Cannot sell flour above controlled price -Minister friday 2 july 2021 CAA to take Latest Edition Vol: 10/145 Price : Rs 30.00

legal action In Sports Bakery Owners won’t Switzerland Take on increase prices Spain today

By W. K. Prasad Manju and By The 16th edition of the European NabiyaVaffoor Championship, Euro 2020, began on 11 June with matches in 11 major State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing cities across Europe - for the first time Development and Consumer Protection, Lasantha in the 63-year history of the Alagiyawanna told Ceylon Today the Serendib Flour tournament. A14 Mills (SFML) will not be allowed to increase the price of a kilo of wheat flour by Rs 18, while a controlled price has been given. He added that an agreement had been reached with the Bakery Owners’ Association not to increase the price of any bakery product, including bread. Alagiyawanna pointed out that due to selling wheat flour at a higher price than the controlled price, without the permission of the Consumer Affairs Authority, legal action will be taken against the Serendib Flour Mills and the initial stages of this procedure had already commenced. He said a kilo of wheat flour has to be sold at Rs 87 and it cannot be sold at a higher price than that. Accordingly, Serendib Flour Mills should sell a kilo of wheat flour at Rs 87 and if they do not do so, legal action will definitely be taken against the Company. The Serendib Flour Mills had held a discussion with the All-Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association yesterday (1) regarding the price increase of wheat flour andMinister Alagiyawanna said it was decided to take legal action against the Company for the unauthorised price increase.

Story Continued on page 2 30 June records Nurses’ Strike highest number of jabs on single day Cripples State Hospitals By Sanduni Gamarachchi Demands include fairness in promotions and status

Sri Lanka ramped up the COVID-19 inoculation By Dilanthi Jayamanne Union (PSUNU) and the All Medical Officers received their to work for 20 years to receive drive on 30 June, recording the highest number of Ceylon Nurses’ Union (ACNU) first promotion after a lapse of this promotion. He said fairness vaccinations rolled out in a single day. A nurses’ strike in the State launched a two-day nurses’ two years. However, nurses were should prevail in the two health Accordingly, 170,995 coronavirus jabs in total health service crippled the strike yesterday (1), demanding awarded their Grade II promotion service categories. have been administered, State Minister of services of several hospitals. fairness in promotions given to only after 10 years of service. Thereby, nurses should receive Production, Supply and Regulation of The Government Nursing them. Also, doctors received their their Grade II promotions in five Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana said. Officers’ Association (GNOA), the GNOA Chairman, Saman second promotion after a lapse of years and their Grade I As many as 91,759 people received the first shot Public Service United Nurses’ Ratnapriya, yesterday (1) said nine years, whereas nurses had promotion in 12 years, he said. of China-developed Sinopharm vaccine, the Epidemiology Unit’s COVID-19 immunisation Story Continued on page 2 progress report showed. Meanwhile, 79,236 were fully vaccinated as they were administered the second dose of Sinopharm Attack on Wildlife Officers IAI signs $50M To cover up actual jab on Wednesday. contract to upgrade situation in the country Maj General Govt showing a Sri Lanka’s Kfirs political drama allowed bail By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan 2,000 Trishaws using Gammanpila Major General Mohan Rathnayake, The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) General Officer Commanding, 21 Division stated on its official website that it had and Basil for Police HQ, who was arrested yesterday (1) recently signed a contract worth USD 50 morning over his involvement in a brawl million with Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry – Bakeer Markar Over 2,000 three-wheelers were distributed to the with a team of Wildlife Department to upgrade Kfir combat aircraft for the Sri Police by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at officials in the Habarana area on Friday Lankan Airforce. By Nabiya Vaffoor Temple Trees yesterday (1).This was with the aim of (25), was granted bail in two sureties by The deal includes replacing the aircraft’s strengthening their duties and ensuring national the Kekirawa Magistrate. basic avionics with the advanced 4+ security. The Kekirawa Magistrate on 30 June generation fighter aircraft avionics in Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP The distribution of three-wheelers to Police had ordered the arrest of Major General order to integrate advanced radar, Imthiaz Bakeer Markar said the stations Islandwide was initiated on President Rathnayake. sensors, communication systems, and Government is showing a political drama Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Manifesto which emphasised The Wildlife Officers had complained to new helmets, the Press release on 30 June using Udaya Gammanpila and Basil the need to maintain a strong transport system for the Police that they were positioned at the stated. Rajapaksa, to cover up the actual Police stations. Minneriya National Park on 23 June night The upgrade process will also include situation in the country following a tip-off regarding an attempt... refurbishment and skills training for... He claimed that the Sri Lanka Story Continued on page 2 Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has failed to Story Continued on Story Continued on reach a common agreement regarding its page 2 page 2 next Presidential candidate. ‘Don’t fire workers during pandemic’ He said that currently there is a Minister orders Govt using PTA debate within the SLPP to determine PM advises business whether its next Presidential candidate tough action will be MP Namal Rajapaksa or SLPP owners to secure jobs to crack down on National Organiser Basil Rajapaksa. against errant Cops “People don’t care whether they have... The need to protect workers and ensure job opponents – JVP security during COVID-19 was highlighted by Prime By Thameenah Razeek Story Continued on Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on 30 June at Temple By Treshan Fernando page 2 Trees during a discussion on issues faced by the Sri Lanka Apparel Brands Association (SLABA) and the Minister of Public Security, Rear Admiral The JVP yesterday (1) accused the To detect minor Sri Lanka Retailers Association (SLRA). (Retired) Dr. Sarath Weerasekara has Government of using the Prevention of directed the IGP to take strong action Terrorism Act (PTA) to apply pressure on its earthquakes against errant Police Officers. political opponents. It has been ordered to conduct a special JVP politburo member Bimal Rathnayake Victoria Dam to get inquiry and take disciplinary action against claimed Sri Lanka does not need any not only the Police personnel who misbehave “special laws,” and called on the 10 seismometers and commit felonies, but also their Government to repeal the PTA. By Thameenah Razeek supervising officers. Speaking at a Media briefing organised by Police Spokesman, SDIG Ajith Rohana,... the JVP, he said new Cabinet Papers... The Geological Survey and Mines Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Bureau (GSMB) will install 10 new high- frequency seismometers near Victoria Reservoir to detect minor earthquakes. Story Continued on page 2 From last year, a number of small Farmers will benefit from Rs 80B saved earthquakes measuring about 2 on the Richter scale have been reported on in fertiliser import ban – President several occasions in Kandy, Digana, Decisions on Teldeniya, and Kundasale. The GSMB Do not reverse the Farmers’ insurance Attention Farmers’ unions has decided to install ten high-frequency MMDA taken sans decision to ban stalled during to increase allowed signing seismometers provided by the German chemical fertiliser ‘Yahapalana’ farmers’ contracts up to Government at ten locations in and consultation – ACJU – farmers resumes today pension Rs10M around the Victoria Reservoir following this. All Ceylon JamiyyathulUlama (ACJU), while Farmers’ representatives have urged President After the minor earthquakes, Minister stating that the Cabinet of Ministers has made Gotabaya Rajapaksa,on behalf of 1.1 million of Environment Mahinda Amaraweera decisions pertaining to the Muslim Marriage and farmers across the island, not to reverse steps appointed an expert committee to Divorce Act (MMDA) without taking into taken to promote organic fertiliser. prepare a scientific report on the matter. consideration the opinions given by Islamic religious They highlighted that it was their absolute duty Despite the fact that those earthquakes and civil organisations, called on the Government and responsibility to return to traditional farming had no effect on the Victoria Reservoir, and the Minister of Justice to re-evaluate such methods and provide the people with a non-toxic the committee report stated that a decisions. healthy diet. They added that citizenry will be... thorough investigation was warranted.

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Nurses’ Strike... The nurses also demanded a five- said the risk allowance that was numbers of the nursing staff and Kandy, Teaching Hospital Peradeniya, Cancer Patients, would continue day work week like all other State currently being paid to only a section approving the amendments to the Base Hospitals,16 nursing schools, service. services employees, staff category of nurses should be paid to all Service Minute. and 248 Medical Offices of Health Meanwhile, the strike caused recognition, and 1/80 for each hour nurses. Ratnapriya said nurses in 1,103 were engaged in the strike.However, untold hardship to warded patients of overtime that they do. At present, The GNOA President also stressed health institutions including the nurses at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital and those coming for treatment to the they are only paid 1/60 per hour. He on the need to upgrade the approved National Hospitals Colombo and for Children, Apeksha Hospital for outpatient departments and clinics.

Minister orders... Govt using ... Farmers will...... said the Police have been discredited as ... grateful to the President for the price of rice to protect a result, of disciplinary procedures taken .. presented by the Government added.He queried, “What his decision to nourish a healthy consumers.” against certain Officers in recent days. regarding the monitoring of progress have they made?” next generation for Sri Lanka. The President stated that the He added that incidents such as the one social media for terrorism could When the second year since the Farmers’ representatives Government will create an where a girl was groped at the Neluwa Police potentially punish social media Easter Sunday Attacks was assured President Rajapaksa that environment where farmers will Station and Officers stealing fuel from Police users for their thoughts. “These marked, the public demanded to all the farmers in the country benefit from the sum of Rs 80,000 buses have damaged the reputation of the are Hitler’s laws,” he said. know what the results of the would support the President in million spent annually on the entire force. Rathnayake pointed out that investigation were, and so the overcoming the challenge importation of chemical fertilisers, “A very small percentage of Police Officers the European Parliament had Government arrested MP Rishad transforming agriculture to one while protecting future misbehave, but as a result the entire force submitted a resolution on Sri Bathiudeen, Rathnayake further based on organic fertiliser, as a generations from non- has been discredited,” he said. Lanka, alleging several instances said. team, for the benefit of all people communicable diseases. of civil rights violations in the “The CID goes in droves to in Sri Lanka just like the country The President said that in order country and suggestions have arrest youth who post messages once faced the challenge of war to implement the programme been put forward that the GSP+ on Facebook,” he said. However, against terror. continuously and successfully, the concession should be revoked. Rathnayake claimed that when Farmers’ representatives shared required amount of organic CAA to... Highlighting the impact of this there is bribery and corruption these views at a meeting with the fertiliser including herbicides and suggestion, he told the Media regarding State assets, there is District Farmers Representatives pesticides will be made available to Although the All-Ceylon Bakery that Europe is Sri Lanka’s no investigation.“Aren’t they of Sri Lanka National Farmers' the farmers in the same manner Owners Association had decided to second largest partner for ashamed of themselves?”he Organisation held at the the chemical fertilisers were increase the price of a one-pound loaf of exports and that the economic queried. Presidential Secretariat yesterday provided. At the same time, local bread by Rs 10 from next week due to sphere has already been In February, a Prisons (01). This Organisation comprises entrepreneurs and industrialists the Serendib Flour Mills increasing the damaged, especially for working spokesman told the Media that 1.1 million farmers, 17,000 will be given the opportunity to price of a kilo of wheat flour by Rs 18, class people. steps had been taken to allow farmers’ organisations and 563 produce the required fertiliser during the discussion held with State This resolution notes that the the President to pardon those Agrarian Service Centres. locally. The farmers can also Minister Alagiyawanna yesterday (1), it PTA has been used recently to convicted of murder, Rathnayake The President briefed the produce the organic fertiliser they is reported that a decision had arrest political opponents of the explained.He added that later, farmers' representatives on the need. The Government has made ultimately been taken, not to increase Government, including Hejaaz on Poson Poya Day Duminda measures to be taken by the plans to provide the funds the price of bakery products including Hizbullah and Shani Abeysekara, Silva was given a Presidential Government to address the use of required for this purpose. bread. Rathnayake went on to say. Pardon. organic fertilisers. The President assured that the The President was elected by “What we see is that this President Rajapaksa pointed out income earned by farmers will not promising results for the Government is ready to break that this was not a sudden reduce and the Government would investigations into the Easter any law for its own political decision and was an initiative compensate if it does so they will Sunday Attacks, Rathnayake aspirations,” Rathnayake said. launched to fulfil a promise made not have to suffer. Victoria Dam... in his “Vistas of Prosperity and Minister Mahindananda Splendour” policy statement when Aluthgamage handed over the Therefore, it was suggested that at least running for Presidential office. The "Farmers Insurance Scheme" to ten high-frequency seismometers be previous Governments on a the President which was installed in the area right away, with six Govt showing ... number of occasions have tried to suspended during the previous months of seismic data to be collected. introduce organic agriculture. Government and will resume from Minister Amaraweera said the ten ... Namal Rajapaksa or Basil and unrealistic economic plans. However, the President said that today. seismometers were placed in compliance Rajapaksa as the next Presidential Even now the Government is the reasons for their failure would Aluthgamage also revealed that with that recommendation. Candidate. But yet, these decisions printing currency without any be studied and the new the Government is focusing on Meanwhile, the GSMB has directed to weren’t discussed in a democratic regulations which will lead the programme will be implemented increasing the 'farmer's pension'. conduct a comprehensive investigation into way by the SLPP with their allies,” rupee’s value to depreciate,” he rectifying those errors. Some He said that immediate steps will the Victoria Dam and the mild earthquakes he added. added. people try to point this out as a be taken to construct 105 new that have been detected from last year. In response to a question as to He also warned that losing the regressive journey. However, the warehouses to store paddy, However, the GSMB has informed that, whether SJB will collaborate with GSP+ facility will lead to a massive President emphasised that the use provide financial assistance to despite the fact that there are four newly appointed UNP national list economic downfall since 30 per of organic fertilisers, which is a Farmers' Banks and to update the permanent seismometers positioned in MP Ranil Wickremesinghe, the SJB cent of Sri Lankan exports are sent new trend in the entire world, agricultural database Pallekele, Hakmana, Buddhangala, and MP noted that the decision is up to to the European region. would take the country on a new expeditiously. Mahakanadarawa, getting data on small Wickremesinghe to choose whether “About 90 per cent of the path of agrarian economy. The President also approved to seismic situations from them is difficult. he will be joining with the European Parliament members “Many who speak out against increase the upper limit for They further claimed that these new democratic Opposition or the have voted for a resolution on Sri the programme are referring to contracts for farmers' high-frequency seismometers can detect bureaucratic ruling party. Lanka, challenging the issues of prices of fruits and vegetables organisations from Rs. 2 million to even the tiniest earthquakes deep within He also added that Sri Lanka is in judicial independence, rule of law, produced using organic fertilisers. Rs. 10 million for undertaking the earth's core. the lower level of any indicators militarising and the democratic But they don’t pay attention to the projects to rehabilitate tanks and The Minister said all of the regarding Human rights and the existence in our country. They have farmers suffering from the use of canals. It was also decided to recommendations made by the Expert economy. noted that the Government is chemical fertilisers.Cultivation has expand the scope for direct Committee on Earthquakes would be “Projects like Lotus Tower, hunting its political opponents been largely paralysed over the involvement of farmers when implemented.He also said this research is Hambantota Harbour and Mattala using the Prevention of Terrorism past five years. The policy of the selling harvest at economic being conducted in readiness for any future Airport have been white elephants Act. They’ve been releasing present Government is to uplift centres. large earthquakes as well as for the to our economy. The Government convicted persons using the the agricultural sector. The State Ministers Shasheendra protection of public life and property. was stuck in debt and unable to Presidential Commission of Inquiry increase in the purchase price of Rajapaksa, Mohan de Silva, pay the foreign reserves when they into Political Victimization as an paddy from Rs 30 to Rs 50 per kg Seetha Arambepola, Secretary to took up these projects. I saw the excuse,” he added. is a step taken to encourage the President P.B. Jayasundera Government blaming all its failings Bakeer Markar expressed these farmers. Later, farmers were able and Government Officials on the pandemic. This situation did views, yesterday (1) at a press to sell their paddy at between including Secretaries to the Maj Gen... not come about because of the briefing at the Opposition Leader’s Rs65 and 68 per kilo. The Ministries were also present pandemic; it did because of false Office. Government intervened to control during this meeting. .. to steal an elephant calf. At that time, two Sri Lanka Army vehicles had entered the national park and had failed to stop despite the orders to halt. The Wildlife Officers had chased after Decisions on... PM advises business... the two vehicles to the main entrance of the Sri Lanka Army Camp in General Secretary of consultation of the The PM called on the business Fund and Employers Trust Fund. Anuradhapura and the assault had taken ACJU, Ash-Shaikh M. concerned stakeholders by community to protect their employees Lalantha Wathudura, President of place when they were returning from ArkamNooramith, stated taking their views into without dismissing them. SLABA presented the Prime Minister there. that decisions should be consideration while Representatives of these unions said with the launch of a separate Major General Rathnayake had arrived made by giving due focusing on the grievances it was difficult to keep employees Ministry for Batik, handloom fabrics at the Habarana Police Station yesterday consideration to of the Muslim women. while maintaining businesses and and local garment manufacturing. morning and was arrested after that. fundamentals of the religion He added that Muslim added that they had no choice but to The delegation said their In a statement, Sri Lanka Army said the while honouring the rights Family Laws were in lay off some of their labour. businesses had been paralysed for Major General too had lodged a complaint of all citizens of the country, practice in Sri Lanka Delegates spoke on issues such as nearly 24 months due to the Easter after the brawl on 25 June at the to ensure that no one is throughout the history of obtaining bank loan concessions, Sunday terror attack and the COVID- Habarana Police Station. treated unequally and in a more than 1,000 years resolving issues in opening letters of 19 pandemic and requested the Prime “He had not been summoned, to-date, manner that the among the Muslim credit, vaccinating garment workers, Minister to provide immediate relief either for an inquiry or a statement until multicultural diversity of community in accordance obtaining permission to open through the Finance Ministry to his own appearance yesterday (1) morning the nation is upheld. with Islamic religious readymade garment shops and issues maintain business and trade. at the Police station, as Media reports “The ACJU reiterates that teachings and cultural surrounding the Employees Provident (ST) blamed the Police for their failure to arrest it will support every practices and were the Officer who was on a private visit at decision that is in best subjected to amendments the time of the incident. The Officer interest for the country’s from time to time as expects to sue for defamation and insults development and the Sri required upon due inflicted,” a statement issued by the Sri Lankan Muslim consultation with the Lanka Army said. community,” he said adding community’s IAI signs $50M... The next hearing has been fixed for 3 that reforms are required to representatives as it was February 2022. be made considering the related to their religious ... Sri Lankan Air Force personnel and “I am grateful to Sri Lanka's Air Force A separate inquiry into the incident is fundamental teachings of and cultural affairs. will be completed in cooperation with for choosing to renew their Kfir being conducted by Sri Lanka Army. (MD) the religion, and upon due (FT) the Air Force and in their local facilities. selection and continue using the Kfir The Kfir, when first developed, was a as their Multi-Role Combat Aircraft. I game-changer on the battlefield with believe this deal is an early step in its ability to carry heavy ammunition preparing for future upgrades to the and reach enemy targets in a precise advanced model KNG (Kfir New 2,000 trishaws... manner, the statement said. Generation)." The decision to upgrade the aircraft The IAI’s Aviation Group has many Accordingly, three-wheelers were distributed to the now was based in part on the years of experience upgrading military OIC’s of Meegoda, Gothatuwa, Yakkala , Bemmulla , successful completion of the process in and commercial aircraft. The group is Pallewela , Mihijaya Sewana , Kurunduwatta , Egoda the Colombian Air Force. responsible for all manned aircraft, Uyana and Mattegoda Police stations. In 2012 and 2018, the Colombian Air including executive jets, avionics, The three-wheelers will be used by these Police Force's Kfir fleet participated in the structural assemblies, MRO, stations for duties including that of preventing crime United States Red Flag exercise, conversion of passenger aero planes to and carrying out investigations, including alongside the U.S. Air Force and other freighter configuration, etc. The complaints made to 119, duties of the Children and air forces. The Kfir displayed Aviation Group’s customers include air Women’s Bureau, those of the Anti-corruption exceptional capabilities throughout the forces, airlines, and major defence division, duties of the Intelligence divisions and other exercise, far better than the F15, F16 companies, including the Israel, U.S., Civil duties. and other participating aircraft. Sri Lanka and Colombia Air forces and Over Rs 829 million was spent by the Government IAI Executive VP and GM of IAI’s Lockheed Martin, and Boeing for the purchase of these three-wheelers. (FT) Aviation Group, Yossi Melamed, said, aerospace companies. friday 2 july 2021 A3 A4 FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 NEWS

Producing eco-friendly lunch sheets Beverage giants Environment Ministry to seek Cabinet approval

By Thameenah Razeek taken to secure government sponsorship to boost default on recycling The Environment production and meet Ministry will seek Cabinet national demand, which is approval to increase currently lacking. Cabinet production of eco-friendly approval will be obtained in lunch sheets that can be this connection, and steps reused for three to six will be taken to provide the commitments months, as proposed by manufacturer with market Tharushi Vidushika access from both the By Thameenah Razeek The reason for this, according to the Ministry to ban these products, and that the Rajapaksa, a first-year private and government Secretary, is that they don’t have a dedicated Government’s difficult choice to ban chemical student at the University of sectors. It has been revealed that three major programme in place to collect them. In fertilisers has driven everyone to convert to Colombo. Dr. Jasinghe said he beverage companies do not recycle even 10 per accordance with Government policy, the organic farming, with 90 per cent of the Minister of Environment, believes it is critical to cent of the plastic they produce. Environment Ministry has implemented a country’s agricultural sector expected to utilise Mahinda Amaraweera, and deploy such alternatives as All three companies have claimed to sell their phased ban on plastics and polythene, and PET organic fertiliser by next year. Secretary to the Ministry, part of the Ministry of products in glass bottles since their inception; bottles have been added to the next list. The restriction on polythene and plastics, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, were Environment’s initiative to nevertheless, all three companies are currently However, if a formal recycling programme is not according to the Minister, will push the introduced to the eco- ban certain polythene and distributing their products in environmentally suggested within two weeks, they will be industry to explore for alternatives. However, friendly lunch sheet at the plastic items. “Lunch hazardous plastic bottles. outlawed, the Minister said. within two weeks, all three companies agreed to Ministry of Environment on sheets, particularly those To address the PET bottle ban, Environment “The Government took action to prohibit the launch an alternative scheme for PET bottles. Wednesday (30). added to the environment, Minister Mahinda Amaraweera met use of plastics and polythene not to put a stop One of these companies has already begun These lunch sheets can inflict great environmental representatives from beverage companies that to such businesses, but because of the massive producing soft drinks in 250 ml small plastic minimise the quantity of damage,” he said, adding use PET bottles on a large scale. Dr. Anil environmental and health consequences. bottles, according to the Minister, who has lunch sheets released into that 99 per cent of the Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Despite the fact that all companies have been ordered them to stop immediately. There is no the environment by 90 per lunch sheets dumped by the Environment and representatives from the urged to hunt for alternatives, none have been way to recycle these small bottles. Therefore, cent on a daily basis. public are not recyclable, Central Environmental Authority (CEA), also able to do so,” he said. the Minister requested that no additional firms Minister Amaraweera and that the whole amount spoke at the event. Minister Amaraweera said the only option is adopt this approach. added that steps will be pollutes the environment.

Attempting to molest Toddler Govt has spent Rs 262B to underage girl drowns in fight COVID-19 – PM PC in the net wastewater pit It has been revealed the By N.G. Liyanage – Ahangama Government has spent By Naalir Jamaldeen approximately Rs 262 billion for The Galle District DIG Office said on the control and suppression of Wednesday that a constable attached to A two-and-half-year-old boy met with a COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, Prime the Neluwa Police Station had been tragic death when he fell into a wastewater Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa nabbed on charges of attempting to pit. The incident took place at the Janatha said on Wednesday (30). molest an underage girl when she had Division in Brunswick Estate in Maskeliya, He made these comments at arrived with her mother to the said Police said on Wednesday (30). Temple Trees during a meeting Police Station to lodge a complaint Police said the victim was identified as with the Ministry of Finance concerning a previous act of molestation. Jeyasundharam Sulakshanan who was officials to review the Police said the mother and daughter residing with his parents in Brunswick management of funds for had gone to the Police Station on 29 Estate and had gone missing from Tuesday COVID-19 and to resolve any June to lodge the complaint when the (29) evening. Since then a search had been existing problems. constable had attempted to molest the carried out by the parents with the help of Under the theme “Towards a girl according to the complaint lodged by neighbours and relatives. The body was Path to Prosperity through the victim’s mother. finally found in the wastewater pit. Challenges”, Secretary to the The body was taken to the Divisional Treasury and Ministry of Finance Hospital, Maskeliya for an autopsy. S.R. Attygalle said that the and Attygalle added that another the country by January 2022. Maskeliya Police are conducting further Government successfully Rs 92 billion has been spent on The Governor of the Central Rice price hike inquiries regarding the incident. managed the first and second vaccinations and other expenses Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Prof. wave of COVID-19. during this period. W.D. Lakshman said that despite Mill owners, Attygalle pointed out that It was also revealed that the various views expressed by despite these difficult times, 11,000 development projects the Opposition, foreign loans traders to be Hudson appointed funds were allocated through the have been approved by the have so far been repaid without Ministry of Finance on the Government from the delay and will continue to be severely dealt with SLBC Chair, instructions of the Prime decentralised fund. repaid without default. Heenkenda SLRC DG Minister for the benefit of the Discussions are underway with Prime Minister Rajapaksa By Nirmani Guneratne people, including small and institutions representing the instructed Attygalle, to look into By Kumudu Upul Shantha medium enterprises (SMEs). financial sector to attract foreign bringing various institutions of Minister of Agriculture, Mahindananda The Government has spent investment to the country and the Finance Ministry into one Aluthgamage said the Government will Veteran Media personality Hudson Rs 117 billion on the control of the Finance Ministry is confident building for the public’s strictly enforce the law against rice mill Samarasinghe has been appointed COVID-19 in 2020 and an that a National Debt Securities convenience. owners and traders over rice price hike. as Chairman of the SLBC while additional Rs 53 billion in 2021 Institution will be established in (ST) He said consumers cannot be taken Jayampathy Heenkenda who had served in for a ride anymore by the country’s rice that post was appointed as Director mafia as certain rice mill owners had General of Sri Lanka Rupavahini. earned billions of rupees through their Samarasinghe had functioned as rackets in the past. Chairman and DG of the State-run SLBC The Minister warned that henceforth on three previous occasions and now Food aid for Colombo’s laws and regulations concerning unfair posted to its helm for a fourth time. hiking of rice prices will be implemented He had held the same post during the to the letter and stressed that those administrations of former Presidents R. flouting it will be prosecuted despite Premadasa, Chandrika Kumaratunga and most vulnerable their clout in society. Mahinda Rajapaksa. Samarasinghe who is also an ex-MP assumed work in his new post yesterday. The Sathsarani Local engineers, Foundation distributed 1,000 contractors to Inspection drive by Police dry ration packs around the handle NWSDB Legal action against Colombo District to low income By Kumudu Upul Shantha Institutions flouting families affected by the COVID-19 The Ministry of Water Supply and health regulations pandemic, under Drainage has decided to carry out all the patronage of work pertaining to the National Water By Chamara Amarasuriya the Foundation’s Supply and Drainage Board(NWSDB)by Chairperson using local engineers and contractors Police Media Spokesman DIG Ajith Malshani henceforth. Rohana said the inspection of State and Attanayake on 28 The Ministry said this decision private sector workplaces will be intensified June. follows instructions given by Minister from yesterday to determine whether (NV) Vasudeva Nanayakkara to save institutions were adhering to health millions of rupees from being incurred regulations put in place to curb the spread unnecessarily to hire foreign engineers of COVID-19. He said the inspection drive and contractors. will be launched in the Western Province including Colombo and its suburbs and warned that those found violating regulations will be dealt with by the law. Differently-abled minor sexually abused Fine increase for rice flouters to be Suspect working at ratified in House By Nirmani Guneratne candy factory nabbed

Minister of Trade, Bandula By Naalir Jamaldeen of the students of a Government Two students who escaped and complaints by the victim’s Gunawardena said the decision taken by Vocational Training Centre for from the factory had informed parents, Kandy Police launched Cabinet to increase the fine imposed on Police arrested a person differently-abled children in their superiors regarding it. The a search operation at the said traders who sell rice higher than the suspected to have assaulted and Godawala area in Kandy. students told Police that the sweet factory and found one of stipulated price from Rs 2,500 to sexually abused a differently- The students, including the factory’s management had the victims. The boy has been Rs100.000 rupees will be tabled as an abled minor in Bahirawakanda, victim, had been sent to a sweet attacked them and forced them sent for medical examinations. emergency Act in Parliament shortly. The Kandy, the local Police said on manufacturing company for to stay and work for more The owner of the factory decision taken to increase the fine was Wednesday (30). training. The suspect is also an hours. surrendered to Police yesterday approved by Cabinet which convened last Police said the victim was one employee of the said company. Based on these statements (30 June) morning. week while it had been seconded again during this week’s Cabinet meeting as well. news friday 2 july 2021 A5 Armed Gang Attacks Jaffna Studio Injuring Seven

By Sandeep Tissaaratchy building during the attack were heavily of the suspects arriving at the location injured and are receiving treatment in the and passers-by were able to identify a few A studio situated in Sellapuram, Kopay Jaffna Hospital. SDIG Rohana added that of the suspects. in Jaffna was attacked on the night of 30 two of the victims are in critical condition. The identified suspects have been taken June by 14 individuals who assaulted The suspects arrived at 8.30 p.m. on into custody and the Police are those inside the building, Police motorcycles and attacked the building conducting further investigations to Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana said. carrying sword like weapons. identify all the perpetrators involved in All seven individuals who were in the The Police have acquired video footage the crime.

Organic fertiliser Tea growers to initiative Sri Lankans Farmers in Japan send get T65 fertiliser to be fairly By Naalir COVID relief Jamaldeen – Herath compensated Deraniyagala. without a hitch. Plantations State The tea He also pointed out – Herath Over $225,000 worth of med Minister Kanaka smallholders in the that a programme to Herath, on area had informed provide fertilisers to By Naalir Jamaldeen equipment donated Wednesday (30), said him about the tea planters, except steps have been taken shortage of fertiliser for T65 has already State Minister of Livestock, Farm Promotion The Embassy of Sri Lanka were beneficiaries of this to distribute T65 in the tea nurseries been implemented and Dairy and Egg Related Industries D.B. in Japan along with donation. fertiliser without any and small tea successfully. Herath said reasonable compensation will be expatriates living in Japan Donors were informed shortage to tea plantations. The State The Fertilizer granted to farmers who have been affected by donated over USD 225,000 about eight essential nurseries and small Minister promised Secretariat has taken the organic fertiliser programme introduced by worth of COVID-19 related equipment such as HFNO tea plantations with that all arrangements steps to release 350 the Government. emergency equipment to 14 Machines, BMC Machines, BI effect from 3 July. have been made to metric tonnes of Herath said so at a discussion on 30 June in government hospitals. PAPS Machines, Ventilators, The State Minister address this issue fertiliser for tea Trincomalee regarding livestock breeding, farm Donors were able to choose Oxygen Regulators, NRBM said all necessary soon. plantations. Steps promotion, and egg production. their preferred medical Machines, Multi Para steps have been taken Herath further said have been taken to He said compensation is to be paid to farmers equipment directly from Monitors, Syringe Pumps. to distribute owners of tea distribute this based on the losses they faced after the authorised Sri Lankan Contact details of hospital fertilisers without nurseries and small amount of fertiliser to introduction of the organic fertiliser programme suppliers and donate to a directors, suppliers of the interruption to tea tea plantations will be tea farmers through by the Government, so that there will be no hospital of their choice. Four above equipment and nurseries and small provided with the tea factories. impact to farmers by this innovative active Sri Lankan information of relevant Sri tea plantations and required amount of Speaking further, programme which aims to transform Sri Lanka Associations in Japan Lankan agents were provided expressed confidence T65 fertiliser through he said owing to the into a country with non-toxic soil, he added. namely, the Sri Lanka to the donors. that there would be the Tea Small policy decision taken Herath went on to say that usually a farmer Business Council of Japan, The donations included 28 no shortage of Holdings by the Government to received the maximum harvest of 100 bags of Sri Lanka Automobile oxygen regulators, ten Bilevel fertiliser in the tea Development stop the import of paddy from one acre per season and after the Association in Japan, Kansai ventilators, five infusion nurseries and small Authority (TSHDA) chemical fertilisers, Government introduced the organic fertiliser Japan Sri Lanka National pumps, five syringe pumps tea plantations after and the required no chemical fertilisers programme the farmer received only 80 bags of Organisation and the Sri and more. Saturday (3). amount of funds have will be provided for paddy from one acre. Lanka Professional The Embassy of Sri Lanka Herath said so been allocated to tea cultivations and In such circumstances, the Government will Association mobilised their coordinated the logistics of during his recent TSHDA to carry out nurseries from next pay compensation for 20 bags, which was the members for this cause. placing orders, delivery inspection tour to this programme year. net loss the farmer experienced, he said. A total of 14 Government schedules, including hospitals including the IDH coordinating respective Hospital, Colombo National family members of donors Hospital, Kalubowila witnessing the gifting of Hospital, Karapitiya Hospital equipment to the respective Maritime Facilitation Centre and the Homagama Hospital hospitals. (TF)

‘Six-In-a-Row’ for PM to launch first time After 117 Days construction work today Recoveries Beat Arrangements have been people and directions and increasing efficiency, by produce to the market more made to launch the supervision of Prime Minister enabling people to obtain efficiently, while creating new construction work of the Mahinda Rajapaksa and services provided by those business opportunities, as New COVID Cases Maritime Facilitation Centre President Gotabaya Rajapaksa offices under one roof. It has well as adding value to the and to commission a a new interchange was been envisaged to increase lands in the region, Minister By Paneetha recovery figures on a net pedestrian underpass constructed at Kapuduwa. efficiency by an online Fernando said. Ameresekere basis being 198 on 26 opposite the Peradeniya Similarly, in order to ease network that would reduce the The pedestrian underpass February, 251 (27 February), Teaching Hospital on the heavy traffic congestion use of paper in the new centre, constructed opposite the There were more COVID-19 114 (28 February), 123 (1 Kandy-Colombo Highway and opposite the Peradeniya Minister Fernando said. Peradeniya Teaching Hospital recoveries than new patients March), 288 (2 March), 99 (3 Kapuduwa Interchange by Teaching Hospital, a The Kapuduwa Interchange cost Rs 127 million and was for six consecutive days to March), 43 (4 March), 101 (5 Prime Minister Mahinda pedestrian underpass was has been constructed by the completed in 12 months. It yesterday (1) for the first time March) and 98 (6 March). Rajapaksa today (2). built to enable the visitors to Southern Expressway was constructed with the after 117 days, Epidemiology EU data further showed The ceremony is scheduled the hospital to proceed Extension Project and it assistance from China Exim Unit (EU) data showed. that there were 47 COVID-19 to be held with the without obstructing the commences near the 130 km (Hunan) Bank. It was Statistics showed that on a deaths registered yesterday; participation of a limited vehicular movements on the post on the Southern constructed under the net basis there were 24 while the number number of people as per the Colombo-Kandy Road, the Expressway. It was supervision of the Road COVID-19 recoveries hospitalised and/or awaiting health regulations in place in minister said. constructed at a cost of Rs Development Authority by yesterday. Yesterday’s hospitalisation was 28,172; view of the pandemic. He said a 17-storey building 445 million in five months by Hunan Construction success follows the number of total deaths Prime Minister Mahinda will be constructed on land China CATIC Corporation. No Engineering Group registration of net COVID recorded since the first case Rajapaksa will participate in belonging to the Sri Lanka new land or property had been Corporation. recoveries of 764 on 30 June, was detected on 27 January the ceremony via video link Ports Authority to set up a acquired in adding the This underpass would solve 332 (29 June), 384 (28 June), (3,077); total number of from Temple Trees, said Chief Maritime Facilitation Centre interchange to the Southern a long-standing problem of 333 (27 June) and 296 (26 confirmed cases since the Government Whip and to house offices of the Expressway. With the traffic congestion near the June) respectively. detection of the first case Highways Minister Johnston buildings that had been construction of the new Peradeniya Teaching Hospital Yesterday saw 1,864 new (259,089) and recoveries Fernando. removed because of the Port Kapuduwa Interchange, benefitting people visiting the COVID-19 cases recorded, (227,840); respectively. Minister Fernando said the Access Elevated Highway people traveling on the hospital and the vehicles recoveries (1,888), therefore, Those commensurate work commenced after Project with the assistance of Southern Expressway will moving on the Colombo- on a net basis, recording 24 numbers as at 6 March stood implementing President the Asian Development Bank. have easy access to Matara, Kandy Road. recoveries, or, to put it at: total number of deaths Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s ‘Vistas The new 17-storey building Hakmana and Kamburupitiya. The underpass could also be another way, recoveries recorded on that day (4); total of Prosperity and Splendour’ will be constructed at a cost of From the new interchange, the used for people to reach outnumbered new cases by a number of deaths registered has turned the entire country Rs 4,099 million by China distance to Matara town is 7 Getambe Temple easily. figure of 24 on that day. since the first case was into a single gigantic Civil Engineering km, to Kamburupitiya 10 km Vendors and hawkers have The last time this detected (493); total number workplace. With the dynamics Construction Corporation. and to Hakmana 17 km. It is been removed from the road phenomenon taking place for of new cases detected on 6 of change and development The work is scheduled to be hoped that the Kapuduwa near the hospital and they at least six consecutive days March (350); discharged/ arose the need to introduce a completed in 24 months. Sri Interchange will boost have been given facilities to was seen 117 days ago, recovered (448); total number new interchange to the Lanka Ports Authority offices efficiency and productivity by ply their trades in the where, for nine consecutive hospitalised (2,698); total Southern Expressway to and other offices providing helping industrialists, underpass, further reducing days to 6 March 2021, number of confirmed cases increase its efficiency. On the maritime services would be businessmen and farmers to the traffic congestion, the recoveries outnumbered new (84, 960) and recoveries basis of suggestions from housed in the new building, transport their goods and minister added. cases, with the respective (81,769); respectively.

Environmental destruction in Loggal Oya Dr. Jasinghe orders legal action

By Thameenah Razeek environmental destruction in the Loggal Oya had been cleared, Media for the exposé about the territories of Mahiyanganaya and area. After hearing about this, Dr. resulting in significant environmental environmental catastrophe. Viyaluwa electorates. The Madolsima The Environment Ministry has given Jasinghe dispatched officials from the damage. Despite the fact that the The CEA will thus take legal action Mountain Range, which is fed by the orders to file lawsuits against those Central Environmental Authority lands in this area are Mahaweli lands, against the culprits. Eastern Slopes of the Namunukula guilty of environmental destruction in (CEA), the Mahaweli Authority, and he has sent a letter to the Secretary of Dr. Jasinghe said so at a Media Mountain Range, provides water to Loggal Oya area. Environment Grama Niladhari Officers in the area the Ministry of Irrigation informing briefing held at the Ministry of Loggal Oya. Water flows for roughly Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, issued to investigate the matter. him of the environmental harm as Environment. Loggal Oya, in Badulla 45 km before reaching Loggal Oya the directives in response to reports of Dr. Jasinghe said the forest around well. Dr. Jasinghe also thanked the District, is located between the border Wekanda. A6 FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 EDITORIAL

Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. No: 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. Editorial Tel: 0117566522, 0117566526, 0117566527 Fax: 0117566545 Marketing Manager: 0117566550, 0117566551 Circulation Manager: 0117566580, 0117566581 E-mail : [email protected] Ask for Escrow Fund Parallels may be found in relation to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill that occurred on 20 April 2010 and the X-Press Pearl Container Ship disaster carrying over a thousand containers of chemicals that took place off the Coast of the Western Province nearly one and a half months ago on 21 May 2021. The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill caused serious repercussions to marine life, bird life and impacted the USA’s tourism and fisheries industries, similar to that which took place consequent to the X-Press Pearl disaster. The company responsible for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, British Petroleum (BP), ultimately ended up paying a total of US$ 24.5 billion as criminal and civilian damages to the United States Government, according to ‘The Conversation,’ an Australian based media outlet, written by academics. A little over a month after the Gulf of Mexico disaster, President Barack Obama, on 22 May 2010, appointed a seven member commission to probe this catastrophe. This Commission, co-chaired by Bob Graham, a US politician and William K. Reilly, an environmentalist and a former president of the World Wildlife Fund forwarded a 384 page report to Obama in January 2011, eight months after they Economics Needs a were commissioned to do the job. Among some of their findings were, to quote excerpts, “BP agreed to place in escrow a $20 billion fund to help address financial losses at President Obama’s urging indicates the magnitude of the economic impact from the Climate Revolution loss of control of this one deepwater well. In its first eight weeks of operation, as of 23 November By Tom Brookes And 2010, the independently administered Gulf Coast Claims Gernot Wagner Facility had paid out more than $2 billion to approximately 127,000 claimants. Nowhere are the limitations In 2008, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric of neo-classical economic Administration (NOAA) which functions under the US thinking – the DNA of Commerce Department, Gulf commercial fishermen economics as it is currently harvested 1.27 billion pounds of finfish and shellfish that taught and practised – more earned $659 million in total landings revenue. Other apparent than in the face of the contributors to the total Gulf fishing economy are seafood climate crisis. While there are processors, warehouses, distributors, and wholesalers fresh ideas and models The Gulf coast generates an estimated $19.7 billion of emerging, the old orthodoxy tourism activity annually. The State of Florida accounts remains deeply entrenched. for more than 50 per cent of the total and accordingly, Change cannot come fast attributes enormous actual and potential losses in enough. tourism-related revenue to the oil spill. Quantifying such The economics discipline has losses and the value of reputational damage may be even failed to understand the more difficult than assigning a value to the indirect losses climate crisis – let alone provide suffered by the State of Louisiana fishing industry. effective policy solutions for it – As at 1 November, 2010, wildlife responders had because most economists tend collected 8,183 birds, 1,144 sea turtles and 109 marine to divide problems into small, mammals affected by the spill—alive or dead, visibly oiled manageable pieces. Rational or not. Given the effects of hiding, scavenging, sinking, people, they are wont to say, decomposition and the sheer size of the search area, many think at the margin. What cost of damage caused by Prize in Economic Sciences in could be expected to spur more specimens were not intercepted. Therefore, matters is not the average or climate change, after all, is 1972 for showing how marginal higher net economic activity scientists will assess the estimated total damage by totality of one’s actions but incurred in the future, while actions taken by self-interested and employment. Perhaps applying a multiplier to the final observed number of rather the very next step, the costs of climate action individuals can improve more surprising is the finding casualties, and will likely issue separate estimates of sub- weighed against the immediate occur today. The Nobel prize- societal welfare. That that carbon pricing alone lethal effects and the impact of the spill on future alternatives. winning verdict is that we pioneering work cemented appears to reduce emissions populations. Such thinking is indeed should delay necessary economists’ equilibrium without hurting jobs or overall As of 1 November 2010 the Unified Area Command rational for small discrete investment in a low-carbon thinking. But Arrow lived for economic growth. The problem reported that nine marine mammals had been collected problems. economy to avoid hurting the another 45 years, and he spent with carbon taxes or emissions alive (and three were released). One hundred mammals Compartmentalisation is current high-carbon economy. that time moving past his trading is that real-world were collected dead, though only four of those were visibly necessary for managing To be clear, a lot of new earlier work. In the 1980s, for policies are not reducing oiled. Most of the marine mammal mortalities were competing demands on one’s thinking has gone into showing example, he was instrumental emissions fast enough and bottlenose dolphins. Also among the dead was one time and attention. But that even this conventional in founding the Santa Fe therefore will need to be juvenile sperm whale; it was found floating more than 70 marginal thinking is logic would call for significantly Institute, which is dedicated to buttressed by regulation. miles from the source of the spill, reportedly unoiled. More inadequate for an all- more climate action now, what has since become known There is no excuse for than 600 dead, sea turtles were collected. consuming problem touching because the costs are often as complexity science – an continuing to adhere to an Oiled birds are often the most visually disturbing and every aspect of society. overestimated while the attempt to move beyond the intellectual paradigm that has widely disseminated images associated with a major oil Economists also tend to potential (even if uncertain) equilibrium mindset he had served us so badly for so long. spill. According to the NOAA, 28 species of marine equate rationality with benefits are underestimated. helped establish. The standard models have been mammals known to live in the Gulf of Mexico, all are precision. The discipline’s The young researchers Because equilibrium thinking used to reject policies that protected, and six (sperm, sei, fin, blue, humpback and power over public discourse advancing this work must walk underpins the traditional would have helped turn the tide North Atlantic right) whales are listed as endangered and policymaking lies in its a near-impossible tightrope, climate-economic models that many years ago, back when the under the Endangered Species Act. At least four species of implicit claim that those who because they cannot publish were developed in the 1990s, climate crisis still could have threatened/endangered turtles (Kemp’s Ridley, green, cannot compute precise what they believe to be their these models assume that been addressed with marginal leatherback, and loggerhead) are residents of the northern benefits and costs are somehow best work (based on the most there are tradeoffs between changes to the existing Gulf of Mexico and are represented by all life stages. A irrational. This allows defensible assumptions) climate action and economic economic system. Now, we no fifth species, the hawksbill turtle, can be found in the economists – and their models without invoking the outmoded growth. They imagine a world longer have the luxury of being southern Gulf. The only nesting beaches in the world for – to ignore pervasive climate neoclassical model to where the economy simply able to settle for incremental Kemp’s Ridley turtles are in the western Gulf of Mexico. risks and uncertainties, demonstrate the validity of new glides along a Panglossian path change. By late September, when nearly 32,000 square miles of including the possibility of ideas. of progress. Climate policy The good news is that rapid the Gulf were still closed to fishing, Government officials climatic tipping points and might still be worthwhile, but change is happening on the made strong statements about the safety of seafood societal responses to them. And Academic economics only if we are willing to accept political front, owing not least caught in re-opened areas. ‘The shrimp, fish, and crabs when one considers The very structure of costs that will throw the to the shrinking cost of climate are perfectly safe to eat,’ claimed Bob Dickey, Director of economists’ fixation with academic economics all but economy off its chosen path. action. The bad news is that Seafood Science and Technology at the Food and Drugs equilibrium models, the guarantees that marginal Against the backdrop of this the framework of neo-classical Administration (FDA). Bill Walker, Executive Director of mismatch between the climate thinking continues to traditional view, recent economics is still blocking the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, challenge and the discipline’s dominate. The most effective pronouncements by the progress. The discipline is long pronounced that ‘based on credible scientific data current tools becomes too way to introduce new ideas into International Monetary Fund overdue for its own tipping collected using federally-approved sampling and glaring to ignore. the peer-reviewed academic and the International Energy point toward new modes of analytical techniques, Mississippi seafood has been safe Yes, a return to equilibrium – literature is to follow something Agency are nothing short of thinking commensurate with and healthy to eat throughout the entirety of this event. getting “back to normal” – is an akin to an 80/20-rule: stick to revolutionary. Both institutions the climate challenge. NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco stated, ‘I have all-too-human preference. But the established script for the have now concluded that Tom Brookes is Executive confidence in our protocols and have enjoyed Gulf seafood it is precisely the opposite of most part; but try to push the ambitious climate action leads Director of Strategic each trip I’ve made to the region. But despite these what is needed – rapidly envelope by probing one to higher growth and more jobs Communications at the assurances, some citizens continue to doubt the safety of phasing out fossil fuels – to dubious assumption at a time. even in the near term. European Climate Foundation. Gulf seafood.’” stabilise the world’s climate. Needless to say, this makes it The logic is straightforward: Gernot Wagner is Clinical Taking into account the successful litigation from the These limitations are extremely difficult to change climate policies create many Associate Professor of Gulf of Mexico disaster as an example, Government of Sri reflected in benefit-cost the overall frame of reference, more jobs in clean-energy Environmental Studies at Lanka too should not be satisfied with millions, but analyses of cutting emissions of even when those who helped sectors than are lost in fossil- New York University, instead aim for billions of US dollars as compensation carbon dioxide and other establish the standard view are fuel sectors, reminding us that co-author of ‘Climate Shock’, from the operators of the X-Press Pearl for the ecological greenhouse gases. The looking well beyond it investment is the flipside of and author of ‘But Will the disaster caused to Sri Lanka and, in the interim, ask for a traditional thinking suggests a themselves. cost. That is why the proposal Planet Notice?’ multibillion dollar escrow fund. go-slow path for cutting CO2. Consider the case of Kenneth for a $2 trillion infrastructure (Courtesy-www.project- The logic seems compelling: the J. Arrow, who shared a Nobel package in the United States syndicate.org) focus friday 2 july 2021 A7 Notes To The People Can BR do it? y umanasiri iyanage B S L servo mechanism and secondly as an expression of an industrial system based A rumour that Basil Rajapaksa (BR) Sri Lanka needs an on the consumer’s sovereignty. It is who returned from the US on 23 June, integrated macro plan perfectly possible to allow the macro after his 14 days quarantine, is to join goals of a system and the principal the Cabinet as a Minister has spread associated with a action directives to derive from a like wildfire. It’s is a well-known fact that properly formulated plan while its micro BR is behind the electoral victories of the resource and financial analogues are left to be implemented SLPP-led coalition in November 2019 plan. Appointing a through the market”. and May 2020. He is an untiring and Development of a properly formulated capable manager. He does not have the National Planning plan is a long term task and would take populist appeal like Mahinda Rajapaksa Commission headed by at least 12 months. It presupposes that (MR) and macro vision like Gotabaya 1977 neoliberal strategy be consciously Rajapaksa (GR). Hence, the supporters the Minister of negated. Nonetheless, the economy of the Government with some justice today needs series of quick actions in would hope that he would be able to get Economic Development order to salvage it. The foreign the country out of its extant impasse. and with some exchange crisis and debt repayment Without underestimating his capacities needs pose an immediate threat. Many and capabilities that this writer knows Members of the pundits suggest it’s time for Sri Lanka very well, this article argues that it is not to approach the IMF for short-term the individuals but the policies and Opposition. A suitable financial assistance in the region of mechanisms that matter finally in macro economist who 2,500 million US dollars. This would be inversing the present trend. is very sympathetic to a disaster knowing the conditionality it A prolonged external shock would impose on Sri Lanka. In such the planning paradigm backdrop what does this immediate Sri Lanka like many other countries package include? I do not have a has been undergoing an epidemiological, should be the deputy complete list, but it is pertinent to ecological and economic crisis. These mention some of them in order to show three crises simultaneously reinforce and operational the directionality. 1) The Government each other. However, it is important to chairperson of the should declare either a unilateral, understand at this juncture that all Basil Rajapaksa an untiring and capable manager bipartisan or multi-partisan 5-year other crises are overruled by the planning commission. moratorium on foreign debt; 2) The list epidemiological crisis which is the is measured in conventional accounting Nonetheless, that is not adequate; a In this digital era with of imports should be revised in order to COVID-19 pandemic. A huge sum has system is misleading since many long-term care and attention are cut down all non-essential imports already been spent by the Government destructive activities are considered as imperative. If I put it in economic terms, computers that could deploying direct or indirect methods; 3) to meet the additional health cost positive drivers of the economy. while taking short-term measure to get the Government should repeal the tax incurred by the pandemic. Since the Secondly, although the pandemic is not the country out of this impasse, a long- handle enormous proposals. It had introduces in post- pandemic’s impact is global disturbing external to the capitalist system of term economic plan is necessary in amount of data in a 2019 November period and income tax commodity and value chains, Sri Lanka accumulation that is driven by an order to terminate the 1977-2021 the threshold should be brought back to has lost three of its major sources of unquenchable thirst for profit, COVID- so-called open economic strategy. second, makes, as Rs 100,000 per month; The tax on foreign exchange, namely the exports of 19 is an external shock to the economy. Reflecting on the last 43 years of upper brackets of income (not profit) goods, tourism and remittances from The economy began its downward trend neoliberal economic strategy, one may Ernest Mandel should be increased, say, to 80 per migrant workers. Regular lockdowns in 2014. A continuous fall of economic easily conclude that for Sri Lanka, it has informed us, planning cent; 5) The facilities offered by the and travel restrictions have had negative growth was reported since 2016. Hence, not worked and will not work. It may be Government to all elected members impact on many sectors. So the it is an indubitable fact that the depicted as the ‘lost four decades’. an easy task should be cut down to 1976 level; 6) A necessary corollary of these economic recession was on prior to the Hence, Basil Rajapaksa’s success will farmer who uses natural farming developments is negative growth as outbreak of the pandemic in February depend on how he grapples with these commission. In this digital era with principles or produces his/ her fertiliser reported in 2020. The third wave of the 2020. No matter which Government, issues, not merely on his personal computers that could handle enormous should be given Rs 10,000 per acre; 7) pandemic since April 2021 has reached such an external shock would generate capabilities. amount of data in a second, makes, as the Government should enter into an uncontrollable magnitude so that its recessionary spiral so the recession is First and foremost, Sri Lanka needs Ernest Mandel informed us, planning an social contract with trade unions on impact over the economic growth this unavoidable. I am sure a good an integrated macro plan associated easy task. What Sukhamoy Chakravarty wages and wage determination; a year would be much lower than the econometrician may calculate with with resource and financial plan. We put posited about planning in the present 3-year moratorium on new big infra- 4.5 – 5 per cent growth rate as expected reasonable assumptions what would be an end to the integrated macro planning era may be pertinent here as he focused structure projects. by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. It may the economic situation had not Covid- principle favouring for what is called an on the relationship between the plan The measure mentioned above would not be a surprise if the growth rate hits 19 hit the Sri Lankan economy. If I make indicative planning. This is the first and the market. He writes: “I believe that contribute to main issues related to once again below floor level. a back of the envelope kind of mistake that was introduced in 1977 the term should distinguish between trade balance and fiscal balance. Of I do not criticise the Government nor guesstimate, I would say the difference and it is to be reversed by appointing a planning as a form of instrumental course, some of these measures are for that matter any other Government, between estimated and actual figures National Planning Commission headed inference and planning as an alternative deflationary but those measures would for their inability to maintain a may not be significantly large. by the Minister of Economic to a market system based on command give a brief respite so that the economy significantly high growth rate for two The Task Ahead Development and with some Members of and fulfilment. would begin to hum. reasons. First, I do not believe the Opposition. A suitable macro economist Similarly, the term market also The writer is a retired teacher of growth rate is an adequate measure that One thing is clear. The patient needs a who is very sympathetic to the planning permits different interpretations. It may Political Economy at the University should be used in measuring the health quick surgery in order to get him out of paradigm should be the deputy and be first viewed as a coordinating system of Peradeniya. of an economy. The way in which growth the present dangerous situation. operational chairperson of the planning or in the language of cybernetics as a ([email protected]) McAfee Expires By Padraig Colman He warned the public of the Barrow, Belize's Prime Minister, said, Michelangelo virus, which he said "I don't want to be unkind to the Since getting my new Dell laptop could wreak havoc on 5M computers, gentleman, but I believe he is (with which I am generally very happy) though only a few were actually extremely paranoid, even bonkers," I am being plagued with messages infected. He was accused of trying to McAfee had moved to Belize to avoid saying that my subscription to McAfee generate sales through fear. He taxes. Neighbours became annoyed Anti-Virus Protection has expired and claimed that he had never used virus with him because of his eleven dogs. I should pay some money protection software himself. Four of the dogs had been poisoned. immediately. This is very odd because He resigned in 1994 and sold his Faull had filed a complaint about the I never subscribed in the first place remaining stake in the company. He dogs, though McAfee said he didn't and Dell assures me that I am had no further involvement in its think Faull would have killed them. adequately protected by Microsoft operations and frequently criticised McAfee told the tech site Gizmodo he Widows Defender which comes free of what they had done with his creation, believed there were several plots on charge. Bill Gates, ever the calling it ‘the worst software on the his life, and he had protected his philanthropist, can afford to manage planet.’ In June 2013, McAfee Belize compound with armed guards without my money. I was surprised to uploaded onto his YouTube channel a in response. "So there have been, in learn that the founder of McAfee Anti- video titled How to Uninstall McAfee the last year alone, 11 attempts to Virus Protection has himself expired. Antivirus in which, while being kidnap or kill me." I did not know a thing about John stripped by scantily clad women he A US Federal Judge in Florida McAfee until I read the news of his snorts white powder and denounces ordered McAfee to pay US$ 25 million demise. I was surprised to learn that the antivirus software. A spokesman in damages to Faull’s family in a he was born not far from my for McAfee Inc. called the video's wrongful death lawsuit by Faull's birthplace. I was born in Gloucester, statements ‘ludicrous’. He frequently daughter which claims that McAfee UK in 1946 and John McAfee was touted conspiracy theories on social paid US$ 5,000 to have Faull killed. born in Cinderford, in the Forest of media. Amy Emshwiller, the teenage McAfee refused to pay, saying he was Dean, Gloucestershire, on 18 John McAfee antivirus entrepreneur ex-prostitute he lived with in Belize, innocent and had no assets. September 1945. He made two bids describes him: "He's sweet, generous. Hours after the Spain’s highest for the US presidency which is a bit answer to Phil Spector and just as birth territory. McFee was mainly He likes to like adventures. He's serious court approved McAfee’s extradition ambitious for a lad from the Forest. I mad-like Spector, he threatened raised in Salem Virginia, but and usually he has a dark sense of to the United States, he was found thought the job was only open to session men with a gun. As well as considered himself as much British as humour. He's generally a sweet guy. He dead in the Brians 2 prison near people who were born in the US. winning fame and acclaim for American. When he was 15, his just doesn't like to be [expletive] with." Barcelona. McAfee’s lawyer told the Perhaps it made a difference that he innovative records such as Telstar, father, an abusive alcoholic, killed One night, Emshwiller took McAfee's Reuters news agency that McAfee had was born on a US Army base (of the Meek also gained fame by shooting his himself with a gun. gun, aimed it at his head, and pulled apparently hanged himself in his 596th Ordnance Ammunition landlady dead and then himself. McAfee received a bachelor's degree the trigger. She missed. prison cell. He was wanted on tax- Company), to an American father, Another son of the Forest was in mathematics in 1967 from Roanoke He dabbled in other tech ventures, related criminal charges that carry a who was stationed there, and a controversial playwright Dennis College in Virginia and began working including one of the first instant prison sentence of up to 30 years. British mother. Potter who wrote dark television towards a doctorate in mathematics messaging services, before retiring to Tennessee prosecutors had charged The Forest of Dean had a certain masterpieces about incest and at Northeast Louisiana State College Belize in 2008. After a number of McAfee with evading taxes after failing reputation with us city-slickers from corruption and fear in the Forest of but was expelled, in 1968, because of diverse but lucrative business to report income made from Gloucester for primitivism, Dean. Littledean Jail in the Forest of a relationship with an undergraduate ventures, McAfee's personal fortune promoting crypto currencies. He in-breeding and strange customs. Dean was built in 1788 and is now a student, who became his first wife. declined to $4 million from a peak of himself claimed to make US$ 2,000 a Anthropologists like Margaret Mead, gruesome museum of crime. The From 1968 to 1970, McAfee worked as $100 million according to a New York day crypto currency guru. Claude Lévi-Strauss, Franz Boas and museum’s dark exhibits include the a programmer for NASA on the Apollo Times report in August 2009. His life One journalist who interviewed possibly our very own Michael Roberts spade, shovel, trowel and knife used programme. He did various jobs as a was full of incident. In 2012, there McAfee many times described him a would have found ample material for by notorious serial killers Fred and software designer and operating were reports that he was in hiding in ‘master manipulator’ who lies and study in the Forest. The picture that Rose West – as well as Fred’s tie. Fred system architect and in the 1980s, Belize after police had identified him deceives. He continues to manipulate we had of the area was similar to was born in Much Marcle not far from while working at Lockheed, he began as a ‘person of interest’ in the murder after death. Conspiracy theories areas of the US depicted in films like the Forest. developing software to combat of a neighbour, Gregory Faull, a about his death already abound. “He Southern Comfort and Deliverance. John McAfee escaped the Forest at viruses. He wrote the first commercial 52-year-old businessman from didn’t kill himself. Who did he piss One of the Forest’s famous sons was an early age, but his life was as weird anti-virus software, founding McAfee Florida, near his beachside compound off?” Expect a movie about his life record producer Joe Meek, England’s as any Dennis Potter play about his Associates in 1987 to sell his creation. on an island off the Belize coast. Dean soon. A8 Friday 2 july 2021 asia

Communist Party marks 100 years Xi Warns China Will Not Be ‘Oppressed’ in Anniversary Speech

China’s President Xi Jinping has warned that foreign powers will “get their heads bashed” if they attempt to bully or influence the country. He delivered a defiant speech at an event marking the centenary of the ruling Communist Party on Thursday (1). Xi also said Beijing would not allow ‘sanctimonious preaching’, in remarks widely seen as directed at the U.S. It comes as China faces criticism over alleged human rights abuses and its crackdown in Hong Kong. Relations between the U.S. and China have worsened in recent times over trade, espionage and the pandemic. The celebrations at Tiananmen Square saw massive crowds (BBC) Military aircraft flew in formation to mark the 100th anniversary (BBC) The issue of Taiwan is also a major source of tension. While democratic patriotic songs played. He added that “we will never allow came to power 72 years ago after a Since April, Chinese cinemas were Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign A carefully vetted crowd were in anyone to bully, oppress or long civil war. ordered to screen propaganda films, State, Beijing views the island as a attendance in Beijing’s Tiananmen subjugate China”. In that time the country has known as ‘red films’, at least twice a breakaway province. Square, many of whom were not “Anyone who dares try to do that undergone massive changes - but week. The U.S., under its own laws, is wearing masks. will have their heads bashed bloody some of these milestones were A song, called 100 per cent, that required to provide Taiwan with the The country has seen a Media blitz in against the Great Wall of Steel conspicuously missing in the praised China’s achievements and means to defend itself should Beijing recent weeks promoting a party- forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese propaganda drive. featured 100 rappers was also use force to take the island back. approved version of China’s history. people,” he said. On Monday (28 June), an art released. On Thursday Xi said China Hong Kong is also marking its China has repeatedly accused the performance titled The Great ‘Red tourism’ has also become maintains an ‘unshakeable handover anniversary on the same day. U.S. of trying to curb its growth - Journey was staged at the Bird’s popular, with travel companies commitment’ to unification with Xi, who spoke for around an hour, and these comments are also seen Nest stadium in Beijing, where such as Ctrip launching 100 unique Taiwan. reiterated the role of the party in as a reference to Washington. performers put on extravagant set- routes for ‘red pilgrims’. “No one should underestimate the modern China, saying that it has been On Hong Kong and Macau - which pieces detailing the history of the But not all were pleased with the resolve, the will and ability of the central to the country’s growth and that he said both retain a “high degree of party and country. propaganda. Chinese people to defend their attempts to separate it from the people autonomy” - they should But significant events such the “Now when I turn on the TV at national sovereignty and territorial would ‘fail’. “accurately implement the Cultural Revolution purges, the night, dozens of stations are airing integrity,” he said. “Only socialism can save China, and principles of ‘One Country, Two 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, dramas about revolutionary wars,” The 100th anniversary celebrations only socialism with Chinese Systems”. and the pro-democracy protests in a Beijing resident told BBC on Thursday morning saw military jet characteristics can develop China,” he The Chinese Communist Party Hong Kong were missing, reported Chinese. fly-pasts, cannon salutes and said. (CCP), which was founded in 1921, AFP news agency. (BBC)

Tokyo, Japan Dhaka, Bangladesh On rising costs, new COVID curbs Asia factories see Elephants rescued after momentum weaken fleeing into Bay of Bengal Two elephants have been led to safety Asia’s factory activity saw slowest pace in four months in after nearly dying at sea off the coast of momentum weaken in June as June. Bangladesh. some countries struggled with South Korea fared better with The pair became separated from their rising input costs and the factory activity growing for a herd in Myanmar, waded across a river reintroduction of curbs to combat ninth consecutive month in into Bangladesh, and were driven on to a a new wave of coronavirus June, though record input and beach by scared local residents. infections, surveys showed on output price rises pointed to After four days stuck by the sea Thursday (1). strains on manufacturers. surrounded by onlookers, the elephants Manufacturing activity grew at “Manufacturers were swam into the Bay of Bengal. a slower pace in China and increasingly commenting that Authorities then rescued the animals Japan amid rising raw material severe supply chain disruption with help from local fishermen, using The elephants were trapped on the beach and then swam into the Bay of Bengal (BBC) prices, while activity shrank in was starting to impact activity,” ropes to bring them back to shore. Vietnam, Malaysia and India, said Usamah Bhatti, an The elephants have since been given The forest habitats of elephants in the routes in search of food. where Governments imposed economist at IHS Markit. food and will be taken to a nearby forest, region are increasingly threatened by Raquibul Amin, a regional leader of the tougher restrictions to contain Once seen as a driver of global local official Syed Ashiq Ahmed told logging, farming, and fires. In recent International Union for Conservation of fresh coronavirus outbreaks. growth, Asian’s emerging United News Bangladesh. years, a major elephant migration route Nature, told AFP that this was the fourth The data shows the region is economies are lagging advanced Fazlul Haque, a councillor in the has also been blocked by camps housing such incident this year. lagging behind western economies in recovering from the seaside town of Teknaf, told AFP news thousands of Rohingya refugees from He called for greater co-operation economies in recovering from the pandemic’s pain as delays in agency that local residents had been Myanmar. between Myanmar and Bangladesh to pandemic doldrums, reinforcing vaccine rollouts hurt domestic intimidated because people had been As a result of this encroachment by monitor elephants and take steps to the view that many regional demand and countries reliant on killed in previous encounters with humans, elephants have often been ‘reduce human-elephant conflict’. central banks are unlikely to tourism. elephants. forced to venture outside their usual (BBC) withdraw pandemic-era stimulus Vietnam’s PMI plunged to 44.1 any time soon. in June from 53.1 in May, “The June PMIs dropped back marking the sharpest as virus outbreaks and supply deterioration in business chains issues created mounting conditions for over a year and Phuket, Thailand headwinds for industry,” said sliding below the 50-mark that Alex Holmes, emerging Asia separates growth from economist at Capital Economics. contraction. Island welcomes first international tourists “With neither issue likely to be Malaysia’s PMI fell to 39.9 in resolved soon, the rapid growth June from 51.3 in May as Thailand has welcomed its first in industry over the past few renewed COVID curbs weighed quarantine-free tourists back to the quarters looks unlikely to be on external and domestic island of Phuket as the country tries to repeated.” demand. The PMI for Taiwan also reboot its tourism industry. China’s factory activity fell to 57.6 from 62.0. About 250 people, mainly from the expanded at a softer pace in June India’s factory activity also Middle East, were expected to arrive on with output growth slumping to contracted for the first time in four flights on Thursday (1), as part of the lowest level in 15 months, almost a year in June as the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ scheme. according to a private survey, in restrictions to contain the deadly None of the arrivals need to line with an official survey second wave of the coronavirus quarantine, but they cannot travel to the showing a dip in activity to a hit demand. mainland within 14 days. fourth-month low. The final au Jibun Bank Japan It is hoped the scheme will bring in The Caixin/Markit Manufacturing PMI in June USD 278 million in the next three Phuket is hoping these will be the first tourists of many (BBC) Manufacturing Purchasing slipped to 52.4 on a seasonally months. Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 51.3 adjusted basis from 53.0 in the But that is still far short of Thailand’s to get its latest COVID outbreak under provide proof of a negative test before in June from May’s 52, marking previous month, coming in at its pre-pandemic revenue from tourism, control. On Thursday, it reported a entry to Phuket, will themselves undergo the 14th month of expansion but lowest since February. which accounts for about a fifth of the record 57 deaths and 5,533 cases. Two screening procedures before being coming in below analyst South Korea’s PMI edged up to country’s economy. According to news Delta variant cases have also been found allowed out onto the island. Their expectations for only a slight 53.9 in June from 53.7 in May, agency Reuters, Thailand lost around on Phuket so far. movements will then be monitored by an slowdown to 51.8. though the sub-index for input USD 50 billion when visitor numbers But the island has been prioritised for app they must download on arrival. Higher raw material costs and prices jumped to a record in a plunged following the start of the vaccination, and some 70 per cent of its Those who want to travel more widely shortage of semiconductor chips sign companies were feeling the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. residents were due to be inoculated in Thailand will be able to do so after 14 also hurt export powerhouses pinch from rising raw material If successful, the country will roll out before the first tourists arrived on planes days, so long as they have three negative including Japan, which saw costs. the scheme to other islands. from Israel, Abu Dhabi and Qatar. coronavirus tests. factory activity expand at the (Reuters) However, Thailand is currently trying The holidaymakers, who need to (BBC) WORLD FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 A9 Australia’s NSW State says Delta outbreak grows despite lockdown Australia’s New South Wales Queensland State on Thursday (NSW) State on Thursday (1), detected two new local cases, as it warned that significant numbers of tracks four different virus clusters - new COVID-19 cases were being three of them the Delta variant. The found in the community, raising Northern Territory detected one fears of fresh clusters as it reported new case, South Australia and a rise in new infections for a third Western Australia recorded no straight day. cases. With State capital Sydney in the Australia has fared much better middle of a two-week lockdown to than many other developed contain an outbreak of the highly countries in containing the novel infectious Delta variant, authorities coronavirus through lockdowns, said half of Thursday’s total of 24 swift contact tracing and strict new cases had spent time in the social distancing, with just over community when infectious. 30,550 cases and 910 deaths. ‘(This) is a cause of concern. That However, a sluggish vaccination is what we will be looking at in the drive has put the Federal next few days and beyond as a Government on the back foot. measure of our success,’ NSW The Government earlier this week Premier Gladys Berejiklian told decided to indemnify doctors who reporters. administered AstraZeneca’s vaccine Berejiklian said many people with shots to people under 60, in an flu-like symptoms were ignoring effort to ramp up inoculation. lockdown orders and “going about But several States have declined their business”. to administer AstraZeneca shots to “We can’t allow that to happen ... under 60s due to the higher but assume that you have the virus or still low risk of blood-clotting in that people you come into contact younger people. with have the virus and act Lieutenant General John Frewen, accordingly,” she said. the head of the country’s vaccine Australia is battling simultaneous taskforce, said more than 2,600 flare-ups of infections in several A lone passenger wearing a protective face mask stands on a deserted train platform at Circular Quay during a lockdown to curb the people under 40 years had received States and nearly half of all spread of a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney, Australia, 1 July 2021 (Reuters) AstraZeneca shots since Monday. Australians are under stay-at-home “Right now, they would rather orders to prevent any major which Australia had nearly locked down on Wednesday (30 affected State, neared 200 since the have the available vaccine than outbreak of the Delta strain. eliminated the virus. June), after an infected traveller first case was detected more than wait. I think all Australians have Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and The remote outback town of Alice spent hours in the city’s airport. two weeks ago in a limousine driver that right,” Frewen told broadcaster Darwin imposed lockdowns in the Springs, gateway to UNESCO World The total number of cases in the who transported overseas airline Channel Nine. past few days, following months in Heritage-listed Uluru, was also latest outbreak in NSW, the worst crew. (Reuters)

Miami, Florida Johannesburg, South Africa Building collapse: Two dead Zuma reps condemn ‘emotional, angry’ Court for jail sentence children found in rubble The majority ruling by South Africa’s top Court, sentencing Jacob Zuma to 15 months in jail, was an ‘emotional and angry’ unconstitutional decision, the former President’s foundation said on Wednesday (30 June). Zuma failed to appear at a corruption inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in February, prompting the Former South African President Jacob Zuma sits in the dock inquiry’s lawyers to ask the after recess in his corruption trial in Pietermaritzburg, South Constitutional Court to Africa, 26 May 2021 (Reuters) seek an order for his imprisonment. has dismissed Zuma’s bid dispensation for which so On Tuesday (29 June), to recuse him as chairman many women and men Rescue teams are working 12-hour shifts as they scour the wreckage in Surfside, near Miami (BBC) the Court sentenced Zuma of the inquiry. fought and lost their lives,” to jail, and gave him five The Zondo inquiry is Khampepe said. The bodies of two children are survivors there. They are hours of last Thursday (1), days to appear before examining allegations of But Zuma’s foundation have been found in the rubble still remaining hopeful, but it is remains unknown. Police. high-level graft involving said the ruling was of a collapsed Florida tower indeed a terrible tragedy all But it emerged yesterday that The Jacob Zuma the Gupta brothers, three contrary to the rule of law, block, raising the known death around,” Florida Lieutenant residents had received a letter Foundation said in a Indian-born businessmen, arguing the commission toll to 18, rescuers say. Governor Jeanette Nuñez told in April warning them of statement that Zuma had during Zuma’s time in was given an advantage in Rescue teams have been able the BBC. worsening structural damage to never believed he was office from 2009 to 2018. a case that was to build a ramp for a crane to Fresh rescue teams are due to the building. above the law, but had Zuma denies wrongdoing adjudicated by Zondo’s reach areas of the ruined arrive from other States, with Lawsuits are already being only wanted his rights and has so far not colleagues. building. severe tropical weather filed over the disaster, with the protected. cooperated. The Guptas “The Jacob Zuma Nearly 150 people are still expected to hit the area in the latest accusing the block’s “Our Patron has have also denied Foundation denounces missing after the collapse one coming days. building association of ‘reckless expressed his doubts wrongdoing. Judge Khampepe’s week ago. The latest victims to As well as bad weather, and negligent conduct’. about the lawfulness of the Judge Sisi Khampepe, judgment as judicially be found have not yet been search and rescue teams have Miami-Dade County State Zondo Commission, the who read Tuesday’s emotional and angry and publicly identified. also faced fires and falling Attorney Katherine Fernandez biased manner in which it judgement, refuted a not consistent with our Officials say they remain debris. Rundle said she would convene is being conducted, and 21-page letter that Zuma constitution.” hopeful that some survivors An Israeli team helping with a special grand jury to examine the fact that it has been sent to the country’s Chief “At a bare minimum. .. could be found. the rescue efforts told CNN it building safety and ‘what steps transformed into a Justice in which he the Courts must act Rescue teams say they are had discovered some tunnels we can take to safeguard our ‘slaughterhouse’ and a claimed to have been independently and without working 12-hour shifts as they large enough for a person, residents’ from similar disasters forum in which all kinds of treated unfairly. bias, with unremitting comb the rubble in the town of though most of the debris was in the future. unsubstantiated and “His attempts to evoke fidelity to the law, and Surfside, north of Miami, ‘very, very tight.’ U.S. President Joe Biden and defamatory allegations public sympathy through must be seen doing so. despite sweltering heat and What caused nearly half of his wife Jill plan to visit the have been made against unfounded allegations fly That did not happen in the high humidity hampering their the 40-year-old Champlain scene of the tragedy later on him,” the foundation said. in the face of reason, and constitutional court,” the efforts. Towers south block to fall as Thursday. Zondo has denied being are an insult the statement read. “They are digging as if there residents slept in the early (BBC) biased against Zuma and constitutional (Reuters)

New York, United States Trump organisation indicted in tax probe – Media Report

Former U.S. President and other properties. Trump and his allies have carousel and a golf course, in Donald Trump’s company Any criminal charges said the investigations are the aftermath of the U.S. and its finance chief have brought against it would politically motivated. Capitol riots. been indicted in an mark the first in long- In a statement earlier this Daniel Goldman, who was investigation into alleged tax running investigations on week, Weisselberg said the lead lawyer in the U.S. House crimes, U.S. Media report. alleged fraud by both the case was looking at ‘things of Representatives for the The specific charges against Manhattan District Attorney that are standard practice first impeachment of Trump the company and Allen and the State Attorney throughout the U.S. business in 2019, tweeted that the Weisselberg, 73, are still General. community, and in no way a indictment could spur unclear. They are expected to Charges by District crime’. lenders to call in their loans, be made public on Thursday. Attorney Cyrus Vance are If the company is found driving the Trump Trump is not expected to be expected to focus on whether guilty, however, certain Organisation to bankruptcy. implicated personally in the Weisselberg and other business partners might The investigations will also case. company executives received draw a line under their take into account eight years New York City has already benefits such as apartment relationship with the Trump of Trump’s personal and cut business ties with the rentals or leased cars without Organisation and the corporate tax returns, llen Weisselberg (centre) is chief financial officer of the Trump twice-impeached former reporting them properly on Organisation (BBC) company could face fines. obtained by prosecutors after President. their tax returns. New York City, for example, a long legal battle, which The Trump Organisation is Weisselberg and lawyers for Court appearance on Street Journal and has already announced it will ended in the Supreme Court a family holding company the Trump Organisation are Thursday (1), according to Associated Press, which terminate contracts with the in February. that owns hotels, golf clubs expected to make their first the New York Times, Wall quote unnamed sources. firm to run skating rinks, a (BBC) B10 FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 Domestic Banks Starved of Dollars BY PANEETHA AMERESEKERE market day to yesterday, due to (Rs 1.003 trillion) trillion yesterday. yesterday’s trading. GoSL has to some of the dollar holding foreign GoSL’s FVMP debt has been over Rs settle a maturing $ one billion US dollar deficit domestic banks currency selling banks wanting a 0.5 trillion for a record 159 sovereign bond due on 27 July, are at a disadvantage due to the higher price, as much as Rs 250 consecutive market days to 2021. Conversions are based on Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s for their dollars, they said. yesterday due to lack of revenue. CBSL’s administered ‘spot’ price (CBSL’s)/Government of Sri At a selling rate of Rs 250 to the Despite this increase in GoSL’s on Tuesday which was Rs 199.90 Lanka’s (GoSL’s) inflated value of dollar, the market exchange rate FVMP debt, GoSL’s MP borrowing to the dollar. the benchmark US dollar ‘spot’ (MER) in interbank trading will costs (MPBCs) fell for the second Net excess liquidity decreased interbank exchange rate, set at Rs have had depreciated by Rs 61.50 consecutive market day to by 19.71 per cent (Rs 17,985 202/203 to the dollar in two way (32.63 per cent) in the calendar yesterday, by 0.35 per cent (Rs 78 million) to Rs 73,261 million at the Bearish run continues at CSE quotes, market sources, who year to yesterday and year-on-year million) to Rs 22,471.93 million end of yesterday’s trading. cannot be named, as they are not (YoY) by Rs 63.75 (34.23 per cent). yesterday due to an almost Transactions between GoSL and authorised to speak to reporters, At the administered rate of Rs perennial market preference to CBSL are foreign reserves neutral. Shares start new said. 203, if trades were executed at that invest in risk-less, low returns As at 4 p.m. on 31 December “Consequently we are unable to price, the MER will have had Treasury T-Bonds and T-Bills 2020, the MER in the interbank FX procure our dollars from our dollar depreciated by Rs 14.50 (7.69 per rather than lend to the lucrative market, which, up to one week’s month in Red rich peer foreign banks in the cent) in the calendar year to private sector, the engine of growth forwards, was trading in a country,” they said. “Neither do we yesterday and YoY by Rs16.75 (8.99 due to sustained uncertainty. superimposed fashion at BY MARIO ANDREE have recourse to the CBSL to meet per cent). Liquidity decreased by Rs 21,438 Rs187.50/188.50 to the dollar in our dollar deficits as that door is GoSL’s non-demand pull million (US$ 107.24 million) led by two way quotes because of The Colombo Stock Exchange started the also closed,” the sources said. inflationary face value money the settlement/s of GoSL’s foreign CBSL’s/GoSL’s moral suasion. A new month on a negative footing as the Consequently, the interbank printing (FVMP) debt increased by debt servicing commitments and/ year ago the MER which then was bearish run continued for the third foreign exchange (FX) market Rs 3,453 million; therewith upping or CBSL’s swaps with the market the ‘spot,’ was trading at Rs consecutive session on Thursday (1) on a hardly saw any trades being its overall FVMP debt by 0.35 per and/or CBSL’s dollar sales to and/ 186.15/25 to the dollar in two way relatively lower turnover to drag the executed for the 43rd consecutive cent to Rs 1,003,994.36 million or swaps with GoSL during quotes. benchmark index to a one-week low with continue foreign exits from the Bourse. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI), which started the day at 7,837.76 points, peaked to 7,861.29 points during the early hours of the day before crashing to 7,724.52 PUCSL signs MOU with ‘YouLead’ Well-made teas points. The index settled at 7,728.61 points losing 109.15 points (1.39 per cent), to record To Empower and Encourage Youth the lowest since 23 June this year. see good demand LOLC Development Finance, LB Finance, Entrepreneurship & Self Employment LOLC Holdings, Nestle Lanka and Expo Lanka Holdings dragged the ASPI downward, while The Public Utilities Commission of Sri The 25th sale of the year concluded and had on offer Kotmale Holdings, Sri Lanka Telecom, Dialog Lanka (PUCSL), the electricity sector of 7.2 M/Kgs. Once again, there was good demand for Axiata, Bukit Darah and Vallibel one tried to regulator, signed a Memorandum of the well-made teas, whilst the others were often pull it up. Understanding (MOU) with USAID’s youth easier. The more liquid S&P SL20, which started employment and entrepreneurship project, Ex-Estate offerings were fairly similar to last and the day 2,968.26 points, peaked to 2,974.69 ‘YouLead’, on 28 June providing totalled approximately 1.0 M/Kgs. Overall, quality of points during the early hours of the day professional qualification to 45,000 teas were barely maintained. Consequently, prices before crashing 2,954.50 points. The index electricians. This initiative aims to channel were easier for most teas on offer. Best Western BOP/ settled at 2,956.12 points losing 12.14 points joint efforts to support and upskill Sri BOPF's declined Rs 20-30 per kg. In the Below (0.41 per cent) compared to the previous day’s Lankan youth in the electricity sector, and Best category, brighter BOP’s were Rs 20-30 per kg close. to encourage entrepreneurship to tackle lower, whilst the others together with the Plainer The day’s turnover neared Rs 1.4 billion, the issue of youth unemployment in Sri BOP/BOPF's declined Rs 10-20 per kg. Nuwara lower than the Rs 1.7 billion recorded during Lanka. learning (RPL) process to support young Eliyas: Few select invoices sold at firm to dearer rates, the Market’s previous day’s trading. “This is one of the largest youth electricians to obtain National Vocational whilst the others were easier following quality. Shares of 248 listed companies were traded empowerment projects in Sri Lanka, where Qualification (NVQ Level 03) and to Uda Pussellawas; - Better teas were Rs 20 per kg during the day of which 87 were winners we provide opportunities for young practice as electricians islandwide. lower following quality, whilst teas at the lower end ahead of 73 losers. electricians to obtain a professional With the signing of the MOU, PUCSL and were generally firm. More than 73.6 million shares changed qualification at no cost. When a young YouLead will jointly support and facilitate Uvas; were mostly firm and marginally dearer. High hands during the 15,689 trades that took electrician is certified with a level three the national level electrician licensing and Mid Grown CTC teas weakened further following place. National Vocational Qualification (NVQ3) in programme led by PUCSL though quality and sold at the lower end of the market. Foreigners continued to exit the CSE on the programme he or she will be able to vocational training and awareness, Corresponding Low Grown varieties, in comparison, Thursday (1). The net foreign outflow during easily find local or foreign employment, conducting of training workshops and sold well at a premium of at least Rs 100 per kg above the day amounted to Rs 43 million as achieve better career recognition and will supporting the RPL certification process their counterparts in the High and Mid Grown regions. foreigners sold shares worth Rs 63 million as be able to move up the career ladder.” across all 25 districts in Sri Lanka. Low Growns comprised 2.9 M/Kgs in the Leafy/ against purchases worth Rs 20 million. Janaka Ratnayake, Chairman of Public It is estimated that Sri Lanka has about Semi Leafy and Tippy catalogues. There was good The top ten winners during the day were: Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said. 45,000 electricians and about 80 per cent demand for well-made teas, whilst the balance were Nation Lanka Finance, Kotmale Holdings, “YouLead aims to promote and encourage of them do not have a recognised easier following quality. BOP1/OP1s, in general, were on’Ally, Anilana Hotels, Sinhaputhra Finance, vocational education among youth in Sri professional qualification, which is an fully firm to selectively dearer following quality. Better Singer Industries, Hatton Plantations, Multi Lanka. Providing a national vocational obstacle to their professional development. OP/OPAs though irregular were firm on last, whilst Finance, Palm Garden Hotels and Guardian qualification for experienced electricians It is also essential for electricians to obtain the Below Best varieties were dearer following quality. Capital. through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) NVQ3 as it is recognised as the minimum Better PEK/PEK1s were fully firm, whilst the others Top ten losers were: LOLC Development programme will not only help qualification for obtaining an electrician and mixed varieties in particular were easier. Finance, Commercial Development, Samson professionalise the electricians trade but license. Most of the electricians are In the Tippy catalogues, well-made FBOPs International, Blue Diamonds, Colombo City also provide qualified electricians with reluctant to take long-term courses and maintained, whilst the cleaner Below Best and cleaner Holdings, Sinhaputhra Finance (P), LB more opportunities to help safeguard lives pay for them as they depend on their teas at the bottom were firm to selectively dearer. Finance, York Arcade, Dialog Finance and and property through safer electrical profession as their source of income. To The balance was irregular following quality. Select HNB Assurance. installations,” said Vindya Silva, address the issue, the PUCSL together with Best and Best FF1s together with cleaner Below Best Partnership Director, YouLead. Tertiary and Vocational Education sold around last levels, whilst the balance were easier The partnership intends to collaborate Commission (TVEC) and the Vocational following quality. and leverage technical capabilities, Training Authority (VTA) introduced a In the Premium catalogue, very Tippy teas resources, network, and the reach of each three-day programme for electricians in Sri continued to attract good demand. Best too were firm other, with the objective of certifying Lanka to obtain NVQ3 without any costs to selectively dearer, whilst the balance were irregular Oil climbs while electricians through recognition of prior and within a minimum time period. following quality. OPEC+ considers output increase Oil prices rose 2% on Thursday, supported CSE to establish International by the prospect of strengthening demand, lower US inventories and a Reuters report that OPEC+ producers have planned to increase output in the coming months. Multi-Currency Exchange at Port City Brent crude gained $1.38, or 1.9%, to $76 a barrel by 1051 GMT. US West Texas The Colombo Stock Exchange Intermediate crude was up $1.49, or 2%, at (CSE) and CHEC Port City $74.96. Colombo signed a Memorandum of The OPEC+ group of oil producers meets on Understanding (MoU) to enhance Thursday to decide on its output policy. the capital markets in Sri Lanka The group comprising the Organisation of by taking advantage of the Port the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) City Colombo’s special emphasis and allies including Russia is moving towards of the Colombo International adding about 2 million barrels per day (bpd) Financial Centre to establish a of oil to the market between August and regionally recognised financial December, an OPEC+ source told Reuters. exchange within the country. The The source said monthly increases would MoU was signed to work on a amount to less than 0.5 million bpd. collective mission to establish an “We believe the oil market has room to International Multi-Currency (Left to Right) Dilshan Wirasekara (Board Member, CSE), Nabiha Mohamed, CFA (Manager, Strategy and Business absorb more crude supply from OPEC+,” said Exchange within the Port City Development, CHEC Port City Colombo), Jayantha Fernando (Board Member, CSE), Thulci Aluwihare (Assistant Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo), Jiang Houliang (Managing Director, CHEC Port City Colombo), Dumith Fernando UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo, predicting Colombo. The exchange will serve (Chairman, CSE), Suren de Silva (Board Member, CSE), Rajeeva Bandaranaike (CEO, CSE), Purasisi Jinadasa (Head of that larger oil inventory declines will lift prices as a gateway for regional and Origination and Issuer Relations, CSE), Radhika Ellepola (Country Manager, Sales and Investor Relations, CHEC Port City higher in the third quarter. global investors, whilst providing a Colombo), Semini Pilapitiya (Junior Executive, CHEC Port City Colombo) WTI rose more than 10% in June while platform for Sri Lankan and Brent added more than 8%, touching their overseas corporates to issue in the South Asian and the ASEAN initiative by signing an MOU with said, “We are excited to work with highest since October 2018. foreign currency bonds and region. The CSE will also work the CHEC Port City Colombo to CSE in establishing an Analysts expect oil demand to gather pace equities as well as develop other with regulators to provide a further develop the capital market International Stock Exchange in in the second half of the year as more people financing and risk management conducive environment for a well- in Sri Lanka. Through this Port City. We strongly believe that are vaccinated against COVID-19 and travel instruments across asset classes. functioning market while initiative we are planning to with the right infrastructure and restrictions are eased. CHEC Port City and the CSE will introducing state-of-the-art partner an International Stock business friendly policies, we “In the first half of the year, the stage has actively collaborate to identify and modern technology, which will Exchange that will bring a new would succeed in positioning Port been set for further improvement and for attract a global stock exchange to drive liquidity and seamlessly dimension to the Capital market City Colombo as an attractive economic and oil demand growth,” said partner the Colombo Stock introduce new products and and cater to the requirements of location for regional listings, Tamas Varga, oil analyst at London brokerage Exchange in establishing a services at the exchange. the Port City as well as issuers which would be a gateway for PVM Oil. modern world-class trading Chairman Colombo Stock and investors regionally.” companies around the world to (Reuters) exchange, which will position Sri Exchange, Dumith Fernando said, Managing Director of CHEC Port access new investment Lanka as a hub for capital raising “The CSE is pleased to take the City Colombo, Jiang Houliang opportunities.” TOURISM FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 CEYLON FT B11 COVID-19 Impact on Tourism Could Deal $4 T Blow to Global Economy The estimate is based on losses caused by the pandemic’s direct impact on tourism and the ripple effect on related sectors, and is worse than – UN Report previously expected. Last July, UNCTAD estimated that the standstill in international tourism would cost the global economy between US$ 1.2 trillion and US$ 3.3 trillion. The steep drop in tourist arrivals worldwide in 2020 resulted in a US$ 2.4 trillion economic hit, the report said, and a similar figure is expected this year depending on the uptake in COVID-19 vaccines. Global vaccination plan crucial

“The world needs a global vaccination effort that will protect workers, mitigate adverse social effects and make strategic decisions regarding tourism, taking potential structural changes into account,” said Isabelle Durant, the arrivals will not return to pre- year, with the most pessimistic UNCTAD Acting Secretary-General. pandemic levels until 2023 or later, reflecting a 75 per cent reduction in “Tourism is a lifeline for millions, due to barriers such as travel international arrivals. and advancing vaccination to protect restrictions, slow containment of the This scenario sees a drop in global communities and support tourism’s virus, low traveller confidence and a tourist receipts of nearly US$ 950 safe restart is critical to the recovery poor economic environment. billion, which would cause a loss in of jobs and generation of much- cent, last year, while in the first economic blow to the tourism sector While a tourism rebound is real GDP of US$ 2.4 trillion, while needed resources, especially in quarter of 2021 the drop was around in these nations, as they could anticipated in the second half of this the second reflects a 63 per cent developing countries, many of which 88 per cent, the report said. account for up to 60 per cent of year, the report expects a loss of reduction in international tourist are highly dependent on international Developing countries have borne global GDP losses. between US$ 1.7 trillion and US$ arrivals. The third considers varying tourism,” the UNWTO Secretary- the brunt of the pandemic’s impact 2.4 trillion in 2021, based on rates of domestic and regional General Zurab Pololikashvili added. on tourism, with estimated Rebound amid losses simulations which exclude tourism. It assumes a 75 per cent reductions in arrivals of between 60 It is expected that tourism will stimulation programmes and similar reduction in tourism in countries Developing countries per cent and 80 per cent. recover faster in countries with high policies. where vaccine rates are low, and 37 hit hard They have also been hurt by vaccination rates, such as France, per cent reduction in countries with vaccine inequity. The agencies said Germany, the United Kingdom and Likely outcomes relatively high vaccination levels, International tourist arrivals the “asymmetric roll-out” of COVID- the United States. The author outlines three possible mainly developed countries and declined by about one billion or 73 per 19 vaccines has magnified the However, international tourist scenarios for the tourism sector this some smaller economies.

Tourism What is ‘red tourism’ promoted by China? Marketers As the Chinese Communist Party celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, the popularity of ‘red tourism’, Must Go Bold which involves visiting places that are of historical and cultural importance for the party, is at an all-time high in As North Americans leave priorities? Sparkloft’s analysis of Travelers Value in 2021,” which the country. home in bigger numbers this social media conversations digs will release in July, shows that Places such as Nanhu Lake summer, after over a year of into references of ‘meaningful nearly two-thirds or 65 per cent in East China’s Zhejiang, restricted movement, their trave’ – a buzzword that has of the 8,000 global travelers where the First National mindsets and priorities have dominated in recent months – polled on their travel preferences Congress of the Chinese clearly shifted. and finds that it signifies said they are more willing to Communist Party was held on This changing outlook is what different things to different book accommodations that have a boat in 1921, and Mao destination marketers will need audiences. policies focused on diversity and Zedong’s birthplace Shaoshan to continue tracking closely “It’s very personal,” said inclusion. have been witnessing huge doing so, it tries to entrench Provinces, which are sites of using all available channels, Palatucci. “So it could be Expedia Group defines the footfall in recent times. In fact, the party in the minds of the Mao’s early battles and his from social conversation insights checking that item off your list latter as “accommodations ‘red tourism’ has been people by reinforcing ideology escape from Chiang Kai- to traveller sentiment polls. that you’ve never done before, owned by women and/or people bringing in huge revenues through history and tourism. shek’s Nationalist forces in Should they still lead with a maybe you’re coming out of the of colour, as well as which is fuelling China’s Since coming to power, the Long March, are also a big safety message? Should masks pandemic more sustainably accommodations that are economic boom since the Chinese President Xi Jinping tourist draw. continue to appear in the minded and that’s very welcoming to the LGBTQIA pandemic. has been aggressively The list of these sites is inventory? important to you.” community and travelers with But why is ‘red tourism’ so promoting ‘red tourism’. Xi, truly endless. Just Yan’an has Social media marketing Sparkloft Media’s research disabilities. important in China and how who believes that the project 140 red sites including the agency Sparkloft Media’s new shows American and Canadian Diversity and inclusion is it helping businesses to can offer ‘spiritual red Wangjiaping Revolutionary spring 2021 traveller sentiment travellers essentially have three practices were also more grow? And why does it have baptism’ to the people, said in Museum and Fenghuang report, to be published later this priorities when it comes to important to travellers under the its fair share of naysayers 2016, “Only by experiencing Mountain, the site of the week and shared exclusively meaningful travel in the months age of 40, with 77 per cent of across the world, who feel the hardships of the Central Committee of the with Skift, reveals how North ahead: 1) hugs from friends and them influenced by a property’s that it has some dark secrets? revolutionary era can people Communist Party of China, American travelers are ready to family and togetherness, 2) solo inclusivity standards in booking We explain. truly receive education.” Baota Hill, and Yangjia Ling move on from the gloom and adventure as a form of ‘self-care’ — even across genders – against What is China’s ‘red The party’s official magazine Revolutionary Site. doom of the past 15 months of and healing, and 3) the ‘go big’ 57 per cent of those over 40. tourism’? recently quoted Xi urging In Mao’s hometown of messaging. type of adventure trip to make “With this new research, we In China, ‘red tourism’ members to “make good use Shaoshan, one can visit his “Travellers are ready to see up for lost time for those who wanted to understand more refers to visiting sites which of red resources, inherit red residence, his bronze statues images and content of people saw travel as part of their about how values are shifting have a modern revolutionary genes and pass on the red and relics, and also read his and groups together and identity and are reclaiming it. post-pandemic and pass these legacy. Launched in 2004, the country from generation to poems on stone tablets. activities that they maybe For the tourism marketers, insights along to our partners,” purpose of the project is to generation”. The tourism also includes couldn’t do during the these priorities translate into a said Melissa Maher, senior promote locations with What are some of the colourful events – visitors pandemic, people are ready for range of messaging vice president of marketing historical and cultural famous sites covered by ‘red routinely put on revolutionary that tone that is a little bit higher opportunities to capture these and industry engagement at significance to the ruling tourism’? attire as they visit the former energy,” said Gio Palatucci, various audiences travelling over Expedia Group, in a Communist Party’s history Some of the most famous residences of Communist director of research at Sparkloft the next months. statement. while also providing an sites covered by ‘red tourism’ leaders and exhibition halls, Media, a social media marketing It means pulling on the “Booking decisions based on impetus to tourism and local include Yan’an, Mao Zedong’s party members chant agency focused on the travel heartstrings with reconnection, inclusive policies and practices businesses. revolutionary base area where admission oaths in ritualistic industry and using social or appealing to solo travellers is a global trend – and the ‘Red tourism’ seeks to the Red Army arrived after the fashion and there are also sentiment research to define with images of rich travel money travellers are willing to spread awareness about the Long March; Shaoshan, lectures for children on the market trends. experiences, escapism, spend on accommodations that history of the Communist which is the birthplace of proud history of the Palatucci added that the kind spontaneity and wide open include these criteria speaks Party of China starting from Mao; Jinggangshan, where Communist Party in the of emotion and conversation spaces. Palatucci added that the volumes. As such, we plan to its origins. For instance, leading members of the country. that Sparkloft Media was seeing meaning of adventure goes repeat this research in 2022 historical events such as the Communist Party of China In places like now is that while safety is beyond the rugged outdoors and and track changes over time.” Long March, the military established their first rural Jinggangshan, one can pose important, travellers know it’s includes special treats such as a Respondents from Australia, retreat undertaken by the Red base for the revolution in for photographs dressed in a part of the logistics they will luxurious hotel stay, or U.S., Canada, France, Army to evade the pursuit of 1927; Nanchang, the capital unform of the People’s need to figure it out. indulging in one’s passions and Germany, Japan, the UK and the Kuomintang in 1934, and city of Jiangxi Province which Liberation Army. Tourism boards looking to hobbies. Mexico were among those who the ascent to power of Mao witnessed a significant Many of the red sites have attract those American The latest campaigns from leaned the most towards Zedong are at the heart of the Uprising in 1927 led by Zhou museums and exhibitions on household travel savings will New York and Los Angeles offer booking properties embracing project. Enlai and He Long (China’s the history of the Communist therefore need to keep good examples, focusing on diversity and inclusivity. The red sites in the country supreme commander); Party of China. In 2016, the embracing an optimistic “back emotion, vibrancy and Orbitz recently launched a now form the core of a Jinggang Mountain in Jiangxi Zunyi museum launched a to normal” stance, while highlighting the destination’s search and booking booming tourism industry Province where the revolution traveling exhibit that toured targeting the traveller’s changed cultural strengths. mechanism for consumers to that seeks to promote the led by the Communist Party colleges and universities, priorities post-COVID and Another growing priority for find accommodations that have party’s heritage. ‘Red tourism’ of China began in October, besides also training over 100 remaining agile to shift between travellers? Diversity and signed a pledge against reminds people of the 1927; and Zunyi in Guizhou school students to spread changing pandemic conditions inclusivity. An early glimpse at discrimination on the basis of sacrifices made by the leaders Province which is dominated awareness about Communist on the ground. data from Expedia Group’s gender and sexual identity. of the Communist Party to by ethnic minorities. history. What are those changed upcoming report “What (Skift) forge a modern China. In Jiangxi and Guizhou (Indian Express) B12 Ceylon FT friday 2 july 2021 news Access Engineering Sub- Contractor for Kohuwala Flyover Access Engineering PLC Authority under the consists of a two lane (AEL) began construction as direction of the Ministry of carriageway, following the the sub-contractor for a new Highways. horizontal alignment of the flyover in Kohuwala recently. The project is funded by existing Colombo – Horana Kohuwala junction is the Government of Hungary (B84) Road and a vertical currently saturated, creating and the design and supply of Alignment with a minimum continuous traffic congestion the superstructure are 5.2m vertical clearance for along its connecting roads entrusted to Betonútépítő traffic flow underneath the and accidents happen Group of Hungary who is the flyover. The structure will be frequently in the area due to main contractor. The design facilitated with a service lane heavy congestion. The and construction of each on either side of the Kohuwala intersection is one substructure, on-site flyover of the most congested road fabrication, the designing The official launch of the junctions in the Colombo and construction of adjacent project on 7June,2021 saw suburban area. roads and installation and the opening of a plaque and Identifying the severity of erection of the steel the event was attended the situation at the superstructure are online via zoom technology Kohuwala intersection, the subcontracted to Access by Prime Minister Mahinda flyover project was initiated Engineering PLC. Rajapaksa from Temple by the Road Development The 297 metre-long flyover Trees.

LoweLintas Announces Senior AIA’s first state-of- Leadership Appointments the-art Supreme ADO opens in Moratuwa MullenLowe Group Sri Lanka appointed Sean Pompeus as Associate Vice President and Business Director and Jude Jayaprekash as Creative Director at LoweLintas, with effect from 1st July 2021. Both Sean and Jude have been an integral part of the MullenLowe Group, contributing to making the Group a formidable force in the advertising industry. In his new role, Sean will head the LoweLintas business and will be responsible for its overall operation. Jude will further develop and sustain the overall creative product of the company. LoweLintas will focus on being an agile and future ready entity delivering solutions using data and analytics for its clients. Sean Pompeus (left) and Jude Jayaprekash An embodiment of MullenLowe’s challenger mentality, LoweLintas was established as an independent strategic efforts to invest in both also served as the Project Lead and Jury operation under the MullenLowe Group business and human capital through Member of the Cannes Lions Young A glimpse of the new state-of-the-art office 30 November 2019, at a time when the the ongoing global pandemic. Marketer – Sri Lanka competition. market was still recovering from the Having joined MullenLowe Group Sri Jude had come on board the agency AIA Sri Lanka has opened its advanced technology. The fully aftermath of the events of Easter Lanka as an Accounts Director in 2015 as a Senior Copywriter in 2011 and first Supreme Area development digitalised ADO reflects this work Sunday. Since then, the agency has (when the agency was known as Lowe went on to become Creative Group Head Office (ADO), located in culture with a rich and vibrant won over an enviable portfolio of clients LDB), Sean moved on to become Client in 2015 and Associate Creative Director Moratuwa. Headed by Associate ambience intended at motivating and grown from strength to strength by Service Director in 2016 before being in 2018. General Manager – Moratuwa the team, which includes 11 delivering hyper-bundled, multi- promoted to the role of Associate Vice With close to 40 years of experience ADO, Vinol Priyasenarath, the MDRT (Million Dollar Round disciplined solutions in an agile and President and Client Service Director in in the advertising industry between office is home to a dynamic team Table) members (2021) including cost-effective manner. 2018. He has been actively involved in them, Sean and Jude possess a wealth of high performing Wealth a Court of the Table member, to The encouraging results delivered by engaging with the industry and of knowledge across a diverse mix of Planners that have taken be top of their game. The the agency have necessitated the nurturing local talent. Sean has been categories including Banking & insurance sales to the next level. Supreme ADO invites ambitious appointment of senior leadership part of the organising committees of Finance, Insurance, With a host of accolades to their individuals with desire, discipline members to steer the company to its several key industry events Telecommunications, FMCG, Food & names, the team’s working and drive to apply and pursue a next phase of growth. The appointments including Cannes Young Lions, Adfest Beverage, Fashion & Retail, Real Estate, philosophy includes positivity in lucrative career with limitless are part of the Group’s continued Young Lotus and Young Spikes. He has Education, Automobile and Hospitality. attitude, intense training and opportunities. UA Offers Medical Hemas Consumer Equipment to continues its commitment

Hemas Consumer has need, Hemas donated Fight COVID-19 stepped forward to donate sanitary napkins to the personal care items to assist Batticaloa District as well. the Sri Lanka Army Sewa Hemas once again came Vanitha Unit in an effort to to the aid by donating give back to the community, sanitary napkins to the which is fighting against the flood victims of Gampaha COVID-19 outbreak. District, which was among The donations included a the largely affected areas considerable amount of from the recent torrential From Left: Sri Lanka Army Sewa Vanitha Unit President personal care items to be Sujeewa Nelson and Hemas Consumer Brand Activation rains. used for the urgent needs of Executive Chandika Samarathunga during the handing over of Commenting on the series COVID patients, being personal care items of donation campaigns, treated at the Sri Lanka Hemas Consumer Director Army improvised COVID-19 Clogard toothpaste, Dandex combat the COVID-19 crisis Marketing Fiona Juriansz hospital in Seeduwa. shampoo and Fems by donating personal care Munasinghe said, “Hemas is The timely initiative was Sanitary towels. items to the Department of a truly local company that backed by Hemas Having assisted the Sri Ayurveda, whose hospitals focuses on the welfare of the Consumer Brands who Lanka Army Sewa Vanitha have been converted to community, enriching lives joined the worthy cause Unit, Hemas continued to COVID- treatment centres. through healthful living. with donations including extend its support to Responding to the urgent

Union Assurance members - Jayantha Kumara (Deputy GM - Distribution), Suranga Samarakoon (Assistant GM - Distribution), Kalinga Jayantha (Assistant GM - Distribution), Nibasanda Abeywardana (Assistant GM - Business Development), Sachintha Meegama (Manager - Comms and CSR), Premalal Kumarasiri (Senior RM - Thambuththegama), Chaminda Kumara (RSM - Melsta Health launches state-of-the-art Pharmacy Anuradhapura), and Ramyasiri Gamage (RM - Gampaha) handing over the Melstacorp entered the group has added another endorsed with leading island access to the latest medical equipment to the respective hospitals health sector in 2017 to facility to their healthcare international accreditations international standard provide Sri Lankans with service. Melsta Hospitals - ISO 9001, ISO diagnostic testing services. Union Assurance PLC offered and institutions at the frontline of better access to world-class Ragama has been remodeled 22000:2018, ISO45001 and The laboratory was the first vital medical equipment to four the battle against the pandemic. healthcare services and to conform to modern ISO14001. to be audited by the Government Hospitals as part of an During these unprecedented times, currently owns and medical standards. It has In June 2020, Melsta Ministry of Health for PCR initiative launched in response to Union Assurance will remain manages numerous best-in- the latest technology in radio Laboratories was launched. testing and offers PCR combat the COVID-19 pandemic, steadfast in our commitment to class facilities that focus on imaging and caters to high- Equipped with the latest testing facilities for Covid- offering much needed support in support the country and our delivering leading-edge end surgical procedures testing equipment, its 19. Sri Lanka’s efforts to enhance people.” healthcare which is such as joint replacements. Reference Lab is considered Melsta’s latest venture, capacity for patients. The medical equipment - high accessible and integrated. The hospital recently the largest stand-alone Melsta Pharmacy, opened to The COVID-19 pandemic has so flow oxygen machines, emergency Melsta Health today established its GI Centre medical testing facility in the the public recently at 453, far infected over 257,225 people trolleys, video laryngoscopes and manages and (Gastro Intestinal Centre) country. Along with its state- Galle Road, Colombo 3. The and caused over 3,030 deaths in ventilators were distributed to the operates Joseph Fraser and Urology and Transplant of-the-art lab in Colombo flagship pharmacy offers Sri Lanka. Medawachchiya Base Hospital, Memorial Hospital, a facility Centre with state-of-the-art and regional labs in Galle, home delivery of medicines, Commenting on the initiative, Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, for women and children. facilities. It also provides Kurunegala and Kandy. free health checks, senior Union Assurance CEO Jude Gomes Gampaha District General With the acquisition of home care services, mobile Melsta Labs also manages citizen discounts, special said, “COVID knows no Hospital, and Kamburupitiya Base Browns Hospital Ragama, testing facilities and two hospital-based patient counselling by boundaries, and it is our Hospitals on 24th, 25th and 30th now rebranded as Melsta ambulance services. Melsta laboratories. This has given qualified and experienced responsibility to assist the people June. Hospitals Ragama, the Hospital Ragama has been Sri Lankans across the staff. ICT Friday 2 July 2021 CEYLON FT B13 HNB Revamps Digital Banking App

Sri Lanka’s most innovative bank, “Banking in the palm of your hand is said. example, new users can conveniently whole log-in process to get an instant HNB enhanced its leadership in tech- here to stay, and HNB is proud to be Among the top five apps in the sign up with a simple three-step and up-to-date account balance. enabled banking, as its revamped leading the market towards greater Finance category in the Google Play verification process by first providing The app also has no restrictions for Digital Banking App surpassed Rs. 10 trust and acceptance of these services. and Apple App stores, HNB’s Digital their account number and NIC transaction history. This means billion in average monthly transactions, Our redevelopment process was Banking app has a star rating of 4.7 number, then their mobile number for customers can scroll down to their very setting a new industry standard. completely structured around and 4.6, respectively. two-factor authentication, followed by first transaction made without a Since its relaunch in December 2020, experiences that go beyond user Designed by the bank’s in-house card details. The simple process hassle. In addition, the app allows the app has experienced a steady expectations. We consulted customers team of developers, each feature is ensured that only 2% of the 130,000+ customers to add ‘Favourites’ and increase in transactions month on and carefully logged all feedback, and exclusively tailor-made to the bank’s registered users contacted the bank for ‘Schedule’ payments, further month and is currently one of the incorporated all of it back into the final requirements. support during the on-boarding simplifying the overall user experience. highest rated among users of Sri UI and UX. The results of these With constant updates featuring new process. The app also allows customers to Lankan digital banking apps on the redesigns speak for themselves through additions, services, facilities and overall Similarly, a unique feature offered by further control their banking Google Play store. To date, it has over the voice of our customers,” HNB UX/UI improvements, the HNB Digital the HNB Digital Banking app is the experience, with the option to set their 130,000 downloads with an active user Deputy General Manager- Retail and Banking app offers customers complete “Peek Balance” option, where accounts as ‘Hidden’ or ‘View Only’ and retention margin of 70- 75%. SME Banking - Sanjay Wijemanne control of their banking experience. For customers need not go through the customise their transaction limits.

Sri Lanka distributor begins adoption Xiaomi unveils the POCO of Kia’s new logo, brand persona X3 Pro in Sri Lanka Top Korean car maker Kia’s new logo is and Chief Operating Officer, Andrew grabbing attention in Sri Lanka as the Perera said, “The dramatic POCO, the industry- prevalent in the market.” brand’s local distributor begins its roll transformation expressed by the new redefining smartphone He faded, “Taking the out across multiple touch points as part logo captures the excitement and brand, announced the performance legacy forward of a phased adoption of the new brand optimism with which Kia views its future launch of its latest and in line with the belief of persona unveiled internationally earlier in the automobile industry. While we smartphone, POCO X3 Pro, democratizing the market, this year. transform and reinvent ourselves as building on the we are presenting our users The new corporate logo resembling a envisaged by the new brand direction, we #PROformance legacy of with POCO X3 Pro, from our handwritten signature is accompanied will align and continue to deliver POCO F1 in Sri Lanka. flagship X series. Powered by the brand’s slogan - ‘Movement that meaningful experiences throughout the Tailor-made for young tech by the flagship Qualcomm® inspires’ and announces the automobile owners’ journey, in terms of sales and and gaming enthusiasts, the Snapdragon 860, POCO X3 manufacturer’s transformation and all- service through design-driven products newly launched smartphone Pro brings in features and new brand purpose. The introduction of and new technologies, keeping our redefines the smartphone performance never seen in the new logo represents Kia’s ambitions valued customers at the heart of all our experience by making it this segment before. A to establish a leadership position in the decisions. We look forward to the day unbelievably fluid and perfect amalgamation of future mobility industry by revamping when the new nameplate will be seen on powerful. gaming, photography, and nearly all facets of its business. Sri Lankan roads when import Commenting on the high performance, POCO X3 The bold strokes and smooth angles angles of the logo embody Kia’s rising restrictions are lifted.” launch, Vidya Sagar Pro comes with LiquidCool that make up the new logo of Kia are ambitions for the brand, and more The launch of Kia’s new logo follows the Mugada, General Manager, plus technology for a intended to represent symmetry, rhythm importantly, what it offers customers. announcement of the Company’s ‘Plan S’ Xiaomi Sri Lanka, said, “At smooth gaming experience, and rising, symbolising the values Kia Kia’s new design philosophy ‘Opposites long-term business strategy in 2020. POCO, we strive to deliver and features a massive promises to offer customers through United’ takes inspiration from the Under Plan S, Kia, among other the best of technology in line battery with MMT charging future products and services, and the contrasts found in nature and humanity. objectives, has set itself the goal of taking with our consumers’ technology for a ‘never stop’ experiences these enable. The At the center of the design philosophy is a leading position in the global car requirements. Our first experience. We are rhythmical, unbroken line of the logo a new visual identity evoking positive market. This is focused on popularising phone, POCO F1 continues delighted to bring this conveys the automobile manufacturer’s forces and natural energy, with electric vehicles and introducing a broad to be the performance smartphone and look commitment to bringing moments of contrasting combinations of sharp range of mobility services, tailored to champion till date being the forward to our fans’ inspiration, while its symmetry stylistic elements and sculptural shapes. meet the needs and tastes of individuals longest popular smartphone response.” demonstrates confidence. The rising Kia Motors (Lanka) Executive Director and local markets.

LAUGFS Rubber Dialog Empowers Enterprises with illustrates superior design with largest tyre an Unparalleled ‘Dialog Direct Cloud

Illustrating the Company’s aperture sidewalls. Moreover, Connect’ Service superior technological edge, the tyre provides excellent LAUGFS Corporation traction and grip along with For the first time in Sri Lanka, Dialog authenticates enterprises with an Singapore, over MPLS technology has (Rubber) Ltd. (LAUGFS greater lifespan, which makes Direct Cloud Connect’ (DDCC) powered by on-premises Active Directory service while made it possible for Sri Lankan Rubber) recently unveiled the it well-suited for loader/ Dialog Enterprise, the corporate solutions integrating with many other on-premise enterprises to establish direct links with latest addition to its product grader applications. Users arm of Dialog Axiata PLC, has pioneered business applications and serving all global cloud service providers. 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DDCC of customer cloud environments is a result month of the subscription. With the use of applications, the ‘23.5 – 25 construction. The enables customers to have secure and of using private connections to transmit industry-standard 802.1 VLANs, DDCC LOADER GRIP’ facilitates symmetrical tyre tread private connections to public cloud data instead of public networks. This will has made it possible for the customers to high loading capability for patterns deliver smooth platforms for workloads that require enable enterprise customers that process, partition the dedicated connection into loader trucks, dumpers, driving, high directional higher speed or lower latency. transmit, or store cardholder (or sensitive) multiple virtual interfaces as opposed to earth movers in construction stability, and low rolling Paving the way for this new venture, data of service providers, merchants, the conventional internet-based and mining areas, waste resistance. The tyre is Dialog has formed strategic alliances with processors, or issuers to purchase PCI connection, the DDCC provides a higher handling sites and other available in smooth tread for some of the leading global cloud service Compliant resource pools from preferred degree of bandwidth throughout, and tough applications. The tyre specific applications. providers including Microsoft’s Azure public cloud platforms complying with all significantly reduces network costs, is manufactured to provide Customers can also purchase Cloud, Google Cloud Platform leading security and compliance whilst adding seamless, consistent access high resistance against cuts, the tires with wheels as an (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS) standards. Customers can also implement to experience global Cloud services. In chunking and chipping on off assembly. and Huawei. With predictable, reliable, additional security controls by encrypting addition to these salient features, Dialog the road terrains with highest Identifying the business and high-throughput connections offered the traffic that rides the direct connections also offers subscribers the ability to load bearing capability and potential in the profitable by DDCC, applications can span using similar protocols like SSL, HTTPs choose flexible bandwidths, thereby longer endurance. rubber industry, LAUGFS on-premises infrastructure and hyper- and SSH. offering them a superior cloud experience “This is a momentous Holdings diversified into the scale platforms without compromising The phenomenal technological feat of bundled with unmatched multi-cloud occasion not only for us at rubber industry through privacy or performance. For example, linking the private direct connection to a offerings, making DDCC an unparalleled LAUGFS Rubber, but also for LAUGFS Corporation hosting an Enterprise Resource Planning highly diverse and redundant submarine service the Sri Lankan market has yet to Sri Lanka as a country. Even (Rubber) Ltd in 2008 with a (ERP) application in Azure that cable system, between Colombo and witness. in the global arena, only a special focus on industrial handful of companies solid tyres. manufacture 23.5 – 25 sizes, At present, LAUGFS Rubber as the manufacturing process exports tyres to customers in requires impeccable over 36 countries, including precision, robust those in the United States and technological innovation and Europe. The Company boasts ‘DFCC Garusaru Vishrama design knowledge along with of a state-of-the-art, a hi-tech and heavy environmentally friendly equipment set up. The fact manufacturing facility, which Pranama’, for State pensioners that LAUGFS Rubber was generates 40% of its energy able to successfully requirement through solar In recognition of government pensioners out to pensioners by a specialist doctor, a offers loans of up to three million rupees manufacture this type of panels. This facility uses the who have devoted their lives to the service comedy act by popular comedians to keep with a repayment period of 10 years. high-tech product is a finest quality rubber of the community, DFCC Bank has spirits high, a presentation on DFCC Customers who utilise this product from testament to our superior compounds and the globally planned a special virtual event exclusively Garusaru Personal Loan scheme and an DFCC Bank will be able to enjoy the lowest technological expertise and recoginsed Total Quality for all local government pensioners. interactive quiz which will give participants interest rates, backed by an efficient and manufacturing capability. Management (TQM) processes Titled ‘DFCC Garusaru Vishrama the chance to win prizes and much more. hassle free service experience. Moreover, this is yet another to produce REACH compliant, Pranama’, this online event will give all Scheduled to take place on Sunday, 11 As a part of its Garusaru product step in the direction of solid tyres of international pensioners the opportunity to join in from July 2021 at 10.00 am via YouTube Live, portfolio, DFCC Bank also offers a leveraging on one of Sri standards. Given its strong the comfort of their own home, owing to this free event will go on for one-and-a-half Garusaru Senior Citizens Savings Lanka’s key resources - commitment to quality and the current COVID-19 situation in the hours. All pensioners who are interested in Account which can be opened with an Natural Rubber,” said environmentally sound country. joining this event could call on initial deposit of just Rs 1,000. Further, LAUGFS Rubber CEO, manufacturing practices, the Throughout the virtual event, DFCC 0112350000 to register themselves in account holders will be able to avail Thomas Antony. Company has received the Bank has curated a list of innovative order to receive the link to the event. vouchers and discounts from various The 23.5 – 25 loader grip ISO 9001-2015 certification sessions, targeted for the benefit of DFCC Garusaru Loan, a tailor-made institutions including health care tyre comes with self- cleaning for policy management, ISO pensioners. The proceedings will include personal loan solution specifically for facilitators while enjoying a higher wide lug tread pattern and 50001-2. important and relevant health tips doled government pensioners. This loan scheme interest for savings. A14 friday 2 july 2021 sports Euro Cup 2021 –Quarter Finals Ashoka elected Switzerland Take President SLWF on Spain today

The sides had also shared a 1-1 draw in a Villarreal friendly in June 2018, Álvaro Odriozola giving Spain a lead that was cancelled out just past the hour by Ricardo Rodríguez. Switzerland's sole win against Spain came in the Ashoka Bandara G.Nishantha AKSP Kumara teams' opening fixture of the 2010 World Cup. Gelson Fernandes scored the only goal in Durban on 16 June 2010 – but Spain won their next two games to progress from Group ‘H’, with Switzerland eliminated in third place, before going on to lift the trophy. This is the sides' first ever Euro meeting, final tournament or qualifying, although that 2010 encounter was their third at the World Cup. Current Spain coach Luis Enrique KA Kumaradasa RMCKB Ratnayake KC Silva scored the second goal – his first at international level – in Spain's 3-0 win in Washington in the 1994 Granit Xhaka Sergio Busquets round of 16; Spain were also 2-1 winners in the 1966 The 16th edition of the ties. Spain needed extra L16) – although they have group stage in Sheffield. European Championship, time to finally see off Croatia lost only one of the last four Spain have scored 48 goals Euro 2020, began on 11 in an eight-goal thriller in games between the sides in their 22 games against June with matches in 11 Copenhagen; Switzerland (W1 D2). Switzerland. major cities across Europe - ousted FIFA World Cup The teams met twice in the for the first time in the holders France on penalties UEFA Nations League in Fixtures: 63-year history of the after sharing six goals in autumn 2020, an early tournament. Bucharest. Spain have Mikel Oyarzabal goal giving Friday 2 July: At the end of the round of dominated their meetings Spain a 1-0 victory in =9.30 p.m. Switzerland 16 stage, we are now left against Switzerland, Madrid on 10 October, vs Spain in St Petersburg with eight teams who have although their recent before a 1-1 draw in Basel Saturday 3 July: ASDN Anurudda WA Thamel HYS Rupasena qualified for the quarter- contests have been more on 14 November, substitute =00.30 a.m. Belgium vs finals. even. Gerard Moreno's Italy, in Munich Election of office bearers of Sri Silva were elected Vice Presidents. Switzerland's first ever The winners of this tie will 89th-minute equaliser =9.30 p.m. Czech Lanka Weightlifting Federation G. Nishantha was elected UEFA European play Belgium or Italy in the cancelling out Remo Republic vs Denmark in was held via Zoom technology on uncontested as Secretary General, Championship quarter-final semi-finals at Wembley on 6 Freuler's first-half opener Baku 29 June, at which Ashoka while Chaminda Rathnayaka and pits them against three-time July. for the Swiss. Switzerland Sunday 4 July Bandara was elected President D.N. Anuruddha were also elected winners Spain in Saint Switzerland have managed goalkeeper Yann Sommer =00.30 a.m. Ukraine vs beating H.A. Priyantha. K.A. uncontested as Assistant Petersburg. Both sides came only one win in their 22 saved two Sergio Ramos England in Rome Kumaradasa, P.S. Kumara, Ajith Secretary and Treasurer through epic round of 16 fixtures against Spain (D5 penalties at St. Jakob-Park. Thamel, Y.S. Rupasena and K.C. respectively. Gasquet relishing SLGU signs ‘Safe Sports’ Wimbledon date with 'classic' Federer MOU with NOC SL When Richard Gasquet won his Federer armour after he laboured Sri Lanka Golf Union Wimbledon first-round match in the first round and advanced (SLGU) became the first against Yuichi Sugita, the only when his French opponent National Sports Federation Frenchman killed two birds with Adrian Mannarino retired with a to adopt the ‘Safe Sport’ one stone - he earned a clash with knee injury after slipping on court, policy formulated by the eight-times champion Roger the match evenly poised at two National Olympic Federer and a match on the sets apiece. Committee’s Women’s arm to hallowed Centre Court turf. Federer turns 40 next month create awareness on ‘Make "When I was in the first round, I and is still shaking off rust after Sports a Safe Zone’ in Sri saw the draw. I knew I could play last year's knee surgeries and the Lanka. Roger in the second round," coronavirus pandemic kept him Associated with the signing Gasquet told the ATP Tour website out of action for 13 months. of the MOU were Michael before Thursday's second-round Rafa Nadal has since joined him Magala (President, SLGU), match. at the summit on 20 Grand Slam Suresh Subramaniam "Of course, it's wonderful for me, wins, while defending champion (President, NOC SL), Niloo because I will play on Centre Novak Djokovic is one title away Jayatilake (Chairperson, Court. It's Roger Federer, I've from making it a three-way tie for NOC Women’s Committee), played him many times." the sport's ‘Big Three’ as the Shirantha Peiris (Chairman, Many times, without success, debate on the greatest player of all NOC Junior Development however. The two have met 20 time rages on. Committee) and Fazil times and Gasquet has won only But for Gasquet, there is more to Hussain (Women’s SLGU President Michael Magala hands over the Safe Sports MOU to NOC SL Women’s Committee twice - their first meeting in 2005 the debate than just Grand Slam Committee Member NOC Chairperson Niloo Jayatilake. Also in the picture are: Fazil Hussain, Suresh Subramaniam and in Monte Carlo and a decade ago in titles. SL). Shirantha Peiris Rome, both matches on clay. "There is technique, the beauty Commenting on the In their last 10 meetings, of the game, the motion," he occasion, SLGU President environment for everyone.” very grateful to SLGU for gender equality in sports as Federer has not dropped a set added. "He's a classic player, an Magala said: “Basically this NOC SL President Suresh being the first sport in Sri mentioned. In the future, against Gasquet, a former top-10 incredible player, the best player comes with gender equality, Subramaniam said: “It is very Lanka to recognise and join unless these protocols are player now ranked 56th in the to watch. There is only one Roger as well as to ensure there is important to be part of the the Olympic Committee in met by Associations and world. Federer." safe environment for all safe sport programme, that supporting and taking it Federations, there would be But there are chinks in the (Reuters) sportsmen and women in the comes under the auspices of forward. limitations to participation. country. This is equally the NOC SL’s ‘Prevention of Speaking on behalf of the So, this a great move as far as important to all stake holders Sexual Harassment’ NOC Women’s Committee the NOC is concerned, and – not only players, but for the programme.” He added: “Safe Fazil Hussain said: the Golf Union is the first coach or any other official Sport is very important to “Considering the present IOC association to join. We hope related to the sport and make sure that sports people protocols it is great to note to continue to bring on board Lord’s to host full-capacity related to the structure of the of all ages have a safe that the Golf Union has all the other Olympic Sports organisation. Going forward, environment on sexual and signed up to adhere to the Associations under this new ODI against Pakistan we would have a safe many other matters.” He was safe sport practices and protocol.”

England will play a home against Sri Lanka and Pakistan international in front of a full- would be included in the ERP as the capacity crowd for the first time UK continues to work towards the since September 2019 next total lifting of Covid-related Saturday, after the second ODI restrictions, scheduled for 19 July, Ross Taylor keen to play on after WTC win against Pakistan at Lord’s was and on Monday, Warwickshire included in the UK Government’s announced that they would stage New Zealand’s most WTC win against India, and “I’m still loving the game - they retired too early.” Event Research Programme (ERP). the third ODILord’s to host full- prolific batsman Ross Taylor the preceding Test series still want to learn and get Taylor’s technique came Fans have started to return to capacity ODI against Pakistan has batted away talk of victory over England. better, so that’s a good sign,” under the microscope in the international cricket in the UK over England will play a home retiring in the wake of their Taylor, who said he was he told reporters on a video first Test against England at the last month, with around 17,000 international in front of a full- World Test Championship looking forward to reuniting call on Wednesday. Lord’s where he scored 14 fans attending the first three days of capacity crowd for the first time (WTC) triumph, and hit back with family and friends once “At this stage I just want to and 33. the second Test against New since September 2019 next at critics for focusing on his freed from hotel quarantine keep on playing cricket, He returned to form with a Zealand at Edgbaston and Saturday, after the second ODI age. in New Zealand, is giving no whatever level that is, for as first innings 80 in the second capacities of around 20-25% against Pakistan at Lord’s was The 37-year-old has not thought to calling time on a long as I can. A lot of players, Test at Birmingham to help elsewhere, subject to Government included in the UK Government’s made a Test century since sparkling career of 108 Tests past players, tell me you’re a New Zealand beat England regulations. The ECB announced Event Research Programme (ERP). November 2019, but played and over 300 short format long time retired, and a lot of 1-0 in the series. last week that limited-overs fixtures (ESPN) a key role in New Zealand’s internationals. them told me they felt like (Reuters) SPORTS FRIDAY 2 JULY 2021 A15 Samoa Pulls Out From Olympics Japan PM says no spectators possible Japan’s Prime Minister said on scenario’, new cases in Tokyo could Thursday it was possible the reach 1,000 a day in July and 2,000 Olympics would be held without in August. Should infections spectators, as Samoa withdrew from accelerate during or after the Games, the Games, in the latest setback for hospital bed usage in the capital Tokyo’s fraught efforts to stage the could reach its limit in August, world’s biggest sporting event during according to the study carried out by a pandemic. university researchers and the A meeting has been scheduled to National Institute of Infectious discuss the involvement of Samoa’s Diseases project. Olympics team, RNZ added, without giving more details. FUKUSHIMA CANCELS “It is terrible, it’s disheartening. It’s PLANS very disheartening,” Samoa’s weightlifting boss Tuaopepe Jerry The COVID-19 situation has also Wallwork told Reuters by phone prompted officials in the prefecture of about the decision. Fukushima to cancel events planned “They’ve decided no one goes out of to showcase its recovery from Samoa,” he said of the Government devastation by the 2011 earthquake order. “I will now speak to my lifters and tsunami, which led to the worst this afternoon and share the very bad nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. news.” The prefecture, forever Samoa’s National Olympic synonymous with nuclear calamity, Committee was not immediately is to host baseball and softball events available for a comment. at a stadium about 70 km (41 miles) Samoa had selected athletes from from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear several sports including weightlifting, station owned by Tokyo Electric boxing, sailing and athletics for the “I have clearly stated that having of not allowing spectators,” said told Reuters on Thursday. Power on the Pacific coast. Olympics, the RNZ report said. no spectators is a possibility,” Prime Natsuo Yamaguchi, who is head of Depending on the extent of the Events to promote the prefecture’s The Summer Games are scheduled Minister Yoshihide Suga told Komeito, the junior partner in the strain on the medical system, the food and other products, while giving to start on 23 July, after a year’s reporters on Thursday. ruling coalition with the Liberal Government may reinstate a state of spectators information on efforts to delay due to the pandemic. But polls The Government will make a Democratic Party, according to full emergency for Tokyo, the sources revive evacuated towns as areas get show a majority of Japanese still decision on spectators and on national broadcaster NHK. added. cleared of radiation fallout, will all be oppose holding the event this year whether to lift a ‘quasi’ state of On Thursday, daily coronavirus Tokyo and three neighbouring cancelled because of virus curbs, its amid warnings from health experts emergency next week, Suga said. infections totaled 673, down slightly prefectures are among areas under Governor said. that it could unleash another wave of His comments came after the from 714 the previous day, which the ‘quasi’ state of emergency until “We have to cancel, given the infections and spawn new, more leader of the junior party in Suga’s was the highest in more than a 11 July, and retaining the curbs current situation,” Governor Masao potent variants. ruling coalition said organisers month. could affect the number of spectators Uchibori, told a news conference in a Holding the Games without should consider holding the Games Japan is likely to extend allowed into Olympic venues, the video on the prefecture’s website. spectators would be one way of without spectators. coronavirus prevention measures in sources said. “I’m not going to lie - I resent this reducing the risk of infections, medical “I hope they make a timely the greater Tokyo region by two A study on Wednesday said that novel coronavirus.” professionals and others have said. decision, and consider the possibility weeks or more, Government sources even under the ‘most optimistic (Reuters)

Lakvin excels in Australia Naser to miss Olympics after during brief stay CAS issues two-year ban 15-year-old Lakvin Abeysinghe, who visited Australia to see his elder Bahrain’s world 400 metres served between 4 June 2020 and brother in March 2020 just before the champion Salwa Eid Naser will 14 Oct. 2020,” CAS said in a COVID-19 pandemic situation miss the Tokyo Olympics after statement. escalated and travel restrictions were being given a two-year ban by the “All competitive results obtained imposed, got a chance to meet Sri Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) by Naser from 25 Nov. 2019, Lankan cricket coach Samitha on Wednesday for an anti-doping through to the date of notification Dhanushka during his enforced stay in violation by missing out-of- of this award shall be disqualified, Australia. Samitha introduced Lakvin competition tests. with all of the resulting to the Grand United Cricket Club in Sport’s highest court, however, consequences, including forfeiture Sunshine, Melbourne, Australia, and said that the Nigerian-born of any medals, titles, ranking he represented the club at the Western 23-year-old would not be stripped points and prize and appearance Region under-15 cricket tournament of her results from the 2019 World money.” conducted by Western Region Junior Championships as it had sufficient Naser won Gold at the World Cricket Association under Robbie evidence that she did not gain from Championships in Doha on 3 Oct. Roach. doping practices then. 2019 clocking 48.14 seconds, the Lakvin scored 264 runs and claimed CAS in November registered an third fastest time in history. 18 wickets and won the under-15’s appeal from the sport’s global A CAS panel adjudicating in the bowling average, and topped adjudged governing body World Athletics matter said Naser’s Doha result champion player of the tournament. against an Athletics Integrity Unit would stand. Lakvin also represented the Club in the (AIU) disciplinary tribunal decision “The panel’s task was never to Senior Division 2 Inter Club Cricket to clear Naser of committing an pronounce whether or not the Tournament under Alan Hale. Lakvin joined Trinity in 2019. He anti-doping violation. athlete is or was a ‹doping cheat’, Lakvin and his family returned to Sri represented the under-13 ‘A Team in According to World Athletics “Naser is sanctioned with a but only to decide whether she has Lanka in April 2021. the Singer Trophy Division One Inter rules, any combination of three period of ineligibility of two years, been in breach of the anti-doping Lakvin started playing cricket when Schools Cricket Tournament under missed tests or filing failures commencing on the date of rules as charged and to impose a he was 7-years-old under Harold Rushan Jaleel and Thilina de Silva. His within a 12-month period by an notification of this award, with suitable sanction in accordance Ranasinghe, a well-known veteran brilliant all-round performance saw athlete constitutes a whereabouts credit given for the period of with the rules. cricket coach, in 2013. He joined the Trinity emerge Joint Champions. He failure violation. provisional suspension already (Reuters) Cricket Academy of Dharmaraja scored 530 runs with a century and College Kandy under Chalitha three half centuries and claimed more Ratnayake and Hasitha Thilakasiri in than 20 wickets. His century (123) was 2015. Left hand batsman and right against St. Thomas College Kotte, arm off spin bowler, Lakvin started his while his half centuries were against To offset hit to its finances from COVID-19 school cricket career at Dharmaraja Royal Polonnaruwa (62), Dharmaraja College Kandy. He represented the Kandy (81) and Mahinda College Galle under-13 ‘B’ team in the Singer under- (86). Juventus plans new share issue 13 Division 3 Tournament in 2016. Lakvin wishes to thank his cricket He was promoted to the under-13 ‘A’ coaches Harold Ranasinghe, Chalitha team in the Singer under-13 Division Ratnayake, Hasitha Thilakasiri, Italian soccer club Juventus plans to 19 restrictions. Juventus also said it One tournament under Ananda Ananda Wijesekara, Gamini raise up to 400 million euros ($474 had appointed Maurizio Arrivabene as Wijesekara in 2017. He represented Debahapuwa, Senaka Dissanayake, million) in a new share issue to offset Chief Executive Officer for Football as the under-13 ‘A’ team in the Singer Sampath de Silva, Rushan Jaleel, the hit to its finances from the COVID- part of a broader revamp of its sporting under-13 Division One tournament Thilina de Silva, Suresh Peiris, 19 pandemic, it said on Wednesday. management structure. Arrivabene, who under Gamini Debahapuwa in 2018. Samitha Dhanushka, Robbie The Serie A club put the cost of the already sits on Juventus’ Management He practiced under Senaka Roach, Alan Hale, Principals and pandemic at 320 million euros for the Board, was formerly at luxury sports car Dissanayake and Sampath de Silva at teachers of both schools, his parents fiscal years between 2019 and 2022, maker Ferrari, which like the Turin- Future Stars Cricket Academy Kandy and two brothers. due to stadiums remaining closed for based club is controlled by Italy’s Agnelli for a few years. (IR) extended periods of time amid COVID- family. (Reuters)

Man Utd agree deal to sign Sancho Shubman Gill may miss Manchester United have agreed a them after England’s European deal in principle to sign England Championship campaign, subject to England series with injury winger Jadon Sancho from German passing a medical. side Borussia Dortmund for a fee of Sancho has hardly featured in India opener Shubman Gill could miss host of injuries to complete a thrilling 2-1 around 73 million pounds ($101 England’s run to the Euro 2020 the five-Test series against England due to series win in January. million), Sky Sports reported on quarter-finals, playing only six a leg injury, local Media reports said on Gill has since managed only one fifty in Wednesday. minutes as a substitute in their 1-0 Thursday. Gill sustained the injury during nine innings, but was expected to continue The 21-year-old had emerged as Group ‘D’ win over Czech Republic. India’s defeat in the final of the World Test as Rohit Sharma’s opening partner in United’s number one transfer target Gareth Southgate’s side take on Championship against New Zealand in England. last year, with British Media Ukraine in the last eight on Southampton last month, the newspaper Should Gill miss the series, Mayank reporting that the Premier League Saturday. said. A team spokesman did not Agarwal is likely to replace him at the top side had bid around 100 million The pacy Sancho has made more immediately reply to a Reuters request for of the order in what would be his first Test euros ($118.5 million) then, but the than 100 appearances for Dortmund comment. in seven months. deal did not go through. since joining them from Manchester The opener is likely to return home from India do have other options, including Sky Sports reported that personal City in 2017 at the age of 17, and England before the series gets underway at top-order batsman KL Rahul and all- terms between Sancho and the had signed a contract extension to Trent Bridge on 4 Aug., the Hindu said. rounder Hanuma Vihari, who opened in Premier League giants had been 2023 in August. The 21-year-old impressed in his debut the 2018 ‹Boxing Day’ Test in Melbourne. agreed, with the player set to join (Reuters) series in Australia where India overcame a (Reuters) A16 FRDAY 2 JUNE 2021 SPORTS De Silva’s Career Best Saves SL Sri Lanka lost early wickets just as in the previous games, and all indications were that they were heading for another miserable batting collapse, when Dhananjaya de Silva showed his ability as a top order batter once again to rescue Sri Lanka from another humiliating score Blushes to a respectable one, based on their current performance against England in the second ODI played at Oval yesterday. His run a ball 91, which is his career best ODI score, together with mature knock of 47 by Dasun Shanaka, and a useful 26 from Wanindu Hasaranga, guided Sri Lanka to 241 in the end, which would have been much lower if not for their combined efforts. After being four down for 21 in the seventh over, de Silva and Hasaranga added 65 for the fifth wicket setting the foundation for the recovery. While Hasaranga took his time, de Silva kept going at a run a ball and kept the scoreboard ticking. He had 13 fours in his inning before being undone by David Willey, as he tried to pull one on the off side, Scores but ended up top edging ball, Sri Lanka which was gleefully collected by P. Nissanka b S.Curran 05 Joe Root. K. Perera lbw S.Curran 00 Dasun Shanaka guided the A. Fernando lbw S.Curran 02 lower order with his 67 delivery D. de Silva c Root b Willey 91 47, which saw two fours and a C. Asalanka c (sub) Garton b Willey 03 six before was also undone by W. Hasaranga c Billings b S.Curran 26 Willey when the score was 206. Sri D. Shanaka c S.Curran b Willey 47 Lanka’s lower order batted with C. Karunarathne c Bairstow b S.Curran 21 more responsibility than the top B. Fernando c Rashid b Willey 17 order, as Chamika Karunarathne D. Chameera not out 14 (21), Binura Fernando (17) and A. Fernando not out 01 Dushmantha Chameera (14 n.o.) Extras (Lb1, w13) 14 added a further 35 runs to the tally Total (For 9 Wickets in 50 overs) 241 in the last five overs. Fall of Wickets: 1-4, 2-6, 3-12, 4-21, 5-86, 6-164, Sam Curran claimed five 7-206, 8-217, 9-229 wickets for 48 which Bowling: David Willey 10-1-64-4, Sam Curran 10-1- included the top three 48-5, Tom Curran 10-0-43-0, Mark Wood 10-1- batters, while Willey 35-0, Adil Rashid 10-0-50-0 claimed four. Dhananjaya de Silva and Dasun Shanaka

Dhananjaya de Silva 39 crickets in bio bubble Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has RPICS, Colombo. Madushan, Kalana Perera, SL and India to battle placed 39 cricketers – all of The programme in Dambulla Nimesh Vimukthi, Mahesh whom signed New Annual will continue till 22 July, whilst Theekshana, Chamika Contracts for the year the programme in Colombo will Gunasekera, NuwanThushara, 2021/2022 - in bio-bubbles in last until 10 July. Ashen Daniel, Himesh for CoinDCX T20 Cup two separate groups, in Dambulla squad Ramanayake, Lahiru Dambulla and Colombo, as part ‘A’ Team: Lahiru Udara, Samarakoon, Lasith Abeyratne, CoinDCX, India's largest While the title are very excited to become of preparations for the Nishan Madushka, Sangeeth Pulina Tharanga and safest cryptocurrency sponsorship is creating a the Title Sponsor of the T20 upcoming inbound and Cooray, Sadeera Colombo squad exchange platform, has major splash in the world Cup. Cricket – particularly outbound tours. The 39 players Samarawickrema, Kamil Senior category: Dilshan come in as the Official Title of Indian cricket, it is a the T20 format- offers represent the contract Mishara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Munaweera, Sandun Sponsor of the T20 series significant push by excellent synergy for our categories of ‘Senior’, ‘A’ team Minod Bhanuka, Kamindu Weerakkody, Angelo Perera, between India and Sri CoinDCX towards brand as we aim to reach and ‘Emerging’. Mendis, Suminda Lakshan, Ashan Priyanjan, Roshen Silva, Lanka. Cricket has always generating extensive out to more users through Accordingly, 26 players are Dilshan Madushanka, Asela Gunaratne, Chathuranga been sponsored by iconic visibility and boosting this association. Being the undergoing Residential Training Mohamed Shiraz de Silva, Lahiru Madushanka, brands, and the T20 Cup brand recall amongst the country's largest and safest at the RDICS, Dambulla, which Emerging: Nipun Milinda Siriwardena, Lahiru sponsorship by a new age young cricket fans. cryptocurrency exchange, commenced on 25 June, whilst Dhananjaya, Saminda Gamage, Jefferey Vandersay, fintech start-up indicates a CoinDCX has been a we aim at accomplishing another 13-member group will Fernando, Shammu Ashan, Prabath Jayasuriya, Malinda progressive phase in the pioneer in the crypto space new heights just as the start training tomorrow at the Sahan Arachchige, Udith Pushpakumara Indian economy. in India, and is one of the Indian Cricket Team." The T20I series will see most trusted and popular Ashley de Silva, CEO of both teams battle for the crypto assets exchanges. SLC said: "It's a buoyant ‘CoinDCX T20I Cup’, which Cryptocurrency as an asset time for Sri Lanka cricket is set to begin on 21 July. It has seen an uptick in as we welcome the Indian is part of the Indian team’s popularity among the team for an exciting series, Sports Minister failed in cricket tour to Sri Lanka and will young population, and this which is going to be feature three One Day sponsorship provides a competitive as well. Sri Former skipper Arjuna “I am reiterating again today Internationals (ODIs). The great opportunity for Lanka Cricket will also use Ranatunga held a press – to develop the game, change – Arjuna Indian National Team will CoinDCX to tap into the T20i series as a briefing yesterday, where he the administration; appoint an Minister to make huge be led by Shikhar Dhawan potential investors. platform to prepare for the expressed his views regarding Interim Committee; change the changes, but he’s also the and will feature some of the Sumit Gupta, CEO & upcoming T20i World Cup. the current sorry state of Sri Constitution” he said same. He seems worse than his most promising talent seen Co-founder of CoinDCX I take this opportunity to Lanka Cricket, and said the Ranatunga commented predecessors. I want to say during the recent IPL, said: "Cricket in India is thank CoinDCX for its present Sports Minister Namal about the importance of having today that Namal Rajapaksa including Surya Kumar not just a sport; it's a association with this Rajapaksa has failed in a strong Sports Minister to has failed in cricket. I am not Yadav and Prithvi Shaw. religion. So naturally, we important series.’’ cricket. effect these changes. going to judge him on other The former skipper who has “Unfortunately, the people sports as of yet,” Arjuna went been vocal about changing the who are forever in the cricket on to say. domestic structure of cricket administration get the Sports “This government doesn’t and administration system, Minsters’ also to dance to their want to rebuild cricket, they has been echoing the same tune. I don’t know how.” have other sports to develop,” views for some time now. “We expected the new Sports he alleged. England call up Tom Banton England have added Tom Banton to their squad for the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka in Bristol on Barty wins Blinkova battle Sunday. Banton, the 22-year-old Somerset top- World number one Ash Barty firepower for Blinkova, however, order batter, hit a 47-ball moved into the third round at and wrapped up victory after an century in the Vitality T20 Wimbledon but not without a hour and 30 minutes when her Blast at the start of the battle as she overcame spirited opponent swiped a forehand week. He has played six Russian Anna Blinkova and her long. ODIs and nine T20Is for own inconsistency in a 6-4 6-3 "A few things didn't feel quite England. win on Thursday. right today. That's half the battle He joins the squad to The top seed never looked in in sport, being able to find a way provide back-up with Dawid danger against the 89th-ranked when it's not feeling all that Malan currently absent for Blinkova, but it was still not great," Barty told reporters. personal reasons. Jos plain sailing for the Australian "I felt like when my back was Buttler and Ben Stokes, of scrapper. Her serve, so often a against the wall today I was able England's first choice dependable weapon, was at to bring the good stuff. It just batting line-up, are also times wayward, as she hit nine wasn't quite there all the time." missing as they recover from Tom Banton double faults and was broken Next up for Barty will be an injury. three times, while her 33 encounter with 64th-ranked In a different era Banton, been obliged to wait for evening, as well as their unforced errors suggest she has Czech Katerina Siniakova, who who has more than a touch another opportunity. He has home fixture against some way to go to get fully sharp booked her spot in the third of Kevin Pietersen about his been preferred to other Middlesex on Friday. on the grass. round with a 4-6 6-2 6-2 win batting, might already be options such as Phil Salt, England are 1-0 up in the Barty, whose sole Grand Slam over CoCo Vandeweghe. established in the England Alex Hales or Sam Hain. three-match ODI series and title came at the 2019 French Yet there are certainly some limited-overs sides. But with Somerset confirmed that take on Sri Lanka at The Open, has never gone beyond the creases to iron out in the the side currently blessed Banton will miss their derby Oval in a day-night game on last 16 at Wimbledon. Australian's game before then. with impressive depth of top- in the Blast against Thursday. She ultimately had too much (Reuters) Anna Blinkova order options, Banton has Gloucestershire on Thursday (Agencies)

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