highlights Friday Parliamentary 14 August 2020 Immunity Latest Edition and Vol: 09/209 Price : Rs 30.00 Decorum In Sports page A5 New Youngs knock- out Renown with Avoiding thrilling 3-2 win Trump New Youngs FC knocked out Renown SC from the Vantage FFSL President’s Trap Cup following a thrilling 3-2 win, while Java Lane SC overcame Blue Star SC 3-0 to top Group ‘A’ with 4 points... page A6 A16 20th Amendment Major overhaul of ’s grand old party to be tabled Karu Tipped mid-September By W.K. Prasad Manju

Minister of Justice, M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC, said to Take the necessary legal framework was being formulated to repeal the 19th Amendment to the Constitution and to introduce the 20th Amendment. He stressed the Government will first submit the draft to Cabinet for perusal. Meanwhile, informed Government sources revealed the 20th Amendment will be tabled in Parliament mid-September. The Helm? Attorney-at-law Gunaratna Wanninayaka New General Secretary?

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 AJP to seek After 25 passengers test COVID-19 positive Marapana to fill clarification to fill China bans SriLankan flights UNP National By Dilanthi Jayamanne Prof. Colombage said 25 Chinese List slot? nationals aboard SriLankan flight National List slot SriLankan Airlines flights were UL866 from Dubai to Shanghai, on Former United By Thameenah Razeek banned from landing in China for 7 August had tested positive to National Front four weeks, after 25 Chinese COVID-19 on landing at Shanghai Minister, Thilak The Ape Janabala Party (AJP) nationals aboard one of its flights Airport, following which the Civil Marapana, PC is set will seek clarification from legal tested positive to COVID-19, Aviation Administration of China to be nominated on sources to appoint a member to Additional Secretary to the (CAAC), in keeping with Chinese the National List slot its National List slot. President for Foreign Relations, policy, banned all SriLankan allocated to the UNP, Party Member and former MP Retired Admiral Prof. Jayanath Airlines flights from landing in Party sources said. Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera Colombage said. China. Sources added that said yesterday (13), at a Media they were of the briefing in , the National Story Continued on that appointing List slot allocated to their Party was a burden. page 2 Marapana to the Legislature will be more prudent at this juncture as the SLPP is Story Continued on page 2 formulating plans to repeal the 19th Couple arrested Pillaiyan to be Amendment and bring in the 20th Amendment. President appoints with drugs sworn in as 25 Ministry worth Rs 100M MP on 20 Aug By Niduwara Abeysingha Tamil Makkal Wele Suda Secretaries (Boralesgamuwa) and M.C. Perera Viduthalai Pulikal (Colombo) (TMVP) Leader supplies alcohol President Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave appointment Sivanethurai letters to 25 new Secretaries to Cabinet Ministries The Western Province Chandrakanthan alias for jailor’s last afternoon at the . Illegal Drugs Raid Unit Pillaiyan is set to be Among the notable new entrants are Dr. Anil said a young couple sworn in as a Jasingha who has been appointed as Secretary to suspected of transporting Parliamentarian, wedding the Ministry of Environment and Admiral (retired) a stock of illegal drugs when it convenes for By Kumudu Upul Shantha Prof. Jayanath Colombage as Secretary to the worth over Rs 100 million its maiden session on Ministry of Foreign Affairs. in a luxury vehicle, were 20 August. The Prisons Other Secretaries include, S.R. Attygalle to arrested in the Palenwatta Pillaiyan is being detained at the Department has Ministry of Finance, J.J. Ratnasiri to Ministry of area in Piliyandala Batticaloa Prison as a suspect in the initiated a probe into Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local yesterday (13). murder of former an alleged incident Government, Jagath P. Wijeweera to Ministry of Police said the couple MP and the where death row Mass Media, Ravindra Hewavitharana to... aged between 21 and 23 case against him is set to be taken on 19 inmate and drug had a kilo of illegal drugs at August at the Batticaloa High Court. kingpin Wele Suda, Story Continued on page 2 the time of their arrest and noted that the Pillaiyan’s lawyers are preparing to who is detained at the luxury motorcar used by the couple to obtain necessary approval from Court so Boossa Prison, had transport the drugs had also been seized. that he can be present at the supplied 100 bottles Avant Garde floating armoury case Police estimated the total value of the drugs Parliament’s inaugural session next of whiskey for the wedding of a jailor of to be over Rs 100 million. week. the Prison. PCoI Chairman Wele Suda who was previously held at Story Continued on page 2 the Welikada Prison had been transferred upbraids to the Boossa Prison a few months ago. Ex-DIG de Silva tells Easter Attacks PCoI Story Continued on page 2 DSG Bandara SIS told TID to stop By Faadhila Thassim First Cabinet Former Solicitor General, Suhada Gamlath PC meeting rejected a claim made by former Deputy Solicitor Rimzan’s probe General Wasantha Navaratne Bandara PC that Gamlath had asked him to take stern action against By Buddhika Samaraweera Mohammad Rimzan, who had returned to Sri President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Chairman of Lanka after joining the Islamic State (IS) on 19 August Avant Garde, Nissanka Senadhipathi over the Avant The State Intelligence Service (SIS), in organisation, said former TID Director, The first Cabinet meeting of the new Garde floating armoury case in 2015. 2018, had informed the Terrorist ex-DIG Nalaka de Silva. SLPP Government is set to be chaired by Bandara made this claim while cross-examining Investigation Division (TID) to stop the “Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara had President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the Gamlath at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry... investigation into Mohammad Nilabdeen instructed in a letter dated 14 March 2018... evening of 19 August.

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 friday 14 august 2020 news President, Prime Minister and newly-appointed ministers pay homage to Mahanayakas of Tri-sects President Gotabaya blessings on the President and they visited the Menikhinna Rajapaksa, Prime Minister ministers led by the Prime Hurikaduwa Vidyasagara Rajapaksa and newly Minister during their visit to Pirivena. -sworn-in ministers paid Malwathu Maha Vihara Most Ven. Ankumbure homage to Mahanayakas of the yesterday (August 12). Premawansa Thera, three Nikayas, yesterday (12 Anunayake Most Ven. Anunayake of the Ramanna August). This is the first time in Niyangoda Vijitha Thera said pointed out that history where the state leader that citizens had mandated Pirivena education has not and Cabinet Members visited overall power to the President been given its due place in the the Mahanayaka Theras of the and government to move recent past. tri-sect on the day of their forward independently at the Most Ven. Premawansa appointments. General Election. The Nayaka Thera said with the The Mahnayaka of the Anunayake Thera requested Chapter, Most Ven. Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadissi stated that he would invoke new initiatives being carried Malwatta Chapter, Most Ven. them to understand it and act Warakagoda Sri Gnarathna Nayaka Thera stated that it is blessings on the new out by the President and Prime Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala accordingly. The Anunayake Thera, and Anunayakes Most fortunate to elect two people Government including the Minister, the country has been Thera, Anunayakas Most Ven. Thera also invoked blessings to Ven. Anamaduwe Dhammadissi who love Sri Lanka. The Thera President and the Prime given a new lease of life and he Niyangoda Vijitha Thera, Most overcome challenges they will Nayaka Thera, Most Ven. also praised the scientific Minister to serve the country further said that both leaders Ven. Dimbulkumbure face in the future. Vendaruwe Upali Nayaka Thera method in appointing both and the nation. can foresee what the country Wimaldhamma Thera, Most Thereafter, the President, and the General Registrar Most Ministers and State Ministers. The Mahanayake Thera said needs. The Thera said the new Ven. Pahamune Sri Sumangala Prime Minister and ministers Ven. Medagama The Most Venerable Napana while invoking blessings on the ministers have been given the Thera and other members of the paid homage to the Dhammananda Nayaka Thera. Pemasiri Thera, Mahanayake of President, the Prime Minister responsibility to promote Sri Sanga Council invoked Mahanayaka of the Asgiriya During his Anushasana, Most the Ramanna Maha Nikaya and Cabinet Ministers when Lanka’s unique identity.

Continued from page 1 SIS told...... to deploy a special Police team Thowheed Jama’ath Leader Karu Tipped... to interrogate Rimzan at the Zaharan Hashim and Abdul Latif Airport, as he could be deported Jameel Mohammed, who blew Sources close to former Speaker Karu Parliamentarians such as Ravi regard. Meanwhile, sources close to from Turkey to Sri Lanka in the himself up at the Tropical Inn Jayasuriya said yesterday (13) the Karunanayaka, Jayasuriya noted that Attorney-at-law near future,” he said. Lodge in Dehiwala, and their latter has consented to take over the and along Gunaratna Wanninayaka would He further said when the SIS activities. Leadership of the UNP, which is with two of its activists Kithsiri probably be named as the new General informed him to stop the He further said in addition to expected to be vacated by Manchanayaka and Kasthuri Secretary of the Party, replacing former investigations, he informed the the weekly reports submitted to incumbent Party Leader Ranil Anuradhanayaka, had urged MP . SIS in return to make a written the IGP by the TID, reports Wickremesinghe soon. Jayasuriya to take the reins of During the discussions, it had been notice in that connection through pertaining to certain investigations Jayasuriya might get the UNP the Party and to steer it out of its decided to hand over the post to the IGP. On 14 March 2018, the conducted by the TID under the leadership with the support of a present political debacle. Wanninayaka considering the legal then IGP Jayasundara had sent a instructions of the IGP, were also majority to revamp the party, sources Wickremesinghe had service he has rendered to the Party over letter to the TID instructing to stop submitted to the IGP on the said. reportedly visited a period of time. It is also said a proposal the ongoing investigations into relevant day. He also submitted According to UNP sources, Jayasuriya’s to this effect is to be mooted during the Rimzan. De Silva also submitted a copies of several reports several former United residence to hold Party’s next Working Committee copy of the letter sent by the IGP exchanged between then IGP National Front discussions in this meeting. to the then Secretary to the Jayasundara and the TID to the Ministry of Law and Order, Commission. De Silva added the Padmasiri Jayamanne. SIS had taken steps to inform the De Silva also said the TID took IGP in writing on various steps to forward weekly reports on occasions about several IS extremists such as National followers at that time. Couple arrested...

They added that the suspects had Kolonnawa. Police also said that the The male suspect had been previously been arrested following a tip-off and drug racket had been in operation for a arrested on a charge related to a that the drugs were allegedly being long period from a house situated in cannabis smuggling ring. China bans... transported from Mihindupura, Mihindupura, owned by the female The suspects are due to be produced Pelenwatta, Pannipitiya to a location in suspect. before Court shortly. According to China’s policy, However, SriLankan cargo any flight carrying more than flights are permitted to land in five COVID-19 patients is China, he added. banned for one week. Since the SriLankan Airlines said these SriLankan flight had 25 COVID- Chinese passengers were tested 19 patients on board, it was before boarding and were PCoI Chairman... banned for four weeks, he said. cleared to board the aircraft. ...(PCoI) appointed to probe into complicated nature. Gamlath rejecting Zoysa PC had a heated argument with political victimisation of public officials this claim, said he had only instructed regard to the manner in which Bandara during the tenure of the United Bandara to investigate into the framed a question for Gamlath National Front Government. Gamlath incident as there was insufficient concerning political affiliations, the 20th Amendment... testifying before the PCoI yesterday information with regard to the case to latter point based on the fact that (13) as a witness to a complaint filed at file any charges or to order any arrest. Gamlath had attended a political According to sources, the such institutions. the PCoI by Senadhipathi, claiming Gamlath further rejected the claim meeting of Rajapaksa. Government’s attention has The Government is planning that he was politically victimised when made by Bandara that although De Zoysa said that Bandara was been drawn to clauses limiting to introduce the 20th he was arrested for the Avant Garde Gamlath initially instructed Bandara defaming the witness and the Chairman the Presidential term to two, Amendment for a short period case. to take action, he had subsequently of the PCoI, retired Supreme Court limiting of President’s tenure in before completely overhauling Bandara who was made a got into a deal with Avant Garde Judge, Justice Upali Abeyratne ordered office to five years, and the present Constitution in respondent to the complaint, further following which he had ordered the Bandara to carry out the cross maintenance of Independent favour of a fresh one with the claimed that Gamlath had asked him release of Senadhipathi from the case. examination in a proper manner, adding Commissions while rectifying consent of the people through a to take action against Rajapaksa and Bandara and the Lawyer appearing on that he could be arrested and produced the present shortcomings in referendum, sources added. Senadhipathi as the case was of a behalf of Senadhipathi, Kuvera De before Court if he fails to do so.

President appoints... Wele Suda... OBITUARY ...Ministry of Plantations, Fisheries, Major General (Rtd) Ministry of Health, Major General According to sources, the ALAHAKOON RANJITH Anura Dissanayake to Ministry Kamal Gunaratne to Ministry of (Rtd) A.K. Sumedha Perera to alleged incident had taken place (Formerly of GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceu- of Irrigation, Chulananda Perera Defence, M.K.B. Harischandra to Ministry of Agriculture, during the period of Wele Suda’s ticals Ltd), (St.Thomas College), Beloved to Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Wijekoon as transfer from Welikda to Boossa. Husband of late Janitha Alahakoon (Formerly of Lanka Porcelain Ltd), loving Wasantha Perera to Ministry of Conservation, N.B. Monty Secretary to Ministry of Youth They further said investigation father of Hasitha Alahakoon (Trinity Power, S. Hettiarachchi to Ranatunga to Ministry of and Sports, K.D.R. Olga to into the incident had been College, KDU, Sri Lanka Army), National Ministry of Tourism, R.A.A.K. Transport, Dr. Priyath Bandu Ministry of Energy, Prof. Kapila initiated jointly by the Hockey player. Cortege leaves Ranawaka to Ministry of Lands, Wickrama to Ministry of Water Perera to Ministry of Education Intelligence Unit of the Prisons residence at 4 p.m. on Saturday the 15th N.P.D.U.K. Mapa Pathirana to Supply, J.M.B. Jayawardena to and Sirinimal Perera to Ministry Department and the Special Task August for cremation at General Ministry of Labour, R.M.I. Ministry of Trade, Major General of Urban Development and Force Unit that has been Cemetery, Matale at 5 p.m. Rathnayake to Ministry of Sanjeewa Munasinghe to Housing. (GW) deployed to the Department.

142/30, 2nd Mile Post, Kumbiyangoda Road, Matale. AJP to seek...

He said Party member Ven. Ven. Vedinagama Wimalatissa discussion between the two canvassing but ultimately had Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera and Chairman factions supporting me and not even spent Rs one million. Thera cannot be legally Perera were acting according to Gnanasara Thera and then come Nominations forwarded by the appointed to this seat, and their political agendas, to a conclusion,” he further said. Party for the Kalutara, Colombo, further claimed that the tug-of- conspiring to ensure the Party’s He maintained that he will Moneragala and Kurunegala war between the faction that defeat, even prior to the election never compete in any election as Districts were rejected. supports campaign’s commencement. a candidate of this Party. “We could have taken legal him and the He added that although he had When queried about the actions regarding the rejection of one that the qualifications to fill the slot allegation that Wimalatissa the nomination, but we did not supports he however had no intention of Thera had been abducted by have enough money to hire a Gnanasara accepting the seat. He added him, the Thera denied the claim lawyer to represent us,” he Thera, was that according to the MoU and added that while even noted. merely a between the Vijaya Gnanasara Thera had initially He also cited the lack of drama National Council and the Party, thought the same, the latter’s support from the State-run created by the power of the General stance in this regard had since Media institutions as a reason certain Secretary has been reduced. changed. for their failure. “We did not get members of Rathana Thera explained that Meanwhile, he lamented that any support from the Media, not the Party. selecting the MP for the National the Party did not get many votes even from the State-run Media Rathana List slot should be decided by because they did not have channels even though they had Thera Court as there was a crisis. “I am enough funds to conduct a to support us. These are the alleged the depressed over the National list proper election campaign, and reasons why we did not get any majority of slot that has been given to us. It said those who had the money, seats in Parliament except for Party has created unwanted issues had obtained a large number of the National List slot. We members within the Party. We were fooled votes. expected to get at least three including by some Party officials and we The Party, according to seats but because of the failed General regret the decision we took. What Rathana Thera had planned to canvassing campaign, we were Secretary we have to do is to hold a spend Rs 10 million on not able to gain much,” he said. news friday 14 august 2020 A3 Attempt to smuggle turmeric Pavithra pledges to prevent Four remanded and control diseases By Kavindya Perera country 6,381 kilos of dry The suspects were turmeric. produced before Court by Health Minister Pavithra Colombo Additional The four suspects were the Customs. Wanniarachchi pledged to take Magistrate Shalini Perera identified as The suspects had been measures to prevent and control yesterday (13) remanded, M. Dhammika Perera, taken into custody by the diseases in the country. till 17 August, four H. Saman Kumara, Navy in the deep seas off Wanniarachchi, assuming suspects who were H. Ishan Suranga and Chilaw on 11 August and duties yesterday (13), said as a charged with attempting H. Don Nadeesha Dilanga had been handed over to country, all sections of society to smuggle into the Nayanajith. the Customs. had worked to control COVID-19. “In the Ministry of Health, there have been many instances where there have been allegations of fraud and corruption,” she said. “According to the policy Minister of Mass Media takes office statement of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the vision of prosperity, the Ministry is ready to take up the challenge of creating a healthy Nation through the prevention and control of diseases. Arrangements in this regard have been given through a Gazette Notification,” she added. Inspectors’ Union of Sri Lanka communicable and non- She said she would continue extended their best wishes to communicable diseases, her duties with a clean slate, Wanniarachchi and stated they especially by strengthening public maintaining transparency in hoped the Minister would be able health services and building a spending public funds. to take the lead in fulfilling the healthier country. Meanwhile, the Public Health national mission of preventing (DJ)

Local Universities collaborate with 14 Int’l varsities Minister of Mass Media assumed duties at the Ministry yesterday (13) MOOC funded by EC

Dullas assumes duties as Power Minister – Prof. Halwathura Providing students’ website links to access knowledge

By Eunice Ruth Commissioner of the Sri Lanka developed an online course, Inventors Commission, Professor based on climate change and Local Universities have Rangika Halwathura. energy efficiency, adding that collaborated with 14 Speaking to Ceylon Today, he anyone who wishes to apply can international Universities to noted that this project is funded visit this website http: //beck- develop Massive Open Online by the EC to develop 16 new erasmus.com/. Courses (MOOC) which are fully MOOCs for the students by Meanwhile, he added whoever funded by the European providing them the website links who likes to develop a project Commission (EC) in order to find to access knowledge using their can contact the EC to seek knowledge online by accessing smart phones at any time. grant funds for their the correct website, said the He noted further, they have development.

Minister of Power, should devote themselves was of a different make to , to implement the that of the traditional yesterday (13) assumed proposals in the manifesto politician and hence all Tamil investors Kalmunai DS duties at the Ministry of put forth by the President State sector officers would Power and Renewable in the run-up to the last have to deliver the goods, employees protest Energy and stated all year’s Presidential Poll. or they will be in the bad welcome in SL officials from his Ministry He added the President books of the President. By Naalir scene after lodging a – Devananda Jamaldeen and complaint with its Minister of Fisheries, this regard and averred Farook Shihan Officer-in-Charge. , said that a favourable The Secretariat and businessmen from the environment would be Employees of the the Municipal Council Tamil Diaspora who are created for them to invest. Kalmunai Divisional are in the same Obituary willing to invest in projects Devananda said these Secretariat protested building complex and in Sri Lanka, should do so business ventures would yesterday (13), the employees of both Neil Omeon Mendis, of Foreign Relations), loving Remains will lie at the without being cowed down also pave the way for expressing objection to use the same entrance husband of the late brother of Dr. Benita Jayaratne Funeral Parlour by extortionists, as they employment generation activities of Kalmunai to enter and exit and Swarnalatha Mendis (nee Frances Audrey Ameratunga from 9 a.m. today (14). would be protected by the for youth in the North and Mayor A.M. Rakeeb. the protestors claimed Dissanayake), beloved father (New Zealand), D. Lucius Cremation will be at the SLPP Government. East. Protestors, who went that the Mayor had of Dushyanthi (University of Oswald, Tyrrell Kingsley and General Cemetery, He said he would invite He said so when on a march to the upbraided employees of Colombo), Risidra (Ceylon Eustace Francis (both of Kanatte, Borella, at 4 p.m. businessmen to hold assuming duties at his Kalmunai Police, the Secretariat using Today) and Dayani (Ministry Canada), passed away. tomorrow (15). discussions with him in Ministry, yesterday (13). dispersed from the obscene language.

State Minister of Prison Reforms and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Dr. Sudarshani assumes duties By Kumudu Upul Shantha

State Minister of Prison Reforms and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation, HIGH COMMISSION OF Dr. said a Special Task Force Unit has been COLOMBO deployed to the Prisons Department by the President to rid the country of crimes INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION being committed from within the All Indian nationals and their families are cordially confines of prisons. She said this was invited to participate in the flag hoisting ceremo- only part of the measures being ny on the occasion of India’s 74th Independence contemplated by the new Government to Day on Saturday, 15 August, 2020 at 8.30 a.m create a society devoid of big time vices such as violent crimes and the peddling online, due to COVID related restrictions. of illegal drugs, which had come to light mostly from the Prisons sector in the Live telecast of the program can be recent past. viewed on the following links – Fernandopulle said, on assuming https://www.facebook.com/swamivivekanandaculturalcentre.colombo duties of her new Ministerial portfolio at Rajagiriya yesterday (13) morning. Youtube – ICCR in Sri Lanka A4 friday 14 august 2020 news

DWC instructs visitors to Yala Women- headed families to be given Desist from livelihood assistance – Viyalendiran By Naalir Jamaldeen standards of war affected people and work for their Newly appointed State well-being. feeding Elephants Minister of Professional Viyalendiran said he would Development of Postal give priority to uplift the By Naalir Jamaldeen Park to refrain from giving food throng in clusters along the noted. He said owing to this, Services and Mass Media, living standards of female to elephants. roadsides in the fellow devotees and tourists Sathasivam Viyalendiran headed families by providing The Department of Wildlife As the elephants became area disturbing those travelling were undergoing difficulties said yesterday (13) that he them with the required Conservation (DWC) has familiar with food (fruits and in public transport, looking for and even feared death. will uplift the living livelihood assistance. instructed devotees who visit food items of religious food and this has turned into The DWC has also taken Kataragama and local tourists offerings) given by devotees a major problem in the region, steps to chase away the who visit the Yala National and tourists, they frequently an official of the Department elephants into the forest. Johnston commences Multiple issues in AI use in legal sector official duties By Ruwan Laknath Jayakody – Justice S. Tilakawardane bias and the capability of she observed that AI based development reflects the Issues pertaining to the use making objective systems and their coded biases or prejudices of their of Artificial Intelligence (AI) determinations. In the case of algorithms should ensure that creators (design and based systems in the legal State v. Loomis, the defendant bias is minimized and that deployment of AI tools and sector concern bias, the claimed that the report bias is assessed formally if services) and the prejudicial capability of making objective produced by the AI algorithm such does arise in some form. readings of legal and socio- determinations, violated his right to due This also raises issues economic data. In addition, confidentiality, proprietary process. The Electronic pertaining to confidentiality they have not been tested for knowledge, reliability, Privacy Information Centre and proprietary knowledge as biases such as race. accuracy and the contribution reported that the algorithms gaining access to algorithms The other issues are lack of towards stigmatisation, noted used in cases such as these proves to be problematic due reliability and accuracy, and retired Supreme Court Judge, took into account personal to the fact that because the stigmatising defendants (as Justice Shiranee data including information algorithms are proprietary in these systems are unable to Tilakawardane. concerning sex, employment nature, the laws of take into account the context This was noted in an article status and age, when confidentiality and intellectual and circumstance within authored by her titled ‘AI in recommending a particular property impede access over which an offence took place), the Legal System: sentence. An analytic concerns of undue and unfair she noted. Opportunities and Concerns’ examination of the advantage to companies As far as regulations and which was published in assessments (used by courts besides the software corrective measures are December 2019 in Volume to determine matters such as developer. ‘Therefore, there concerned, there must be a Five of the Judges Journal by bail and release dates) created are no means through which legislative and regulatory Minister of Highways, stone for the construction of the Sri Lanka Judges by the algorithm used in State the algorithm could be framework on the , a new subway that runs Institute. v. Loomis in terms of 7,000 examined for fallibilities, development and audit and commenced his official duties through Negombo. Tilakawardane J. noted that suspects arrested in Florida, inefficacies or weaknesses use of AI tools and services to yesterday (13). The Minister inspected the one of the primary concerns United States of America, including regression analysis.’ ensure that these algorithms A notable feature was the construction of the new raised by scholars and revealed that black defendants Thus, she noted, there are are transparent, certified free beginning of carpeting of netball court at practitioners in terms of the were twice as likely to be serious concerns on whether of bias, and for the data Wajiragnana Mawatha in College, and planted a use of an AI based system, tagged as repeat offenders the algorithms are erroneously behind these algorithms to be Kurunegala. sandalwood sapling at the revolved around the issue of than white defendants. Thus, coded or whether their open source. He also laid the foundation College premises.

Post-election PM pays homage to Unity and period peaceful Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi brotherhood – CaFFE of paramount The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) stated that by and large, the post- importance Election period has been calm since the conclusion of the 5 August General Election. – Ali Sabry The Executive Director of Minister of Justice, M.U.M. Ali Sabry (PC) CaFFE, Manaz Makeen said said under no circumstances would he act in a monitoring carried out by manner that would mar the unity and CaFFE, the post-Election period brotherhood among the people of this country. had been peaceful sans any Ali Sabry made these observations while incidents being reported. addressing a ceremony on 12 August. He stated that CaFFE had He stated that he was committed to serve all received 39 complaints during communities without any differences. Everyone the post-Election phase and must abide by the Constitution and it is the were minor incidents. responsibility of all to protect the sovereignty of Makeen observed that the majority of complaints this country, he noted. concerned vehicle parades in breach of Election Sabry said certain factions were attempting to regulations but that Police had been informed for create splits among the people, adding further action. that at a time when attempts are being made to establish coexistence between Christians, Hindus and Muslims, certain factions post false Prime Minister , the recently concluded Parliamentary statuses on social media contrary to it. yesterday (13), paid homage to the Jaya Poll. He added that as the people have “The Muslims must stride forward as a giant Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweliseya in now spoken, it is the duty of the present force. Exiting from all racial politics, they must Navy arrests 27 . regime to fulfil the hopes and aspirations mingle with national politics. If they do so, Having observed religious rites, he then of the masses during the next five years. Muslims could go ahead towards a prosperous called on the Chief Incumbent of the Afterwards, the Premier paid homage to future. This is an ideal opportunity and all for illegal fishing , Ven. Pallegama Sirinivasa the Ruwanweliseya, before paying a Muslims must make use of it. When the Tamil The Eastern Naval Command, during separate Thera. Delivering a special sermon, Ven. courtesy call on the Chief Incumbent of or Muslim communities join national political operations conducted in the sea areas of Poonadi in Ralapanawe Dhammajothi Thera had the Temple, Ven. Pallegama Hemaratna parties, they can affiliate with them. As a Serunuwara, Kokkuthuduwai in Mullaitivu and stated that the mistake done by the voters Thera, the latter who requested symbol of the President’s policy of treating Boulder Point in Trincomalee in the past two weeks, when they had ousted Rajapaksa from Rajapaksa to continue his work towards minorities equally, he has given me the arrested 27 suspects engaged in illegal fishing by office in 2015 had been rectified in the masses, as he had done in the past, in responsibility of theMinistry of Justice”. using unauthorized nets. granting him an overwhelming majority at conjunction with the President. (NJ) The accused were identified as residents of Valaithottam, Poonadi, Kokilai, Negombo, Vavuniya and Poduwakattu. Five dinghies and fishing gear were also seized by the Navy. The suspects, together with their fishing Boat with SL flag apprehended by Seychelles Coast Guard equipment were subsequently handed over to the Assistant Directorates of Fisheries in Trincomalee and Mullaitivu and the Fisheries Inspector of Seven member crew produced in Court Kuchchaveli for further legal action. A seven member crew of a Sri News Agency that a large surveillance operation on the are rough, and patrols are Lankan-flagged fishing vessel, number of sharks were found Mahe Plateau, South East of the fewer. has been remanded for 14 days onboard the vessel. Main Island. SFA expressed, the last Court by the Seychelles’ Supreme “We have discovered around The vessel was instructed to case involving a Sri-Lankan Court on suspicion of being 6.9 metric tonnes of shark and divert to Port Victoria for further vessel ended during the first engaged in illegal fishing. we are presently in the process investigation, but no boarding week of July and the owner was The Seychelles Fisheries of recording the species, and operation could be conducted fined Seychelles Rupees Authority (SFA) said other data such as size and immediately. 400,000 ($22,400) for illegal The vessel was apprehended weight. We presume that the Louys said, during the 14 fishing. on 16 July by the Coast Guard fish were caught in Seychelles’ days the vessel was in The boat left Seychelles on 7 Patrol Ship Topaz, The crew waters, based on where the boat quarantine, the SFA conducted August and was escorted out of members, had to remain in was spotted and subsequently various patrols with the Seychelles’ waters by the Coast quarantine onboard the vessel intercepted,” said Louys. assistance of the Coast Guard Guard. for 14 days in line with the According to a post on the to ensure that the crew did not SFA mentioned, from its COVID-19 prevention guidelines Facebook page of the Seychelles offload any of their catch. initial investigation, it seems and appeared before Court on 5 People’s Defence Forces on 17 The SFA has also noted, these the boat involved which was August. July, the fishing boat was incidents involving Sri Lankan- intercepted in the latest SFA’s Manager for Monitoring, spotted by the Seychelles Air flagged vessels have become incident is presumed to belong Control and Surveillance, Force Dornier Maritime Patrol more frequent during the South to the same person. Johnny Louys, told Seychelles Aircraft (MPA) during a routine East Monsoon, when the seas (Seychelles News Agency) column/focus friday 14 august 2020 A5 Parliamentary Immunity and Decorum

Sri Lanka Parliament

By Lakshman I. Keerthisinghe Valeria Horatia of 449 BC which derives from the French model, which proceeding, arrest, imprisonment, or the past. Undoubtedly, Members of protected the sacrosanct nature of the offers members of parliament wider damages by means of anything which Parliament need some measure of “It is important that the decorum tribunes in ancient Rome, whereby protection as it encompasses not only he may have said in Parliament or by protection or immunity if they are to and dignity of the House is upheld at such tribunes were protected from non-accountability but also reason of any matter or thing, which he perform their functions without fear or all times. The image of Parliament in attack under penalty of death. The ‘parliamentary inviolability’. While the may have brought before Parliament by favour but Members of Parliament the public mind should be one where Magna Carta of 1215 proclaimed in first guarantees the freedom of speech petition, bill, resolution, motion or should also be conscious of their proceedings, debates and discussions Great Britain, the rights of the and debate, the latter protects otherwise.’ Section 7 bestows the obligation to use such immunity while take place with a view to resolve individual against those in power and parliamentarians from civil, immunities enjoyed and exercised by respecting the dignity and preserving issues through a constructive and offered a guarantee against royal power administrative or criminal proceedings the members of the House of Commons the decorum within the hallowed co-operative approach” granting freedom from arbitrary arrest for statements or acts unrelated to the of the Parliament of the United precincts of Parliament. - Prathiba Patil - Indian Politician and detention. The Petition of Rights exercise of their parliamentary Kingdom, on the members of the Sri In conclusion, significance of “The brain may devise laws for the (1628), the Habeas Corpus Act (1679) mandate. Generally speaking this Lankan Parliament. In Sri Lanka a parliamentary immunity is that it is blood, but a hot temper leaps o’er a and finally the Bill of Rights (1689) means that they may be arrested and/ Member of Parliament is not arrested designed to ensure proper operation of cold decree” further developed and confirmed the or prosecuted only with the assent of without obtaining the prior permission Parliament by most importantly - Shakespeare: The Merchant of common law tradition of individual the Parliament. of the Speaker. granting freedom of speech to Venice rights. Therefore, British The Parliament (Powers and members of Parliament to speak freely After the landslide victory of the SLPP parliamentarians did not need special MP arrests need Privileges) Act provides for the in matters of public interest without at the Parliamentary Elections held on protection from arbitrary action by the Speaker’s permission imposition of punishment of members fear of any reprisals. Such immunity 5 August, Sri Lanka’s Parliament is King or the Government. In contrast, in who engage in behaviour unbecoming should not be misunderstood as a scheduled to convene its first meeting France, where there was no such The Parliament (Powers and of a Member of Parliament. The proviso personal privilege granted to members on 20 August. As that great Indian common law tradition, special Privileges) Act No. 21 of 1953 as to Section 28 states that: ‘Provided, but rather as a privilege for the benefit politician Prathiba Patil, quoted at the measures were necessary to ensure the amended by Law No.5 of 1978, Act however, that in case of an offence of the people which enables them to outset hereof, has very correctly stated independence of the members of the No.17 of 1980, Act No.25 of 1884, Act committed by a member of Parliament, raise questions or criticise the actions “It is important that the decorum and National Assembly. This led to the No.37 of 1987 and Act No.27 of 1997 Parliament may in addition to or in lieu of Government which are detrimental dignity of the House is upheld at all establishment of two major systems of incorporate provisions that grant of any punishment herein before to public welfare. It is important that times”. Hence this article discusses parliamentary immunity, where one is immunity on the basis of non- specified, order his suspension from the decorum of the House is some important aspects of privileges, based on the Westminster model and is accountability as the Act is designed on the service of Parliament for any period maintained at all times. immunity and decorum in Parliament. commonly known as the privilege of the Westminster model.. Section 4 in not exceeding one month.’ Such (The writer is an Attorney-at-Law The origins of parliamentary freedom of speech or parliamentary Part I of the Act states: ‘No member suspension of members of Sri Lanka’s with LLB, LLM, MPhil.(Colombo))- immunity may perhaps be found in Lex non–accountability while the other shall be liable to any civil or criminal Parliament has also been reported in [email protected]

SLMA 133rd Anniversary International Medical Congress Academic Conference in the ‘New Normal’ By Dr. Charuni Kohombange is unprecedented in a medical conference in Sri Lanka. The global pandemic sparked by COVID-19 has created a new Cost effectiveness / Value challenge for the academic scientific for money community in planning and hosting conferences. Unfortunately, many of In a conventional setup, more than the planned conferences have been half the expenses are spent on the cancelled or postponed indefinitely. venue and refreshments. However, in However, the Sri Lanka Medical the virtual conference this expenditure Association (SLMA) took up this was almost less than 10% of the total challenge positively and conducted its cost. A significant amount of 133rd Anniversary International expenditure was incurred on the Medical Conference from 24th – 26th technical support and hardware. of July, on a virtual platform, with a However, when considering the overall remarkable degree of success. This programme, this was a very definite was the first ever Virtual International cost-effective effort. Medical Conference of such scale hosted by Sri Lanka. Challenges faced Although the overall participation for SLMA’s contribution the conference was satisfactory, the towards Continuous continued participation in all sessions of the virtual conference varied due to Maintaining prestige and traditions while adhering to new normal International Experts Joining in Medical Education during many reasons. Connectivity failures pandemic situation and hardware related technical issues were noted as problems among some COVID-19 has inflicted an participants. The same difficulties and unexpected and unprecedented distractions that are likely to occur degree of uncertainty worldwide. during on-line learning were also Experts predict that life would not be observed. the same as in the pre-COVID era. When participating in a conventional Continuous Medical Education (CME) in-person medical conference, doctors and Continuous Professional plan and prepare for attending the Development (CPD), are not conference physically. However, this is exceptions in this regard. The digital significantly different in the virtual and technological transformation of setup as many doctors have to attend CME and CPD is accelerated due to to their work routines while joining the the challenges of adapting to the post- conference in-between. This was a COVID New Normal. major reason for the intermittent The SLMA took a bold and participation. The challenges faced courageous decision to go ahead with Virtual Platform allowed the doctors to join in live from What went behind the cyber screens was a major audio-visual-Online when organising this year’s congress their work stations from anywhere in the country technological operation unprecedented in Sri Lanka the congress considering their were immense, including the responsibility towards CPD and CME. acquisition of hardware, training This congress may be the only Moving a step further, all the in travelling and close camaraderie, human resources, searching of low opportunity for medical professionals, lectures, oral presentations and the virtual conference is a cost- cost/free software solutions. This was allied health professionals and poster presentations were digitized effective mode of sharing expertise complicated further by the current medical students in Sri Lanka to and disseminated and preserved via across the world. global and national financial crisis. present their research findings at an YouTube and social media to be used international conference during 2020. as learning material for the future. Participation for the ‘It was a dream that The conference included all routine Unlike in a conventional conference, virtual conference became a reality’ components of an international this event has contributed towards conference. Pre-Conference developing e-learning material to be Over 500 participants registered for “In April 2005, the Newsletter of the Workshops, a Keynote Address, used in the future. In this context, it the conference. This number is more Sri Lanka Medical Association carried Symposia and many Guest Lectures has become a cost-effective knowledge than double the number of the Editor’s note, “SLMA Sessions were conducted, considering the need sharing platform. participations for a conventional Totally Virtual - A Dream or Reality”. of adapting to the New Normal. Sharing knowledge of conference, as its limits were mostly That prediction I made 15 years ago, as Digitization was the key imposed by the physical capacity of the the then Editor of the SLMA Newsletter, international experts venue. became a reality”, said, Professor Indika to success It was interesting and most Karunathilake, the incumbent With the limitations of bearing the encouraging to see groups of doctors President of the SLMA, who was the The conference was held at the travelling and lodging expenses, in a participating at the conference from live-wire behind the entire initiative. SLMA Auditorium with a minimum conventional conference the number their workstations. SLMA provided the “I enjoyed even more than I was number of participants, adhering to of international experts is limited to a opportunity for group registration for physically there”, said, Dr Sunil physical distancing measures. maximum of 3-4 speakers. However, Editor’s Note in 2005 the conference with the view towards Seneviratne Epa, Past President, SLMA. However, over 500 participants joined in the virtual platform, SLMA could the development of continuous medical “The best technical quality I have ever the conference on Zoom. This enlist and join 15 international international participants also education. What is more notable is that in an online conference; said, Prof. included a significant number of experts from 8 countries for the significantly improved this time. the conference has already reached Tissa Wijerathne, Professor of international participants. conference. Similarly, the number of Although you miss the entertainment over 50,000 via online platforms. This Neurology, Australia. A6 Friday 14 AUGUST 2020 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] Priority is Health President Gotabaya Rajapaksa swore in his new Cabinet at on Wednesday. With the SLPP winning a record 145 seats in the 225 Seat Parliament, narrowly beating the previous record of 144 seats won by the UPFA at the 2010 Parliamentary Poll, the stability of the Government is assured for the next five years. Additionally, the SLPP’s allies, namely the EPDP, TMVP, SLFP and the NC (National Congress, a Muslim party previously aligned to the SLFP led UPFA) and the SLFP together, have five seats, giving the Government a two-thirds majority (150 seats) in Parliament to even change the Constitution if necessary. The Yahapalana Government of January 2015, which was a coalition comprising the UNP/UNF and the SLFP/UPFA, which together with the JVP and the TNA, changed the Constitution in April 2015 with a massive 212 (94.22 per cent) ‘aye’ vote in the 225 Seat Parliament (including the Speaker), which brought in the Nineteenth Amendment, limiting the powers of the President. With the SLPP, sans their coalition partners, having 145 seats (64.44 per cent) on their own in the 225 Seat Parliament, political stability of the SLPP Government is therefore assured for the next five years. Therefore, the key challenges facing the new Government is not stability, but related, first to the physical health and wellbeing of the people of this nation, followed by the economy. However, prior to the economy, the health and wellbeing of the people of this country comes first. Without a healthy nation, there can be no healthy economy. Avoiding Trump Trap In respect of the health and wellbeing of the people of this country, what is foremost, in the current context By Eric Posner and blame the violence on him, not on the sway over US politics from 1950 to 1954. is managing the deadly COVID-19 Pandemic. While protesters. Maybe. But Trump is following McCarthy gained power by harping on the the two clusters, namely the Welisara Navy and the With Joe Biden’s lead in the polls, many in the footsteps of Richard Nixon, Ronald political establishment’s alleged failure to Kandakadu clusters appear to be under control, what Democrats and Republican Never- Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, all of oppose the Soviet threat and Communist therefore is required is to manage Sri Lankan Trumpers are increasingly optimistic that whom provoked or exploited fears of urban influence. McCarthy, like Trump, built on returnees infected with COVID-19, in the backdrop United States President Donald Trump will crime and social decay on their way to the a real if thin empirical record. Communist that last year alone 203,186 Sri Lankans went lose in November. But it would be a Presidency. efforts to subvert the United States overseas for employment according to Central Bank of mistake to count Trump out. He has Government had been stopped by World Sri Lanka’s 2019 Annual Report. That number doesn’t formidable advantages that will become COVID-19 pandemic War II’s end. Drawing on public anxiety take into account Sri Lankans who are already more salient as the election nears. These Imagine it is October. Americans have about Soviet expansionism, McCarthy working abroad. advantages have nothing to do with his forgotten about Trump’s mishandling of inflated the threat with false accusations Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 Pandemic, a accomplishments or failures, and the COVID-19 pandemic, which is and manipulation of the press. number of Sri Lankans, either working or studying everything to do with his mastery of subsiding as vaccines come to market or Yet McCarthy fell as quickly as he rose overseas have returned. Nonetheless, there is still a political theatre. mask wearing and social distancing take (he was censured by the Senate in 1954 sizeable number of Sri Lankans ‘waiting in the wings’ For liberals, a dominant view is that, hold and finally work. They are not and died in drunken obscurity in 1957). to return to the island at the next available thanks to Trump’s mishandling of the terribly interested in Biden’s promises to Perhaps Americans tired of his antics: opportunity. COVID-19 pandemic and the economic improve health care, address racial none of his accusations led to a criminal According to the Epidemiology Unit (EpU), up to 10 crisis it unleashed, Republican and injustices, build infrastructure, or repair conviction for espionage, undermining his a.m. yesterday, 955 returnees have been detected with Trump-leaning independent voters are America’s relationships with allies. They credibility. Or perhaps he overreached by COVID-19. This by far the single largest ‘cluster’, coming to their senses. But this is a sunny are worried about soaring crime rates, attacking the US Army, which enjoyed beating the other two clusters reported thus far, reading of events. Trump won the election never-ending protests, and what they see more trust among Americans than did his namely the Welisara Cluster (950) and the Kandakadu in 2016 by converting his professional and as attacks from the left on traditional earlier targets, which included the State Cluster (630). In the review period there have been temperamental unfitness for the values and institutions. They trust Trump Department and Hollywood. 2,881 COVID-19 cases reported in the island. Presidency into a political virtue. Defiance to tackle crime, and believe his warning The end came when McCarthy was According to Director General of Health Services Dr. of the establishment gave Trump credibility that “Sleepy Joe” will disregard their fears. called to account by Army lawyer Joseph Anil Jasinghe, to whom this newspaper spoke at 2 among Republican voters, who believed In this scenario, Biden can choose Welch, who attacked the Senator during a p.m. yesterday, the country has done only 172,000- that mainstream politicians ignored their among three responses. He could take the televised hearing for engaging in character 175,000 COVID-19 detecting tests, better known as interests. high road and point out that crime assassination against one of Welch’s PCR testing thus far, i.e. since the first COVID-19 Trump solidified his support by stoking remains low by historical standards and is colleagues. “Have you no sense of decency, detection was made nearly seven months ago on 27 fears that immigrants were overrunning a local, not a federal, matter. He could sir? At long last, have you left no sense of January, that of a Chinese tourist. the country and threatening the argue that it is caused by childhood decency?” he famously demanded of This has to be looked at in the context that in the dominance of white Americans. He offered adversity that only well-designed Federal McCarthy, to the applause of spectators. last census held, which was eight years ago, Sri himself as a saviour. That was enough. social programmes and Police reforms can McCarthy’s fate offers a glimmer of hope Lanka’s population was estimated at 20,359,439 As illegal immigration has receded from address. And he might also note that far for Biden. Perhaps the American public (20.36 million). Giving weightage to the higher number the public imagination, Trump has sought more people in the US have died as a can tolerate no more than four years of of 175,000 who have been tested for COVID-19 as new ways to capitalise on voters’ fears. He result of Trump’s bungled COVID-19 demagoguery. Many Trump voters do being the given number tested thus far and also believes he has found it in the spectre of response than die from homicide in a seem to have gotten the message that he assuming that all of them were Sri Lankans, which, urban criminality. typical year. has little to offer them except however is not the case in reality, and, further Trump clearly expects to benefit from the But, against a demagogue like Trump, entertainment, and even that has been assuming that the population has remained stagnant chaotic confrontations between Police and the high road is a certain path to defeat. diminished by familiarity with Trump’s since 2012, that means that only 0.86 per cent of Sri protesters in America’s big cities. No Fearful voters will not be satisfied by shtick. And Trump, like McCarthy, may Lankans have been tested for COVID-19 thus far, with matter that most Americans sympathise better statistical analysis or policy reforms have overreached when he challenged the the balance 99.14 per cent of its citizenry yet awaiting with Black Lives Matter: if voters believe that address the threat only indirectly. Army: by threatening to deploy military to be tested. that crime and disorder will rise (as it has The low road would involve a left or personnel to American cities, Trump EpU also reported that among the 2,881 detections in places like Chicago) and that riots will centre-left style of demagoguery. Here, the breached a norm that separates the made up to 10 a.m. yesterday, 33 of them were erupt, their fears will take precedence over goal is not to counter people’s fear of military from politics. If Trump again tries foreigners. Presumably those detections were made ideals of social justice. crime but to redirect their fear to to embroil the Army in domestic politics – through PCR testing. This discounts the number of Fearful people seek protection from something else. Biden could try to stir up he’s backed off for now – Biden should call other foreigners who were also subjected to PCR powerful authority figures. No authority fear of the Police, or of a Police State him to account for corrupting a respected testing, but were proved to be negative. figure is more powerful than the sitting helmed by Trump and manned by institution. According to Jasinghe, the full cost of a PCR test is President of the United States, who thuggish Federal paramilitaries. Or he But Biden’s best strategy would be to around Rs 10,000. Therefore, 175,000 PCR tests done oversees massive security resources. This could follow the lead of classic populists draw voters’ attention to the ways Trump thus far, presuming that they were all on Sri Lankans, is why so many observers worry that from Huey Long to Hugo Chávez, and has manipulated them. Trump, like that would amount to a cost of Rs 1.75 billion and if all Trump’s motive in sending federal attack the rich and the corporate McCarthy, has exploited divisions between of the country’s citizenry were subjected to PCR testing paramilitary forces into US cities was not bogeyman as the source of all problems. Americans, corrupted public debate with then that cost would escalate to Rs 203,594,390,000 to deter violence, but to provoke it. Biden can do neither. His decency works his lies and insults, and attacked valuable (Rs 203.59 billion). As with illegal immigration, Trump has against him: an appeal to voters’ primal institutions, including the FBI and the US Overall budget deficit for the year has been tried to tie people’s fear for their safety with fears will lack credibility. Nor would these Centres for Disease Control and estimated at 7.5 per cent of GDP (Rs 1,255 billion) by broader anxiety about cultural change. tactics work. Few Americans want to Prevention, which Americans depend on. the Finance Ministry. Given the challenges faced by Just as Trump depicted illegal immigrants defund the Police – as Biden has already “Have you no sense of decency, Mr. COVID-19 this figure may be conservative. as criminals and threats to traditional recognised. And Biden is too much a Trump?” Biden should ask. The question If President J.R. Jayewardene said that his first American values, he portrays protesters as creature of the establishment to plausibly answers itself. priority is jobs, his second priority is jobs and his third rioters and threats to American culture attack the rich. Eric Posner, Professor at the University priority is also jobs, the rallying cry of the new and history. They are not just lobbing Fortunately, Biden has a better strategy: of Chicago, is the author, most recently, Government should be first priority is health, second Molotov cocktails; they are tearing down to make Trump’s demagoguery a theme of of The Demagogue’s Playbook: The Battle priority is health and the third priority is also health. America’s heroes. his campaign. for American Democracy from the Founders The liberal media believes or hopes that The last major American demagogue to Trump. Americans see through Trump’s strategy, was Senator Joseph McCarthy, who held (www.project-syndicate.org) column Jaffna District friday 14 august 2020 A7 Illankai Tamil ArasuKachchi 31.46% All Ceylon Tamil Congress 15.40% Sri Lanka Freedom Party 13.75% Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party 12.75% Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootani 10.00%NOTES TO THE PEOPLE Vanni District Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi 33.64% Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna 20.46% Samagi Jana Peramuna 18.23% Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party 05.44% Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootani 04.23%

Trincomalee District Samagi Jana Peramuna 40.56% NewSri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna 32.35% Trends Illankai Tamil ArasuKachchi 18.58% Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party 01.77%

Batticaloa District Illankai Tamil ArasuKachchi 26.66% Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootani 22.71% Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 11.55% in TamilSri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna 11.22% Politics By Sumanasiri Liyanage The elected MPs are:

A Gazette revealing 196 new 1. S.Sritharan - 35,884 members of the Parliament who have 2. Era Chanakyan - 33,332 Most interestingly, been elected at the Parliamentary 3. MA Sumanthiran - 27,834 in the last five Election held on August 5 is out. We 4. GovindanKarunakaram - 26,382 have to wait to know the names of the 5. - 25,668 years they equally rest of the parliamentarians until 6. D.Siddharthan - 23,840 respective parties announce their 7. R.Sampanthan - 21,442 defend wittingly or national list members. Election 8. SelvamAdaikalanathan - 18,563 unwittingly results show a new trend in Tamil 9. Vino Nogarajalingam - 15,190 politics in Sri Lanka. The so-called Sri economic policies Lankan Tamil parties contested only based on the in two provinces, Northern and configuration of the Northern and Eastern that they claimed as their Eastern province Tamils’. fundamentalist ‘traditional homeland’. What do the How do we read this electoral failure Election results signify? How should of the TNA? The TNA was closely version of we read them? associated with the Yahapalana neoliberalism, Results of the Northern and Government between 2015- 2019 and Eastern Provinces the main factor that mobilised the advocated and Although Sri Lanka is divided into support for the UNP-led front at the 25 administrative districts, when it Presidential Elections in 2015 and implemented by the comes to the Elections it has only 22 2019. TNA and its conciliatory policies Yahapalana regime. electoral districts. Just have a look at were strongly questioned by C.V. the relevant 4 districts, Jaffna, the Wigneswaran of the TMTK and Hence, the people in Vanni, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam of the the Northern and ACTC. These two parties represented in the Election as a radical Tamil Eastern Provinces Jaffna District alternative to the TNA that has failed Illankai Tamil ArasuKachchi 31.46% miserably to either win constitutional naturally shared All Ceylon Tamil Congress 15.40% reforms on a federal framework or the same Sri Lanka Freedom Party 13.75% obtain from the Colombo Government C.V. Wigneswaran Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party 12.75% an adequate package of welfare and disappointment and Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootani 10.00% social development to Tamil people. It LTTE. The first trend that is Chandrakanthan alias - Tamil discontent as the appears that Tamils were tired of their represented by C. V. Wigneswaran Makkal Viduthalai Puligal and Vanni District rhetoric that they firmly reiterate that and Gajendran Ponnambalam Sadasivam Vyalendran - Sri Lanka Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi 33.64% people, especially they stand for Tamil rights, to appears to stand for a separate state Podujana Peramuna. Initially, we Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna 20.46% eliminate their grievances and to fulfil and eventually they will seek an have this kind of Tamil politics had poor people, in Samagi Jana Peramuna 18.23% their aspirations. internationally supervised referendum been very much isolated from the other districts about Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party 05.44% Most interestingly, in the last five among the Tamils to decide if Tamils Tamil people. Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootani 04.23% years, they equally defend wittingly or decide to stay in Sri Lanka or to leave It may be too early to come to a the policies of the Trincomalee District unwittingly economic policies based it. They may also strive to drag the Sri definite conclusion on the issue of last Government Samagi Jana Peramuna 40.56% on the fundamentalist version of Lankan Government to the strengthening of this conciliatory Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna 32.35% neoliberalism advocated and International Criminal Court (ICC). In political tendency and what would be implemented by the Yahapalana this respect they would closely work Illankai Tamil ArasuKachchi 18.58% its future. One may attribute this appeal to other Tamil representatives Eelam Peoples’ Democratic Party 01.77% regime. Hence, the people in the with the Tamil diaspora in Western development to policies of former to work together for uniform Tamil Northern and Eastern Provinces countries. Moreover, they would try to president who cause may not work immediately as Batticaloa District naturally shared the same pressurise the Indian Union adopted conciliatory policies pro- Government tendency would try Illankai Tamil ArasuKachchi 26.66% disappointment and discontent as the Government by linking with radical especially on the issue of land by to strengthen their line of approach Tamil Makkal Thesiya Kootani 22.71% people, especially poor people, in groups in Tamil Nadu. handing over Government occupied through compromise and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress 11.55% other districts about the policies of The most interesting developments land back to the people although the consultation. So far, an extreme Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna 11.22% the last Government. Therefore, the in Tamil politics that was reflected in issue has not yet been completely version of identity politics has Election results should not be read in the Election results has been the resolved. Similarly, his choice for the dominated in the traditional habitats isolation since island-wide economic emergence of a significant trend that post of Northern Governor a Tamil of Tamils with almost no positive On1. the S.Sritharan basis of these results,- 35,884 Tamil downturn had affected people is supposed to work with the Sri speaking person might have results. The Election results of 2020 National2. Era Alliance Chanakyan (ITAK) is entitled- 33,332 to irrespective of their ethnicity or Lankan Government seeking facilitated the Government’s contact seem to have raised an issue if the get 103. seatsMA Sumanthiran including one on- 27,834 the religion. economic development, employment with the people. What would be the economistic politics can take the lead national4. GovindanKarunakaram list. - 26,382 The disappointment and discontent and increased social welfare. This pro- policies of the new Government over identity politics. It may be too Most5. notableCharles Nirmalanathan result is that - 25,668the TNA with the TNA and its association with Government section is represented by towards Tamils and the social and early to answer this question as the stalwart6. D.Siddharthan - 23,840failed to the UNP seem to have generated in Douglas Devananda and economic developments of their outcome depends on multiple factors. win in7. JaffnaR.Sampanthan District. And more- 21,442 the parliamentary sphere two new Kulasingham Dileepan - Eelam traditional habitats may be crucial as (The writer is a retired teacher of interestingly,8. SelvamAdaikalanathan it lost its traditional - 18,563 trends in Tamil politics breaking the People’s Democratic Party; Angajan far as the future of these three political economy at the University position as D B S Jeyraj noted ‘the TNA’s almost monopoly position in 9. Vino Nogarajalingam - 15,190 Ramanathan - Sri Lanka Freedom tendencies is concerned. TNA of Peradeniya. E-mail: sumane_l@ accredited premier political Tamil politics after the defeat of the Party; Sivanesathurai spokesperson, M.A. Sumanthiran’s yahoo.com)

The Way It Was Memories of the Previous Landslide Election Victory It is said that the SLPP commonly forward with a rejuvenated Green and made a Minister and Upali said ‘So best wishes. You will be named the Pohottuwa snatching Elephant in 1977. The SLFP with Wijewardena brought into our next Ambassador to Egypt.’ victory in the August 2020 General Sirimavo Bandaranaike PM, was Government by appointing him the ‘Why Egypt?’ he queried, looking at Elections with a landslide crash or becoming unpopular with its first Director General of the Greater me as if I was a mouse daring to swooping avalanche of seats stringent curtailment of imports; Colombo Economic Commission - look at the monarch. ‘Nothing less garnered, surprised even the its many measures to build up Sri now the Board of Investment. A than the Court of St. James for me,’ Pohottuwa candidates themselves. Lanka’s foreign reserves; and poor strong man was needed because he proudly intoned. But you know People expected the SLPP to win vagrants fainting on streets or the economy had opened up to JR’s sobriquet was Tricky Dicky many seats but definitely not to the searching dustbins for morsels. It entrepreneurship. As JR himself and not for nothing. My neighbour extent they did. It is now left to see really was a hard time for obtaining said: Let the robber barons come. got no handouts, big or small! whether the new Cabinet and food, clothing and shelter for Actually more than them coming, J.R. turned us into a Republic Ministers and MPs will help the PM everyone but the elite few. We had the country’s leaders and with a Presidential Government. and President to steer the ship of no Indian saris nor good quality Ministers, a very few of them and Like the curate’s egg good and bad Lanka safely through chaotic seas local handlooms and had to buy later most of them, became robbing with the latter growing larger in of economic near disaster, a curbed synthetic nylon yardage that barons!! scale as time went on. He however pandemic while in other countries actually stank with constant wear. I well remember the July 1977 achieved much, bringing in the the deadly flu rages and tempers Also Madame lengthened her night – sitting up all through the young and able to the Cabinet. One are greatly frayed and ready to Government’s life by two years. So late hours hearing results on a TV example: Gamini Dissanayake to burst out in protests as they have people were ready and wanting a set that had been recently bought; head the Mahaveli Diversion flared due to Floyd’s killing and the change. the buying facilitated by J.R. for Scheme and bring it to completion Beirut disaster. We need to wait Came the 1977 election and the Nation. The green spread over from the forecast 35 years reduced and see whether the vote given to people went completely anti-blue the map of Sri Lanka, not as to five. He achieved much of it. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in and pro-green. The elephant rode dramatically and speedily and So those who grew up recognising appreciation of his COVID-19 victorious to a two-thirds majority artistically as the maps and graphs the Green Elephant as the sign curtailment is justified by how he of seats in Parliament – 144 of 168 shown on present day news over Elephant House restaurants and his brother Prime Minister seats. Almost every man and channels, but the clean sweep was to more importantly, the symbol of Mahinda Rajapaksa lead our woman celebrated the smashing obvious. It meant calls to friends the , are country. UNP win. The party that was and waiting for early morning to saddened by it being ignominiously 1977 J R Jayawardena, leading dubbed the Uncle Nephew Party wish a neighbour who was retired made to kneel so low. Maybe with the UNP that had been reduced in with the Senanayakes had a revival from the judiciary and very much a time it will rise again and be its the previous General Election to a of the name with Ranil UNPer. I congratulated him which sturdy self. It has to. mere 8 seats, boldly stepped Wickremesinghe winning a seat he was pleased about and then I Kumari A8 friday 14 august 2020 friday 14 august 2020 A9 INDEPENDENCE DAY PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY 14th August 2020 14th August 2020 Famous Buddhist Heritage Sites in Pakistan

Clifton Beach Do Darya Gilgit - Skardu Road Hana Lake

From the mighty stretches H.E. Maj. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad of the Karakoram in the H.E. Dr. Arif Alvi H.E. Imran Khan Saad Khattak (High Commissioner North to the vast alluvial (President of Pakistan) (Prime Minister of Pakistan) of Pakistan) Butkara - I Jaulian Monastery Swat delta of the Indus River in the South, Pakistan remains a Takht-i-Bahi land of amazing adventure Discover Pakistan Message by the High Commissioner Takht means ‘throne’ and and nature. Trekking, bahi, ‘water’ or ‘spring’ in mountaineering, white water of Pakistan in Sri Lanka Persian/Urdu. The monastic rafting, wild boar hunting, complex was called Takht-i- desert jeep safaris, camel and Bahi because it was built atop a yak safaris, trout fishing and Maj. Gen. (Retd) Muhammad hill and also adjacent to a bird watching, are a few stream. Located 80 kilometers activities, which entice the from and 16 adventure and nature lovers Saad Khattak kilometers Northwest of the city to Pakistan. On this Independence Day of Pakistan, it gives our mutually beneficial relations in diverse of Mardan, Takht-I-Bahi was Pakistan is endowed with a me great pleasure to convey greetings and best fields. Exploring ways to broaden as well as unearthed in early 20th rich and varied flora and wishes of the government and people of Pakistan deepen the economic ties, through century and in 1980 it was fauna. High Himalayas, to the government and friendly people of Sri enhancement of trade and bilateral included in the UNESCO World Karakoram and the Lanka. investments, within the framework of the Free Heritage list as the largest Hindukush ranges with their Skardu Cold Desert Hunza Shangrila 14th August is the most significant day in the Trade Agreement, remains our top most Buddhist remains in alpine meadows and Pakistan, Hunza valley has a yards, jute and textile history of Pakistan. On this day, seventy four priority. Gandhara, along with the Sahr- permanent snow line, very high literacy rate of more factories, printing and years ago, Pakistan emerged as a sovereign state Both our countries face significant challenges, i-Bahlol urban remains that coniferous forests down the than 90%. publishing plants, media and on the map of the world. Under the dynamic and at the same time we have tremendous date back to the same period, sub-mountain scrub, the vast entertainment industries, Minar-e-Pakistan inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam opportunities. This mutuality provides a wide located about a kilometer Indus plain merging into the Chitral Valley food processing plants, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the birth of Pakistan canvas for both countries to help and support south. great desert, the coast line Chitral Valley at an chemical and engineering Sites. It is located in the epitomized the successful culmination of a long each other, in order to jointly overcome Takht-i-Bahi is a great source and wetlands, all offer a elevation of 1128 meters has works. Karachi airport is one Kirthar Range, about 30 km and arduous struggle against seemingly challenges and maximize opportunities. of information on World-Heritage-Sites remarkably rich variety of Afghanistan on its North, of the busiest in Asia. southwest of Sann, in insurmountable odds by Muslims of the Sub- Pakistan has always extended unconditional and the way of life people here vegetation and associated South and West. It is Karachi has a university and Jamshoro District, Sindh, continent. support to Sri Lanka with regards to her used to follow. The village is wildlife including a fauna, surrounded by the Wakhan, other educational Pakistan. Ranikot is the The Quaid envisioned Pakistan as a modern national security. I would like to assure the built on the ruins of the ancient both endemic and migratory. Badkhshan, Asmar and institutions; the national most talismanic wonder of and progressive state. The government and Government and people of Sri Lanka that town, the foundation walls of Ten of 18 mammalian orders Nooristan area of Afghanistan museum, with a fine Sindh. Visible from five people of Pakistan are committed to achieving the Pakistan would always stand with them which are still in a tolerably are represented in Pakistan in the north, west and south- archaeological collection; and kilometers away its massive goal of making Pakistan a moderate, progressive, whenever Sri Lanka needs Pakistan’s support. good formation. As a proof, that with species ranging from the west. On its southern the tomb of Muhammad Ali undulating walls twist and self-reliant and Islamic Welfare State. In the end, I wish to extend to my heartiest it was in the past occupied by world’s smallest surviving boundary lies Dir. In the east Jinnah, founder of Pakistan. dip over the hills. Its walls, Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy exceptionally felicitations on a resounding election victory to the Buddhists and Hindu mammals, the Mediterranean lies Gilgit agency and Swāt are built with dressed cordial and friendly ties. The historical and the government of H.E. President Gotabaya races, coins of those periods are Pygmy Shrew, to the largest Kohistan. The narrow strip of Astor Gilgit Ranikot sandstone and reinforced cultural links between our two peoples date back Rajapaksa, H.E. Prime Minister Mahinda still found at the site. The mammal ever known; the Afghan territory, Wakhan, of Asia – a place where of Sindh province, it is The Ranikot Fort also with 45 bastions along the to the time when the Indus Valley and Gandhara Rajapaksa and to the people of Sri Lanka and monks constructed it for their blue whale. separates it from Tajikistan. ancient traditions jostle with Pakistan’s chief seaport and known as Dewar-e-Sindh outer wall, of which 7 are Civilizations prospered in what is now Pakistan. wish for their continued progress, prosperity convenience. Spring water was The 7,788 meters (25,550 ft) those of today, and where the industrial center, a (Great Wall of Sindh), with a rectangular and the This exemplary relationship having depth, and peace, in the years ahead. supplied to them on hill tops; Trichmir, the highest peak of bazaar in the old city has transportation, commercial, circumference of about 26 km remaining are round. All breadth and diversity serves as a beacon for other Long live Pakistan-Sri Lanka friendship living quarters for ventilators Takh i Bhai The capital city of Pakistan, the Hindukush mountain, changed little in the last and financial hub, and a or 16 miles, is reputed to be modified through the ages to countries of South Asia. We continue to nurture Pakistan-Zindabad for light and alcoves for oil Islamabad is located in the dominates this 322km long hundred years except to military headquarters. It has the largest unexplored fort in accommodate the use of lamps were made in the walls. its forms and design, materials graves dated between northwest of the country on exotic valley. No mountain in become the neighbour of a a large automobile assembly the world. Since 1993, it has gunpowder, this perhaps From the description of Song and substance, and locations 1520 and 170 BC and two Potohar Plateau. This area the region is less than 4000 modern university, some plant, an oil refinery, a steel been on the list of tentative makes it the largest fort in Yun, a Chinese pilgrim, it and settings. horse skeletons. On the has been significant in feet and more than 40 peaks modern hotels, some mill, shipbuilding, railroad UNESCO World Heritage the world. appears that it was on one of A museum comprising opposite side of the River Swat history for being a part of the have an altitude of 20,000 ft. international banks and one the four great cities lying along various sections with rich at Aligrama, near the Saidu crossroads of the Chitral is divided into small of the best museums in the important commercial route archaeological finds of Taxila, Sharif airport, a site of and the North West Frontier valleys by the mighty Pakistan. No other city is to India. It was a well-fortified arranged in chronological order Gandhara grave culture was Province. The city was built Hindukush range. Chitral is quite like old Peshawar. town with four gates outside and properly labeled, has been discovered by Italian in 1960 to replace Karachi as undoubtedly the most the northern one, on the established close to the site. It archaeologists and dated to the Pakistani capital, which it romantic, captivating and Abbottabad mound known as Chajaka is one of the best and well- 1000 BC. has been since 1963. Due to enchanting place in the Abbottabad is popular Dehri which was a magnificent maintained site museums of Islamabad’s proximity to majestic Hindukush range. It tourist attraction because of temple containing beautiful Pakistan. Swat Rawalpindi, they are is a mountainous area in the its scenic mountains and stone images covered in gold Zar Dheri (Gold The Lush-green valley of Swat considered sister cities. extreme north of Pakistan. beautiful hill stations like leaves. Not far from the rocky District, with its rushing Gilgit Valley Karakoram Highway Ayubia, Thandiani and defile of Khaperdra did Mound), Hazara torrents, icy-cold lakes, fruit- Galyat. Abbottabad founded build the eastern gate of the laden orchards and flower- Gilgit Valley makes the At a height of 15,397 ft. in 1853 and named after town outside of which existed a It is a large monastic complex decked slopes is ideal for trade center of the region for above sea level, the Major James Abbot, was and a . on the old Silk Route some 26 2017holiday-makers intentR»[£‰~ˆlª on centuries.15 It is the capital Karakoram Highway (KKH) is headquarter of Hazara during 2017 R»[£‰~ˆlª 15 km from Mansehra (Hazara). It relaxation. It has a rich town and administrative the highest paved British Raj. There are still few Taxila is located on a hillock which historical past too. ‘Udayana’ center of province of Gilgit- international road. It is also active churches in the city. The modern town of Taxila is was in visual contact with other (the "Garden") of the ancient Baltistan. The area is fed by considered as the 8th wonder 35 km from Islamabad. Most of hill retreats in the area. The Hindu epics; ‘The Land of waters of Hunza, Ghizer and of the world. The highway Khewra Salt Mines the archaeological sites of complex had a monastery and a Enthralling Beauty’ where Indus rivers along with the connects Pakistan’s Gilgit- The Khewra Salt Mine (or Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are stupa resembling Jaulian. Alexander of Macedonia fought several of their tributaries. Baltistan region to China’s Mayo Salt Mine) is located in located around Taxila Museum. There are two caves-cum- and won some of his major Gilgit has also been an Xinjiang region which is why Khewra, north of Pind Dadan For over one thousand years, tunnels which were possibly battles before crossing over to important city on the it has also been nicknamed Khan, an administrative Taxila remained famous as a used for meditation. It was a the plains of Pakistan. historical Silk Route, the ‘Friendship Highway’ in subdivision of Jhelum centre of learning Gandhara art fortified place, with bastions ‘The Valley of the Hanging facilitating religions to spread China. District, Punjab Region, of sculpture, architecture, and a protective wall made of Chains’ as described by the across trans boundaries. Pakistan, which rises from education and Buddhism in the diaper masonry. It was later famous Chinese pilgrim- Shina is the language spoken Quetta the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It is days of Buddhist glory. used as a citadel. It yielded chroniclers, Huain Tsang and in Gilgit while English and Sitting at 1,680 metres Pakistan’s largest and oldest The Taxila serial site also more than one hundred stone Fa-Hian in the fifth and sixth Urdu is widely spoken in the (5,500 feet) above sea level, salt mine and the world’s includes Khanpur cave, which sculptures and architectural centuries. region. Of particular note, Quetta, the capital of second largest. has produced stratified panels besides other artifacts. Swat was once the cradle of Naltar is a picturesque Balochistan province, microlithic tools of the Buddhism of all its schools- Greenland surrounded by occupies a strategic position Mesolithic period, and a Mingora Little Vehicle, Great Vehicle and high peaks with accessible since the boundaries of Iran Lahore is the capital city of number of Buddhist Mingora is the largest the Esoteric sects where once glacial lakes, perfect resorts and Afghanistan meet here, the Pakistani province of monasteries and of commercial city in Swat 1,400 monasteries flourished. for winter skiing. and the Bolan Pass lies on Punjab. It is the second-most various periods. Buddhist District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa It was the home of the famous Hunza Valley important lines of populous city in Pakistan monuments erected 2017province. Mingora R»[£‰~ˆlª is 3 kms Gandhara 15School of Sculpture communications. Located in after Karachi. The city is 2017 R»[£‰~ˆlª 15 throughout the Taxila valley away from Saidu Sharif, has which was an expression of Hunza Valley is a a river valley, it is connected located in the north-eastern transformed it into a religious yielded magnificent pieces of Graeco-Roman form in the local mountainous valley located by rail with Lahore, (727 end of Pakistan’s Punjab heartland and a destination for Buddhist sculpture and the Buddhism tradition. in Gilgit. The main town of miles), with Peshawar (986 province, near the border pilgrims from as far afield as ruins of great stupa. Other Archaeologists now know of Hunza, Karimabad (formerly miles), and Karachi (536 with the Indian state of Central Asia and China. beauty spots worth visiting are more than 400 Buddhist sites known as Baltit) is the capital miles). A new road connects it Punjab. Lahore is ranked as a There are over 50 Marghzar, 13kms from Saidu covering an area of 160 km in as well as most popular with Karachi through beta-world city, and is one of archaeological sites scattered in Sharif, famous for its "Sufed Swat valley alone. Among the tourist destination of Hunza. Khuzdar, Makran and Las Pakistan’s wealthiest cities. a radius of 30 kms around Mahal" the white marble palace important excavations of As famous as the valley is for Bela. It is also connected with Lahore is the historic cultural Taxila. Some of the most of the former Wali (ruler) of Buddhist sites in Swat an its beauty, the people of Zahidan (Iran) by rail. centre of the Punjab region important sites are; Swat. important one is Butkarha-I, Hunza are also well-known and is the largest Punjabi city Dhamarajika Stupa and Many Buddhist remains and containing original relics of for their friendliness and Peshawar in the world. Monastery (300 BC - 200 AD), carvings have been discovered the Buddha. A stone carved hospitality. Hunza’s tourist The capital of Khyber- Bhir Mound (600-200 BC), near Mingora in the Jambil statues of Buddha, are still season is generally from May Pukhtunkhwa (NWFP), is a Karachi Sirkap (200 BC - 600 AD), River Valley. At Panr, a stupa existent in the village to October, because in winter frontier town, the meeting Karachi, largest city and Jandial Temple (c.250 BC) and and monastery dated to the 1st Ghalegay and Jehanabad the Karakoram Highway is place of the subcontinent and former capital of Pakistan, on Jaulian Monastery (200 - 600 century CE has been Manglawar. There is also a often blocked by the snow. Central Asia. It is perhaps the the Arabian Sea near the AD). excavated. At Loe Banr, big stupa in Shingardar Unlike most places in oldest living city in this part Indus River delta. The capital The archaeological complex of Butkara II and Matalai, Italian Ghalegay and other ones are Taxila is authentic in terms of archaeologists unearthed 475 located in Amlukdara near Barikot and Shnasha stupa near Batora village. Thul Mir Rukan Stupa of Mir Rukan is one of the few surviving Buddhist monuments in Sindh. Thul Mir Rukan is a 22 m high cylindrical structure, or a tower, without any entrance. It is divided into five sections. The capitals of the pilasters in the circular casing are decorated with cut-brick work and moulded panels at the Dharmarajika top. Islamia_College_University_Peshawar Briton given suspended sentence A10 friday 14 AUGUST 2020 World Zurich, Switzerland Lebanese MPs meet for first time Three Spanish tourists die in canyoning accident, since blast, US Envoy due in Beirut fourth missing Lebanese security forces deployed heavily said a senior political source. The resignation in Beirut on Thursday (13), stopping of eight MPs who quit after the blast is also Three Spanish tourists have died and a fourth is protesters from reaching a conference centre expected to be confirmed. missing after canyoning in a river gorge in northern where MPs began meeting for the first time But Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Switzerland. since the catastrophic chemicals explosion pillar of the sectarian elite, also "wants to give The four men, who have not been identified, went last week that killed 172 people. a political message - that the Parliament missing in the Parlitobel Gorge in the canton of St. Senior U.S. official David Hale is expected exists - despite all this talk about early Gallen just before 1700 GMT on Wednesday (12). in Beirut later on Thursday to stress the elections and the resignations of MPs", said The accident was reminiscent of a tragedy two urgent need for financial and governance the source. decades ago in the Swiss mountains that killed 21 reforms, ending endemic corruption and Humanitarian aid has poured in but foreign people. bringing transparency, among other countries have made clear they will not The Spanish tourists were reported missing after messages, the U.S. Embassy said. provide funds to help pull Lebanon from a violent thunderstorm. Three were found dead The 4 August blast at a warehouse storing economic collapse without action on long- during the night; the fourth has not been found, highly-explosive material in Beirut port demanded reforms to tackle systemic graft, Police said. Police did not say where in Spain they injured some 6,000, left around 300,000 Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri heads waste, mismanagement and negligence. were from. without habitable housing and wrecked a Parliamentary session at UNESCO Palace, Authorities have estimated losses at USD "They were together on a canyoning tour in the swathes of the city, which was already in a after a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon 15 billion, a bill Lebanon cannot pay: it Parlitobel gorge and were probably surprised by the deep financial crisis. (Reuters) defaulted on its enormous sovereign debt in storm," St. Gallen Police said. The authorities say the blast was caused by March, citing critically low foreign currency Police said the four men were not participating in more than 2,000 tonnes of ammonium nitrate hit the vehicles with Lebanese flags. reserves. a guided tour but had struck out on their own. A stored for years without safety measures. Others angry at the lawmakers said they The Government's talks with the rescue effort was launched, but weather halted the Roads to the UNESCO Palace on the had stayed away from the building in International Monetary Fund for a bailout search on Wednesday before it was resumed on southern outskirts of the capital, where anticipation of the security cordon. had stalled. Thursday (13) morning. Parliament has met during the COVID-19 Some 30-40 people are still missing more Politicians are in early consultations over Canyoning is travelling through canyons and pandemic, were blocked with metal gates in than a week after the blast. forming a new Cabinet, a complicated process gorges by a variety of techniques – walking, anticipation of the protest by demonstrators Outrage at the explosion has fuelled in a country riven by political divisions and climbing, jumping, abseiling and swimming. The furious at the political elite they blame for the protests in which hundreds of people have governed by a sectarian power-sharing area where the Spaniards were canyoning is well- blast. been injured in confrontations between system. The Government, which stays on in a known; the local region's tourist web site advertises "They are all criminals, they are who caused security forces and demonstrators. The caretaker capacity, came to office in January it, describing ‘multiple worthwhile canyoning tours.’ this catastrophe, this explosion," said Lina Government of Prime Minister Hassan Diab with backing from parties including the The activity is popular in Switzerland, but carries Boubess, 60, a protester who was trying to resigned earlier this week. heavily armed, Iran-backed Shi’ite group risks, particularly in the Alps where the weather reach UNESCO Palace. The Parliamentary session started with a Hezbollah, Lebanon’s most powerful party. can turn quickly and fill narrow gorges with As two cars with tinted windows passed minute of silence. Together with its allies, they have a majority torrents of water. through one of the barricades towards the The agenda includes a discussion of a State of seats in Parliament. UNESCO Palace, a small group of protesters of emergency declared by the Government, (Reuters) (Reuters)

Bengaluru, India Tokyo, Japan Police patrol deserted Concerns over Hong Kong growing – Foreign Minister streets after FB post Following activist Agnes Chow’s arrest Japan's Foreign Minister said on (11). "I hope the people of Japan will keep sparks clashes Thursday (13) the arrests of Hong Kong paying attention to Hong Kong," she added. pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow and A cross-party group of lawmakers, media tycoon Jimmy Lai raised questions including members of Abe's Liberal over freedom of speech and the press in Democratic Party, has condemned the Hong Kong and Tokyo's concerns over the arrests, urging the Government to refuse situation were growing. any requests for evidence based on the Chow, released on bail after her arrest security law, and to ease visa restrictions under the new National Security Law, on Hong Kong residents. earlier thanked Japanese people for their Hong Kong's Beijing-backed Government outpouring of support, urging them to not called the group's statement incorrect and to forget Hong Kong. inappropriate. "Japan's grave concerns regarding the The crackdown on pro-democracy situation in Hong Kong are getting opposition in Hong Kong has drawn Pro-democracy activist Agnes Chow is stronger," Foreign Minister Toshimitsu arrested by the national security unit in international criticism and raised fears for Motegi said, speaking from Singapore to Hong Kong, China, 10 August 2020 (Reuters) freedoms promised by Beijing under a ‘one reporters via an online system. country, two systems’ model. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Government, The City's Government and Chinese seeking to keep ties with Beijing on an even Media, was top news this week in the authorities say the law is needed to restore keel, has been somewhat circumspect in country, where the hashtag #FreeAgnes order after sometimes violent anti- its comments on Hong Kong. trended on Twitter. government protests last year. Monday's (10) arrest of 23-year-old "Thank you so much," Chow said in a Chow last posted on her Japanese- Chow, a fluent Japanese speaker who often brief Japanese-language segment of a language Twitter account on 30 June, A television news camera operator films burnt Police bus and other private vehicles after violence erupted between Police and tweeted in Japanese and has been dubbed Chinese-language video about 24 hours saying, "As long as we live, there is hope." protesters over a reported derogatory Facebook post about the "goddess of democracy" by Japan's after her release on bail late on Tuesday (Reuters) Islam's Prophet Mohammad, in Bengaluru, 12 August 2020 (Reuters)

Baton-wielding Police Government-run Bowring patrolled barricaded and hospital said they had treated Tel Aviv, Israel Shanghai, China deserted streets in parts of the at least 27 injured Policemen southern Indian tech hub of and 12 protesters, including Bengaluru on Wednesday three who had suffered Fuel shipments Crackdown on ‘big (12), after three people were gunshot wounds. killed in overnight clashes A Police official said an triggered by a Facebook post emergency law prohibiting stomach kings’ in fight offensive to Muslims. gatherings had been imposed to Gaza halted The violence began late on in Bengaluru, a city of 12 against food wastage Tuesday (11), with mobs million people known as pelting stones, burning India's Silicon Valley. over fire balloons China's biggest short-video speech published by State vehicles and setting a Police Police gave the first name of and social media platforms Media that the amount of station on fire, and lasted the accused man as Naveen, said they will punish users food that was wasted in until the early hours of and said he was the nephew seen to be wasting food in China was "shocking" and Wednesday. Dozens of people of a Congress politician, their broadcasts, cracking urged the country to were wounded. whose house was attacked down on so-called "big maintain a sense of crisis "Seeing that much fire, and burnt in the violence. stomach kings" as the about food security, smoke and the violence was The politician, R. Akhanda Government urges against prompting many local really scary. I was really Srinivasa Murthy, appealed food wastage in the middle of governments to launch frightened. We've only seen for calm in a video message a pandemic. related campaigns and such things on TV," said Ahan carried by Media. President Xi Jinping called restaurants to raise penalties Khan, a college student who "We're all brothers. food wastage "shameful" this on buffet wastage. lives near the Police station in Whatever crime has been week as China also seeks to "Big stomach kings" northeast Bengaluru. committed, let the law teach curb a growing trend among livestreamers, in particular, Police said the person them a lesson," Murthy said. internet celebrities who have were called out by a responsible for the offensive "I appeal to our Muslim gained hordes of fans in programme by State post, which has since been brothers and everyone else to A Palestinian worker fills a car with fuel at a petrol station in Gaza recent years by eating large broadcaster CCTV on deleted, had been arrested. A maintain peace." City, Palestine (Reuters) amounts of food in a short Wednesday (12) as spokesman for Facebook said Television channels on time on video. encouraging wastage. The it was investigating, adding its Tuesday night showed a Israel said on Thursday (13) could shut down Gaza's sole Short-video platform trend of celebrities, often with standards prohibit hate group of people gathered it would stop shipments of fuel power plant and lead to further Douyin, the Chinese version slim figures, eating copious speech and incitement to outside a Police station, into Gaza in response to electricity cuts, said of TikTok owned by amounts of food quickly first violence. clashing with officers and Palestinians in the enclave Mohammad Thabet, an official ByteDance, said users started in Japan and South Bengaluru Police burning several Police launching incendiary balloons with Gaza's main power searching for keywords such Korea, according to local Commissioner Kamal Pant vehicles. that have torched tracts of distribution company. as "eating broadcast" or "big Media. said his officers had initially On Wednesday afternoon, farmland on the Israeli frontier. Gaza relies on Israel for most stomach kings" would now be Another short-video tried to hold back around charred remains of several Palestinians in Islamist of its energy needs. Its shown prompts urging them platform Kuaishou said on 1,000 protesters using batons cars and motorcycles were Hamas-ruled Gaza have population of two million to "reject waste and eat Thursday (13) it would shut and tear gas, but then opened strewn across the basement launched dozens of helium currently receives around six reasonably". down any live broadcasts or fire. parking lot of D.J. Halli Police balloons laden with incendiary hours of electricity followed by "With respect to any actions ban accounts if users were "The Police had no escape station, the facade of which material in recent days to a 10-hour power cut. that waste food, once found to be promoting the and they had to resort to firing was also scarred by fire. pressure Israel to ease its Overnight, Israeli warplanes discovered, the platform will eating of large amounts or and three people died," Pant Nearby streets were lined blockade of the territory. and tanks struck what the at the first moment impose encouraging vomiting to eat said, adding that 110 people with burnt vehicles, with all Fuel shipments were stopped military said were Hamas penalties according to the more. had been arrested for alleged shops shuttered along the "in light of the continued facilities, calling it a response degree of the violations," China's popular Twitter-like vandalism and attacking the nearly two-km stretch where launching of incendiary to the balloons. Israel had Douyin said in a statement, Weibo platform said in a Police. the Police station is located. balloons from the Strip toward earlier shut down Gaza's main without specifying. "We call on separate statement that it The three victims were "We are investigating the (Israel) and of the undermining commercial crossing and users to cherish food." would restrict videos that Muslim men aged between 19 issue and will make use of the of security stability," a Defence reduced the area where it China said in May it would posted similar content and and 21, said Rizwan Arshad, CCTV footage to see who is Ministry statement said. permits Palestinians to fish. draft a response plan for urged eating bloggers to a Congress party lawmaker in behind these violent acts, and Hamas spokesman Fawzi In Gaza City, a school run by ensuring food security in promote a "correct" concept of Bengaluru, who reached the will take stringent actions," Barhoum called the measure a the United Nations Relief and 2020, as it worried about the consumption. Police station amid the said Basavraj Bommai, Home "grave act of aggression" that Works Agency (UNRWA) was disruptions to the agriculture "We call on users to not violence on Tuesday night to Minister of Karnataka State, would deepen Gaza's economic damaged by one of the strikes, supply chains from the global overeat while creating," appeal for calm. where Bengaluru is located. hardship. Gaza's Interior Ministry said. pandemic. Kuaishou said. A medical officer at the (Reuters) The halt in fuel shipments (Reuters) Xi on Tuesday (11) said in a (Reuters) friDAY 14 august 2020 Ceylon FT b11 To unlock greater economic development SL Needs to Address Female Labour Force Participation

By Mario Andree in the workforce in Sri Lanka. of increasing the female labour the same duties as a man, nor “The question of what is force and said that the rate was did it mandate non- Abans Chairperson Aban happening to all the educated low due to several bottlenecks discrimination based on gender Pestonjee said the country needs and capable women entering the existing in the country. in employment. It also pointed to unleash its female human workforce needs to be addressed,” According to the 2018 ‘Women, out inequalities in retirement age, capital to accelerate economic she said. Business and Law Report’, working hours and types of growth. The constraints for women to women in Sri Lanka found it employment. Addressing shareholders she enter the workforce and continue difficult to find employment, as According to the World Bank Thursday Markets said female representation at working may have changed in well as maintain a work and report ‘Getting to Work: Ordinary Level examinations was outward appearance but still personal life balance, due to Unlocking Women’s Potential in 52 per cent and similar statistics remain at large, she said. several restrictions. Sri Lanka’s Labour Force’, Sri were seen at universities as well. Many economists and The report pointed out that Lanka has the 14th-largest Shares hit new However, when it comes to international agencies believe women did not get the same gender gap in labour force employment the percentage of that unlocking Sri Lanka’s female chance as men when it came to participation globally. 5-month high women representation differs to a workforce would greatly employment, though some of the The World Bank also said low larger extent. contribute to the national other pillars were equal to both. female participation presented By Mario Andree According to Pestonjee only economy. It also highlighted that Sri significant challenges to the three per cent of women were In a previous report, the World Lankan law did not mandate country’s growth and equity goals The Colombo Stock Exchange posted gains for seen at executive level and above Bank highlighted the importance equal pay for women carrying out set for the future. the third consecutive day on Thursday (13) to record a new more than five-month high as the benchmark index rose on a higher turnover despite continued foreign exits. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) gained 0.29 per cent (15.04 points) to close at Aitken Spence 5,235.61 points. Its highest since 6 March, while the more liquid S&P SL20 representing the top Kelsey reports 20 shares gained 0.87 per cent (19.92 points) to recorded Rs 2.4 B loss close at 2,297.12 points. The daily turnover at the Colombo Stock The COVID-19 hit without a disruption Rs 229.73M loss Exchange stood at Rs 1.92 billion on Thursday Aitken Spence group has during the quarter under (13), lower than the Rs 2.72 billion recorded recorded a loss of Rs 2.4 review with an increase in By Ishara Gamage Bollegala projects. The during the previous market day. billion during the quarter profits from the integrated Company has secured Nearly 63.14 million shares changed hands on ended June, down from a logistics segment and Kelsey Developments PLC reservations with an Thursday (13) during 13,516 trades taking place. profit of Rs 247 million a airline cargo division of 58 recorded a consolidated nett expected sales value of Shares of 239 companies were actively traded year earlier. per cent and 71 per cent loss of Rs 229.73 million for Rs 1,029.66 million which of which 99 emerged as losers ahead of 61 Group revenue to reduce respectively over last year. the year ended 31 March will be recognised shortly. winners. to 5.5 billion compared to Other outstanding 2020 compared to a loss after The company launched a Foreigners were net sellers on Thursday (13) Rs 12.2 billion a year ago. sector performances were tax of Rs 223.45 million in the new project, Central Park, for the twenty-first consecutive sessions. Net “The tourism sector of by the elevator agency, corresponding period last Ja-Ela subsequent to the end foreign outflow during the day amounted to the Group both in Sri D.H.S. Jayawardena insurance, money transfer year, the company said. of the quarter. Rs 57 million as foreigners sold shares worth Lanka and overseas was segments in the services During this period Kelsey The Company has Rs 280 billion as against purchases worth significantly impacted due sector recording PBT of Developments PLC recorded inventories of Rs 2.25 billion Rs 223 million. to the global pandemic Rs 96 million. revenue of Rs 377.2 million at present and is focusing its and lockdown in the The strategic from Verdant Villas, efforts on the sales of existing country during April and investments sector Negombo and Riverside, projects. May 2020, resulting in the recorded a loss of Rs 42.4 first quarter ending 30 million for the three “Spot’s” Bull June 2020 recording a months ended 30 June loss of Rs 1.5 billion 2020 due to foreign compared to the Rs 216.7 exchange translation Run End million profit attributable losses arising from the to the shareholders in the strengthening of the rupee NDB PAT up But Market Uncertainty Continues previous year,” the Dr. Parakrama by nearly two per cent company statement stated. Dissanayake during the quarter, By Paneetha Ameresekere The three main sectors of the although the plantations sector Group; maritime and freight also recorded an excellent 34% in 1H 20 The benchmark ‘spot’s bull run witnessed in logistics, strategic investments and performance with a growth in profit three consecutive market days to Wednesday services collectively recorded a of more than 350 per cent over the National year growth translates to ended yesterday, though yet gaining, but at a profit of Rs 513 million during the previous year and the power Development Bank’s a quantum of Rs 73 decelerated pace to be quoted at Rs 182.90/183.10 quarter with the performance of generation sector also making (NDB) profits after billion. With the to the US dollar in two-way quotes as at 4:00 p.m., these sectors improving steadily noteworthy contributions to profits. tax surged 34 per reduction of policy rates compared with its trading at Rs 183.00/10 to the month on month. The devastating effects of the cent to Rs 3 billion and less demand for dollar in two-way quotes at 4:00 p.m on The maritime and freight logistics COVID-19 and its aftermath that during the six credit, the net interest Wednesday, market sources told this reporter. sector performed remarkably under affected global tourism had also months ended June margin came down to The wider margin of 20 cents between the ‘buy’ challenging conditions to deliver a impacted our tourism sector’s this year, while 3.25 per cent from 3.53 quote and the ‘sell’ quote yesterday, compared to profit-before-tax (PBT) of Rs 459 results during the quarter profits before tax per cent in end 2019. 10 cents of the previous, is an index of the million. Most companies within the resulting in a loss of Rs 2.8 billion remained unchanged Net interest income uncertainty prevailing in the market, led by maritime and freight logistics for the three months ended 30 at Rs 5 billion. was Rs 8.8 billion, a continuous foreign exits from the financial markets sector, operated continuously June 2020. Total assets stood marginal growth of two and the COVID-19 Pandemic and their perceived at Rs 562 billion at Eshana De Silva per cent over the prior impact on the economy. Bank level and Rs period. Fee and Nonetheless, yesterday was also the sixth 567 billion at Group commission income was consecutive market day that the ‘spot’ made gains. level, a healthy Rs 1.7 billion, a In the six market days to yesterday, the ‘spot’ has growth of six per cent reduction of one per cent steeply gained by between Rs 2.65 and Rs 2.55 Sampath Bank assets over 2019 year-to- compared to the same (1.43 per cent-1.37 per cent) in two-way quotes. date and 15 per cent period in 2019. Nevertheless, in the calendar year to yesterday the year- on-year. Impairment charges ‘spot’ has weakened by between 0.88 per cent and pass Rs 1 trillion The gross loan for loans and other 0.94 per cent (Rs 1.50-Rs 1.70) in two-way quotes, book stood at Rs 429 losses for first half of thereby causing cost-push inflationary pressure as PAT down 3.2 % in 1H’20 billion, a year-to-date 2020 was Rs 3.2 billion Sri Lanka is an import dependent economy. growth of five per and was a 69 per cent Meanwhile, domestic investors feeling it more Sampath Bank total Rs 51.2 billion recorded cent, whist same on increase over the first secure in investing in safe haven Treasury (T) Bills assets crossed the Rs 1 in the corresponding a year-on-year basis half of 2019. Dimantha Seneviratne and T Bonds (GoSL Securities) in secondary trillion mark for the first period in 2019, denoting was 15 per cent. The The Bank’s regulatory market trading due to perceived uncertainty, saw time in its history. a decline of 9.8 per cent. year-on-year growth is a non-performing loan [NPL] ratio Government of Sri Lanka’s (GoSL’s) money printing Sampath Bank The total interest quantum increase of Rs 56 was 5.40 per cent and was at borrowing costs (MPBCs) sharply decrease for the registered a profit before expenses stood at Rs 28.8 billion. par with the industry for the fourth consecutive market day yesterday, this time tax (PBT) of Rs 5.32 billion in first half of Customer deposits were Rs period under review. by 14.18 per cent (Rs `109.25 million) to Rs 660.21 billion and a profit after 2020 compared to 428 billion and recorded a Total operating expenses for million, though GoSL’s face value (FV) MP debt tax (PAT) of Rs 3.97 billion Rs 31.4 billion recorded year-to-date growth of 6 per first half of 2020 was Rs 4.7 remained unchanged at Rs 307,074.47 million for for the six months ended in the corresponding cent and year-on-year growth billion, a slight year-on-year the second consecutive market day at the end of 30 June 2020. Prof. Malik period of 2019, a of 21 per cent. The year-on- reduction from first half of 2019. Ranasinghe yesterday’s trading. Despite the unique reduction of 8.5 per cent. In related developments, settlement of exporter challenges that prevailed Nett fee and conversions due to the stability of the new since mid-March 2020, commission income was Government, saw market liquidity being uplift by the Bank limited the limited to Rs 3.8 billion Weekly Tea Auction Rs 6,844 million (US$ 37.19 million) during the decline in PBT and PAT to during the period under course of yesterday’s trading. Conversions are eight per cent and 3.2 per review, a decline of 18.9 based on the middle rate of the ‘spot’ as at cent respectively per cent over the figure 6.95M kg come 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday (11 August) which was compared to the reported in first half of Rs 184.05 to the dollar, a day where the rupee corresponding period in 2019. gained sharply by 75 cents due to the market being 2019. Other operating income under the hammer overwhelmed by dollar supply. Consequently, this PBT and PAT of the (nett) recorded a led to the strengthening of the country’s foreign Group also declined by significant year-on-year This week's offerings at the Best category, good leaf teas reserves by $37.19 million yesterday. 7.7 per cent and 4.2 per Fernando increase of 509 per cent Colombo Tea Auction totalled with reasonable all-round Howbeit, CBSL, the steward of the country’s cent respectively for the in the first half of 2020, 6.95 million kg, with a fair liquor often tend to foreign debt and of its foreign reserves, six months ended 30 June 2020 led mainly by an increase in general demand. appreciate, while the others transactions with the market and also with the and stood at Rs 5.48 billion and realised exchange income due to Ex-Estate offerings totalled together with teas at the lower GoSL are not transparent, in that it expects Rs 3.99 billion respectively. the 2.7 per cent depreciation of 0.9 M/Kg. Quality of offerings end of the market continued reporters not only to make arithmetical The Bank's Nett Interest Income the Sri Lankan Rupee against the from the Western slopes to sell around last week's deducements to trace such transactions, by declined by 11.9 per cent and US Dollar. showed selective levels. Nuwara Eliya’s were maintaining radio silence in its ‘interventions’ in stood at Rs 17.4 billion for the first Operating expenses, which improvement, while the generally firm. Uda open market operations. Subsequently, market’s half of 2020 compared to the same stood at Rs 10.1 billion during others showed no significant Pussellawa BOP/BOPF's were net excess liquidity increased by 3.80 per cent period in 2019. first half of 2019, decreased to change. Best Western BOP's firm. Uva’s - brighter invoices (Rs 6,844 million) to Rs 186,817 million at the end Overall, interest income for the Rs 9.6 billion during the period were firm and dearer, while were Rs 20-30 per kg dearer, of yesterday’s trading. period decreased by Rs 5.0 billion under review, reflecting a year- corresponding BOPF's were while the others sold around to Rs 46.2 billion compared to on-year decline of 5.2 per cent. often easier. In the Below last week's levels. B12 Ceylon FT friday 14 august 2020 News Pharma Manufacturers Welcome New State Ministry The Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical Sri Lanka Pharmaceutical the manufacture of a wider range of welcome the establishment of a State Manufacturers’ Association (SLPMA) Manufacturers’ Association warmly medicines and infrastructure for the Sri Ministry for Pharmaceuticals by the welcomed the newly-elected welcomes the new Government headed Lankan market and for export. newly-elected government. This Government’s decision to create a new by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Currently holding 15% of the local highlights the importance the state State Ministry for Pharmaceuticals We look forward to working with pharmaceuticals market, the SLPMA places on a self-sufficient local manufacture as a crucial positive step Minister of Health, Pavithra aims to help the country by increasing pharmaceutical manufacturing industry towards strengthening the local Wanniarachchi and Prof. production of world-class in the country and is an encouragement pharmaceuticals industry. The Jayasumana, State Minister of pharmaceuticals locally to provide to the industry. The association will Association iterated the importance of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and quality cost-effective medicines to all Sri work towards strengthening ties with its contribution to the nation as local Regulation as we work towards a robust Lankans. As the official body for local the government and expanding on our manufacturers, ensuring the availability local pharmaceuticals industry.” he pharmaceutical manufacturers, the contribution to the national healthcare of essential pharmaceuticals and stated. SLPMA holds frequent dialogues on sector by expanding on the guaranteed expressed its confidence in the Members of the Sri Lanka matters concerning the development of buy back agreement for local Government’s vision for the nation. Pharmaceutical Manufacturers’ the industry with key stakeholders. pharmaceuticals currently in effect. The SLPMA President Sanjaya Jayaratne, Association have actively reinvested Further commenting on the new SLPMA has always stood for quality Chairman of Navesta Pharmaceuticals over Rs. 15 billion over the past five government, Jayaratne said, “As the affordable pharmaceuticals and will (Pvt.) Ltd., congratulated the years on capacity building and market representative body of local support the government secure the Government on its landslide victory and expansion, setting up new plants and manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and highest quality medicines for the most for championing the local industry.“The upgrading current facilities to enhance pharmaceutical products, we warmly affordable prices.” Sanjaya Jayaratne

WSO2 Named Leader To enhance national power supply JAT gives back Siemens-DIMO in API Management to painters consortium inks Solutions WSO2, the open source API-first product architecture criterion. during COVID-19 deal with CEB integration company, yesterday “WSO2’s open source solution Siemens-DIMO consortium recently signed an announced that it has been named provides a broad base of feature- pandemic agreement with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to by Forrester Research, Inc. as a function,” The Forrester Wave™: API embark on the Medium Voltage distribution sub project Leader in The Forrester Wave™: API Management Solutions, Q3 2020 JAT Holdings recently implemented, we became package 5 of the ‘National Transmission and Distribution Management Solutions, Q3 2020 report notes. The report goes on to concluded a successful aware of the financial Network Development and Efficiency Improvement report published on 4 August 2020. observe, “Specifically, it has a flexible initiative, which reduced difficulties that our Project,’ aimed at enhancing national power supply. The The report’s findings were based on a and configurable API user portal, a the financial burden of customers had to reckon package 04 of the above project was also awarded to the 26-criteria evaluation of the 15 strong start going beyond REST APIs, painters who had to with.” he added, “Their Siemens-DIMO consortium during the first quarter of software vendors that Forrester good investments in combined API- work in the midst of the work came to a halt and 2020. identified as the most significant API microservices strategy (including COVID-19 pandemic. most felt stranded and The demand for electricity in Sri Lanka is growing at a management solution providers. important thought leadership on By strategising on the financially strapped. We rate of about 5-6 per cent per annum. Therefore, the The Forrester Wave™: API how the two relate), and strong boom in digital media did not hesitate to set up generating sources as well as the transmission and Management Solutions, Q3 2020 product architecture and deployment during the pandemic, means to help them distribution facilities have to be developed and report observed that, “As API options. Key future product priorities JAT reached an audience rebuild their livelihoods. strengthened to meet this growth in demand. Medium strategies mature, enterprises better include REST API design, more of close to 2 million After reaching out to our Voltage Distribution System is the backbone of the power understand API business investment in microservices and individuals, sharing agency, Isobar Sri distribution network and is the interface between the opportunities, and cloud-native non-REST APIs, deeper service mesh 500,000 messages with Lanka, they helped us Transmission network and the LV Distribution network, application architectures take hold, integration, continuous integration/ carpenters, which design this effective which provides supply to the consumers. It is therefore REST APIs becomes less central and delivery (CI/CD) enhancements, and resulted in 650 entries campaign and we were essential to reinforce and develop a healthy Distribution the ability to support a broad base of API ecosystems and product for the giveaway. deeply touched by the System, which has the capability of catering to the growing technology and business innovation management. The solution Following this, 26 entries response we received electricity demand of the country, while maintaining an will dictate which providers lead the particularly well suits buyers with were selected. from our customers.” acceptable reliability and quality above the set operational pack. Vendors that provide the right strategies that combine integration, Voicing his thoughts Additionally, JAT took standards and norms. portal strategy, rich and flexible API APIs, and microservices with a desire on this initiative, a step further to help The scope of package 05 focuses on augmentation of the user engagement, API publishing for the benefits of open source.” Dilshan Rodrigo, General anyone with the Ethulkotte Primary Substation with the aim of increasing that goes beyond REST APIs and “APIs are the products of the 21st Manager – Head of technical know-how on capacity to cater to the increase in electricity demand, embraces microservices, and strong century. We have invested Marketing for JAT how to finish the paused provisioning of highly-reliable power supply with a high ways to build API-based business extensively in the technologies and Holdings stated, “At JAT, work. Many of the degree of operational flexibility in Battaramulla, Welikada ecosystems position themselves to business models that enable we’ve always maintained painters and their and Kalubowila and to automate the distribution network. successfully deliver a strong enterprises to capitalise on this a sincere and close assistants were unable Construction of the New Primary Substation at foundation for continuous digital fundamental shift in the API rapport with our to travel from home to Rattanapitiya with the aim of accommodating the transformation to their customers.” economy,” said Asanka Abeysinghe, customer base. We their worksites and anticipated load growth including town development Within the strategy category, WSO2 chief evangelist. “We are understand their needs back. JAT identified this requirements of Nugegoda, Boralesgamuwa and WSO2 received scores of 5.0 out of a honoured to be named a ‘Leader’ in and livelihoods well. This and requested their Maharagama, which is fed by LECO and the requirements possible 5.0 in both the commercial The Forrester Wave: API is why we decided on the technical team to offer of the proposed educational area of the University of Sri model and planned enhancements Management Solutions, Q3 2020 tag, ‘Always there for the guidance and knowledge Jayewardenepura are also included in this project. criteria. Additionally, within the report. We see it as recognition of ones who need our help’ on how to finish anyone’s Augmentation of Beligaha Primary Substation with the current category, WSO2 how our WSO2 API Management for this campaign. Soon work without the help of aim of increasing supply demand in Galle, Dadalla and received a score of 4.80 in the Platform is delivering on our after the lockdown their painters or Karapitiya and to provide a high degree of reliability and ecosystems and commercial models commitment to empowering API- measures were assistants. operational flexibility of the MV network in the Southern criterion, as well as a 4.40 in the driven digital businesses.” Province is another objective of this project.

AIA group No. 1 MDRT company for sixth year running AIA Group Limited (stock code: 1299) one of the largest independent publicly listed pan- Asian life insurance groups, announced today that it had become one of the multinational company to have achieved the largest number of Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) members for insurance and financial services. Officer Upul Wijesinghe noted, “As six consecutive years. Its members are required to part of AIA Group, AIA Sri Lanka A total of 12,796 AIA agents and generate a certain level of too upholds the highest standards agency leaders were registered as premium, commission, and for Wealth Planners. Proud to note MDRT members as of 1 July 2020. income, and demonstrate that in Sri Lanka too, AIA had the MDRT is a global and professional knowledge, strict highest number of MDRT independent association that is ethical conduct and outstanding qualifiers for five consecutive years internationally recognised as the client service. AIA Sri Lanka’s which is testament to the high standard of excellence in life Deputy CEO and Chief Agency calibre of our team.” National Quality Awards 2019 Asiri Laboratories wins INSEE Cement signs 3-year Accolade Asiri Laboratories was once again Quality Award of the USA. Over 80 recognised for demonstrating leadership, countries globally employ this eminent corporate sponsorship with SLIM quality and service excellence among the quality framework to recognise private medical laboratories in the organisations with highest standards of INSEE Cement entered into a competency development and country with the prestigious National performance excellence. three-year corporate partnership upskilling through knowledge Quality Merit Award, organised by the Sri “Globally accepted advanced diagnostic with the Sri Lanka Institute of sharing and expertise. Through Lanka Standards Institution. tools and state-of-the-art technology is Marketing (SLIM), to become the this partnership we hope to Asiri Laboratories received this coveted used to conduct all our tests. Our team official corporate sponsor of SLIM’s collaborate with SLIM in award under the ‘Healthcare sector-Large consisting of highly experienced industry annual hosted events. encouraging industry leaders to category’ and notably this is the first time experts ensures all lab equipment is Having worked together in the share the knowledge and expertise any private medical laboratory in Sri maintained and provides the highest past, INSEE Cement will work with they have accumulated over the Lanka was recognised for high quality quality standard results. This award also SLIM in corporate training years and be recognised for their standards and honoured for such on a showcases their strengths and programmes and event valued services at events such as national platform at this level. commitment,” Group Chief Executive sponsorship. Brand Excellence Awards, People’s The Sri Lanka National Quality Awards Officer, Dr. Manjula Karunarathne said. “INSEE Cement has been at the Awards, Digi awards and National is an annual programme that recognises This year’s accolade reinforces the forefront of driving transformation Sales Congress (NASCO) Awards,” The sponsorship was formalised on 29 Sri Lankan organisations for organisation’s impeccable track record. July 2020 between President SLIM across the construction industry in stated INSEE Cement Executive Roshan Fernando and INSEE Cement performance excellence. Winners are “Our goal is to aim for the pinnacle of the Sri Lanka by empowering key Vice President Sales, Marketing Executive Vice President, Sales, evaluated on criteria, based on the world National Quality Award in 2020,” N.P. stakeholder groups and supporting and Innovation Jan Kunigk. Marketing and Innovation Jan Kunigk renowned Malcolm Baldrige National John, Group Laboratory Director, stated. tourism friday 14 august 2020 ceylon ft b13 Developing human resources for Post COVID Tourism

By Anjali Caldera facilities to manufacture and export herbal cosmetic The world has to survive with products. COVID-19; as we see no end to vi. Upgrade institute of the pandemic in the near medicine to a level of future. 40 per cent of the world Ayurveda University. is now open for traveling with vii. Steps taken to update all the safety precautions Ayurveda Pharmacopeia. applied. Capitalising on the viii. Develop a mechanism to opportunities of the pandemic There are nearly cater tourists for Ayurveda, is what we can plan now to see 1.4 billion Siddha, Homeopathy and a better future with COVID- 19. other traditional treatment Though Sri Lanka is still not travellers in the methods. opened for foreign travelers, all “Besides, there is potentiality day-to-day activities in the world, but Sri to promote medical tourism country have started with the Lanka still attracts with elderly care. This would be new-normal; the country even a major foreign income held the long awaited General 2.5 million generation as these types of Elections last week. Domestic tourists; there is a tourism need longer stays. tourism seems to be booming According to World Health as a step towards washing away huge market out Organization, in 2050 it is the lockdown mentality, estimated 1/6 of the world discounted hotel rates and there and Sri population will be over 85 years restrictions of overseas travel. Lanka has so of age. So we have a market, According to the Annual and the major drivers for this Statistical Report of 2019 much potential to segment are the cost and issued by the Sri Lanka attract more accessibility,” Dr. Tourism Development Kodithuwakku stated. Authority (SLTDA), 1,441,462 travellers, if we She also pointed out five Sri Lankans travelled overseas aspects to consider if Sri Lanka during the year 2019. So, really focus and is promoting medical or considering the overseas come up with a wellness tourism to this senior restrictions due to COVID-19, segment as in safety and domestic tourism has the proper campaign liability which focus on potential to make the industry maintaining proper survive for the next couple of communication, providing months or more. travels insurance policy, legal While sustaining the industry framework which provide them with domestic tourism and new laundries, etc. In 2019, the assurance and confidence business avenues, this period estimated total number for saying it’s safe to travel, is ideal for making plans for the indirect employment was secondly long distance travel future. As tourism is a people- 229,015. Therefore, the total risk whether the airline centric and a human resources number in employment, both services are available with care, driven service industry, why direct and indirect, in the assurance of good hospitals, not take this opportunity to get tourism sector in 2018 can be thirdly the aftercare services ready for tomorrow with well- estimated as 402,607. and side effects ( checking out trained staffers to serve the Thus, it is clear enough that on the customer even after customers? human resources play a major leaving the country, this would This piece of writing seeks to role in the industry. Human assists to create a positive highlight human resource resource teams in organisations image on the hospitality development for Sri Lanka should hold brainstorming services of Sri Lanka and may Tourism, along with experts’ sessions with their employees, support to create a repeat opinions from the Webinar held despite sending them home; customer base). The fourth by the Management and since their services will be point is the confidence that Science University Sri Lanka immeasurable once the things created how Sri Lanka handled titled ‘Outcome base on xi. Initiate a strategic 40,000+ registered hotels and guidance for the stakeholders get back to normal. Maybe the COVID-19; this proves the education for human resources marketing and advertising six million tourists arrival and a focused marketing organisations have to take country owns the required development of Post COVID Sri programme to promote target in 2025, the next strategy. decisions with pay cuts as the resources, infrastructure, and Lanka Tourism’. tourism. concern is, whether Sri Lanka Laying-off employees industry is not operating sufficient human skills. The ‘Vistas of Prosperity xii. Provide incentives to set up capable of carrying this totally, unless the fifth point is proper high quality tourist hotels capacity and utilising the is not a solution accommodation is booming communication and and Splendour – Sri and increase number of available resources. with local guests. understanding the languages Lanka Tourism’ hotel rooms currently “Well, to host that capacity Tourism industry is easily Dr. Perera suggested on they speak. available up to double. we really need human capital vulnerable to any external amalgamating services, hotels Focusing on new The incumbent President xiii. Initiate an enable developed, a focused plan, a attack. Whether it may be some and restaurants can Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s National environment for local vision and a theme. I believe armed conflict in the country, amalgamate with food delivery strategies Policy Framework points out performers to attract that everything has to be terrorist attack, natural services, road passenger the areas that Sri Lanka tourists. planned around the main disaster or political uncertainty, services etc. Most hotels are on “There are nearly 1.4 billion tourism should focus on to xiv. Revise labour laws theme. For example, tourism in tourism industry is first to be to food delivery services now, travellers in the world, but Sri develop human resources in governing tourist sector the Maldives is wrapped around affected. especially the hotels located in Lanka still attracts 2.5 million the industry. Thus, it is aimed workers. the beaches; they don’t have “Laying-off employees is not Colombo and its suburbs. tourists; there is a huge market to develop the industry as an xv. Develop household related any other resources. But Sri the solution for these Besides, focusing on training out there and Sri Lanka has so environmental and domestic and community-based Lanka has more potential than outbreaks,” emphasised and development for human much potential to attract more culture friendly industry with tourism. the Maldives as many resources University of Sri resources attached to the travellers, if we really focus and extensive people’s participation. xvi.Register, train and certify all of the island are wrapped Jayewardenepura Senior industry is a timely action to come up with a proper It is aimed to attract six tourist guides and drivers to around culture. So ‘our culture’ Lecturer Dr. Piumi Perera. prepare the industry ready for campaign,” stated Dr. million tourists to the country prevent unnecessary has to be the main theme to The total number of tourism the next stage. Kodithuwakku. by 2025.Though we are quite harassment of tourists. market tourism,” added Dr. establishments covered in the Developing human When it comes to our top uncertain of the figure to be Ensure security and Samaraweera 2019 survey (conducted by three source markets last year, attracted in another five-years’ protection for the tourists. Thus, being under the theme SLTDA) was 4,341. The total resources for medical China is controlling the time; it’s high time to plan to xvii. Establish tourist police ‘culture’, I believe Sri Lanka number of employees in these situation, they will pick reach this target with the service near tourist centres. could focus on almost every establishments amounted to tourism travelling soon, and United opportunity at present which is According to University of aspect of the attraction in the 173,592 as compared to “We all know local traditional Kingdom seems to be agreeable less businesses or no Colombo, Founding country, if there isn’t a market 169,003 in 2018. medicine played a vital role in too. We are yet to find how businesses to manage. Coordinator of MSc in Tourism for a particular aspect of our Further, based on the SLTDA controlling the spread of India will jump up to travel. The National Policy Economics and Hotel culture, we have to create that Annual Statistical Report 2019, COVID-19. Our hospitals, Among these, as per Prof. Silva Framework presents the Management Prof. Suranga market and I believe we have of the total tourism-based quarantine centres provided our biggest challenge is how we activities to consider in this Silva, Sri Lanka is good at the sufficient competency and direct employment in 2019, 81 coriander and ginger to our can sustain the tourism regard. effective policy making and the resources for it. Through per cent were employed in patients affected with COVID, development, spending in Sri i. Identify new attractions for designing, our problem is with that, develop regional tourism, hotels and restaurants. Travel even every house in the country Lanka, value additions, fair foreign tourists. the implementation process. regional infrastructure which agents and tour operators no doubt used these remedies distribution for tourism ii. Facilitate to hold business Besides, the National Policy will again be beneficial to local accounted for seven per cent of during the lock down.” stated income. conferences, festivals, Framework, Vistas of Prosperity communities. It will also open the total, five per cent from Institute of Carreer As per Dr. Samaraweera this exhibitions and seminars to and Splendour, we also had the job market for local youth. airlines, three per cent from Management and Corporate is the planning stage; having attract tourists. 2011 – 2016 Development “The largest contribution tour guides, two per cent from Trainer Co-founder Dr. separate plans for different iii. Provide investment and Policy Framework of the towards the country’s GDP is the state sector, one per cent Maneesha Kodithuwakku. segments is more practical to other facilities to the private Government of Sri Lanka 2011- from the Western Province; from tourist shops, the The National Policy overcome these challenges. He sector to develop tourism. 2016, then the Tourism through tourism, each Province agencies providing recreational Framework also highlights the also suggested of conducting iv. Introduce more efficient Strategic Plan (TSP) 2017-2020 in the island will be able to facilities contributes one per development of Indigenous and virtual tourism which will be a immigration and emigration identified the failures in the contribute to its GDP similarly. cent and the national tourist Ayurveda System through new concept for the new process. implementation process which Every Province has to attract organisation contributes 0.5 giving proper recognition for millennium. v. Modernise internal airports. have occurred due to tourists for its rich cultural per cent. human resources. Think of new avenues, apart vi. Set up tourist service coordination, resources, diversity; capitalise on the A classification of the total i. Establish a National from wellness or medical centres at the road market failures etc. in the diversity of the culture in each number in employment by Indigenous Medical Council tourism, when it comes to junctions connecting main industry. Province.” broad occupational categories and Sri Lanka Medical sports tourism, what Sri Lanka tourist cities. Hence capitalising on this Northern Province is a shows that 14.8 per cent Ayurveda Council. promotes is only water sports vii. Streamline the processes of opportunity at present to cultural hot-spot, with its belonged to managerial, ii. Develop a system to register and hiking, there are number of approval of tourist facilities develop a proper marketing Dravidian culture. North- scientific and professional traditional healers (Weda traditional sports in the while setting up regional strategy with the said strategic central has unique identity with grades, 51.5 per cent to mahathmayas) as country, such as Elle, offices. plans, redesign and rethink of a their culture, developed on technical, clerical, allied and indigenous doctors. Angampora and folk games viii.Establish tourism training strategy with new normal agriculture, Dambulla- supervisory grades and 33.7 iii. Provide necessary facilities played during the Sinhala and schools in main tourism considerations and implement has a culture developed on per cent to manual and to improve Ayurveda Tamil New Year, we can easily cities and also introduce it at the earliest is the most Chena cultivation, Central operative grades. Among these hospitals to a standard create the market for these, attractive skill development needed of the hour. Province has a culture the most affected party is level, provide preventive what we lack is the proper courses. developed on tea tourism, clerical. care facilities and to provide marketing campaign and ix. Introduce e-based facilities Managing the Southern Province has a In order to access the total facilities to Ayurveda strategy. for reservation of hotels, carrying capacity and culture developed on fishing, employment in the tourism physicians. The requirement of human transport, guides, domestic Western Province has a mixed industry, both direct and iv. Encourage research on resources for these activities is air tickets and admission utilising of resources culture of all religions; western indirect, it is necessary to indigenous drugs and immense; thus capitalising on card (Single booking As per the Institute of and eastern practices, thus estimate the volume of indirect treatment facilities and the opportunities to develop software system and National Education Director, utilising these inherited employment that tourist establish mechanism to human resources through Electronic gate systems). Dr. Darshana Samaraweera, resources for sustainable spending can generate in register the same. training and development, x. Increase the numbers of with 81 per cent tourists tourism development is ancillary industries such as the v. Provide facilities to cultivate planning and implementation workers up to million in the visiting Sri Lanka for leisure; something really doable. What handicraft trade, gems and all medicinal plants, herbal of proper marketing strategies tourism industry. 15,000 apartments coming up, is required is the proper jewellery shops, liquor shops gardens and provide are facts to be concerned. B14 Ceylon FT friday 14 august 2020 Advertorial DFCC Bank enhances website People’s Bank introduces DFCC Bank has strengthened and comfort of their own home or office. reaffirmed its online presence to the Voicing his thoughts on the launch of satisfaction of its customers and other this website, the Vice President of Digital stakeholders. Strategy for DFCC Bank, Dinesh laptop loan for teachers Reiterating its purpose of being a Bank Jebamani stated, “Growth and for everyone, the new website has been progression into the digital era remains As a result of the introduced a special loan pirivenas and technical This loan scheme that upgraded with a trilingual feature, at the heart of the functionality of DFCC current global COVID-19 scheme for teachers to colleges, Government- has been introduced by enabling users to browse through the Bank. As a Bank, we have always made pandemic, Sri Lanka’s purchase Laptops/ approved private schools, People’s Bank to boost page in Sinhala, Tamil, or English via it our mission to be a benchmark among education sector cannot Tablets/PCs so that they as well as Buddhist monks the education sector can any device as the website has been other financial institutions by progress by relying only are able to carry out involved in teaching. be obtained through its optimised to facilitate the best user introducing new propositions to our on traditional teaching Online Education in an Loans of up to Rs 120,000 islandwide branch experience. customers. I am confident that the methods. In order to efficient manner. can be obtained at a network. Further Additionally, the website also revamped features of our website will overcome this challenge Those eligible for this minimum interest rate of information can be showcases numerous online applications attract and engage even more customers and with the aim of loan scheme include 9.5% per annum for a obtained from the and product inquiry forms allowing for to bank with us which will in turn uplifting the education permanent teachers in maximum repayment nearest People’s Bank users to onboard themselves and become further drive our goal of being the ‘Bank sector, People’s Bank has Government schools, period of 3 years. branch. a valued customer of DFCC Bank in the for Everyone’.”

‘Seylan Fridays’ offer House of Fashions takes offering online Appoints ComBank as IPG service provider discounts at Daraz.lk House of Fashions has taken its offering online and has Seylan Bank recently partnered with customer convenience, by providing appointed the Commercial Bank Daraz.lk for a promotion with ‘Seylan Credit Cardholders the opportunity to get of Ceylon as its Internet Payment Fridays’ offering site-wide discounts to all all their requirements delivered straight to Gateway (IPG) service provider to their Credit Cardholders. their doorstep. facilitate this development. As people turn to e-commerce platforms Seylan Credit Cards provides those The service will cover the to carry out their shopping requirements, looking to obtain the best deals with authorisation of credit and debit online shopping continues to evolve maximum value and maximum savings on cards, and processing of direct consumer buying trends. Seylan Credit essentials across a range of categories. By payments through Visa, Cardholders can now enjoy discounts on partnering with Daraz, Seylan Bank Mastercard and UnionPay the Daraz website every Friday until the strives to provide its customers an branded cards. end of December 2020. Through this invaluable online shopping experience of The online payment processing initiative, Seylan hopes to further enhance the highest quality. will be facilitated by Commercial Bank through Mastercard Payment Gateway Services (MPGS), which is fully compliant with Payment Card Industry Amãna Bank unveils ‘Self Banking Zone’ Data Security Standard (PCI- DSS) requirements. Amana Bank recently commissioned a Digital Self Banking Zone is part of our Commercial Bank’s IPG digitally enhanced ‘Self Banking Zone’ at approach to enhance the customer’s solution claims to provide access the Bank’s Dehiwala branch, with the aim banking experience with greater to a comprehensive set of fraud of providing a convenient self-banking convenience and accessibility in line with mitigation tools, supporting both experience to its customers. our people friendly banking model. We ‘Mastercard Secure Code’ and The ‘Self Banking Zone’ facilitates hope to further expand this service in the ‘Verified by Visa’ 3D secure customers to seamlessly engage in day to near future.” authentication solutions, while In the spirit of empowering entrepreneurs the opportunity to day banking transactions such as Cash Sharing his thoughts the Bank’s Head of having the fully automated local businesses to reap the create their own online store Withdrawals, Cash Deposits and Bill Digital Banking Sanjeewa Fonseka said process to handle ComBank benefits of e-commerce, without spending large sums on Payments while also facilitating many other “We believe that the digitally enhanced Self Easy Payment Plans (EPP), Commercial Bank of Ceylon web development and designing. transactions digitally through the newly Banking Zone will support our customers enabling card-on-file recently launched ‘ComBank They can also sell products, established Self Service Kiosk. to carry out most of the over-the-counter transactions through Simple Pay’ – a platform that accept electronic payments and Commenting on the launch, the Bank’s services at a time of their comfort without tokenisation, keeping the enables SME entrepreneurs to significantly enhance their Chief Information Officer Rajitha requiring to visit the branch during purchasers’ sensitive card details digitise their businesses. The business opportunities with Dissanayake said, “The introduction of the banking hours.” away from the relevant systems. platform provides local ‘ComBank Simple Pay.’ Sports friday 14 august 2020 A15

U-19 Division One (Two Day) Tournament MCA ‘E’ Division 25–Over League Tournament Trinitian Abhishek, Matches back on track this a budding all-rounder weekend Abhishek Anandakumara has against St. Anthony’s College Kandy. Profile The 18th DPGC Challenge Trophy – MCA performed well as an all-roUnder He led the Kandy District Green Player : Abhishek Anandakumara ‘E’ Division 25–Over League Tournament this season in the ‘Singer Trophy’ Under-19 team in the inter district 2020 - will get back on track this week-end Under-19 Division One Inter Schools tournament 2019. He represented School : Trinity (15 & 16 August). Cricket (Two day) tournament Team Kandy in the Under-19 Super D.O.B : 2002.01.25 The tournament which started with 24 conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Provincial Tournament in 2019. Batting : RHB teams divided into four groups on Cricket Association. He was made the deputy skipper Bowling : RAOS 22 February was stopped in its tracks due to Abhishek took to cricket at the age during the 2019/2020 season. The Matches : 15 the ongoing pandemic on 14 March after of 7 years, and started his school right hander scored 634 runs with a completing 42 half day matches out of a total Innings : 22 cricket career at Under-13 level in century and four half centuries in of 75 matches. 2012. His major achievement at this 15 matches (Ave. 28.82), and Not Outs : 1 The tournament resumes minus five teams, level was in 2015 when he was captured 71 wickets with six five- Runs : 634 as Ceylon Tobacco (Group ‘A’), Brandix selected for the Sri Lanka pool. wicket hauls and two ten wicket Ave : 28.82 Essentials ‘B’, MAS Active and Trelleborg In 2016, he led the Under-15 match bags with his right arm off Highest Score : 110 St. Servatius College Matara Lanka (Group ‘C’) and Prym Intimates (Group team, scoring 616 runs and claiming spin. He captured a rare hat-trick ‘D’) have withdrawn from the tournament. 100’s : 1 34 wickets. He also represented the against Zahira College Colombo. His At the time the tournament was halted, 4 (St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa 83, Kandy District and Central Province best bowling figures in an inning 50’s : unbeaten Virtusa headed Group ‘A’, 3DH team Under-15 teams in the Prima (8/14) and match bag (14/93) was Zahira Colombo 78, Colombo International Group ‘B’, unbeaten Ceylinco Champions Trophy tournament. against College 60, St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa 92) General Insurance Group ‘C’ and unbeaten Trinity entered the pre-quarter- Colombo. Trinity recorded six Akbar Bros. Group ‘D’. Wickets : 71 finals of the tournament. He was outright wins in that season. Trinity Match Programme: deputy skipper of the Sri Lanka has entered the quarter final of the Runs : 982 15 August (Saturday)/6 matches: Schools Under-15 team that toured tournament but due to the Average : 13.83 MCA/morning: Arpico Vs. Eagle Logistics Malaysia in 2017. He scored over prevailing health concerns SLSCA BBI : 8/54 vs Lumbini Colombo MCA/afternoon: Std. Chartered Vs. 350 runs for Kandy District and over decided to postpone matches until BBM : 14/93 vs Lumbini Allianz Insurance 300 runs for Central Province in the further notice. 5W’s : 6 (Lumbini 6/39 & 8/54, Zahira 5/34 & DSS/morning: Amana Bank Vs. Virtusa two years he played and took 15 He won College Colours in 2018 DSS/afternoon: UB Finance Vs. Lion wickets. He scored an unbeaten 177 and the most prestigious Trinity 5/30, Nalanda Colombo 5/34, S. Brewery runs in the Under-15 district match Lion for Cricket in 2019 - one of the Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia 6/79) Mattegoda/morning: Akbar Bros Vs. against Kandy District Lower in rare schoolboys to win a Lion with 10W’s : 2 (Lumbini 10/93, Zahira 10/64) Fairfirst Insurance 2017. two years of his school cricket career Best all-round performance : 78 runs, 5/34 & 5/30 against Zahira Mattegoda/afternoon: HSBC ‘A’ Vs. He captained the Under-17 team still left. Softlogic Finance. in 2018 and 2019. He scored over He was selected as the Best All- Fared this Season Batting Bowling 16 August (Sunday)/5 matches 200 runs and claimed 13 wickets in round Student of the college in 2011 St. Servatius Matara 110 1/29 & 2/34 MCA/morning: Commercial Leasing Vs. 2018, and over 300 runs and 20 (Junior School) and 2015 (Middle St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa 83 1/06 & 3/24 Fairfirst Insurance wickets in 2019. The team advanced School). This is a rare achievement Richmond Galle 13 & 04* 2/04 & 0/08 MCA/afternoon: Akbar Bros Vs. HSBC ‘A’ to the quarter-finals in 2019. for any Trinitian. At present, he is DSS/morning: Stafford Motors Vs. 3DH St. Thomas Matara 18 & 08 2/36 & 1/29 He made his debut in the 1st XI the Senior Prefect of the College. International team in the 2016/17 season at the He extends his gratitude to Lumbini Colombo 06 6/39 & 8/54 DSS/afternoon: Eagle Logistics Vs. age of 14. He passed 600 runs in the everyone who helped him during his Zahira Colombo 78 5/34 & 5/30 Emerchemie NB season of 2017/18. He made a career. He said “Coaches at all St. Joseph’s Colombo 05 1/41 & 0/66 Mattegoda/morning: Virtusa Vs. LOLC maiden ton against Nalanda College levels, Principals and the Trinity Nalanda Colombo 60 3/25 & 5/34 The league stage of the tournament will be Colombo at 15 years. Trinity was College Cricket Foundation played a Wesley Colombo 03 & 22 4/47 concluded on completion of the above 11 All-Island Schools Runner- Up that major role in my upbringing and to St. Sebastian’s Moratuwa 92 3/19 & 3/43 matches. season. be able to perform very regularly The second stage of the tournament with He represented Kandy District and Under all age groups as an all- Ananda Colombo 25 & 18 0/11 & 4/66 the top 16 teams (pre QF, QF, SF & Final) will Central Province Under-19 teams in roUnder, and also to be able to do Mahanama Colombo 29 2/56 & 0/39 be on ‘Knock-out’ basis. Matches will 2018 aged 16. He scored over 850 very well not only in all aspects of S. Thomas’ Mt. Lavinia 04 & 05 6/79 commence on 22 August and conclude with runs with two centuries and picked cricket including fielding, fitness De Mazenod Kandana 00 & 46 3/46 the final on 12 September. up 40 wickets in 2018/19. He was and captaincy, but also as a leader Royal Colombo 00 & 00 1/83 (IR) adjudicated best bowler and man of and a student known to be good in the match in the one day encounter studies.” (IR)

Substitute Mbappe makes the difference

With Paris St Germain once again - and how right he was. tiring fast, were pushed back into a flirting with Champions League Brazilian Neymar had caused desperate rearguard action. failure, Kylian Mbappe shrugged plenty of problems for Atalanta’s After Brazilian defender aside an ankle injury to come off the defence, but his normally sharp Marquinhos had put PSG level in the bench and turn the tide as they finishing was missing as he struggled final minute of normal time, Mbappe stunned Atalanta 2-1 to reach the to find the spark that might bring took it upon himself to avoid extra semi-finals for only the second time. Atalanta’s fairytale first run in the time as he served up a superb pass Mbappe picked up the knock in competition to an end. for substitute Eric Choupo-Moting to July as PSG beat St Etienne in the PSG needed something more and it slot home the winner in stoppage French Cup final, a trophy they would came on the hour when Mbappe took time. gladly trade for a first Champions the place of midfielder Pablo Sarabia. With Gian Piero Gasperini’s League triumph, and all eyes have No sooner had the 21-year-old Atalanta fading side barely managing been on the French World Cup winner striker stripped off his track suit and a shot on target after the introduction ever since. entered the fray than he immediately of livewire Mbappe, the Italian coach On Tuesday this week there was provided the kind of attacking threat was blunt in his assessment. good news as Mbappe trained with that the Parisians had been lacking. “The introduction of Mbappe was the team and coach Thomas Tuchel Mbappe may not have been fully fit, decisive,” he said. “There was not long said he would play a part. but all the elements that make him to go and it seemed we had done it, “We are really pleased to have the one of the world’s top players was but when you play against some of possibility of finishing the match with quickly evident - dribbling with the the strongest in the world at a Kylian on the pitch because that gives ball at his feet, while his pace and technical and athletic level then it Neymar someone who likes playing movement opened up space for becomes tough”. Paris St Germain’s Neymar and Kylian Mbappe celebrate after the match alongside him,” Tuchel told reporters Neymar to attack as Atalanta, by now (Reuters)

SLC Major League Tier ‘A’ Cricket tournament Action from the Super-8 round

Angelo Mathews (Colts) Upul Tharanga (NCC) celebrates Dinesh Chandimal Thulina Dilshan (Army CC) Shanthush Gunathilake (Colts CC) Kamindu Mendis (Chilaw celebrates his century his century (Army CC) after scoring acknowledges his team- after his brilliant cameo Marians CC) bowls a brilliant 129 mates after his century Pix by: Kelum Chamara A16 friday 14 august 2020 Sports

Vantage FFSL President’s Cup 2020 New Youngs knock-out Renown with thrilling 3-2 win Java Lane tops Group ‘A’ with comfortable

Action from the match between New Youngs Vs Renown win over Blue Star

By Mustaq Sydeen just outside the edge of the box from the goal. Just before the and gave away a free-kick. Making final whistle Renown added New Youngs FC knocked out maximum use of the opportunity, another goal when a loose ball fell Renown SC from the Vantage New Youngs opened the scoring straight at the feet of FFSL President’s Cup following a with a stunner, when Tharindu M. Nidarshan, who placed the ball thrilling 3-2 win, while Java Lane Danushka curled the free-kick brilliantly into the back of the net, SC overcame Blue Star SC 3-0 to over the defensive wall into the top but they were too late to make a top Group ‘A’ with 4 points at corner to break the deadlock. comeback and New Youngs Race Course International Just before half time Renown registered a thrilling win. Stadium yesterday. finally found their rhythm and Meanwhile, New Star SC were The victory means New Youngs bounced back with the equaliser held to a goalless draw by Matara top Group ‘B’ with 4 points, while through Jude Suban, when he City Club in another Group ‘B’ Renown SC became the first team placed a free kick under the fixture played at Sugathadasa to be knocked out from the defensive wall to end the first half Stadium. competition following two defeats, 1-1. Following the draw New Star earlier against New Star and now After dominating the first half, sits second in the group with four at the hands of New Youngs. New Youngs struck in the first points, while Matara City is third As expected, New Youngs minute after the break, when a with two points. dominated proceedings right from brilliant cross from their winger the beginning, while the Renown found Hiruna Senanayake, who Java Lane tops Group lads concentrated more on calmly headed the ball into the ‘A’ with win over Blue crowding the defensive zone to bottom corner to put his team in stop any early damage. the lead. Star New Youngs came close to Things went from bad to worse Java Lane SC shocked Blue scoring for the first time in the for Renown after Madushanka Star SC 3-0 to top group ‘A’ with early stages of the match, when Karunaratne scored in the 51st 4 points. M. Najabdeen got the their striker missed a sitter after minute to double their lead with a early break through for Java Lane receiving a brilliant pass from just volley to the left bottom corner. SC in the 13th minute when a outside the penalty box. His shot Renown’s star player Jude cross found the youngster who at goal went straight into the Suban could have got his name easily headed the ball to the back hands of the Renown custodian. on the score sheet once again of the net. In the second half In the 19th minute, Renown’s when he attempted a left-footed Malaka Perera and Naveen Jude Ruban Raj invited danger when shot from the edge of the penalty added two more goals to register a he fouled the New Youngs striker box, which veered inches away comfortable victory. Java Lane’s V. Sandaruwan clears the ball

Second Test 2021 T20 World Cup Pakistan look to profit Sri Lanka, UAE among back-up venues from wasteful England Sri Lanka and the UAE are these events, which included among the back-up venues for postponing the Women's World the 2021 men's T20 World Cup, Cup to 2022 as well, as well as should the Covid-19 pandemic because Cricket Australia had make India an untenable host. initially been keen on hosting The ICC confirmed last week the event in 2021. But, that India will host next year's ESPNcricinfo understands, a tournament as scheduled in the recent albeit localised outbreak original Future Tours of Covid-19 within Australia Programme, while this year's has played a part in CA agreeing postponed edition in Australia to host it in 2022. goes ahead in 2022. There was also believed to Identifying potential back-up have been discussion about venues is standard practice for delaying the decision on venues every ICC event, but it takes on until as late as March 2021. extra significance this time That scenario, though, was because of the nature of the swiftly dismissed, given that it pandemic. India is currently the would have involved leaving third-worst-hit country in the major tournament world in terms of cases, undertakings in more or less according to most data studies, suspended animation in both with over 2 million cases so far Australia and India at and over 45,000 deaths. The considerable cost, in addition to current situation has forced the President Sourav Ganguly about because it does not want to host issues around biosecurity, BCCI to relocate the IPL to the the back-up venues, but is yet three big tournaments travel exemptions and the wide Abid Ali UAE, and only tentative plans to receive a response. The BCCI (including the 2023 IPL and the variation in what might be are in place for the domestic has remained steadfast about 2023 World Cup) back-to-back. expected for crowds and season. hosting the 2021 T20 World Much speculation has ticketing. Pakistan opener Abid Ali will the only wicket in the session, ESPNcricinfo contacted BCCI Cup instead of 2022 primarily surrounded the decision around (ESPN) hope to profit from the lives trapping first Test century- gifted to him by a sloppy maker Shan Masood leg before England side after steering the wicket for one. tourists to 85-2 when play was There was bounce, interrupted by rain on the movement off the seam and opening day of the second Test swing through the air for the Perez tests negative for Covid-19 at the Rose Bowl yesterday. bowlers, especially as the cloud Abid (49 not out) will resume cover rolled in and ended the with (7 not out) as session 10 minutes early due Will return for Spanish Grand Prix Pakistan look to build a big to light rain. first innings score after England selected left-arm Sergio Perez will return for euros (£360,000) for illegally winning the toss and electing seamer Sam Curran instead of Racing Point at this copying Mercedes' 2019 rear to bat in hot and muggy the rested Jofra Archer, while weekend's Spanish Grand brake ducts and using them conditions that have produced batsman Zak Crawley replaced Prix after testing negative for on their 2020 car. plenty of encouragement for Stokes. Covid-19. Racing Point say they are the home bowlers. The tourists made one The 30-year-old Mexican innocent, believing the England should have had change to their side, has missed the past two races process they followed more than one wicket, twice lengthening their batting at Silverstone after complied with the rules dropping Abid at second slip lineup with the inclusion of contracting Covid-19 last dictating that teams must with spills that should have Fawad Alam, 34, for spinning month. design certain performance- been easily grabbed. all-rounder Shadab Khan. Perez tested positive for the differentiating parts Dom Sibley was the first Alam’s selection sees him virus after travelling to themselves. Ferrari and culprit when he dropped a play his first Test for almost 11 Mexico, one of the world's Renault have also appealed simple chance off Stuart Broad years. Covid-19 hotspots, to visit against the verdict, seeking with the batsman on one, England won the first Test by his mother after she had an further clarity on the before Rory Burns did likewise three wickets last week, their accident. He was replaced by ramifications that arise from off Chris Woakes after Abid third victory in a row after German Nico Hulkenberg, it. McLaren and Williams had added another 20 runs. consecutive wins over West who now stands down. decided not to go through Both were fielding at second Indies. Racing Point said on Sergio Perez with their appeals, but slip due to the absence of Ben Brief scores at Tea: Thursday that Perez had expressed their satisfaction Stokes, who has withdrawn Pakistan: 85/2 (Abid Ali 49*, tested negative for Covid-19 was the first F1 driver to punishment in F1's ‘copying’ with governing body the FIA's from the rest of the series for Azhar Ali 20; James Anderson and governing body FIA contract Covid-19. Racing controversy. commitment to banning personal reasons. 2-24) confirmed he could return to Point have also confirmed The team were docked 15 so-called ‘copycat cars’. James Anderson picked up (Reuters) the Formula 1 paddock. He they will appeal against their points and fined 400,000 (Agencies)

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