab would be and Sinovac, COVISHIELD should also to be used at Since last year, Sri sector staff mainly those supplying administered as soon as we received Take whatever vaccine is made the time to inoculate those above 60 essential services such as at the Water the vaccine doses which are scheduled available to you first, even if you have years of age, including those suffering Lanka too has tried and Board, Electricity Board, Petroleum, to arrive in another week. Colombo already had COVID-19. It is important from comorbidities, who comprise at tested many remedies Port of Entry, Postal, residents who received the first dose of to be vaccinated as soon as possible least 3.5 million of Sri Lanka’s Telecommunication, Banking etc. Also, the AstraZeneca vaccine and are once it is your turn and not wait. population. starting from closed-environment workers such as waiting for the second jab would receive Approved COVID-19 vaccines provide a He also said that the State Teachers and University Staff fell into a message, a phone call or a telegram to high degree of protection against getting Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) was Dhammika Bandara’s this priority group. the address provided”. seriously ill and dying from the disease, also looking to purchase an additional miracle tonic during the The third stage of the strategy was although no vaccine is hundred per two to three million stocks of the the vaccination of university students Progress cent protective.” COVISHIELD vaccine from Serum second wave which was which include persons between the Despite setbacks and close calls like Institute in India, which was to produce ages of 18 and 60. the time when many employees Awaiting vaccine it within two to three days. However, allegedly bestowed upon However, the particular programme engaged in industries under the Board for COVID -19 this plan had to be abandoned owing to him by the Hindu went up to President Gotabaya of Investment contracted the virus, the the situation which erupted in India Rajapaksa and the Health Ministry only vaccination drive has been able to cover Since last year, Sri Lanka too has with the spread of the Delta variant. goddess Kali and to be modified. a large number of workers with tried and tested many remedies starting The only thing that redeemed those various other The GMOA also called for COVID assistance of the Tri-Forces. Over 75 from Dhammika Bandara’s miracle initial plans was when three million vaccination to be implemented in major per cent of industrial employees are tonic during the second wave which doses of Sinopharm vaccine arrived in concoctions which were hospitals which included all those fully vaccinated. was allegedly bestowed upon him by Sri Lanka. above Base Hospital level to support the Vaccines such as Pfizer have been the Hindu goddess Kali and various Needless to say the country and the said to be ayurvedic. programme being carried out by the allocated to those leaving for foreign other concoctions which were said to be Media watched aghast as the NVP But Sri Lanka’s medical Medical Officers of Health (MOH) areas employment and students going abroad ayurvedic. But, Sri Lanka’s medical vaccinated MPs and their henchmen and Armed Forces. Also it was pointed for higher studies. experts continued to uphold that a while the number of COVID-19 deaths experts continued to out that it would ease the large crowds According the present vaccination vaccine was the only answer to the amongst the elderly population and uphold that a vaccine gathering at vaccination centres which strategy, the Government aims to virus that originated in Wuhan, China. those with comorbidities increased could spawn yet another COVID cluster achieve 100 per cent vaccinationin the The country received its first rapidly. was the only answer to and leave room for political interference Colombo District in July and the consignment of coronavirus vaccine on GMOA’s attempt to the virus that originated in the vaccination programme. Western Province by August 2021. 28 January 2021 in the form of Oxford The Health Ministry too being Situation so far AstraZeneca COVISHIELD as a friendly reorganise strategy in Wuhan, China. overrun by doctors probably could not gesture from its neighbour India. The stomach the fact that the GMOA were A total 1,736,314 persons in the country received 500,000 doses of the Having watched the fiasco while trying to teach them how vaccinate. But country have been fully vaccinated by vaccine at the time. conducting several Media briefings in order of priority. Accordingly, the what needs to be noted is that while the Thursday (22); while 112,750 persons Subsequently, more doses of the an attempt to grab the attention of the mandatory stage included the Union formed this strategy and have been administered the first dose of same reached the country by February, authorities at the Health Ministry and vaccination of frontline workers and prioritised frontline health workers, it the Pfizer vaccine and another 466, 247 March with the blessings of the the Epidemiology Unit on the mounting supportive players amongst the Tri- violated its own strategy by getting persons have been administered the National Medicines Regulatory corona casualties amongst the elderly forces and the Police. relatives and domestics vaccinated Moderna jab. The involvement of the Authority (NMRA). Heads have also and the deaths of those suffering from Also the first stage of vaccination without caring a pin for the grand Armed Forces in the vaccination drive rolled, however prior to some of these non-communicable diseases (NCDs) included persons above 60 years of age, priority listing it formulated. There were in addition to the health staff has led to vaccines being given the Authority’s the Union came up with a vaccination pregnant women, persons between 18 also health staff that had not been the advancement of the NVP. nod. By 22 July Sri Lanka included strategy for Sri Lanka highlighting the and 16 years of age with comorbidities. given the second dose of the several vaccines in its National AstraZeneca jab owing to the initial Officials need to Vaccination Drive against COVID-19. mess up of the well-organised plans of tow-the-line They included Oxford AstraZeneca the Presidential Task Force. Whether developed in the UK, China’s the GMOA’s vaccination strategy came Considering the allegations that have Sinopharm, Russia’s Sputnik V, Pfizer before or after this incident only proved been levelled against the Ministry and Moderna Vaccine from the United one thing; that the union comprised a regarding the vaccination programme States – all which has been green group of self-centred medical by various parties including the Sri flagged by the WHO for emergency use. practitioners. Lanka College of Obstetricians and The constant mutations of the virus Gynaecologists who lamented at the and its increasing virulence with each A fine-tuned strategy inability for its officials to issue mutation has egged all nations to at last? instructions to its Family Health expedite their vaccination programmes. Workers to identify women with high- Perhaps it has been reiterated during risk pregnancies to local MOH and The vaccination the COVID-19 situation that the Health update their vaccination progress. programme which lost Ministry had difficulty of thinking and It is probably why Health Minister formulating ideas on its own and waited Pavitra Wanniarachchi herself had to its way for Presidential intervention. lament that a majority of people who However, once Sri Lanka received the The President during a meeting with succumbed to the deadly infection and initial doses of the COVISHIELD the National Committee on Prevention those suffering with complications in vaccine, all well laid plans by the of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), at ICUs were those who had not received Chairman of Presidential Task Force which Health Minister Pavitra the vaccine. Why delay vaccinating risk appointed to obtain the COVID-19 Wanniarachchi and her State Ministers groups, be they elderly, suffering from vaccine for Sri Lanka, Lalith Sudarshini Fernandopulle and Prof. comorbidities, or are below the age of Weeratunga flew out of a window of the Channa Jayasumana were present,put 30 years when they have no option but Epidemiology Unit and its National forward a comprehensive mechanism to working in high-risk areas like in the Vaccination Programme (NVP). The to vaccinate a majority of the heart of Colombo where the population NVP was probably overwhelmed with so population against COVID-19 before density is high and the movement of many coronavirus vaccines in hand September 2021. The aim was to people is even more. Therefore, petty that having vaccinated the high-risk vaccinate all persons over 30 years of discrimination and false qualms are frontline health workers and support age in the Western Province before 30 factors which would deter the progress groups such as the Armed Forces and July. Vaccines were also allocated to of Sri Lanka’s vaccination strategy. All Police, it kicked aside the well-tuned the Galle, Matara, Hambantota, those involved should remember that vaccination programme drawn by Anuradhapura, Nuwara Eliya, this is a ‘do or die’ situation where there Weeratunga and his team and literally Ratnapura, Badulla and Matale is no choice or time to ponder because went on a rampage. Districts. more COVID-19 variants are at hand Weeratunga, the Senior Presidential Also, pregnant women, academic and including deadly Delta. focus sunday 25 july 2021 a11

By Eunice Ruth Even though we see elephant deaths Elephants Perishing due to on the increase on a day-to-day basis, the government has still not taken any proper action to reduce it, but instead, the Government continues to follow a failed plan to mitigate human-elephant Malnutrition at Horowpathana conflict by constructing elephant holding grounds, which leads to lives, properties and cultivations due to health at the time of his imprisonment. conflict will escalate more in the future Ensuring long term existence of the unexpected deaths due to hunger and human-elephant conflict. A sum of Rs But, unfortunately, after three years he as the elephants in detention centres elephants within the forest conditions restricted freedom of the wild 200 million had been allocated from the died due to malnutrition. Also, become more violent. In addition, it can in Sri Lanka, taking steps to minimise pachyderms. budget proposal in 2012 to construct according to the report of the elephant also turn out into a premature death or human-elephant conflict, receiving Recently, another elephant death had four elephant holding grounds in order census conducted in June 2019, 52 an escape,” said Prakash. socio-economic benefits through the been recorded in Horowpathana to retain and rehabilitate the rogue elephants have been released to the He also said that elephants are very conservation of the elephants, paying elephant holding ground. male elephants. In accordance with the Horowpathana elephant holding fond of their native habitat and they compensations to the communities Environmentalists said that it is not the Cabinet Memorandum No. ground on 52 occasions during the always try to return to their original affected by the human-elephant first elephant death at Horowpathana 12/0151/549/001 dated 17 March period from 4 September, 2015, to 25 habitat whenever possible even if they conflict, formulation of regulating elephant holding ground and without 2012, a wild elephant holding ground June, 2019. However, now out of 52 are captured and relocated from their mechanism to evict elephants from the any doubt; definitely it will not be the has been set up on a land area of 997 elephants that were retained in the native habitat. Not only that, when forests according to the managerial last. The human-elephant conflict has acres situated at Horowpothana in the holding ground, only nine elephants prison barriers are not breached, these requirements, and promotion of become a recognised severe challenge Anuradhapura Zone and opened in remained, while 12 elephants had died elephants can starve to death and scientific researches based on the faced by all including the public and 2015. Meanwhile, an expenditure of Rs for various reasons. The Department become severely depressed. Also, since conservation and management of wild relevant authorities. However, in the 159.48 million had been incurred for lacked information as to whether the all the male animals are kept in such a elephants. process of mitigating human-elephant the erection of an electric fence of 16 remaining 31 elephants had either died narrow strip of land, the density of Future Implication conflict, the long-term result will be the kilometres length around the elephant or fled the holding ground. It also those animals increases, and conflicts complete disappearance of elephants. holding ground area. However, the includes two elephants from the occur between them and there are Instead of following on a failed plan, Annually, approximately, around 60 to standard of the electric fences was not National Zoo, which were released in occasions where elephants die due to the Government and the responsible 70 human lives are lost and 200 to 300 at a proper level as it had been damaged defiance of the World Animal and this. In addition, captive elephants die authorities should focus on elephants perish, in addition, an ever- by the elephants. In addition, decisions Aquarium Organisation's animal prematurely at detention centres and it implementing a new way to mitigate growing number of physical, property, had been reached to construct the welfare and ethics procedures. will lead to a generation of elephants human-elephant conflict by protecting and crop damages have been reported. Horowpathana elephant holding However, the release of elephants to without having reproduction. If this the elephants as well as the public and Due to the reasons such as changes ground first and to construct the other this centre has been started in 2013 continues, in the future, there will be no properties. Detention centres will not be of the land use pattern resulting from holding grounds following the and the number of elephants released elephants in Sri Lanka, he pointed out. a solution for the human-elephant the clearing of forests for development evaluation of the successfulness of the so far is estimated to be around 100. Meanwhile, despite the shortcomings conflict and establishing new detention activities and illegal deforestation, above holding ground. Along with the This is why, we emphasise that the found in the Horowpotana Elephant centres will be a waste of time and deterioration, and contraction of usable capacity of the land area of the missing list is much larger. The reality holding ground, the Department of money. Updating the facilities at the enriched habitats, trespassing Horowpathana elephant holding of the report is that the centre does not Wildlife Conservation is presently Horowpathana elephant holding elephants to villages for want of food ground, it had been intended to retain have an environment where elephants constructing an elephant holding ground with proper fencing, food and blocking elephant corridors for 30 rogue elephants. Elephants from can meet their life-related needs and ground in the Lunugamwehera facilities and space could be more development activities, this human- different places around the country, express natural behaviour patterns. National Park under the ESCAMP effective than caging elephants unto elephant conflict has rapidly intensified. trans-located to the Horowpathana Failure of Detention Centres Project on World Bank assistance. This death. Also, it is recommended that Be that as it may, human deaths, elephant holding ground and the main will be useless without making constant supervision should be elephant deaths, physical damages, motive of this is to mitigate human- Meanwhile, Auditor General, WPC Horowpathana elephant holding exercised and proper follow-up and property damages resulting from elephant conflict within the country. A Wickramaratne, pointed out that the ground a success one before measures needs to be adopted on the the human-elephant conflict has few days ago, it was reported that purpose of establishing the establishing another holding ground. elephants since their releasing to the become conspicuous. Aggravation of another elephant had deceased at Horowpathana elephant holding National Policy on holding ground and accordingly, this human-elephant conflict during Horowpathana and the elephant was ground has not been achieved and the welfare of the animals should be duly the period of past five years had known as Kaladi Dala Kotawa. He was Government should focus on developing Elephant Conservation maintained. In addition, suitable foods resulted in causing human-elephant found dead by the Wildlife officials a few Horowpathana elephant holding While recognizing the significance of for the elephants should be externally deaths and physical and property days ago, but it is reported that the ground before constructing another protecting elephants, the Cabinet had provided and proper supervision should damages. elephant had been dead for about a new elephant detention centre at granted its approval to the Department be exercised on the quality of such Background month ago, said Supun Lahiru Lunugamvehera National Park and at of Wildlife Conservation on 20 foods, and proper arrangement should Prakash, Convener of Biodiversity other places. “The detention centres will September 2006 to implement a policy be made to provide adequate volume of According to the National Audit Conservation and Research Circle of Sri not solve the human-elephant conflict termed “National Policy on the water to the elephants. Report No: IEN/F/DWC/19/PR/11, Lanka. He noted that the elephant was and it will only endanger the lives of Conservation and Management of the A programme should be implemented the performance of the Horowpathana captured from the Puttalam and lodged elephants. The failure of these centres, Wild Elephants in Sri Lanka” in order to to attach VF-Radio Collars on each elephant holding ground, which was at the Horowpathana elephant holding which are based on the myth that conserve the wild elephants in Sri elephant retained in the holding ground published in October 2020 stated that ground on 3 July 2018. According to violent elephants can be rehabilitated Lanka. Thereafter six policy statements and when releasing new elephants to it, the Horowpathana elephant holding the Department of Wildlife and released back into the wild, is a had been included in the National new elephants should be separately ground was constructed with a view of Conservation, the 30-year-old elephant, human induced myth. We need to keep Policy on the Conservation and retained gradually accustomed to blend minimizing the damages caused to which was about 8’.6” tall, was in good in mind that the elephant human Management of the Wild Elephants. in with the other elephants. A12 sunday 25 july 2021 focus

As backdoor clinics, black market pills put thousands of women at risk Fight to Legalise Abortion Continues

By Nabiya Vaffoor disabilities. Though such pregnancies progressive solution in this regard aren’t directly a threat to a mother’s our society should stop looking at It is no doubt that Sri Lanka’s life, it has created a huge black such concerns under the influence of abortion laws are among the world’s market for abortion pills. The ones cultural and religious beliefs. As most restrictive. Yet, hundreds of who are desperate are willing to pay Gynaecologists, we cannot change women risk their lives daily seeking any price for the pills and the the way people think and educate abortions, often performed under pharmacies do not have any fixed them about such vast topics. unhygienic conditions by unqualified prices for them. What should be Therefore, in such cases initiatives practitioners. The debate emphasised is that these pills are regarding such concerns should be surrounding the need to taken without any proper medical taken by the Ministry of Health,” he decriminalise abortion is not new. For examination or advice which puts added. the past few decades, medical hundreds of lives at risk. The highly Few years before expressing his practitioners and rights activists have restrictive abortion laws have pushed views during the discussion, been fighting a losing battle to women to desperation, where they Consultant Obstetrician and legalise abortion in instances where choose unsanitary clinics to get an Gynaecologist Dr. Mangala pregnancies result from rape and in abortion done while risking their Dissanayake said the arrangements the case of congenital malformations lives. Highly restrictive abortion laws should be made to legalise abortion where the foetus has no chances of are just another chance to create a on specific reasons decided by a survival outside the womb. market for backdoor abortionists and panel of doctors. He pointed out, “Sri Oftentimes, it is strongly held clinics as well as unsafe abortion Lankan women seek help from those religious views that come in the way pills. Such things can be reduced if who call themselves ‘doctors’ to of legalising abortion in the abortion was legalised under specific eliminate unwanted pregnancies and aforementioned instances, where the terms and conditions,” added Stand face post-abortion complications, requirement is identified by many as Up Movement representative Ashila sometimes even death. 10 - 12 per humane. At present, Sri Lankan law Dandeniya. cent of such deaths occur due to the allows the termination of a Speaking with Women’s Centre complications like excessive bleeding pregnancy, only in the instance director, Padmini Weerasuriya and infections after unsafe and illegal where the mother’s life is at risk due emphasised that 2012 was the last abortions. Furthermore, 20 - 50 per to the pregnancy. time any change was proposed but it cent of women who undergo did not even make it to a cabinet abortions develop various short-term The Law paper. “When this topic was brought and long-term complications, such as Causing an abortion is a criminal up in Parliament many MPs opposed mental problems and in some act under the Sri Lankan Penal Code it, since we brought up this with the instances commit suicide.” and is punishable with imprisonment topic of underage marriage ranging from three to ten years, with specifying the qualifications of those requesting to amend the marriage law Lukewarm response from or without fine. Following are the authorised to perform neither as well. When a woman speaks about the Authorities Penal Code Sections regarding abortions nor the type of facilities in such issues, the majority in society termination of pregnancy: which the procedures are to be assume that they are asking for a Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Sri Lanka’s Abortion Provisions performed. This is presumably licence to have physical and sexual M.M.P.K. Mayadunne noted that due Penal Code, Chapter XVI, Articles because saving life is considered at contact with anyone and get rid of the to the workload that they were in 304 – 307 (1883) similarity with other obstetric trace easily. But we are not struggling charge of, the Ministry of Justice has Section 303: “Whoever voluntarily practices. for such narrow needs here. It’s not not focused on this regard yet, “I have causes a woman with child to The Law easy for women to make up their been put in charge of seven miscarry shall, if such miscarriage be Failed attempts at minds to abort a baby; which is a industries and I am bound to focus not caused in good faith for the amending laws Commission of mental and physical trauma that they on the immense workload, therefore, purpose of saving the life of the Sri Lanka has will never get rid of. Even recently we I haven’t focused or considered this woman, be punished with According to human rights research saw how a 15-year-old minor was issue specifically. If any relevant imprisonment of either description records, In 1995 September, The made proposals used in sex trafficking, and then ministries regarding this concern for a term which may extend to three Penal Code (Amendment) Bill 1995, in 2013 under there was a report that a father had such as National Child Protection years, or with both; and if the woman Minister of Justice at the time, Prof. raped and impregnated his two Authority (NCPA), Health Ministry or be quick with child, shall be G.L. Peiris, attempted to introduce which terms and daughters. The mental and physical the Women’s and Child Affairs punished with imprisonment of either some amendments to the Penal Code pressure that a minor would go Ministry reached us with the relevant description for a term which may regarding the termination of conditions that through during such pregnancies can facts and figures, we might consider extend to seven years and shall also pregnancy in instances of rape, incest the medical be agonising than the actual rape. focusing on this issue in future. But, be liable to fine.” or if the foetus is impaired. However, The discrimination that the victim currently, the workload that we are in Section 304: “Whoever commits the proposed amendments had to be termination of and the baby will have to face charge of is quite different”. the offence defined in the last folded following protests by various afterwards can be indescribable. How Legal Officer attached to the preceding Section without the groups, especially religious leaders. pregnancy/ can we expect a 13-year-old to bear Ministry of Women and Child affairs, consent of the woman, whether the Meanwhile, in 2011, Minister of legalising labour pains? This situation should Manel Jayamanne refused to talk woman is quick with child or not, Child Development and Women’s change. We are actually looking about the issue claiming it was shall be punished with imprisonment Affairs, Tissa Karaliyadda, raised the abortions should forward to hold a protest next week to inappropriate for a Sri Lankan of either description for a term which need for abortion laws to be reformed take place and bring awareness for these issues and woman to discuss ‘legalising may extend to 20 years and shall also in Parliament. A draft bill, prepared recent incidents. We will be abortions’ in the first place. be liable to fine.” by the Law Commission in many women’s addressing this and as well as many NCPA Legal Officer Sanjeewani Section 305: “Whoever, with intent consultation with the Ministry of other unfortunate situations that Abeykone noted they haven’t to cause the miscarriage of a woman Child Development and Women’s organisations women are facing in Sri Lankan considered becoming involved in with child, does any act which causes Affairs and the Ministries of Health prefer and agree society that hasn’t changed even a bit amending abortion laws. the death of such woman, shall be and Justice was presented to for more than a decade,” she added. While men who are easily spared by on those punished with imprisonment of either Parliament but the attempt failed What medical the law and society with no fear of description for a term which may again. amendments. being labelled as rapists, women and extend to twenty years, and shall also The Law Commission of Sri Lanka professionals say children who become victims of rape be liable to fine.” has made proposals in 2013 under But, even after live in double jeopardy with no or Section 306: “Whoever, before the which terms and conditions that the Dr. Chaminda Mathota, Secretary little help from the legal system and birth of any child, does any act with medical termination of pregnancy/ nine years, the of Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians being branded as ‘sluts’ or ‘asking to the intention of preventing that child legalising abortions should take place proposals and Gynaecologists lamented that the be raped’ by society. from being born alive, or causing it to and many women’s organisations Ministry of Health should address Under the prevailing legal system it die after its birth, and does by such prefer and agree on those remain these concerns. is extremely difficult to prove rape act prevent that child from being amendments. But, even after nine “We are only able to give medical and perpetrators often get away born alive, or causes it to die after its years, the proposals remain unconsidered in definitions in this regard. Such easily without being convicted. birth, shall, if such act be not caused unconsidered in the Sri Lankan the Sri Lankan sensitive content in the legislation In addition to being already in good faith for the purpose of saving legislation in case of rape or serious draws the attentions of various burdened with a bad name and their the life of the mother, be punished foetal impairment. legislation in religious leaders and politicians. lives coming to a virtual end, a girl with imprisonment of either case of rape or Though we meet patients who need child or a woman subjected to rape description for a term which may Struggles of women’s abortions in critical stages, we are will also often have to carry a child of extend to ten years, or with fine, or rights organisations serious foetal unable to help them since it is a the rapist that they never wanted. with both.” criminal offence. Merely legalising A country’s law should exist in Within the provision, the Penal “When we fight for the right for impairment abortions will not solve these order to strengthen basic human Code contains no procedural abortion, people think that we are problems as expected. It will be under rights and to protect them. What is requirements for the legal doing this to fulfil narrow agendas the influence of religious and cultural the purpose of the law if its termination of pregnancy, except that but we never wanted to legalise beliefs of society which will still lead restrictions have no practical the pregnant woman’s consent is abortion without any cause, it’s the to the same types of complications methods to protect the ones who need necessary. There are no provisions same for children who are born with even after legalising it. To have a it the most? Delay in Reforming MMDA Allows Exploitation of Muslim Women

On 19 July, the Cabinet approved amending the Civil Procedure Code allowing Muslims to marry under the Marriage Registration Ordinance. However, the call for reforms to the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act of 1951 (MMDA) has been a long-felt need as it has been deemed discriminatory towards Muslim women. The Muslim community has been following the MMDA for over 60 years, and from time to time, it has been reformed based on societal needs, but there is still a long way to go in accommodating key reforms that would protect Muslim women’s wellbeing in many parts of the country. Origin of MMDA The origin of the Sri Lankan MMDA can be traced back to 1770, which was basically exported from Batavia (present day Indonesia), during the Dutch rule. Between 1806 and 1951, this code of law went through a Justice Minister Ali Sabri process of codification, review and modification, led on each of these the rest of the MMDA and structure it hails from a remote village in the occasions by a few prominent legal with possibilities and suggestions. North West of Sri Lanka, said she and religious individuals at the time. There have been several objections wanted to divorce her unemployed There were those who kept from the members of the ACJU and husband, who had been a habitual interpreting that the MMDA is a way some from the ten-member committee abuser and several times she had of life for those who follow the Quran, who have been saying they cannot complained to the Quazi to let her while many say it’s not part of Sharia agree to abolishing polygamy and the divorce him. However, her husband Law but comes under Fiqh which all Quazi Courts. However, she said what had never come to the Quazi Courts. follows reforms. From 1907, the Sri is requested from the Justice Minister One day, I met the Quazi and told him Lankan (General) Marriage is to fully reform the MMDA to be on that I could not travel so far again, Registration Ordinance (GMRO) has par with the fundamental rights of all hence I had needed the judgment to be been applicable to all citizens of the women and children in this country. delivered fast. At this point, the Quazi country, but there are several The reformed MMDA needs to be had told her to give him four goats and communities which are governed by administered through the District he would give his judgment. She also customary laws. Court, like the Thesawalamai and the said that Quazi was a character who These include the 1952 Kandyan Kandyan law, “she added. bullies women who come to him. Marriage and Divorce Act for Kandyan She further said that Sri Lanka is a A woman in Kinya, Trincomalee, who Sinhalese, the Muslim Marriage and multi-cultural country. Therefore, did not want to be identified, said that Divorce Act of 1951 and the there are multiple laws, but the laws the Quazi she met had advised her Thesavamalai law for Tamils in the have to treat men, women and when she complained that her husband the MMDA needs reforms but should North. While the Kandyans have the children equally. In that context, it is had left her for another woman, to find not be abolished. “Women and children option to marry under the Kandyan much better for Muslim women to go a man. “If your husband has taken have been subject to exploitation and Marriage and Divorce Act and the with the reformed MMDA to the another woman, you also find another we see that happening”, he added. He GMRO, this option does not extend to District Court because, under the man”, he had said. She said that also said that Quazis were taking bribes the Muslims as the MMDA governs Judicature Act, there is an Shreen some Quazis have given the right to speak on behalf of the man on most Abdul Saroor Muslims who marry another Muslim articulation of Family Court. In the rulings, but on most occasions they occasions. On the idea of women Quazi (including converts to Islam). District Court when it comes to have been personal and humiliating. or Quazis who are lawyers or Moulavis, Muslims, however, are allowed to divorce and child custody, there is a Najeeba (26) from Trincomalee had a the system is corrupt, he added. He marry partners who are of a different section where there are counsellors to complaint that her husband, who had said in Trincomalee, women took to the ethnicity or religion under the GMRO. obtain family counselling. So, the left her for another woman, had already street over a lawyer who was appointed While there is a tug-of-war between Justice Minister is trying to expand told her to ‘Talaq’ (Islamic word for as a Quazi over his malpractices. The advocates for reforms in the MMDA that and improve it, instead of divorce) to the Quazi. Hence, she had Quazis are doing charity work and only and those who oppose it, innumerable wasting money on sixty four Quazi obtained a divorce from her husband Rs 5,000 was given to them and this cases of agony under the MMDA are Courts. He’s trying to concentrate and that she could leave the makes things worse. They began to take being recorded on a daily basis. on improving the District Court Courtroom. “I need consent from my bribes because of that”, Ahmed said. and deliver better justice for parents to divorce” she added. He also said if women go to the Why does MMDA women and children. Sarah (29) mother of two aged District Court, no one can cheat. The need reform? There were at least five seven and two, has been struggling Judge does not take bribes and it is government committees which to get a divorce from her husband better to attend a State Court. He also The MMDA does not stipulate a were formed, held discussions and has insisted that the Quazi pointed out that civil activists in the minimum age for marriage, with the and tabled proposals for reform, should get approval from her East were in support of the MMDA Act stating that a child below the age but with no action - the most parents. reforms. Men see that there are of 12 can be married with the recent being the Justice Saleem Sarah hails from Colombo and tells problems where women are exploited authorisation of a Quazi Judge. It also Marsoof Committee, appointed in us that the Quazi has been helpful and under the MMDA. “We are happy that allows polygamy for men and since 2009, which took nine years to says he understands her plight of the marriage age is getting fixed, but we the bride does not sign the marriage present its findings and having her husband jailed for two years will have to see the final outcome of the document, it allows forced marriage. for nefarious activities. However, he MMDA reforms to discuss the pros and The MMDA spells out the practice of insists that her parents and her cons”, he added. Kaikooli (dowry), which is prohibited husband’s parents stand as witnesses He said under the MMDA, a man in the Quran. The divorce provisions to the divorce. My parents and my could say ‘talaq’ three times to the are unequal for men and women. At recommendations, only to be scuttled in-laws were friends and they feel that Quazi and divorce his spouse even if his the same time, there is no mandatory by the ACJU. Justice Marsoof said if my divorce will bring disgrace to them spouse is not in the premises. provision for payment of mata’a the MMDA is not fully reformed to be and society will laugh at them. She said ([email protected]) (alimony). on par with the Fundamental Rights regarding the demand to have her Further, the MMDA also prevents Chapter of the Sri Lankan parents and in-laws as witnesses to the women from being appointed as Constitution, then it will treat Muslim divorce. She said her parents had been Quazi, assessors (jurors) and women and children as unequal, abusive with regard to her wanting to Justice Minister marriage registrars or to the Board of giving them the option to opt out of divorce her husband and on many Ali Sabri Quazis. the MMDA by opting into the General occasions had hit her in the presence of Women need choices Marriage Ordinance of the country. her two children. “We have tried to do our best However, the General Marriage “I have convinced my father-in-law to and get everybody engaged in Peace and women’s rights activist, Ordinance is not without flaws - with represent my jailed husband and sign bringing reforms,” Justice Shreen Abdul Saroor, who has worked women activists calling for reforms to the witness paper for divorce, whereas, Minister Ali Sabri said. He added tirelessly to empower Muslim women, the General Marriage Ordinance and my parents are not convinced,”she said. that some sections in the MMDA says the new move by the Cabinet to bring in a proper family Court She said if the MMDA does not free need reform and cannot be that allows Muslims to marry under system into the District Court. In this her, it’s regrettable. “It was an arranged compromised. “The marriage age common law is welcoming, but context, they are also trying to allow marriage and before marrying I told my for a girl and the girl’s consent Muslims also must be given a choice two Muslim couples to marry under parents he did not suit me as he gets for marriage are some of the to marry under the MMDA. For that the General Marriage Ordinance. angry too often but they went ahead matters that need change and reason, the MMDA also needs to be On the other hand, the Muslim and fixed the wedding and today they there is no option on those reformed so that young couples have Personal Law Reform Action Group are against my divorce”she added. “The lines,” he said. Sabri stated that a choice of marriage and divorce. (MPLRAG), which is in favour of a fully Quazi wants them to sign the papers the amended law for Muslims to She said, in the last two months, reformed MMDA, call for women and the matter is dragging”, she added. marry under common law will there have been several discussions Quazis to practice. With regard to The mental agony faced by young and help those who don’t want to about the new Cabinet Paper with women Quazis (Judges), the 2009 old Muslim women is mainly because of abide by the MMDA. some of the tough issues pertaining to Committee MPLRAG said under the their spouses who have made use He said the MMDA reform the MMDA reforms that involve reforms, the word ‘Male’ should be exploitative provisions within the proposal is with the Legal abolishing the Quazi Court system, deleted to enable suitable women to MMDA or benefited from bad Draftsman and it is in the final abolishing polygamy, fixing the age of be considered for appointment as judgments from Quazis to raise stage. “We submitted it three marriage to eighteen years of age and Quazis. reprisals against them. However, it’s months ago. I cannot speculate women signing their marriage Rural Muslim women important to note that there were a on when it will be ready. It contracts. However, the All Ceylon good number of men who have depends on the Legal Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) and some badly affected supported reforms in the MMDA. Draftsman,” he said. Muslim politicians were against the When asked whether all key reforms. Many rural Muslim women have Men too feel there is reforms are mentioned in the Justice Minister Ali Sabri, in complaints that Quazis don’t follow need for reform proposal, he said, “We have obtaining Cabinet approval to abolish standard practice and their brought in substantial changes all these conditions to bring about judgments vary, sometimes leaving A public servant attached to a in many areas of the MMDA”. changes, appointed a 10- member them vulnerable to abuse. regional office in Trincomalee, Ahmed committee to look into how to reform Nafisa (31), a mother of three, who (44) said that Muslim men also see that A14 Sunday 25 July 2021 Focus Sri Lanka sits on one of the best calcite deposits in the world Perched on a Gold Mine Why Should We Go a Begging?

By Thameenah Razeek

A group of academics recently made a startling revelation, claiming that Sri Lanka has one of the best calcite deposits in the world, which although economically vital, was only used for poultry farming. Over the last few decades, this naturally occurring pure calcite in the Kalthota area in Balangoda has been used for illegal small-scale mining, with the majority of the mining being done carelessly. Furthermore, no effective mining processes have been utilised to extract the utmost value from these reserves. Long-term mining has also failed to Minister of Environment Mahinda improve the socioeconomic conditions Amaraweera of the people in the area, neither have appropriate environmental protection Prof. H.M.T.G.A. Pitawala procedures been put in place. Even Minister of Environment, Mahinda Amaraweera, chastised the authorities and their leadership for failing to make use of the country’s Prof. Pitawala’s natural resources, and leaving them Calcite is mostly revelation prompt- vulnerable to robber barons. Despite being perched on a gold mine, he used to make ed the Environment claims that Sri Lanka has devolved into calcium carbonate. Ministry to look a country that begs. Prof. H.M.T.G.A. Pitawala, Director of Calcium carbonate is into the possibility the Postgraduate Institute of Science at of producing the University of Peradeniya, reported used to make tooth- this to the Ministry after conducting a paste, medications, Calcium Carbonate number of studies in this regard. as a value-added He was bemoaning the sluggishness paints, fertilizers, of the country’s authorities, who had and magnesium fer- product from the been tasked with maximising the tilizers, among other 2,000 tonnes of benefits of natural resources. waste calcite Where is this deposit? things. As a result, I already discovered Among the industrial minerals found see today as an in Sri Lanka, minerals and rocks excellent opportuni- at the Balangoda containing calcium and magnesium Calcite deposit carbonate play an important role in ty to enter into an Generalised geological and tectonic map of Sri Lanka showing occurrence of local industry. The ceramics industry, agreement to begin marble, carbonatite, limestone and other carbonate rocks fertilizer industry, and local lime manufacturing plants all require production in order crystalline Dolomite and Calcite found to increase our coun- around Balangoda, Kalthota area is rich explained. in metamorphic terrains. in Calcite and Dolomite resources, but Prof. Pitawala concluded his Calcite and Dolomite deposits are try’s own national no effective mining procedures have presentation with a famous quote from abundant in the metamorphic income by utilising been applied to maximise the utilisation former US President Theodore Precambrian basement of Digana, of the minerals. Furthermore, long-term Roosevelt, who stated that a nation Kekirawa, Polonnaruwa, Balangoda, this underutilised mining has not improved people’s acts well if it views natural resources as Badulla, and Okkampitiya. According calcite deposit socioeconomic conditions, nor has it assets that must be passed on to the to studies conducted in the Balangoda implemented effective environmental next generation that have increased in region, Calcite and Dolomite – Minister Amaraweera protection procedures,” while informing value rather than decreased in value. occurrences were discovered in the officials that the country’s failure to He claimed that those in charge of areas of Illukpellessa, Rajawaka, and maximise the use of the unique natural State-run offices, not the government, Molamure. resource was disappointing. He claimed are to blame for incompetence. Prof. Pitawala began by stating that drilling, plastics, rigid PVC pipes, that no other country possessed a In conclusion, Sri Lanka has a large the island of Sri Lanka contains a paints, inks, Powder Coating, Ceramic calcite deposit of comparable quality to amount of mining-ready calcite and variety of mineral reserves that Welding Rods, Automotive and our own. dolomite minerals. Mining has been contribute to the country’s economy, Furniture Compounds, rubber Minister Amaraweera said that the around for a long time. However, the and that the development of the industries, and the manufacture of Ministry’s goal is to build a mining processes in the area are in country’s industrial and other mineral leather cloth. manufacturing company as soon as disrepair. The workers lacked basic deposits is inextricably linked to the possible using this deposit, which is drilling and blasting knowledge, as development of the country’s industrial Value-added Products one of the best calcite deposits in the well as safety procedures and the and other mineral deposits. The calcite Prof. Pitawala’s revelation prompted world, citing that millions of rupees are potential environmental deposit in Balangoda, Kalthota area the Environment Ministry to look into spent each year on calcite imports. consequences of mining. Mining, could be composed of several deposits the possibility of producing Calcium Calcite is mostly used to make socioeconomic, and environmental with lower impurities, known as calcite Carbonate as a value-added product calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate factors were used to evaluate mine vein deposits. These calcite mineral from the 2,000 tonnes of waste calcite is used to make toothpaste, owners’ positions. fragments are ground into a fine already discovered at the Balangoda medications, paints, fertilizers, and saying that while many countries have powder and distributed to a number of Calcite deposit. magnesium fertilizers, among other calcite deposits, none of them have Future plans industries. These contain a variety of Considering that minor excavations things. As a result, I see today as an been pure calcite deposits. GSMB Chairman Anura Walpola contaminants in varying percentages in at the Balangoda Calcite Deposit are excellent opportunity to enter into an When asked why this deposit had noted that the main reason for not using each ore, lowering the finished being carried out informally by various agreement to begin production in order been ignored for decades, he said that, the deposit is that the calcite that was product’s quality, durability, and individuals, it was emphasised that in to increase our country’s own national unlike other countries, the Sri Lankan obtained from the deposit was sold for a strength while also lowering the price, order to properly utilize the calcite income by utilising this underutilised Government does not wish to study, relatively low price, such as Rs 2.50. He he noted. deposit, a value-added product of calcite deposit. explore or delve into ideas, furthermore said that it had been ignored since then, Calcium Carbonate that can be used in Meanwhile, Prof. Upul Bandara that no intellectual or university and that after the Bureau and the What makes Balangoda a variety of industrial products should Dissanayake, Vice Chancellor of the student will be involved. Ministry learned that Prof. Pitawala had Calcite Deposit so unique? be produced. University of Peradeniya, said that the According to him, university students undertaken studies in this respect, the A joint venture between the main component of calcite is calcium and professors conduct research as Ministry and the Bureau decided to Calcite Powder is a naturally Geological Survey and Mines Bureau carbonate. He emphasised that the part of their education and reverse the procedure from top to occurring form of Calcium Carbonate (GSMB), a State-owned Technical Kalthota calcite deposit is unique in occupations, but they lack the financial bottom. that is extremely white, pure, and free Services Company, and the University that it contains exceptionally pure resources to incorporate their findings As a result, the Ministry and the flowing. White Calcite Powder is of Peradeniya was planned, to calcite, allowing the government to save into products because they must wait Bureau plan to produce value-added commonly used as filler in plastics due construct a facility to manufacture a significant amount of foreign for government approval. items such as paints and then sell them to its high dispensability, low oil calcium carbonate from this calcite currency. The University of Peradeniya “Unsurprisingly, no one has been on the market, while also exporting the absorption, high impact resistance, resource. As a result, the Minister will support the Ministry of able to submit the ideal solution thus appropriate amount of calcite at a smooth surface finish, ease of agreed to sign a Memorandum of Environment’s initiative to maximize far. However, the decision of the reasonable price. processing, compatibility with polymers Understanding. national resources wholeheartedly. current Minister of the Environment is However, as part of an agreement with and other organic additives, and high critical. This is because this is an the Ministry, Peradeniya University will dimensional stability. What are we doing now? What went wrong? opportunity to make better use of our give technical assistance. It seems Calcite is used in oil exploration and Prof. Pitawala said, “The region Prof. Pitawala commented on this, country’s natural resources,” he obvious that by assigning a monetary value to nature, based on the services it gives to humans, such as clean water or climate regulation, we can urge global and national governments to conserve our natural resources, so improving lives and even combating poverty. However, under the terms of an agreement reached with the Ministry at Peradeniya University, the latter will give technical help while the Bureau would handle the financial assistance. With the help of the Environment Ministry, the work has already begun. However, environmental and social win-win situations are not so straightforward. The idea of valuing nature has been criticised for being overly basic and neglecting to consider the complexities of human- environment relationships. Although it is widely acknowledged and reflected in many a legislation that conservation and natural resource management projects should not disadvantage people, this does not guarantee that Geological map of the Balangoda region showing the outcrop of calcite deposits they will. sports sunday 25 july 2021 A15 Hosting 2036 summer Olympics SA beat Ireland by Indonesia to 42 runs to win T20 Launch New Bid Indonesia’s National Olympic Committee plans to launch a bid to host the summer Olympics in 2036 after losing out this week to a bid by Brisbane to hold the 2032 Games, the Head of the Committee said. The Southeast Asian country had been a contender to host the 2032 Games, alongside Hungary’s capital Budapest, China, Qatar’s Doha and Germany’s Ruhr valley region among others. South Africa›s David Miller hit an over. “We will not back down and will unbeaten 75 runs to help the Ireland failed to gain any traction continue to fight for the 2036 tourists out of early trouble, before in their reply and were strangled by Olympics,” Raja Sapta Oktohari, the their spinners restricted Ireland, to the spinners, with Shamsi Chief of Indonesia’s Committee, said secure a 42-run victory in the underlining his ranking as the top in a statement. second Twenty20 international at T20 international bowler with 3-14 Indonesia, which is the world’s Belfast on Thursday. off four overs. fourth most populous country with Miller was in belligerent form, Fortuin took 3-16, while Shane more than 270 million people, is trying scoring off 44 balls, to lift South Getkate top scored for the Irish to become only the fourth Asian Africa to 159-7 after they won the with 24, before they were bowled country to host the Games after toss and elected to bat. Ireland out with three balls to spare. Japan, China and South Korea. were bowled out for 117 in reply, South Africa won the first T20 Southeast Asia’s biggest country as spinners Tabraiz Shamsi and international in Dublin on Monday launched its 2032 bid after Bjorn Fortuin took three wickets by 33 runs. The last game of the successfully hosting the 2018 Asian each. series is also in Belfast on Games, which involved some 13,000 South Africa lost two wickets in Saturday. athletes from 45 National Olympic Gatot Dewa Broto, an official at Tokyo begins hosting the postponed the first four balls of the innings Scores Committees. Indonesia’s Sports Ministry, said the 2020 Olympics this week and Paris and were in trouble at 58-5, but South Africa:159 for 7 (Miller “We will work harder and do country was fully behind the new bid, will stage the 2024 Games. Los Miller led a fightback, taking full 75*, Stirling 2-12) everything we can with patience to adding that after hosting the Asian Angeles has been awarded the 2028 advantage of being dropped on 19 Ireland: 117 (Getkate 24, achieve our dream of hosting the Games the infrastructure for the summer Olympics. runs to see them to a respectable Shamsi 3-14, Fortuin 3-16) Olympics,” said Raja. Olympics is ‘totally ready’. (Reuters) score. He hit four sixes in the final (Reuters)

Israelis killed at Munich After COVID-19 case Games remembered in WI v Australia ODI suspended opening ceremony

Israeli Olympic team members killed subsequent rescue effort erupted into by Palestinian gunmen at the 1972 gunfire. “The Tokyo Olympics have just Munich Olympics were remembered opened, but they are already a historic during the Tokyo Olympics opening Olympics - after 49 years, on the main ceremony on Friday with a moment of stage, at the opening ceremony, the 11 silence, the first time in 49 years this heroes, the victims of the Munich has happened. Olympics, were mentioned,” said Hili The families of the 11 victims had long Tropper, Israel’s minister of culture and asked the International Olympic sport. “Better late than never.” Committee to hold a minute’s silence at He thanked IOC president Thomas a Games opening ceremony, but had Bach for doing “historic justice” to the until Friday been turned down. matter. The inclusion of a moment of “We, the Olympic community, also silence was also welcomed by the March remember all the Olympians and of the Living, an international Holocaust members of our community who have so memorial organisation that campaigns sadly left us, in particular we remember against anti-semitism. those who lost their lives during the Relatives of those killed had sought for Olympic Games,” said an announcer them to be remembered at opening during the opening ceremony. ceremonies but the IOC had previously “One group still holds a strong place in ignored those requests. all our memories and stand for all those Instead of a ceremonies we have lost at the games - the members commemoration, the IOC in 2016 The second one-day international pending COVID test results. (CA) said the third ODI on of the Israeli delegation at the Olympic inaugurated the Place of Mourning in a between West Indies and Australia “A decision on when the match Saturday was in ‘considerable Games Munich 1972,” the announcer leafy part of the Olympic village at the in Barbados was suspended will be replayed will be made at a doubt’. added as the stadium darkened and a Rio de Janeiro Olympics to remember minutes before the start on later date once all the tests are Australia’s T20 tour of soft blue light illuminated parts of the those who had died during the Olympic Thursday after a member of the confirmed,” West Indies Cricket Bangladesh was also in doubt, CA arena. On Sept. 5, 1972, members of the Games, with two of the Israeli victims’ West Indies staff tested positive for said in a statement. added in a statement only hours Israeli Olympic team were taken hostage widows present. COVID-19. The teams have stayed on after its 3 -9 Aug. schedule was at the poorly secured athletes’ village by The Place of Mourning featured two Confirmation of the suspension separate floors of their hotels confirmed. Palestinian gunmen from the Black stones from ancient Olympia encased in came straight after the toss, with during the tour, but they shared Australia beat West Indies by September group. glass and had been described as both teams promptly making their the same charter plane from Saint 133 runs in the rain-hit first one- Within 24 hours, 11 Israelis, five “closure” at the time by Ankie Spitzer, way back to their respective Lucia to Barbados last Saturday, day international in Barbados on Palestinians and a German policeman widow of her Israeli fencing coach dressing rooms. Cricket Australia’s website said. Tuesday. were dead after a standoff and husband Andre. (Reuters) All personnel were isolating Governing body Cricket Australia (Reuters) Osaka returns to Games’ spotlight on Sunday

Japan›s Naomi Osaka will return Dominic Thiem. quarter-final, while world number will begin his quest to become the to the spotlight on Sunday, kicking In the women›s singles, two-time one Ashleigh Barty of Australia may first man to complete a ‹Golden off her Olympic campaign as a home Slam winner Simona Halep will be await on the other side of the draw. Slam› - victories at all four Grand crowd favourite after taking a absent, like American sisters Serena In an essay penned for Time Slam tournaments in a single year mental health break two months and Venus Williams, who have four Magazine earlier this month, Osaka plus an Olympic singles Gold. ago. Gold medals each. Another U.S. said she stood by her decision to Germany›s Steffi Graf is so far the Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam player, teenager Coco Gauff, pulled step away from the court, but was only player to win a Golden Slam, in champion and world number two, out earlier this week after testing now ready to make Japan proud at 1988, but top-ranked Djokovic has not played a competitive match positive for COVID-19. the Games. could soon match her feat if he wins since pulling out of the French Open Osaka, who is making her «An Olympic Games itself is in Tokyo and then claims the U.S. in May amid controversy over her Olympic debut, had originally been special, but to have the opportunity Open title in August. decision to skip all press scheduled to kick off the to play in front of the Japanese fans The 34-year-old›s wins at this conferences at the tournament in an tournament on Centre Court at the is a dream come true,» Osaka wrote. year›s Australian Open, Roland effort to protect her mental well- Ariake Tennis Park on Saturday. DJOKOVIC ‹GOLDEN SLAM› Garros and Wimbledon already being. But she will now take on China›s CHANCE mean he has joined rivals Federer But with all of her major wins Zheng Saisai, ranked 52 in the Players from 46 countries will and Nadal with 20 Grand Slam titles coming on hard courts - the same world, on Sunday, following a compete for Olympic glory in the apiece. surface being used in Tokyo - the request from Tokyo 2020 competition that could be Djokovic plays 139th-ranked 23-year-old remains widely seen as organisers, an International Tennis complicated by Tokyo›s intense Bolivian Hugo Dellien in the opener, one of host Japan›s strongest Gold Federation (ITF) spokesperson summer heat, with the Japan and could face a potential quarter- medal contenders in a field of 64 confirmed to Reuters. There was no Meteorological Agency expecting final meeting with number five seed players each for women›s and men›s reason given for the change. temperatures to rise as high as 33 Andrey Rublev or Japan›s Kei singles that is missing some of the Last year›s French Open degrees Celsius as the Games get Nishikori, who took home the biggest names in the sport. champion Iga Swiatek will now play under way. Bronze medal at the 2016 Games in Amid heightened coronavirus the first marquee match of the An International Tennis Rio. pandemic restrictions, Switzerland›s Games against Mona Barthel of Federation spokesperson confirmed The Serbian could also be looking Roger Federer and Spain›s Rafael Germany, with the contest set to to Reuters that the Centre Court›s to extend a five-match winning Nadal, each with multiple Grand begin at 11.00 a.m. local time (0200 roof can be closed if heat is streak against fourth seed Slams to their names, pulled out GMT). excessive or in case of rain. Alexander Zverev, a possible semi- ahead of the Games, along with Osaka could potentially go on to Wrapping up day one proceedings final opponent. reigning U.S. Open men›s champion meet Swiatek in a blockbuster on Centre Court, Novak Djokovic (Reuters) A16 SUNDAY 25 JULY 2021 SPORTS Sri Lanka introduced at the Olympics as ‘Most Beautiful Island’ Sri Lanka was introduced as the ‘Most Beautiful Country’ which the explorer Marco Polo had ever seen during the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Olympic Games yesterday. Sri Lanka were led by Judoka Chamara Dharmawardana, despite him failing to qualify for the Olympics - securing only a wild card entry - together with Gymnast Milka Gehani de Silva, who is the country’s first gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. The Sri Lanka team of 9 at the Olympics consists of two others who qualified - 100m runner Yupun Abeykoon and show jumper Mathilda Karlsson. Swimmers Matthew Abeysinghe, Aniqah Gaffoor, shooter Tehani Egodawela , 800m runner Nimali Liyanarachchi and shuttler Niluka Karunarathne received Invitational Entries, and make up the rest of the team. “With a Team of 9 they first competed in 1948, and won two Silver medals since then - both in Athletics. The explorer Marco Polo said it was the most beautiful island he had ever seen,” said the announcer when introducing the Sri Lanka team as they marched at the ceremony. The opening ceremony was after the organisers changed their Olympics without fans as the novel marked by simplicity, one tradition rules to allow two flagbearers. coronavirus is on the rise again, held as athletes from all over the The opening also featured taking lives around the world. world paraded into the Olympic fireworks and a moment of silence The opening video featured at the stadium to represent their nations, to honour those lost to COVID-19, stadium recapped Japan’s path to for the first time their smiles hidden with a nod to Japanese tradition the Games and the challenges the behind masks, and most countries represented by wooden Olympic world has faced since the selection represented by both male and rings linked to the 1964 Games. of the Japanese capital as host in female flagbearers. A vastly smaller number of 2013. But the opening ceremony, athletes, about 20 per nation, It showed how in 2020 the normally a star-studded display marched in the teams’ parade, with coronavirus struck, with lockdowns teeming with celebrities, lacked the many flying in just before their forcing the unprecedented usual glitz with fewer than 1,000 competitions and due to leave postponement only four months people in attendance, strict social shortly after to avoid infections. before the Games were supposed to distancing rules and signs calling Delegations tried their best to open, setting off a roller-coaster In the segment highlighting the from trees that grew from the seeds venue yelling “Stop the Olympics”. on spectators to ‘be quiet around liven the mood, waving national period of uncertainty and impact of the pandemic on the borne by athletes from nations Only a third of the host nation the venue.’ flags. Uganda, wearing bright preparations in isolation for the athletes and people around the participating in the 1964 Games. have had even one dose of vaccines, Regardless, it marks a coming traditional costumes, did a few athletes. world unable to see the Olympics in Only 15 global leaders are in prompting worries the Games could together of the world, with an measures of a dance, while the A moment of silence was held ‘for person, the organisers showed a attendance, along with Emperor become a super-spreader event. audience of hundreds of millions Argentine delegation jumped up all those family and friends we have lone female athlete, Japanese boxer Naruhito, who will formally open More than 100 people involved with around the globe and at various and down on entering. The women lost,’ especially to the coronavirus, nurse Arisa Tsubata, training in the the Games as his grandfather the Olympics have already tested stages of the pandemic tuning in to on Iran’s team all had their heads and mention was made of the Israeli darkness, running silently on a Hirohito did in 1964, and U.S. First positive. watch the start of the greatest show adorned with matching blue and athletes slain at the 1972 Munich treadmill. Lady Jill Biden. The Olympics have been hit by a in sport. white coverings. Games. Japanese Emperor Naruhito and The ceremony was marked by string of scandals, including the exit Members of the Canada There were also a variety of Japan had billed the Olympics as International Olympic Committee high-profile absences, including of senior officials over derogatory delegation wore patches in the masks, from plain blue or white an echo of the 1964 Tokyo Games, (IOC) President Thomas Bach, both former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, comments about women, jokes colour of the rainbow, the symbol of surgical masks to others in the which marked the country’s return masked, entered the stadium and who wooed the Games to Tokyo. about the Holocaust and bullying. the LGBT community, on their colours of the national flags or to the world stage after its bowed to each other before sitting Top sponsors also stayed away, The Games run until 8 Aug. uniform jackets. emblazoned with national seals. devastating World War Two defeat, down socially distanced. highlighting strong opposition to About 11,000 athletes from 204 Other athletes were also expected OLYMPICS WITHOUT FANS but this time showcasing its The giant wooden rings were the event in COVID-fatigued Japan. national Olympic committees are to make statements about equality Postponed for a year, organisers recovery from the 2011 earthquake, carried onto the field on a platform, Hundreds of protesters carrying expected, along with a team of and justice and most nations were were forced to take the tsunami and nuclear crisis. guided by the light of many paper placards that read “Lives over refugee athletes competing under represented by a man and a woman unprecedented step of holding the PANDEMIC IMPACT lanterns. They were made of lumber Olympics” protested around the the Olympic flag.

Junior TT Nationals Finally, a win for Sri Lanka after nervy chase on 20/21/22 August Avishka Fernando (76) and Bhanuka Earlier Spinners Praveen Jayawickrama and Rajapaksa (65) powered Sri Lanka’s chase, Akila Dananjaya played a key role and helped The Tables Tennis Association of Sri Lanka and despite a flurry of wickets in the latter Sri Lanka to bowl out India for 225 runs. (TTASL) will conduct the Junior National part, Sri Lanka secured their first win in the In a rain hampered ODI, opener Prithvi SCORES Table Tennis Championship on series as they beat India by three wickets in Shaw was the highest scorer with 49, while 20/21/22 August at the Municipal Indoor the third ODI played at R. Premadasa Stadium Sanju Samson (46) and Suryakumar Yadav Sri Lanka Stadium in Kegalle. yesterday. (40) chipped in with useful contributions. Sri Avishka Fernando c Shaw b Chahar 76 The events that will be conducted are: Chasing India’s 225, Sri Lanka were Lanka bowlers kept it tight as India, who were Minod Bhanuka c Sakariya b Gowtham 07 under-10, 12, 15, 18 girls and boys singles, cruising at one stage with 1 for 144 once riding strong with one for 102 in the 16th Bhanuka Rajapaksa Gowtham b Sakariya 65 under-18 boys and girls doubles and under- on the board, but with the over, soon saw them 8 down for 195 in the Dhananjaya de Silva c&b Sakariya 02 18 mixed doubles. dismissal of Rajapaksa, 33rd over. Charith Asalanka lbw Pandya 24 Entries close on 7 August and draw will be they kept losing wickets Some commendable batting by Dasun Shanaka c Pandey b Chahar 00 held on 15 August at the Community Centre with skipper Dasun the lower order guided them to Ramesh Mendis not out 15 at Borella. All entries should be sent to Shanaka bagging a golden 225, before Dushmantha Chamika Karunarathne st. Samson b Chahar 03 Tournament Secretary, D.M.G.S. Kumara, duck. Chameera wrapped up Akila Dananjaya not out 05 No. 95/14, Hewaheta Road, Thalwatta, After being 3 down for 194 with the tail. Extras (b4, lb6, nb5, w15) 30 Kandy. just 31 more to get, Sri Lanka lost four Total (for 7 wickets in 39 overs) 227 (IR) more wickets including that of set batsman Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-144, 3-151, 4-194, 5-195, Fernando. Sri Lanka had nervy chase towards 6-214, 7-220 the end. and it was left to No.9 Akila Bowling: Navdeep Saini 5-0-27-0, Chetan Sakariya Dananjaya to allay nerves by scoring a 8-0-34-2, Rahul Chahar 10-0-54-3, Krishnappa boundary off the first delivery he faced, to Gowtham 8-0-49-1, Hardik Pandya 5-0-43-1, Nitish Mushfiqur to miss give some form of relief for Sri Lanka. Rana 3-0-10-0 Australia T20 series Bangladesh’s Mushfiqur Rahim will miss next month’s Twenty20 International series against Australia, after he was unable to join the team in time for quarantine because of personal reasons. Bangladesh are undergoing a 10-day SCORES quarantine in Dhaka ahead of the five-match series, due to be held 3-9 Aug. India However, Cricket Australia said on Thursday the series has come under doubt after their Prithivi Shaw lbw Shanaka 49 second one-day international against West Indies Shikar Dhawan c Bhanuka b Chameera 13 was suspended minutes before the start following Sanju Samson c Fernando b Jayawickrama 46 a COVID-19 case among the West Indies staff. Manish Pandey c Bhanuka b Jayawickrama 11 Bangladesh Cricket Board’s Cricket Operations Suryakumar Yadav lbw b Dananjaya 40 Chairman Akram Khan said Mushfiqur opted out Hardik Pandya lbw b Jayawickrama 19 of their ongoing series in Zimbabwe to be with his Nitish Rana c Bhanuka b Dananjaya 07 parents. Krishnappa Gowtham lbw b Dananjaya 02 “Mushfiqur wanted to play the (Australia) Rahul Chahar c&b Dananjaya 13 series, but he missed the quarantine by a couple Navdeep Saini c Fernando b Chameera 15 of days,” ESPNcricinfo news site quoted Akram Chetan Sakariya not out 00 as saying. Extras (lb1, w9) 10 “His parents are sick, so he had to leave the Total (all out in 43.1 overs) 225 Zimbabwe tour. But the (10-day) quarantine is Fall of Wicket :1-28, 2-102, 3-118, 4-157, 5-179, part of our agreement with Cricket Australia, so 6-190, 7-194, 8-195, 9-224, 10-225 we couldn’t include him. Bowling: Dushmantha Chameera 8.1-0-55-2, Akila “They didn’t agree to Mushfiqur entering Dananjaya 10-0-44-3, Chamika Karunarathne 6-0- quarantine two days after it began. It is Bhanuka Rajapaksa 25-1, Praveen Jayawickrama 10-0-59-3, Dasun disappointing, but one can’t do much about Avishka Fernando fires hits to the off side Shanaka 8-0-33-1, Ramesh Mendis 1-0-8-0 against the India bowlers these things.” (Reuters)

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