highlights NATO Has Thursday 17 JUNE 2021 an Arms Latest Edition -Control Vol: 10/134 Price : Rs 30.00 Brain? In Sports Recommencement page A6 likely to be postponed Learning The recommencement of the inaugural ‘Super League’ (after from the international break) which was slated to resume on 2 June, Peru and is likely to be further postponed due to the travel restrictions... Mexico A16 page A7 650 bottles of liquor If public continue to flout guidelines surreptitiously released from SATHOSA Two More Probe on to find where the stock was transported to Official who delayed audit report to be transferred Stock of liquor released to Army legally Weeks of Travel According to informed sources, a issued to the SATHOSA Regional top official of SATHOSA had Manager of Anuradhapura to surreptitiously released a stock of submit an audit report through the 650 liquor bottles, despite ongoing SATHOSA head office regarding the travel restrictions. incident, it was yet to be received. The stock of 250 bottles of liquor Sources revealed that the Regional had been officially released to the Manager in question is to be sent on Restrictions Army Camp in Galnewa from the a punishment transfer over his SATHOSA branch in Anuradhapura actions. A new Manager will carry early this month. out a fresh audit inquiry in this These sources claimed that connection, sources added. though the initial stock of 250 liquor It is further reported that subject bottles had been released to the Minister Bandula Gunawardene had Army camp officially, 650 liquor informed the SATHOSA Chairman Likely bottles had been released to initiate a prompt inquiry into the surreptitiously and that a probe was incident and had alerted the Raids underway to get to the bottom of the Unit to commence an investigation incident. as the initial complaint had not Although an order has been been properly lodged. – Deputy DGHS

By Sanduni Gamarachchi spread of the third wave of the COVID- the virus has shown a drastic 19 pandemic, then there would be no reduction compared to the past few Deputy DG of Health Services Dr. alternative left for the health weeks but stressed that it was Shani Abeysekera Hemantha Herath says if the public authorities but to further extend the imperative that the masses follow the intentionally flout the ongoing travel restrictions for a further fortnight. health guidelines and stick to the further remanded restrictions, imposed to curb the He said the rate of new infections to travel restrictions 24/7. By Tony K. of Appeal. Athukorala – The trio was remanded Minuwangoda over the alleged Two-day free port demurrage fabrication of evidence in Former Director of the a case filed against Criminal Investigation ex-DIG Vaas Colombo terminals Department (CID) SSP Gunawardene and several Shani Abeysekara, along others. with former Sub However, the Court of reject Finance Inspector of the CID Appeal yesterday ordered Sugath Mendis and SI both suspects Abeysekara Navaratne Premathileka and Mendis to be released Ministry’s decision were ordered to be on bail but, they were By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan further remanded, till 30 ordered to be remanded Online liquor June, by Gampaha as the written bail order, Freight companies claim that all terminal operators at Chief Magistrate issued by the Court of Colombo Port have rejected the Finance Ministry’s approval to Manjula Karunaratne yesterday Appeal, had still not been received grant two additional days with free port demurrage. despite Abeysekara and Mendis by the Gampaha Chief Magistrate’s They demanded that all terminal operators should adhere to sale approved being enlarged on bail by the Court Court. the Finance Ministry notice dated 12 May 2021, which grants much needed relief with immediate effect to reduce at least 10 NOCPCO consent pending Story Continued on page 2 to 15 per cent from the cost of living and ease for taxpayers. Managing Director Trico International Gamini Kannangara By Faadhila Thassim in his letter to Minister of Ports and Shipping Rohitha Abeygunawardena, said they regret that terminal operators The Ministry of Finance yesterday (16) approved a SJB to bring No-Faith Motion refused to agree, oblige orders, request’s made by the Finance proposal made by the Excise Department to permit Ministry. supermarkets to sell liquor online. against Gammanpila “The Government of Sri Lanka has made a request in order However, Deputy Commissioner of Excise, Kapila to ease the economic hardship the public is facing presently Kumarasinghe stated that online sale of liquor will By Nabiya Vaffoor motion will be presented in due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. How can these only be permitted following the approval of the Parliament at the earliest possible terminals reject such a plea? All importers are under pressure National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID- The main opposition Samagi Jana date. due to the slow movement of goods, resulting in delays in 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). Balawegaya (SJB) is planning to SJB MP Ashok Abeysinghe clearing of imports due to lower inefficiencies all around. If He added that while the proposal has been sent to move a no-confidence motion in expressed that they expect to reserve such delays will incur additional costs, it will finally end up on NOCPCO for necessary approval, the public will be Parliament against Energy Minister a date for the debate once consumer’s shoulders with an increase in COL,” he added. informed when online liquor purchases will be Udaya Gammanpila. Parliament commences on 22 June. He further added that the port terminal operators have permitted on a conditional basis. It is also mentioned that He said the motion will hold the totally forgotten or have failed to admit that for centuries the The proposal to allow supermarket’s to sell liquor negotiations are expected to take Energy Minister accountable for the Port has been built and expanded by public funds and not by online was submitted to the Ministry of Finance on place to obtain the support of Sri fuel price hike. terminal operators’ own funds. Tuesday (15). Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Maddumabandara said that the Kumarasinghe said several malpractices and illegal MPs who have objected to the fuel support of the Tamil National Story Continued on page 2 sale of liquor had been reported following the price increase. Alliance and the Janatha Vimukthi Department’s decision to close liquor stores, SJB General Secretary Ranjith Peramuna will also be sought for the prompting several institutions requesting permission Maddumabandara confirmed the motion. for liquor to be sold online.

‘A child’s letter’ To fill sole National List seat Gammanpilla shows UNP submits confidence against No-Confidence Motion Ranil’s name to EC Ranil’s Parliament By Thameenah Razeek By Faadhila Thassim was arrived at unanimously at Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila, claiming the UNP Working Committee re-entry that the Opposition’s no-confidence motion is a child’s The United National Party meeting on 31 May. While the letter, said the motion has many flaws which he will (UNP) submitted the name of its UNP secured one Parliamentary expose soon and that the substance does not leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to National List seat during the highly criticised correspond. the Election Commission General Election 2020, the seat When asked if a no-confidence motion had been yesterday (16) as the party’s remained vacant until a decision Crisis in the Opposition exposed – Vasu handed over to him, the Minister stated that he had National List Parliamentarian in was made on who should occupy received a copy from an MP who signed it. the ninth Parliament. it. Ultimate ignominy heaped on UNP In a context where the Opposition Leader has made UNP General Secretary, Palitha Chairman of UNP, Vajira supporters – Ashok a written statement saying that it is the Government, Range Bandara stated that Abeywadena stated that even not Gammanpila, who should resign, he said a group Wickremesinghe will be sworn in representatives of other parties Unethical act – Amaraweera of Opposition MPs bringing a no-confidence motion as an MP on 23 June. are of the opinion that against him means that one of the Opposition’s The decision to nominate Wickremesinghe should occupy He is of no use – JVP factions has no faith in the statement made by the Wickremesinghe as the UNP the UNP’s sole Parliamentary By Krishan Jayasuriya Leader of the Opposition. National List Parliamentarian seat. Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 thursday 17 june 2021 news Central Bank Told to Prof. Munasinghe Help Public Repay Loans awarded 2021

Prime Minister Mahinda difficulties faced due to statements during a meeting would enable borrowers to Blue Planet Prize Rajapaksa in his capacity as COVID-19. held with Central Bank repay both instalments and the Minister of Finance Rajapaksa stated that officials at Temple Trees interest together. Sri Lankan instructed the Central Bank necessary and suitable yesterday (16) to discuss the Further attention was physicist and to adopt necessary steps to minimise difficulties current economic situation. drawn to adopting a more economist Prof. measures to provide suitable faced by the public in The discussions also humane approach when Mohan Munasinghe relief to the public to help repaying loans should be focused on the need to accepting residential has been selected as replay loans considering adopted. He made these formulate a scheme that property as collateral. a recipient for this year’s Blue Planet Prize, the top international award considered to be No-Faith Motion against equivalent to an One hundred cities “Environmental Gammanpila Nobel Prize.” This year marks to be developed the 30th awarding of An attempt to cover the Blue Planet Prize, By Sandeep standing disorganized sponsored by the Tissaaratchy development. To combat up SJB’s internal Asahi Glass such issues the UDA Foundation of Japan Developing 100 cities by introduced this programme and the Board of the Urban Development to properly beautify the cities crisis – Dilan Directors has Authority (UDA) on the and increase development. selected two inclusive green application sectors instructions of Prime The cluttered cities have By W.K. Prasad Manju awardees for 2021, growth (BIGG) and like energy, water, Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa the potential to be namely, Prof. Mohan millennium transport, ICT, and is currently underway. transformed into people- Government’s Deputy Chief Munasinghe from Sri consumption goals environmental UDA in a statement issued friendly cities with little Whip, SLPP MP Dilan Perera told Lanka and Prof. V. (MCGs). As Vice- resources, and finally yesterday (16) stated a 100 effort and systematic Ceylon Today the opposition is Ramanathan from Chair of the United to multidisciplinary cities that have not been planning. The desired planning a No Confidence Motion the USA, for having Nations topics like poverty, developed for a long period of objectives can be easily against Minister of Energy Udaya made significant Intergovernmental disasters, climate time will be selected for this achieved by identifying the Gammanpila to cover up the contributions to the Panel on Climate change, and purpose and Rs 2,000 work to be done by all declining trust in Samagi Jana resolution of global Change (IPCC), he sustainable million will be allocated for Government agencies that Balavegaya (SJB) Leader Sajith environmental shared the Nobel development. the project. provide infrastructure Premadasa and claimed that any problems. Peace Prize in 2007, This eclectic In addition, the UDA said facilities to respective cities trust remaining in the opposition Founder and becoming the first Sri experience helped me that approximately Rs 20 and implementing leader will further break down as Chairman of Lankan to do so. develop million will be allocated for programmes with the consequence. Munasinghe Institute “It is encouraging Sustainomics, as an each city. political leadership, trade Once UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is sworn in, for Development to learn that the integrative, According to President community and public a group of SJB are set to join him so some in the SJB (MIND), Prof. award committee has transdisciplinary Gotabaya Rajapaksa's support for the area. are trying to bring a No-Confidence Motion against Munasinghe specifically methodology. “Visions of Prosperity and The UDA implements Minister Udaya Gammanpila to hide this crisis, Perera pioneered innovative acknowledged Drawing on my past Splendour”, the social and integral development said. concepts like the several key concepts work and the global economic needs of the people programmes, which He further said that he personally objects to the integrative, I developed and their platform provided by are expected to be met by includes the removal of increase in fuel prices and will try to convince the transdisciplinary practical application the prestigious Blue reducing the imbalance unauthorised constructions Government to reduce the prices at least to some ‘Sustainomics’ worldwide, during Planet Prize, I will between the major and in the city cenrtes, repairing extent at this juncture. framework, almost five decades. continue my modest regional cities and providing of road ways and “Anyhow, if a proposal regarding a No-Confidence sustainable My research interests efforts to make our equal urban facilities to all. pavements, construction of Motion against Minister Udaya Gammanpila is development triangle have evolved, from planet more Many villages across the car parks and development presented to Parliament, the Government will very (environment, basic disciplines like sustainable for all,” country are in a state of of existing car parks among easily defeat it”, Perera said. He challenged the SJB to economy, and engineering, physics, Prof. Munasinghe disarray due to their long- many other projects. bring in not one but two No-Confidence Motions. society), balanced and economics, to said. (ER)

Continued from page 1 Gammanpilla shows ... Ranil’s Parliament re-entry... “As a result, I don’t see this as a are with him through such issues and that no-confidence move against me, but rather his fellow MPs, President and Prime By Krishan Jayasuriya Ranil Wickremesinghe’s entrance on the National a no-confidence move against the Leader of Minister are with him. List to Parliament. the Opposition,” he said. “So thank you very much, Kariyawasam, A cross section of MPs spoke to this newspaper The former MP added that the people must not When asked if he is afraid of a for making such a speech and for on the decision taken by the UNP to nominate its forget that it was Premier Rajapaksa who had visited no-confidence motion, he pointed out that demonstrating my strength and leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe, as its National List the UNP leader’s residence and invited him one was filed against him during his time as encouragement to the world, he said while MP to Parliament following the results of the last personally to re-enter Parliament. a Provincial Minister and that he was able taking part in the Ceylon Petroleum General Election. SJB MP Ashok Abeysinghe charged that the UNP to defeat it with the help of the ruling party Corporation’s handover of ICU beds to the Minister of Environment, Mahinda Amaraweera, leader who had vowed in the past not to allow any and the opposition. “I’ve dealt well with and Colombo East Base Hospital’s (Mulleriyawa said the decision of the former Premier to enter defeated candidate to enter the House, even on the defeated no-confidence motions in the past. Hospital) Intensive Care Unit yesterday Parliament was a renege on the pledge given to the National List has now gone back on his own policy. Through this motion of no confidence, the (16). country by Wickremesinghe, after the latter had He said Wickremesinghe’s action was the ultimate opposition’s political inexperience has been Gammanpila said that the country is publicly claimed that defeated MPs would not be ignominy heaped on scores of UNP supporters. exposed,” he elaborated. currently in a major crisis and that the allowed to enter the Legislature on the National The SJB MP added that the modus operandi of the Meanwhile, he was asked if it was pandemic has been Sri Lanka’s greatest List of the UNP. UNP leader is to further strengthen the political hold unethical for him to continue as Energy struggle since independence. He further said as the former Premier had lost of the Rajapaksa clan in the local political firmament Minister despite receiving a no-confidence “The Government alone will not be able to the last General Election by a sizeable number of and remarked that Wickremesinghe’s entrance to motion, to which he responded that his combat this pandemic, which kills people of votes, it was both unethical and an utter the Legislature had been facilitated by the present attacker put his courage and ability to the all races, religions, castes, and political embarrassment for supporters of the UNP, with Government through an underhand deal. test; pointing out that SLPP General parties. Regardless of disagreements, the the latter’s decision to enter Parliament on the Abeysinghe also alleged that Wickremesinghe who Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam’s statement entire country must unify against the party’s sole National List ticket. was not an MP anymore, has been provided with a showed him that the people of the country COVID-19 threat”. Amaraweera stated that what the UNP leader security convoy consisting of 130 personnel and ought to have done was to allow a newcomer on emphasised that UNP Chairman, Vajira the party’s ticket to be nominated to fill the Abeywardene and former Minister, Sagala National List vacancy, as the former PM had held Ratnayake too had been provided with similar several portfolios during his lengthy political security cover which further underscores the career. behind-the-scene deal struck between the UNP and Shani Abeysekera... The Minister also urged the UNP to delve deep the SLPP. into the pros and cons of the decision taken to Meanwhile, Minister of Water Supply, Vasudeva The Prisons Department had informed the his statement they had been prevented from nominate its leader to fill its solitary National List Nanayakkara said the decision taken by the UNP to Court that due to the spread of the third concluding the recording of the statement seat, as it could have serious consequences on its nominate its leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe to fill its wave of the COVID-19 pandemic the from the suspect concerned. foreseeable political future. sole National List MP vacancy in Parliament has suspects would not be produced in Court. Magistrate Karunaratne ordered the CCD Ex-JVP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said it would further underscored the serious crisis brewing in the Attorney Srinath Seneviratne, appearing to record a statement from the suspect over a not be of any consequence to the people, if the Opposition. for SI Premathileka, stated that an injustice three-day period during the next fortnight at UNP leader was in Parliament or not but observed However, he affirmed that the Government had been caused to his client, who has spent the Mahara Prison premises. that if Wickremesinghe enters the House, it would couldn’t care less whether Wickremesinghe enters 280 days in remand prison, after He also ordered the CCD to brief him on be easy for the latter to further consolidate his the House again or not, as it has far more pressing surrendering to the Police, but the CCD has the progress of recording the statement on 30 own shady deal with Prime Minister Mahinda issues to resolve on behalf of the masses. still not been able to conclude recording a June. Rajapaksa. The Minister added that the crisis situation in the statement from him. No details were revealed in Court with He also alleged that when there were far more Opposition was another example of the perils of the The CCD making submissions on behalf of regard to the third suspect in the case former burning issues of the masses to be resolved by the capitalist system and noted that it further the prosecution stated that as the suspect Inspector of Police of the CID Nishantha Government, in its bid to hoodwink them has underscores the importance of creating an was taking an unusually long time to provide Silva, who is said to be out of the country. given them a strip of ‘chewing gum’ in the form of alternative system.

Colombo terminals reject...

“Last addition was six to eight km Kannangara further explained on in Dubai allows 10 days free for all transshipments also enjoy 21 days Lankans by overcharging?” long breakwater which has helped compared tariff structures of local import containers. free time against 3/7 domestic Further, the terminals tend to the Port to expand its capacity. The import/exports vs transshipments: Out of transshipment containers, import/export containers, which is cover the cost of operation of result was the birth of CICT or West All Colombo’s container terminals the earning is only USD 41/62/75 X about a 700 per cent difference in domestic import/export containers Container Terminal 1 in 2014. If are charging/earning USD 2 times = USD 82/124/150 per the number of free days. and enjoying super profit on volume reduces and terminals dry 140/212/263 X 2 times = 20’/40’/45’, as THC (Tariff P 08 He said it is obvious that terminal transshipment containers, he out, can we expect these private 280/424/526 for every 20’/40’/45’ 23.01) while providing 21 days free operators are making huge profits added. operators to pay whatever the container import/export in/out of of rent. at the taxpayers’ expense but not on “The public is paying the prime borrowing that Government has Sri Lanka as THC (Terminal It’s evident that THC transshipments. “How can these price as always. The public never committed to developing the Port? Handling Charge’s Port tariff 2021) transshipments are far cheaper terminals boast about demanded the Government to All operators will disappear from the and enjoy 3/7 days free, on than domestic imports/exports THC transshipment volume and earnings borrow and develop transshipment backdoor if such a proposition is domestic import/export containers. and the difference is over 350 to 400 when charging such low rates and hubs, however, the public is called to made,” he noted. He also noted that the Jebel Ali Port per cent in comparison, while making a killing off fellow Sri pay in the event of a system failure”. news thursday 17 june 2021 A3 464 homicides in 2020, Narcotics, Top not one conviction

By Paneetha Ameresekere 2020, 338; convictions six, total disposed of 42, investigations still Police recorded 464 cases of continuing 222, and before Court 92. homicide last year, of which not a In related developments, Police in Crime in 2020 single conviction was reached by the 2019 recorded 479 homicide cases, of end of that year, 10 were disposed of, which two convictions were obtained By Paneetha Ameresekere 341 were still being investigated by that year, total disposed of 20, of trust in respect of over Rs of trust in respect of over Rs Police, while another 112 cases were investigations still continuing 299, and 300,000; 2,891; of which 300,000; 5,251; of which number before Court and the AG’s Department, before Court 160. 2019 also saw nine Illicit drugs were the single convictions 37, disposed of 580, of convictions obtained 54, Police grave crime data released on cases of human trafficking reported to largest crime in absolute terms investigating 1,771, and before disposed of 691, investigating Monday (14) showed. the Police, of which Police were unable seen last year, with 6,811 cases Court/AG’s Department 539. And 3,284, and before Court/AG’s Police statistics also showed that to make any convictions that year, recorded, crime data released by fifth highest: Robbery (2,148) of Department 1,259. there were 28 cases of human investigating eight, and before Court the Police on Monday (14) showed. which convictions obtained 55, Fourth highest: Property theft of trafficking recorded last year, of which one by the end of last year. Of this number, Police were disposed of 492, still investigating over Rs 25,000; 4,905; of which number too Police were unable to Year 2019 saw 663 abduction cases however able to get only 279 1,170, and before Court 480. convictions obtained in 388, secure any convictions by the end of reported, 11 convictions obtained that convictions; total number of cases Meanwhile, in total, Police disposed of 1,317, investigating that year, while 26 of those cases were year, 38 cases disposed of, before disposed of 293, still investigating recorded 31,098 cases of grave 2,127, and before Court/AG’s still being investigated, and the Court/AG’s Department 169, and by the Police 4,859, and before crimes in 2020. Of this number, Department 1,436, and the fifth balance two were before the AG’s investigations incomplete as at 2019, Court/AG’s Department 2,659. total convictions obtained was a highest grave crime recorded in Department/Court by end 2020. 455. Total number of kidnapping cases Next highest was housebreaking mere 810, total disposed of 4,375, 2019 was dealing in illicit drugs Meanwhile, there were 633 reported in 2019 was 212, of which (6,499). Of this number, Police total still being investigated by 4,340; of which convictions abduction cases reported in 2020, of two cases ended with convictions, a again were able to get only 176 Police 19,736, and before AG’s obtained 343, total disposed of which five convictions were obtained, total of 22 cases disposed of, convictions; total cases disposed Department/Court 6,915. 346, investigating 2,785, and total disposed of 27, before Court/AG’s incomplete investigations as at 2019, of (1,752), still investigating Meanwhile in 2019, the top before Court/AG’s Department Department 154, and investigations 133, and before Court/AG’s (3,431), and before Court (1,304). grave crimes recorded was 1,208. incomplete 446. Kidnappings reported Department 181. Third highest was property theft of housebreaking, with 8,143 cases Meanwhile in 2019, the total last year 166, total successful Extortion cases reported in 2019 over Rs 25,000 (4,073), of which reported. Of this number, number of grave crimes recorded convictions one only, disposed of six, were 106, convictions four, disposed of convictions obtained (194), total convictions were obtained in 396, by the Police was 34,578; of which investigations continuing 122, and 13, investigations to be completed 55, disposed of (901), still disposed of 2,516, investigating number of total convictions before Court/AG’s Department 30. and before Court 37. Arson cases investigating (2,064), and before 3,921, and before Court and AG’s obtained was 1,410, disposed of Extortion cases recorded last year reported in 2019, 510, convictions won Court (1,086). Department 1,690. Second 6,160, investigating 19,680, and 120, two convictions, total disposed of four, disposed of 64, investigations yet Fourth highest: Cheating, highest: Cheating, before AG’s Department/Court nine, still investigating 76, and before to be completed 351, and before Court misappropriating, criminal breach misappropriating, criminal breach 8,648. Court 35. Arson cases reported in 92. Police arrest nine in Milad-Un-Nabi celebrations narcotics operations

By Paneetha Ameresekere 45-year-old woman with five grams to be held in N’Eliya of heroin in her possession. Police seized a total of 68.27 Meanwhile, in Wellampitiya, By Naalir Jamaldeen line with the Milad-Un-Nabi Competitions for language, according to grams of heroin and 5.1 Police recovered 25.27 grams of celebrations and work will schoolchildren in line with Ashraff. kilogrammes of Kerala Cannabis in heroin which was in the possession The National Milad-Un- commence soon. Milad-Un-Nabi celebrations He said ten muezzins nine separate operations carried of a 37-year-old man, 4.1 grams Nabi celebrations 2021 will The Director went on to will be held online this year. (callers for prayer) and 10 out in various parts of Colombo on from a 46-year-old in Talangama, be held in Hapugastalawa in say that commemorative Similar to last year, a video Imams (those who conduct Tuesday. 4.7 grams from a 52-year-old also the Nuwara Eliya District postage stamps of Hatton documentary competition prayers) selected from Police also arrested nine suspects in the Talangama Police Division, and Prime Minister Mahinda Jummah Masjid will also be will also be held, he said. Nuwara Eliya District are to in this connection. another 4.7 grams of heroin from a Rajapaksa has taken this unveiled by the Philatelic Poem recitals, webinar be felicitated and given In one operation conducted in 33-year-old suspect in decision, Director of the Bureau of the Postal events, a tree-planting valuable gifts. Angulana, Police arrested a Athurugiriya, and 4.1 grams of Department of Muslim Department to mark the campaign, showing Many spiritual events 24-year-old woman with 10 grams heroin from a 26-year-old in Religious and Cultural birthday of Prophet compassion to animals by have been organised and all of heroin. In another operation also Mirihana. Affairs, A.B.M. Ashraff said Muhammad (PBUH), while feeding them, and events for health guidelines in Angulana, Police arrested a In the other operation conducted yesterday (16). launching a book which elders and orphans will be recommended by health 34-year-old woman with 10.4 in Mount Lavinia, Police recovered He said funds have been portrays the lifestyle, held through the mosques. officials to prevent the grams of heroin. In the third 5.1 kilogrammes of Kerala allocated by the Government history, and traditions of Arrangements have also spread of COVID-19 will be operation conducted in Angulana Cannabis from a 27-year-old man to renovate 28 mosques in Muslims in the Nuwara been made to release 10 followed, the Director on Tuesday, Police arrested a on Tuesday. the Nuwara Eliya District in Eliya District. Qasidas in Sinhala added.

Urban development in Trincomalee Imran alleges Muslim and Police investigate Tamil areas left out three murders By Naalir Jamaldeen to solve this issue and to give due Kuchchaveli, and Thambalagamuwa, By Paneetha identified the suspects wanted recognition to Muslim and Tamil but these areas have not been Ameresekere in this connection and are on Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP areas too. included in the proposed urban the lookout to arrest them. M. Imran claimed on 15 June that MP Imran said Kantale, Seruwila, development programme,” MP Imran Police are investigating one On another tip-off, Police Muslim and Tamil areas in the Padavi Sripura, and Pulmude in the said. murder and two suspected found the body of a 35-year-old Trincomalee District have been Kuchchaveli area in the Trincomalee Imran said he has stressed the murders that took place on who had died under suspicious neglected from the Government’s District have been included in the importance of including these areas Tuesday (15). circumstances in urban development programme. programme to develop 100 cities in the development programme. All three victims were males. Kahatagasdigiliya and the other MP Imran further stated that 100 across the country, being “As Sri Lanka is a multi-ethnic The murder took place in suspicious death was that of a cities across the country are to be implemented under the urban country, the policy of the President is Weeraketiya, Hambantota and 48-year-old man whose body developed and lamented that it development concept of President giving equal opportunities to all the two suspected murders in was found in Weli Oya also on a doesn’t include a single area where Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and added that when implementing development Kahatagasdigiliya, tip-off. Police are investigating Muslim and Tamil communities are he was contented with it. projects or providing relief Anuradhapura and Weli Oya, both of these suspicious deaths. densely populated. He said Trincomalee is a district assistance. Non-inclusion of Mullaitivu. Meanwhile, on Tuesday The SJB MP said he has sent a where all communities have been Trincomalee District is a matter of In the Weeraketiya case, Police evening, a 28-year-old man was letter to State Minister of Urban coexisting peacefully for decades. concern,” Imran lamented. on a tip-off recovered the body of killed by a wild elephant while Development, Coast Conservation, “Trincomalee and Verugal areas The Kinniya, Muttur and Verugal a 34-year-old who had been shot on his way to have a bath at the Waste Disposal and Community are densely populated by Tamil areas in the Trincomalee District and dumped into the Kara Gilma Piniyagala Dunuke Wewa, Cleanliness, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, people and the Muslims are the must be included in the development Wewa, Weeraketiya. Police have Anuradhapura, Police said. urging him to take necessary action majority in Kinniya, Muttur, programme, Imran added.

Nanthi Kadal and Nai Aru Lagoons Douglas instructs officials to expedite renovation

By Naalir Jamaldeen National Aquatic Resources Minister Devananda instructed them Mundalama lagoons. NAQDA Chairman Nimal Research and Development Agency to commence the development work He said there are plans afoot to set Chandraratne, NARA Chairman Fisheries Minister Douglas (NARA) and National Aquaculture by calling for suitable tenders on the up sea cucumber farms in various Prof. A. Navaratnarajah, and Devananda has instructed officials Development Authority (NAQDA) to Fisheries Ministry website. places in Jaffna and instructed the Ministry officials were present at the to expeditiously commence the make necessary arrangements to The officials informed Minister NAQDA officials to make necessary meeting. renovation work of Nanthi Kadal and develop nine lagoons across the Devananda that the plans for the arrangements to Nai Aru Lagoons in the Mullaitivu country and a few lagoons in the development of Rekawa Lagoon in breed shrimp in District and dredging silt from the Northern and Eastern Provinces the Hambantota District have been the Poonagari Jaffna Kakaitivu Kadalneer Eari were also among them. The meeting sent to the respective Pradeshiya lagoons. (Seawater Lake) to uplift the living was held to review the progress of Sabha for evaluation and the Devananda standards of hundreds of fishery development work. Arugam Bay lagoon development also instructed families who are engaged in the The officials brought to the plans to the Coast Conservation and the officials to shallow water fishery industry. attention of Minister Devananda Coastal Resource Management commence the Minister Devananda made these that the plans to develop the Nanthi Department and said the projects development suggestions during a review meeting Kadal Lagoon have been drafted and can be commenced as soon as work of nine held at the Fisheries Ministry to have been sent for approval to the approval is granted. lagoons, drafting discuss the lagoon renovation Ministry of Wildlife Conservation Minister Devananda also plans before the project being implemented across Protection. instructed the officials that plans end of this year. the country including in the The officials also told the Minister have to be drafted regarding the Fisheries Northern Province. that preparations have been made to development of Panama and Ministry Minister Devananda had call tenders to implement the Nai Panagala lagoons in the Ampara Secretary Indhu instructed the officials of the Aru development project and District and Puttalam, Chilaw, and Ratnayake, a4 thursday 17 june 2021 news Ongoing investigation into fire ravaged X-Press Pearl Contempt of Court Charges Against Those Who Violate Court Orders By Hansi Nanayakkara Hettiarachchi then informed Court intention of disrespecting Court by sought by the CID is inclusive of 6000 CID’s failure to probe the that his client would be present before their actions. gigabits and that the process of communication data containing Colombo Additional Magistrate, the CID on Thursday at 9.30 am to Magistrate Abeywickrema said that copying it was taking place currently conversations between the Captain Lochana Abeywickrema yesterday said give a statement. it was the duty of both parties to and that once that process is over it and the Harbour Master. in open Court that Contempt of Court Accordingly DSG Tennakoon stated support the probe into the case and will be handed over to the CID. Taking the submission into charges should be filed against all that if the suspect was willing to advised the prosecution to inform the The Magistrate then remarked that if consideration the Magistrate ordered parties that violate orders given by provide a statement to the CID there embassy in question and seek the any party is displeased with any order the CID to probe the communication Court with regard to the ongoing would be no need to impound his support of a translator if there is any issued by her Court they could always data containing discussions between investigation into the case where a fire passport. language issue. look to overturn such an order by the Captain of the ship and the ravaged the cargo ship, X-Press Pearl He then charged that though the DSG Tennakoon then said that petitioning a higher Court. Harbour Master. off Sri Lankan waters recently. Court had earlier issued an order to though the local representative firm of Further noted that if any party acts The Court had earlier issued an She made this remark having the 37-member staff of the cargo ship the cargo ship had been informed in violation of the orders given by her order to submit the Voyage Data perused submissions when the case to hand over data copies of all of the earlier by Court to hand over a copy of then it would be advisable to file Recorder (VDR) recovered from the pertaining to the fire in the cargo ship laptops, mobile phones, cameras and the e-mail data of the ship to the CID, Contempt of Court charges against cargo ship to the Government Analyst was taken up for hearing at the related electronic equipment used by the firm had refused to comply with them whoever they may be. and DSG Tennakoon said that a report Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court. them to the CID to facilitate the that Order thus far. Jayamanna PC then informed Court had been received by the prosecution. Accepting a request made to her by latter’s probe into the case, the staff He then mentioned that the that the Captain of the Cargo Ship had He added that further inquiries on DSG Madawa Tennakoon, Magistrate had refused to comply with that order prosecution has no intention of regularly briefed the Harbour Master it would be conducted having sent it Abeywickrema ordered water samples to date. delving into personal data of the staff regarding the fire that had blazed in to the regional office situated in taken from the spot where the cargo Tennakoon alleged that the staff of but only the data concerning the ship his ship and observed that the radio Singapore of the firm which had ship had caught fire to be submitted the cargo ship had refused to comply and its fire. message given by the Captain had been manufactured it. to the Government Analyst for tests with the orders given by Court saying Sarath Jayamanna PC appearing recorded in the communication center DSG Tennakoon also told Court ahead of calling for a report on it. they had been advised to do so by for the local representative firm then under the command of the Harbour that the Marine Environment The prosecution on behalf of the AG their lawyers. charged that the CID had sought the Master. Protection Authority through a special was represented by DSG Tennakoon. Attorney-at-Law Nipuna entire data collated by the local firm to Jayamanna PC further alleged that committee had probed into the impact He then urged Court to issue an Order Wimalasekera looked into the facilitate its probe and stated that the CID had to date failed to carry out of the blaze in the ship on sea to impound Arjuna Hettiarachchi’s interests of the staff of the fire-ravaged such a request if agreed by his client a conclusive probe into the creatures as well as the ocean passport, MD of the local cargo ship. He stated that 13 members could expose even confidential data to communication data and maintained covering an area of 294 kilometres representative firm of the cargo ship of the staff of the ship were Chinese the outside world which could be that if a detailed inquiry had been while they had deemed that serious as he had intentionally refused to nationals and that they had been disadvantageous to them. conducted the truth behind the ship’s damage had also been caused to the provide any statement on the incident submitted with copies of the Court Meddagoda PC appearing for the blaze could have been uncovered. environment. Further proceedings of to the CID. Order in the Sinhala language and MD of the ship’s local representative He added that hence serious the trial were then deferred to 30 Anura Meddagoda PC appearing for added that there had been no firm stated that the e-mail database suspicions had been raised over the June.

Scuttling Rs10,000 to Importation of diesel families in quarantine Cabinet approves GS,DOs slam Gammanpila’s regional politicians proposals

By Kumudu Upul They alleged that even the By Thameenah Razeek Shantha handing over of dry rations and other relief items to The Cabinet has approved the proposal to grant Grama Seva (GS) and those affected by the recent an eight-month contract, to import diesel, to M/s Development Officers (DO) floods countrywide had also PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., charged that though they been hampered by these following the recommendation of the Cabinet’s had coordinated efforts made regional politicians who act Special Standard Procurement Committee. to grant Rs 10,000 to all with vested interests. The Cabinet Paper in that connection was families undergoing the These Grama Seva and submitted by Minister of Energy Udaya mandatory quarantine Development Officers warned Gammanpila. programme, such efforts had that if there are threats and The Cabinet Paper also stated that bids are being been scuttled by regional hampering of their work sought from Lanka Petroleum Cooperation’s politicians with the intention regularly they will abstain registered suppliers for a long-term contract to of furthering their own from performing their duty import 1,137,500 barrels of diesel (maximum profile. thus complicating matters. sulphur percentage 0.05) and 262,500 barrels of diesel (maximum sulphur percentage 0.001) for a 222 Persons get Rs 5,000 period of eight months from 1 June 2021 to 31 January 2022. Meanwhile, bids are being solicited from Lanka allowance in Ampara Petroleum Corporation’s registered suppliers for a Govt to boost local long-term contract to import Murban Crude Oil for a The Rs 5,000 allowance and public welfare assistance allowance are paid period of nine months, from 1 June 2021 to 28 by the Divisional Secretariats of the Ampara District on instructions of the February 2022. apparel industry Ampara District Secretary D.M.L. Bandaranayake. As a result, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the 222 persons requiring special assistance were paid their allowances at proposal submitted by Minister Gammanpila to their doorsteps. This picture shows a Samurdhi Officer handing over the award the relevant contract to M/s Conscio Ltd, By Thameenah Razeek Cabinet Spokesman allowance to an old lady who needed financial support. Nigeria, as recommended by the Cabinet’s Special Keheliya Rambukwella said (Pic by M.A.P. Deen – Ampara Correspondent) Standard Procurement Committee. Cabinet approved on Tuesday (15) at the purchasing batik, handloom, weekly Cabinet Media and other local apparels for briefing at the Department of government institutions Government Information from local manufacturers at that the market is flooded Ragama Teaching Hospital Enforcing travel restrictions the provincial level. with low-quality imports that This decision was taken to aren't subjected to quality Thirukkovil DS helps Police address the challenges that control. Maternity ward local manufacturers in the “Apart from that, a rise in By M.A.P. Deen, Ampara Correspondent garment and local apparel manufacturing costs due to industries face. importing 70 per cent of gets Rs 3M worth The Government also production materials is The Thirukkovil Divisional Secretariat has extended its support focused on purchasing identified as another major to the Police in checking documents of persons while travel apparels from another challenge faced by the local restrictions are in place. province, if the provincial manufacturers in the equipment A few staff members of the Thirukkovil Divisional Secretariat, manufacturers are unable to garment and local apparel headed by Divisional Secretary T. Kajendran, were seen checking meet the demand. industry,” he added. The Colombo North (CTG) devices. whether travellers were in possession of valid permits and were Teaching Hospital in Ragama He said State Minister Dr. wearing facemasks properly. This programme, which commenced received Rs 3 million worth of Sudarshini Fernandopulle on Monday, was attended by OIC of Thirukkovil Police C.J.P. medical equipment for its had said the donations had Thilakaratna, Divisional Secretary Kajendran, and Traffic Police maternity ward allocated for arrived at a time when Officers. The public is instructed by the Police to strictly adhere to treatment of COVID-19 pregnant mothers had been COVID-19 regulations or be severely dealt with according to the SJB to agitate patients, the State Ministry identified as a group law. for Primary Health Care, vulnerable to COVID-19. Epidemics and COVID-19 Eight mothers who contracted Control said. the viral infection succumbed against fuel hike An official for the State to it. Ministry said with the Quoting the State Minister, By Nirmani Guneratne intervention of Prof. Tiran he said the public and Dias, and with a donation of generous donors of the Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says that until the his own, the ward had country should be thanked, Government decides to reduce the recently unjustly hiked received assistance from as they were always ready to fuel prices, the SJB will continue to agitate for it joining several individuals and come forward with assistance forces with the masses. private hospitals. The during a pandemic. Gratitude He added that not a single MP from his party had sought equipment received included should also be expressed to any luxury vehicles and said they will always look to improve multi-monitors, dopplers, the State health services the lives of the public at his party’s own expense. oxymeters, a neonatal probe, engaged in battling the virus. suction and cardiotocography (DJ) column thursday 17 june 2021 A5 The Chinese Shadow in TN’s Backyard By Col. R. Hariharan Archbishop of Rajapaksa to resist the lure of the Colombo, Malcolm yuan, when Sri Lankan economy is The enactment of the Colombo Port Cardinal Ranjith This gives China a struggling to manage its mounting City Commission Act in Sri Lanka obviously referring debts. last month has created a lot of to the CPC big advantage in India and Sri Lanka have good disquiet and dismay among the Commission challenging India’s understanding of each other’s people on both sides of the Palk enactment security concerns. According to Sri Strait. There has been a lot of hype in expressing his domination of the Lanka Foreign Secretary Admiral the Media about increased Chinese concern said, Jayanath Colombage’s statement in threat to South India as a result of “development is not Indian Ocean Region November 2020, President Gotabaya China gaining control of the special selling the (IOR). It will also Rajapaksa has made it clear that Sri economic zone coming up in the country’s Lanka’s strategic security policy will Colombo Port City (CPC), overlooking resources…. the enhance China’s have an ‘India first’ approach, though Colombo Port. politicians are ability to use its Colombo was dealing with other In the next two decades, the CPC is responsible for countries for economic development. poised to grow into full maturity as protecting the unmatched money But such sentiments did not prevent an international financial hub like country. Please do Colombo going back on its Dubai and Singapore. The only not offer our land power, to progress commitments to India, whether it is difference is, the State-owned China to different its influence in on jointly developing the Eastern Harbour Engineering Co (CHEC), a countries.” Former Container Terminal (ECT) or other subsidiary of the China President Ms India’s projects hanging fire like strategic Communications Construction Chandrika neighbourhood in development of Trincomalee Port. Company, holding a 99-year lease on Kumaratunga had India should be prepared for 85 per cent of land will be calling the warned that Sri the name of dynamic changes in the trilateral shots. Lanka ‘has all but relations involving Sri Lanka and Apprehension about CPC is real, become a colony of development aid China. As China firm up its presence not merely for South India, but India China.’ within the CPC, we can expect it to as a whole. Of course, commercially The SEZ will confer not only security architecture in the Indo- trend and ‘right way’ forward. increase its influence with the body Colombo Port is important because commercial and financial benefits to Pacific. China’s concern about Indian Without mentioning the Quad politics of Sri Lanka. It is poised to nearly 70 per cent of India’s China. But it will augment its Ocean countries joining framework, he said certain major become an indispensable part of the container traffic passes through it. In intelligence and counterintelligence Quadrilateral Security Dialogue countries were keen to form cliques part of the party politics, similar to a strategic situations, Chinese operations to eaves drop and (Quad) framework of the US, India, and factions and seek regional position India had occupied some presence close to it would make a interfere with Indian communication, Japan and Australia has been hegemony, which goes against years back. difference. But, more than that, the track warship movements, enhance increasing. The China-centric Quad peoples shared aspiration and Obviously, India cannot compete CPC legitimises the huge presence of cyber threat and satellite tracking. aims at ensuring a free and open severely harms the interests of with China’s money power and its multifaceted Chinese interests -trade And more than all this, the SEZ can international order based on the rule regional countries. He had made a development forays in Sri Lanka have and commerce, logistics, be a useful take off point for of law in the Indo-Pacific. similar reference during his meeting only succeeded in patches. But it can communication and finance and infiltrating agents acting against Quad with Bangladesh President Abdul use its strength in shared history and infrastructure. Indian interests. In the past, Hamid, emphasising that the two culture with Sri Lanka. In this This gives China a big advantage in Pakistan had used its high China’s State Councillor and sides should make joint efforts regard, India has not used the challenging India’s domination of the commission in Colombo to infiltrate Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe against powers outside the region potential of cross strait relations Indian Ocean Region (IOR). It will Pak agents and terrorists to South briefly visited Dhaka and Colombo setting up military alliance in South among Tamils to Sri Lanka’s also enhance China’s ability to use India. The Southern states in towards end May, when a political Asia and practising hegemonism. advantage, ever since the muscular its unmatched money power, to particular will have to tighten their controversy was raging in Sri Lanka It is obvious Sri Lanka would come intervention during PM Rajiv Gandhi progress its influence in India’s coastal and airport security to over the draft CPC Commission Bill. under tremendous pressure from era. neighbourhood in the name of prevent such efforts. After meeting with President China in the coming months in The writer is a former MI development aid. Sri Lanka unique geographic Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime tandem with the criticalities of Indo- specialist on South Asia. He served Many Sri Lankan leaders are location, midway astride the sea Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gen. Pacific strategic situation. Under as the Head of Intelligence of the equally worried about the increasing lanes of Indian Ocean, makes it an Wei remarked peaceful development such circumstances, it is going to be Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Chinese influence in Sri Lanka. The essential part of China’s maritime and win-win cooperation is the global extremely difficult for President Lanka (1987-90) Biden’s COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act By P. K. Balachandran Indians, began arriving on the West Coast to replace the Chinese as cheap On 20 May, with the full support of labour. But in 1907, Japanese both the Houses of the US Congress, immigration was restricted by a President Joe Biden brought into being ‘Gentleman's Agreement’ between the a law named COVID-19 Hate Crimes United States and Japan. Small Act to address crimes stemming from numbers of Korean immigrants came the COVID-19 pandemic, with to United States following the 1904- particular emphasis on the increase in 1905 Russo-Japanese War and violence against Asian Americans. Japan's occupation of Korea. But they On that occasion, Biden described were badly treated in the US. racism as the ‘ugly poison that has Recruited initially by Canadian- long haunted and plagued’ the US. The Pacific railroad companies, a few Afro-Asian-origin Vice President thousand Sikh immigrants from Kamala Harris appealed to Asian Punjab in India immigrated to Canada Americans to ‘turn pain and outrage and later to the Pacific Northwest and into political power’ pointing out that California, to become farm labourers. discrimination and hate are not linked Denounced by White workers as only to the economic crisis created by ‘Hindu invaders’ (though they were the COVID-19 pandemic but has been Sikhs and not Hindus) the ‘Tide of the a long standing and deep seated Turbans’ was stemmed in 1917 when problem in the US. Congress declared that India was part The legislation, introduced by Rep. of the ‘Pacific-Barred Zone of excluded Grace Meng and Sen. Mazie Hirono, Asian countries.’ The Sikhs and other aims to make the reporting of hate Indians were not eligible for US crimes easier at the local and state citizenship. A few among them levels by boosting public outreach approached the courts saying that on-line in multiple languages. It also they are Aryans or Caucasians. But The US economic crisis created by COVID-19 has spurred crime, including crimes against Asian Americans directs the Department of Justice to this did not take them anywhere. designate a point person to expedite By 1924, with the exception of the review of hate crimes related to America. Therefore, by limiting the law harassment. According to the BBC, system for Chinese children, including Filipino ‘nationals,’ all Asian COVID-19. It authorises grants to to COVID-related crimes, Biden is only there are thousands of cases of being those who were American-born. By the immigrants, were outside the legal state and local governments to scratching the surface of the problem. spat on and verbally abused. ‘Go back turn of the 20th, Century, after system, denied citizenship and conduct crime-reduction programs to The law would become ineffective in to [expletive] China’ is often uttered. Japanese immigrants had settled in prevented from marrying Caucasians prevent and respond to hate crimes. the post-pandemic era. Further, the the wake of Chinese exclusion, the or even owning land. Filipinos were Indeed, the country-wide economic law only takes into account only hate Women Targeted School Board applied the Chinese excused because, in 1898, the US crisis created by the COVID-19 crimes and not hate incidents. The An NBC report says that women segregation policy to Japanese had annexed Philippines. However, pandemic has spurred crime, latter are far more numerous, were 68 per cent of the victims of hate. students also. US racism caught up with the including crimes against Asian insidious and hurting. It quotes Russell Jeung, Professor of Beginning in the 1850s, when young Filipinos after the Depression of Americans. The Federal Bureau of To mention only a few cases of hate Asian American studies at San single men were recruited as contract 1929. The Tydings-McDuffie Act of Investigation statistics show that the crime reported in the Media, an Francisco State University to say that labourers from Southern China, Asian 1935 limited the annual immigration murder rate surged by 25 per cent in 84-year-old Thai immigrant in San Asian women are attacked because immigrants had played a vital role in quota for Filipinos. 2020, up from 16,000 the previous Francisco died in February after being they are believed to be subservient and the development of the US, working as US immigration laws remained year. The organization ‘Stop Asian violently shoved to the ground during meek. Verbal abuse is the commonest miners, railroad builders, farmers, discriminatory toward Asians until American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hate’ his morning walk. An 89-year-old form of racism. More than a third of factory workers, and fishermen. By 1965 when, in response to the civil documented 6,603 hate incidents from Chinese woman was slapped and set incidents occurred at businesses, the 1870, the Chinese represented 20 per rights movement, non-restrictive March 2020 to March 2021. According on fire by two people in Brooklyn, New primary site of discrimination, while a cent of California's labour force. annual quotas of 20,000 immigrants to the Centre for the Study of Hate and York. Two Asian American women quarter took place in public streets. In However, with the Depression of per country, were established. For Extremism at California State were stabbed at a San Francisco bus late 2020, the UN issued a report that 1876, amidst cries of ‘They're taking the first time in US history, large University, San Bernardino, Asian stop. Eyewitness reports said the detailed an alarming level of racially away our jobs!,’ anti-Chinese numbers of Asians were able to enter hate crimes had surged 146 per cent assailant ‘casually walked away in motivated violence and other hate legislation and violence raged in the the country with families. In in 26 of the largest jurisdictions in the broad daylight’. An Asian man walking incidents against Asian Americans. US West Coast. In 1882, Congress addition, due to the US eagerness to United States in 2020. Former with his 1-year-old child in a stroller in Rooted in the Past passed the Chinese Exclusion Act to improve its technology to match the President Donald Trump's frequent San Francisco was punched in the prevent immigration and Soviets during the Cold War, foreign use of racist phrases such as ‘kung flu’ head and back multiple times. An Discrimination against Asians was naturalization. The law remained in for engineers and scientists including to describe COVID-19 which originated Asian American woman in New York State policy till as recently as 1965. the next 60 years. The ‘Chinese Must Asians were encouraged to in China, had encouraged anti-Asian City was struck in the head with a There was the Congressional Go’ movement was so strong that immigrate. sentiments among Whites. hammer by an unidentified assailant Exclusionary Act of 1882 which Chinese immigration to the United But the current preponderance of But the anti-Asian sentiment is not who demanded that she remove her restricted immigration based on race. States declined from 39,500 in 1882 to Asians in well paid jobs and just a COVID-19 creation. It is mask. Then there was the Japanese only 10 in 1887. competition from Asians in the lower ingrained in the American mind going Asian American restaurant American Internment during WW II. By 1885 (following Chinese rungs of jobs during an economic back to the 19th. Century with the employees in New York City told the More than a century ago, the San Exclusion Act) large numbers of young downturn, have triggered White envy arrival of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, New York Times they now always go Francisco School Board established a Japanese labourers, together with and anger. Hate has been extended Indian and Filipino labour to construct home early for fear of violence and segregated Chinese Primary School smaller numbers of Koreans and from the Blacks to the Asians. A6 thursday 17 june 2021 editorial

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A Balancing Act The Government is in a balancing act of controlling the COVID-19 epidemic and keeping the economy going. This was best illustrated when, before the Sinhala and Tamil New Year this year, while the Government allowed a measure of latitude to the people to celebrate the festival, the head of the National Centre NATO Has for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, General Shavendra Silva lamented, predicting that if the people went on pre-New Year shopping sprees they won’t be able to celebrate Vesak. It has to be understood that at a time when everything is commercialised, allowing for festival time economic activity, mainly purchasing food, clothing and an Arms-Control other items was a sine qua non. Only those with an intellectual bent of mind would have thought of foregoing at least luxuries this New Year. It is hard to make the hoi polloi appreciate such high thinking. So, in their quest for new clothing they gathered in their numbers at shopping malls. That’s how the hellish Brain? Pamunuwa cluster was created. In just two months, after the resulting COVID-19 By Adam Thomson third, the figures are telling. The number of patients has jumped to over 200,000 and deaths to over 2,000 Under Donald Trump, NATO and the silver lining in the cloud is that nearly 200,000 was lucky just to stay alive. of the afflicted have been cured. However, it is said that Indeed, in 2019, French a third wave hitting would make it uncontainable. So, it President Emmanuel Macron is incumbent upon everyone the Government, the warned that the alliance was people, the health officials, the Armed Forces and the becoming ‘brain-dead.’ Police and not least those in the Opposition to fall in With NATO leaders holding line. their first in-person meeting The Opposition parties and individuals must do well with US President Joe Biden not to put ‘iron in the works’ so to say, but offer helpful this week, America’s allies are advice and only constructive criticism to the breathing a collective sigh of Government in dealing with the deadly health crisis. relief. But NATO must still This is not an election time by any stretch of the show that its brain, not just its imagination. There is time for it. The Israeli Opposition brawn, is adequate to the waited for nine years to better rule the country. The last problems it faces. To that end, Government here would have been ousted in Parliament arms control would be an in just about the same time or before if it was not voted intelligent place to start. out of power in one term. NATO has a proud record on Advancement in electronics must not be abused to the issue. It advanced its first propagate utter lies. The social media not only poisons nuclear-disarmament proposal society at large but even homes where there are in 1957, at the United Nations members of the same family with differing political Disarmament Conference in views. Some of the posts are in such bad taste that that London. Even in the worst they will not escape the censor in any decent society. period of the Cold War, it Only the mentally deranged can endure such utter filth. sought to negotiate mutual There is a saying that statistics are followed by lies and and balanced force reductions nuclear powers (and those arms control to command any share some of the intellectual damn lies in war time but it cannot be during an with the Warsaw Pact. In protected by them) to argue credibility on the issue. burden with the Biden epidemic. 1987, it supported US that they are upholding the Finally, Stoltenberg pushed administration. By definition, It is also not fitting that there should be strikes, President Ronald Reagan in spirit of the NPT. for new rules and standards arms control is win-win for all protests and demonstrations during the time of a near negotiating the US-Soviet ban Second, Stoltenberg called for emerging technologies. who participate in it. When famine, whatever hardships there may be. If what they on intermediate-range nuclear on NATO members to adapt Well, it has been nearly two done well, it delivers more say is believable there have to be fatalities caused by missiles, which in turn nuclear-arms-control regimes years since his speech. Where stability, better deterrence, such misfortunes. The only deaths reported are those enabled member States to to new realities. But the only are NATO’s proposals? less risk, and lower costs. resulting from accidents, drowning by recklessness, reduce the number of nuclear guidance he offered was NATO leaders say they are With this in mind, NATO long unsolved problems such as wild elephant attacks, weapons committed to NATO’s reactive: the alliance should keeping the door open for needs to put arms control at landslides and natural disasters. Members of the defence. These arsenals are respond “in a defensive, meaningful dialogue with the heart of the new Strategic families of those who die of natural disasters are now down by more than 85% measured, and coordinated Russia, yet the alliance has Concept that it plans to launch adequately compensated by the State. since the end of the Cold War. way to the new Russian missile not offered any serious ideas of next year, so that the ongoing As for handling the COVID-19 third wave and not But more recently NATO has threat.” With no new ideas, its own. Instead, it prefers increases in European defense allowing for a fourth wave adequate measures have appeared to be missing in NATO has responded to simply to wait for Russia, spending do not become fuel in been taken by the Government for controlling the action on arms control. Its repeated Russian arms-control thereby handing the initiative a new arms race. It should disease and no one need panic apart from providing Secretary-General, Jens proposals either with silence to the adversary. create a Division of Arms every assistance to that effect in a context where there Stoltenberg, can only go as far or by rejecting them out of I count Stoltenberg as a Control to facilitate fresh is history of protesting every move to contain the virus as NATO’s 30 allies let him. hand. This position hardly friend, and I know that he thinking about the future of by inexpensive measures. The one that attracted the He insists that ‘arms control is bolsters the alliance’s image would go further if NATO the process and the risks and most publicity was an Ayurveda syrup to boost in NATO’s DNA.’ But the either at home or members would let him. Trying opportunities associated with immunity. It was forgotten that the cardinal principle in alliance has been treating the internationally. Why not to build a consensus on arms new technologies. And it Ayurveda is prevention and not cure. issue as though it were an pursue the moral high ground control among 30 allies with should start an inclusive Then again there is a very effective way of destroying afterthought rather than a by making arms-control different views is an dialogue between nuclear the virus itself, by simple steam inhalation which could guiding principle. Stoltenberg’s overtures to the Kremlin, or at unenviable task. But now that haves and have-nots around be practised with little expense being incurred. It is well speech at a NATO conference least explaining what’s wrong NATO has a chance to breathe the world. Rather than forever known that China is a country that has very on arms control in October with the Russian proposals? again, it has no excuse for not circling the wagons, NATO successfully curbed it has made everyone inhale steam 2019 points to what has gone To be sure, Stoltenberg’s ‘walking the talk.’ needs to develop its own ideas with very good results. This is one instance where wrong. third point was that NATO Moreover, nuclear-arms so that it can respond credibly democracy has failed and regimentation has succeeded. First, Stoltenberg urged needs to modernise the control is back in fashion: the to its adversaries’ proposals The leader of an African country died not because of NATO allies to preserve and framework governing Russian, US and Russia have agreed to and restore its leadership role. medicinal steam inhalation but as he had a number of implement the Nuclear Non- NATO, and other European extend the New START Treaty Reviving the arms-control other complications. Proliferation Treaty – the non-nuclear military activities for another five years, and the agenda is a key to the A local Ayurveda drug company here promotes steam cornerstone of international (the so-called Vienna Biden administration has alliance’s collective defense – inhalation, three times a day by television and no one nuclear restraint. In this area, Document). expressed a desire to pursue and to proving that it has protests because it is a paid advertisement. Even NATO members have not been And in 2020, the alliance more arms-control measures. recovered from its near-death western medical doctors have found that the lungs of backing their words with introduced sweeping In the past, arms-control experience. those who regularly inhale steam are clear and they are action. On the contrary, the proposals, only to be negotiations have been one of Adam Thomson, a former free from respiratory diseases. So, steam inhalation United Kingdom, for example, stonewalled by Russian the most reliable areas for UK NATO ambassador, is would go a long way in handling the COVID-19 has just lifted the ceiling on its representatives. But almost finding common ground with Head of the European epidemic when combined with the other health nuclear weapons arsenal, nobody knows this happened, Russia. Leadership Network. guidelines: wearing the correct facemask properly, which will make it much because NATO does not To revive that tradition, (Courtesy-www.project- social distancing, washing hands, sanitizing etc. harder for NATO’s other advocate loudly enough for European NATO allies must syndicate.org) COLUMN THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2021 A7 Learning from

ByPeru Uditha Devapriya and Mexico to mediate between, and balance, the interests of its constituent parties. If recent elections in Peru and The result for the SLPP has been Mexico are anything to go by, it’s clear that while it continues to negotiate that Sri Lanka’s Opposition has a very between these parties, it has been long way to go. unable so far to reconcile their The stakes were particularly high in interests and beliefs. The analogy Peru. Pedro Castillo, the populist who that comes to my mind at once is J. got through with a lead of around R. Jayewardene’s UNP: having faced 80,000 votes, didn’t just hail from the defeat after intermittent victory after left: a fiercely committed trade defeat, the intrepid J R opened the unionist and teacher, he hailed from door to every social class and caste, the country’s marginalised indigenous bringing together an unwieldy mix of peasantry. milieus that enabled the party to win From the word go, Castillo made a massive majority in 1978. That the clear where his sympathies lay. His victory was pyrrhic, we know now opponent, the right-wing daughter of with the benefit of hindsight: five a neoliberal-populist-authoritarian years after winning that majority, the ex-president, indulged lavishly in red- UNP had to wade through a web of baiting and anti-Communist rhetoric. contradictions, pacifying its This may surprise some, given that chauvinist base (the Cyril Matthew 2021 marks two decades since the wing) along with its populist Cold War formally came to an end, (Premadasa) and minority but in Peru the Cold War never really (Thondaman) factions. ended: ruling elites and urban sectors What the Opposition, or what alike continue to view politics through remains of it, can learn from these a Cold War prism, associating left- failures is how those failures were wing politics, as Jacobin observes, conceived at one point as viable ‘with terrorism and criminality.’ political strategies. It can pick up That explains not just how Keiko those strategies from the far superior Fujimori could rally support from case studies offered by, and in, Peru liberals despite her father’s human and Mexico. Given ground realities, I rights record, but also how Mario would say the more comparable Vargas Llosa, who ran against her Pedro Castillo Andrés Manuel López Obrador yardstick is Mexico, since the winner father in 1990 on a neoliberal was not a leftist, but a populist-leftist platform not too different from the whipped up almost as much anti-left for a long while, the JO targeted them. nadir – the comprador elements in alliance: the sort the Joint latter’s, could lend her his support. hysteria as it did in Peru. It’s certainly Liberal notions of abiding by the book Latin American politics regained its Opposition originally envisioned itself Castillo’s prospects were dismally not accurate to view these as pivotal and playing by the rules do not apply lost power. as. slim. No less so were Andrés Manuel shifts in Latin and Central American in such strategies, as they did not in As Jawdat Abu-El-Haj (“Brazilian What worked out there almost López Obrador’s, in Mexico. Obrador politics, but the shift is seismic: it MORENA’s case: the ad the latter ran, Left Bonapartism and the Rise of worked out here: a socially doesn’t fit the leftist’s mould; he’s promises to restore the balance from which went viral on social media, was Finance Capital: A Critique of the progressive alliance posing as a more Populist than Marxist. Yet, this the region’s tilt to the neoliberal censured and effectively banned by Internal-Bourgeoisie Thesis”, 2016) viable, pluralist alternative to the didn’t help stave off a cascade of right- authoritarian right. And it has done the National Electoral Institute for concedes rightly, the error of the then regime’s policy of ‘globalising wing alliances, including parties, so without the tenets of pro-minimal violating campaign rules. If that Brazilian Pink Tide was in not making and liberalising.’ That it ended up cartels, and NGOs, from piling against state liberals, like the abolition of the reminds you, however tenuously, of enough headway with working class morphing into a pale reflection of his party, MORENA, at recent presidency. the lengths to which the JO went to and indigenous elements; instead, itself, a rearguard ideology in a party midterm Elections. MORENA scraped MORENA’s campaign interests me gain legitimacy as a populist having relied on a self-professed dominated by a myriad other through with much better results in particular, because, at one level, it alternative to the Opposition, a ‘national/nationalist’ bourgeoisie, it interests, must inform the than what it obtained in 2018, up reminds me of the path the Mahinda strategy that culminated in the let the latter dominate its policies, Opposition’s grand strategy: while from 191 seats to 203. As with Rajapaksa led Joint Opposition could November 208 coup, you’ll appreciate until reactionary elements hatched the Left Populist JO eventually Castillo’s alliance, however, it lost have taken between 2015 and 2019. the point that in politics, here or one conspiracy after another after succumbed to its internal electorates swinging to the right, When, on 23 December 2020, elsewhere, legitimacy won’t always co-opting that bourgeoisie – dealing a contradictions and tilted to a particularly in Mexico City. Even Mexico’s three major opposition coincide with legality: there will blow to any hopes for a permanent nationalist Right, the SJB-led there the vote bifurcated between parties banded together to form a always come a time when the latter populist wave in the region. Opposition must avoid tilting to the working-class and middle-class common front against Obrador, the will have to concede the moral ground The fundamental error the Joint neoliberal heritage of its parent districts. latter replied, not by appealing to to the former. Opposition made was in abandoning party. Class still matters nationalist sentiment, but by running Left Populism its core constituencies for the ‘new I see no reason why the SJB can’t an ad that highlighted the neoliberal classes’: not just the nationalist swing to the left, except perhaps for If there’s one lesson to be drawn policies adopted by those parties The paradox of Left Populism is that right, which Mahinda had been elements in it that yearn for the from these elections, it’s that class while in power since 1995: policies it conceals within its pluralist, courting for some time, but also the UNP’s return. Yet, as remarks by still matters. Fujimori ran on the that, inter alia, raised the VAT, progressive ideology the seeds of its Colombo bourgeoisie. That, some of its MPs (most prominently promise of a $2,500 one-time dole to enacted new gasoline taxes and a own antithesis. Contrary to the admittedly, deprived the then Ashok Abeysinghe, the most vocally all families with at least one COVID- draconian new Internal Security Law, assumptions of liberals and left- government of any viable support anti-Ranil Wickremesinghe member 19 patient, plus a 40 per cent tax on and approved bailouts for government liberals, populists are not cut off from base – barring a deracinated civil in the party) show well, there is a corporations engaged in mineral allied businesses. These remind me of outside realities: on the contrary, they society NGO activist class – but it swelling tide of opposition to any extraction (to be distributed among some of the policies of the UNP-led are very much influenced by shifts in also deprived the JO of a merger between the two parties. This families living near mineral fields). Yahapalana administration: the fuel the world body politic. Latin America’s comprehensive strategy through should, ideally, be the strategy of the But she also went about advocating price formula, the rationing of Pink Tide, for example, transpired which it could align these myriad country’s youngest opposition party. free market reforms; unlike Castillo, electricity, the proposed Counter against the backdrop of massive interests together. In other words, it It should be what defines its present. she hardly touched the indigenous Terrorism Act, and of course the Bond economic growth in China and had the trappings of a centre-left (or And if Mexico and Peru are lessons to peasantry. In Mexico, Obrador didn’t Scandal. recession in the West. The moment centre-right) Bonapartist alliance learn, it should also be what defines really pass himself off as an anti- From a Left Populist perspective, these factors became non-est – the (including within its ranks the its future. American populist, and yet his those policies represented ideal attack moment China’s boom slowed down world’s oldest surviving Trotskyite The writer can be reached at positions on multinational businesses points for the Joint Opposition, and and the West’s recession passed its party), yet it lacked the crucial ability [email protected]

By Michael Gregson

Fresh stocks of the Sinopharm vaccine are arriving in Sri Lanka from China as the latest Indian Vaccine Choices Matter variant of COVID-19 spreads across the island. in the Seychelles that has had two earlier this year, and was largely But another Indian Ocean island doses, 57 per cent was given dependent on India for supplies of nation shows the need not to become Sinopharm, while 43 per cent was the AstraZeneca vaccine. But with over reliant on vaccination as a given AstraZeneca. 37 per cent of the situation worsening there and solution – especially if the vaccine is new active cases are people who are shipments stopping, the programme Sinopharm. fully vaccinated, according to the had to be halted. The Seychelles is the most Health Ministry, which did not say The BBC reports that as of 19 May, vaccinated nation on Earth, with how many people among them had just over six per cent of the more than 60 per cent of its the Sinopharm shot. population had received one dose of a population fully vaccinated, more Initial reports from the Seychelles vaccine and there's a great deal of than other vaccine success stories correlate to a 50 per cent efficacy rate uncertainty over how or when those such as Israel and Britain, and for the Sinopharm vaccine, instead of who received the AstraZeneca jab almost twice the United States’ rate the 78.1 per cent that the company will get their second dose. of vaccination. has claimed. Dr Ravi Rannan-Eliya, the But that achievement has been Scientists say breakthrough executive director of Sri Lanka's undermined as the Seychelles faces a infections are normal because no Institute for Health Policy, say that worrying spike in the disease. vaccine is 100 per cent effective. But there is “a high probability – greater Though the number of new cases is the experience in the Seychelles than 50 per cent – that the relatively low, peaking at an average stands in stark contrast to Israel, B.1.617.2 or Indian variant has also of just over 100 new cases a day, they which has the second-highest been in the community since at least are having a major impact in a vaccination coverage in the world and April”. country with a population of less has managed to beat back the virus. Dr Rannan-Eliya says countries than 100,000. On a per capita basis, of vaccines. Roughly 60 per cent of countries that have fewer resources A study has shown that the Pfizer like Sri Lanka need China right now, the Seychelles outbreak is worse the doses administered in Seychelles to fight it. vaccine that Israel used is 94 per because it is the only country than India’s raging surge. are vaccines made by the Chinese “You really need to use high- cent effective at preventing manufacturing at the scale required With the country’s main treatment company Sinopharm that were efficacy vaccines to get that economic transmission. and also because of its success in centre for COVID-19 patients nearing donated by the United Arab benefit because otherwise they’re Governments using the Sinopharm containing the pandemic. capacity and doctors and nurses Emirates. going to be living with the disease vaccine “have to assume a significant “The big mistake is we didn't take among the sick, the Seychelles Now, scientists are warning that long term,” said Raina Macintyre, failure rate and have to plan the Chinese playbook seriously,” he announced the return of coronavirus developing nations that choose to use who heads the biosecurity program accordingly,” said John Moore, a told the BBC, referring to Beijing’s restrictions, school closures and the Chinese vaccines, with their at the Kirby Institute of the vaccine expert at Cornell University. multi-pronged approach of limited opening hours for shops and relatively weaker efficacy rates, could University of New South Wales in “You have to alert the public that you lockdowns, contact tracing, shutting restaurants. end up lagging behind countries that Sydney, Australia. She told the New will still have a decent chance of borders and testing at scale. The situation in the Seychelles is select vaccines made developed in York Times: “The choice of vaccine getting infected,” he added in an “We copied the British playbook, being monitored across the world for Europe and the U.S. That gap could matters.” interview with the New York Times. but if you look at countries like New what it shows about the effectiveness allow the pandemic to continue in Among the vaccinated population Sri Lanka began vaccinating people Zealand, they also copied China”. A8 thursday 17 june 2021 World Affairs Can Oman Succeed Where UN and US Failed? By Yahya Koshaimah the Gulf Cooperation Council, and this feature enables it to bring the Since taking office on 20 January, views between the two sides closer to US President Joe Biden has made a reach a ceasefire and ending the priority for Yemen and appointed Yemeni crisis that has raved the Tim Linderking as the US Special region for several years as a proxy Envoy to Yemen to seek an end of war between the regional rivalries the war that has been going on for Saudi Arabia and Iran. more than six years, which made Oman now possesses the trust and Yemen live ‘the worst humanitarian respect of all local, regional and crisis in the world’, as described by international parties, who resorted to the United Nations. it recently and they are all pushing to Nearly four months after his reach a ceasefire and ending the appointment as a Special Envoy to crisis, after they have reached a Yemen, and after several visits to the conviction that it is useless. So the region, and several meetings Omani delegation’s public visit to through Omani coordination with Sana’a has great connotations and an representatives of the Houthi important indication of the movement in Muscat, Linderking determination of all parties to reach returned to the United States empty- breakthrough in the Yemeni crisis. handed, announcing that the The international community, led Houthis are responsible for the by the United States, is now looking failure of the ceasefire to take hold forward to stop the war in Yemen. in Yemen. The US State Department Saudi Arabia also is looking for an said “While there are numerous end to the war that cost the kingdom problematic actors inside of Yemen, a lot and it is already presented an the Houthis bear major initiative to end the Yemeni crisis, as responsibility for refusing to engage well as Iran’s preoccupation with its meaningfully on a ceasefire and to nuclear program and lifting of take steps to resolve a nearly seven- sanctions. year conflict that has brought Likewise, the conflicting local unimaginable suffering to the parties reached a firm conviction that Yemeni people”. military resolution is futile, especially Two days only after the US State after the Houthis’ failed attempt for Department statement, which several months to control Marib blamed the Houthis for the failure of Governorate the rich of oil and gas the peace process in Yemen, an and the last strongholds of the Omani delegation from the Royal government in the north, which would Office arrives in Sana’a. What are have changed the balance of power in the goals behind their visit to the region as a whole. Sana’a, and will the Omani efforts be Despite the ambiguity that is still crowned with success? surrounding the results of the Omani Houthi Spokesman Muhammad delegation’s visit to Sana’a so far, Abdul Salam said that “the visit of a there is great optimism to reach a delegation from the Omani Royal On the local level, Oman enjoys the respect and trust of the Houthis, who have embraced them and their negotiators for years cease-fire and alleviate the Office to Sanaa is to discuss the humanitarian crisis and other situation in Yemen, arrange the by the United Nations and the its standing at the same distance them with a political platform and a measures that pave the way for humanitarian situation, and United States of America to reach a from all the conflicting local and point of contact with the entering into the political track to advancing the peace process”. ceasefire as a minimum requirement regional parties in Yemen, it has international parties concerned with solve the Yemeni crisis. However, observers considered that for peace. become the only qualified and solving the Yemeni problem, as well The situation in Yemen is very the delegation carried an American Oman was the only country in the trusted party by all the conflicting as embracing other political parties complicated and the final solution is message to the Houthi leader as a Gulf Cooperation Council that parties, who view it as a neutral side loyal to the legitimate government, still far away, but reaching a ceasefire last attempt to pressure the Houthis decided not to participate in what that has no interest in further especially those who had a different and the start of negotiations may be a to accept a ceasefire, and to was called ‘Operation Decisive fighting and fragmentation. position to the Saudi-Emirati agenda sign of hope and a point of light in the continue the peace efforts being Storm’, led by Saudi Arabia following On the local level, Oman enjoys during the last period. dark tunnel of Yemenis who have made to end the war and achieve its consistent policy of non- the respect and trust of the Houthis, At the regional level, Oman suffered for years from the curse of peace, especially after the failure of interference. Due to its positive role who have embraced them and their maintains strong historical relations this war and its devastating effects. all intensive efforts in the past days since the beginning of the crisis and negotiators for years and provided with the Iran, and it is a member of (www.moderndiplomacy.eu)

By Iveta Cherneva world. Ever since, the US intelligence community has tried to The Putin-Biden Summit in figure out ways to prove Trump Geneva has begun, the question is Who Benefits from the wrong and show him otherwise. And who actually benefits more from the they have gone to incredible meeting in the small Swiss town. lengths, only so that they can get Mainstream media and right-wing their pay pack of a sort, and prove foreign policy thinkers alike have Trump wrong. So, Putin already got argued that a joint press conference Putin-Biden Summit? what he wanted. He doesn’t need would elevate President Putin to the more elevation. level of the American President. What’s also striking is that in Ivana Strander, the Jeane Geneva, the UN is absolutely Kirkpatrick fellow at the American missing from the action. Geneva is Enterprise Institute in Washington the home of numerous UN agencies DC, argued that the upcoming and international organisations, Geneva summit is actually a gift to and not one is actually involved, Putin. which speaks volumes to questions In a CNN story, Kaitlan Collins of relevance. It is the Swiss and Kevin Liptak mention that Government from Bern which is “officials who have been involved in organising the Summit. The UN is arranging past US meetings with nowhere to be seen which is also Putin say the Russian side often indicative of the current Biden pushes for a joint press conference, priorities. hoping to elevate Putin’s stature by If Trump was about ‘America having him appear alongside the First’, then Biden is about ‘America American leader”. is still number one, right?’ But as Whether as a subconscious bias the United Kingdom learned the or an actual reflection of attitudes, hard way recently, it is sometimes prevalent is the idea that coming best for a declining power to perhaps close to the US President is a elegantly realise that the rest of the privilege that other leaders can only world no longer wants to dance to its dream about. But who gains more tune, or at least not to its tune only. from the summit? Discussions about how much Putin In fact, it is the American gains from coming close to the President who is vying for other presence of the US President are leaders’ approval and acceptance misguided. In trying to climb back once again after a humiliating on the international stage on period – not the other way around. crotches and covered up in bruises, This week, US President Joe America is not in a position to look Biden is eager to show the world down on other big powers. And as that America is ‘back’. In meetings Geneva location of the Putin-Biden Summit: President Putin doesn’t need the US President’s acceptance – Putin already got that regards who benefits more from the with the G7, NATO countries’ top Summit, it seems like one side is leaders, the NATO Secretary assuming that other Heads of State, to take America back – not the other over the US Government’s own there with a clear request asking for General, the Queen of England, and be it Putin or anyone else really, way around. intelligence agencies, by rejecting something. My understanding is President Putin in the same week, can only gain by coming close to the President Putin doesn’t need the the idea of Russia’s meddling in the that it is Biden who wants Putin to Biden is asking the world to forget superiority of the American US President’s acceptance – Putin US Presidential Elections. Trump hand cyber criminals over to him. the last four years. And he is not President is a misplaced and already got that. That happened slapped across the face and Putin still hasn’t said what he wants doing this from the position of misguided. The US President is back in 2018, in Helsinki, when humiliated the US intelligence from Biden, in return. power or superiority. That’s why asking the international community President Trump sided with Putin community in front of the whole (www.moderndiplomacy.eu) asia thursday 17 june 2021 A9 Alibaba’s Jack Ma is ‘lying low’ - Co-founder

China’s best-known entrepreneur had become too powerful and a leader disagreed Jack Ma is ‘lying low’ and avoiding the who had become too outspoken. with the spotlight, according to an Alibaba At a financial technology idea that executive. conference, he had compared Ma had Joe Tsai, who co-founded the traditional banks to ‘pawn shops’, become a Chinese e-commerce giant with Ma, lauding the merits of the digital maverick-like told CNBC he speaks to him every banking system instead, as well as figure. day. stressing that future lending “The idea that “He’s actually doing very, very well. decisions should be based on data, Jack has this He’s taken up painting as a hobby, not collateral. enormous amount of it’s actually pretty good,” said Tsai. Ant Group runs Alipay, the main power, I think that’s not quite Ma has been noticeably absent after online payment system in China, right,” he said. “He is just like you falling foul of China’s regulators in which has eclipsed cash, cheques and and me, he’s a normal individual.” November. credit cards. He added that after all his efforts, He had been set to become China’s Alibaba, which owns a third of Ant Ma now just wanted to focus on the richest man yet again following the Group, saw its share price plunge on things he really wanted to spend time dual stock market debut of his digital stock markets after the suspension on, like philanthropy work and payments company Ant Group - an was announced. hobbies. affiliate of Alibaba - in Hong Kong and Following this, China announced an However, Tsai said the firm was Shanghai, which was worth about antitrust probe into Alibaba, which is moving forward: “I think you have to USD 34.4 billion. China’s largest e-commerce platform. separate what’s happening to Jack What was meant to be the world’s This culminated in Alibaba being and what’s happening to our biggest initial public offering was fined USD 2.8 billion by Chinese business. halted by Chinese regulators at the regulators in April, who said it had “Our business is under some kind of eleventh hour, citing ‘major issues’ abused its market position for years. restructuring on the financial side of over regulating the company. And two days later, Ant Group things, and also in antitrust It is believed Ma’s criticism of the announced a drastic restructuring regulation. Chinese financial sector in October plan, with regulators forcing it to act “We had to pay a big fine. But we’ve prompted the move. more like a bank than a tech firm. gotten that behind us, so we’re Some analysts saw it as an attempt Tsai, who is also the executive looking forward.” by Beijing to humble a company that chairman of Alibaba, said that he (BBC)

Alibaba founder Jack Ma (BBC)

New Delhi, India Taipei, Taiwan ‘Record number’ of Chinese jets in island’s air defence zone Some 28 Chinese military aircraft flew into Taiwan’s air defence zone on Tuesday (15), said its Defence Ministry, the largest reported incursion so far. Fighters and nuclear- capable bombers were among those in the so-called air defence identification zone (ADIZ). The incident comes after NATO leaders on Monday (14), warned of the military File photo of J-16 air fighters over a Chinese training base (Getty challenge posed by China. images via BBC) While democratic Taiwan sees itself as a sovereign identified, monitored, and Taiwan and the Pratas state, Beijing views the island controlled in the interest of Islands. as a breakaway province. national security. It is self- On 24 January, a similar According to Taipei, the declared and technically mission saw 15 aircraft Devangana Kalita was arrested last year on charges of sedition (BBC) Chinese mission included 14 remains international entering Taiwan’s air defence J-16, six J-11 fighters, four airspace. zone while on 12 April, nuclear capable H-6 bombers The Chinese aircraft flew Taiwan reported 25 jets. Court grants bail to activists as well as anti-submarine, close to the Taiwan-controlled Tuesday’s operation came electronic warfare and early Pratas Islands, as well as just one day after NATO warning aircraft. around the southern part of leaders at a summit in held over citizenship law protests An air defence identification Taiwan itself. Brussels warned of the zone is an area outside of a China has over recent military threat posed by A Court in India has granted dissent. A colonial-era University - male hostel country’s territory and months regularly carried out China, calling its behaviour a bail to two female activists sedition law and an anti- members were allowed to stay national airspace but where flights over the waters ‘systemic challenge’. arrested in May 2020 over an terrorism law that makes it out until midnight, but female foreign aircraft are still between the southern part of (BBC) anti-government protest. nearly impossible for the students were required to Natasha Narwal and accused to get bail (UAPA) return to their accommodation Devangana Kalita joined the have been widely used to jail by evening. sit-in last year against a activists, journalists and Soon this movement gained controversial citizenship law a protesters. traction and spread to other Hague, Netherlands day before deadly riots broke On Tuesday (15), the Court universities across India as out in Delhi. also granted bail to Asif Iqbl students spoke for the rights They were among several Tanha, a student activist who of minorities, Dalits, wage ICC prosecutor seeks full probe protesting activists who have was arrested in May last year workers and farmers. since been charged under a for his participation in Narwal and Kalita were on Philippines drug war stringent anti-terrorism law. protests days before the among many students and The two-judge bench rioting. activists who took part in The chief prosecutor of investigation since the criticised the Government for Narwal had been granted peaceful protests against International Criminal Court Philippines was no longer a confusing the right to protest interim bail in May for three India’s Citizenship (ICC) has called for a full member. with terrorist activity. weeks to perform the last rites Amendment Act (CAA). Critics investigation into suspected The controversial anti-drugs In a strongly-worded order, of her father. Mahavir Narwal, say it discriminates against crimes against humanity crackdown has sparked years the High Court in Delhi said: a senior leader of the Muslims, a charge the during a deadly drugs of international condemnation, “We are constrained to Communist Party of India government denies. crackdown directed by the including from the United express, that it seems, that in (Marxist), died from But the law sparked massive Government of the Philippines. Nations. its anxiety to suppress complications after protests across India. And one Fatou Bensouda, who leaves Bensouda first said she was dissent, in the mind of the contracting COVID-19. of these protests in north-east office this week, opened a “deeply concerned” about State, the line between the Narwal and Kalita, both in Delhi - the sit-in which Narwal preliminary probe into the reports of extrajudicial killings constitutionally guaranteed their early 30s, are founding and Kalita attended - sparked drugs war back in 2018. in October 2016. right to protest and terrorist members of Pinjra Tod (Break a political rally in favour of the Philippines President On Monday (14), she said activity seems to be getting the Cage), a popular student law the following day. Rodrigo Duterte withdrew she had determined there was somewhat blurred. If this movement that enables Later that day, minor from the ICC soon afterwards. reasonable basis to believe mindset gains traction, it women to reclaim public clashes were reported between Thousands of civilians are ICC chief prosecutor Fatou that murder had been would be a sad day for spaces. Hindus and Muslims. But the known to have died under the Bensouda (Reuters/via BBC) committed, and she asked democracy.” The movement was first situation escalated and soon campaign. could be far higher. judges on the war crimes court Prime Minister Narendra formed to challenge the turned into deadly riots that National data acknowledges A spokesperson for to authorise a full Modi’s Government has been unreasonable curfew timings killed 53 people, mostly more than 6,000 deaths, but President Duterte said his investigation under her accused of using the imposed by the authorities in Muslims. international rights groups government would not replacement. pandemic to crack down on women’s hostels of Delhi (BBC) have long warned the figure co-operate with any ICC (BBC) A10 THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2021 WORLD Israel strikes Hamas sites over fire balloons, challenging truce

Israeli aircraft struck Hamas sites in Gaza response to the launching of balloons laden on Wednesday (16), after incendiary balloons with incendiary material, which the Israeli were launched from the Palestinian enclave in fire brigade reported caused 20 blazes in the first such attacks since a fragile ceasefire open fields in communities near the Gaza ended 11 days of deadly fighting last month. border. The violence poses an early test for the A Hamas spokesman, confirming the Israeli Government of new Prime Minister Naftali attacks, said Palestinians would continue to Bennett, whose patchwork coalition came to pursue their ‘brave resistance and defend power on Sunday (13), on a pledge to focus their rights and sacred sites’ in Jerusalem. on socioeconomic issues and avoid sensitive But analysts suggested Hamas refrained policy choices towards the Palestinians. from firing rockets around the march and An Egyptian-mediated truce that halted after the Israeli strikes to avoid an escalation fighting between Israel and Gaza militants in Gaza, which was devastated by May’s aerial did not immediately appear to be threatened bombardment. by the flare-up, with the overnight Israeli “It (the ceasefire) is very fragile. The current airstrikes giving way to calm by morning. calm may give the Egyptians a chance to try There were no reports of casualties on and cement it,” said Talal Okal, an analyst in either side. Gaza. Israel’s Army Radio reported that Israel The overnight violence follows a march in had informed Egyptian mediators that direct East Jerusalem on Tuesday (15), by Jewish Hamas involvement in the balloon launch nationalists that had drawn threats of would imperil long-term truce talks. Israeli action by Hamas, the ruling militant group officials did not immediately confirm the in Gaza. report. Israel’s military said its aircraft attacked Hours before the overnight strikes, Hamas armed compounds in Gaza City and thousands of flag-waving Israelis congregated the southern town of Khan Younis and was around the Damascus Gate of Jerusalem’s “ready for all scenarios, including renewed Old City before heading to Judaism’s holy fighting in the face of continued terrorist Western Wall, drawing Palestinian anger and acts emanating from Gaza”. condemnation. The military said the strikes came in (Reuters) A tree in a field catches fire after Palestinians in Gaza sent incendiary balloons over the border between Gaza and Israel, Near Nir Am (Reuters)

Athens, Greece Melbourne, Australia Pricey metals lure Strike against Labour Reform thieves to strip Bill disrupts transport cars of catalytic converters

Police in South Australia urged drivers on Wednesday (16), to step up efforts to protect their cars, as thieves target the catalytic converters that scrub exhaust emissions, amid a surge in prices of precious metals. The converters, which strip particulate matter from emissions, contain high volumes of the precious metals platinum and palladium, whose prices touched records this year. “Thefts have occurred in residential driveways, public carparks and on main roads with public presence not seeming to deter offenders,” state police said in a statement, adding that the devices were then sold on the secondhand market. After several arrests, they are encouraging owners to mark or engrave the devices with the vehicle identification number, as well as making them harder to remove, for instance by welding in the retaining bolts. Other measures include parking in People walk next to a moored passenger ferry during a locked or well-lit areas, near walls or fences with the 24-hour general strike at the Port of Piraeus (Reuters) car bonnet facing a solid object to discourage access to the converter. Prices of platinum are up 38 per cent from a year ago at USD 1,173 an ounce, while Public transport staff in Athens went on on the Bill later on Wednesday. Prime Minister through the back door. The most disputed palladium is up 43 per cent at USD 2,758 an ounce. strike for the second time in a week on Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative government, part of the Bill allows employees to work up to (Reuters) Wednesday (16), before a Parliamentary vote which took office in 2019, said the reform 10 hours on one day and less time on on a law the Government says will revamp would modernise ‘antiquated’ laws dating another. outdated labour rules, but which unions fear back decades to a pre-internet time when Unions fear that will enable employers to will bring longer hours and weaker rights. most workers clocked into offices and force workers to accept longer hours. The Bill Ships remained docked at ports, and many factories at the same set hours. would also give workers the right to bus, subway and railway services were Trade unions have described the draft law disconnect outside office hours and introduce Milan, Italy suspended as transport staff walked off the as a ‘monstrosity. They want the Government a ‘digital work card’ from next year to monitor job. Workers from other sectors also held work to withdraw the Bill, which they say will employees working hours in real time, as well stoppages and were expected to join several reverse long-established workers’ rights and as increase legal overtime to 150 hours a year. Nuclear deal protest rallies in central Athens before the vote allow companies to bring in longer hours (Reuters) must await new Iran Govt - IAEA Bogota, Colombia Reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear accord will have to await the formation of a new Iranian Car bomb explosion at military base injures 36 Government, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog said in remarks published on A car bomb explosion at a in preventative isolation because Wednesday (16), adding a deal needed political military base in the Colombian of coronavirus, a high-ranking will from all parties. border city of Cucuta injured 36 official told Reuters earlier on “Everyone knows that, at this point, it will be people on Tuesday, the Defence Tuesday (15). necessary to wait for the new Iranian Minister said, casting blame for Photos and video circulating on Government,” Rafael Grossi said in an interview the attack on leftist rebels. social media showed a destroyed with Italian daily La Repubblica, in reply to a The explosion took place at a white vehicle in flames. question about what stage negotiations on the base used by the 30th Army President Ivan Duque said on deal were at. Brigade in the northeastern city Twitter he would travel to Cucuta Grossi, director-general of the International near the border with Venezuela. to meet with military leaders and Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), appeared to be “We reject and repudiate this local authorities. referring to Iran’s presidential elections, due on vile and terrorist act which sought Social media videos showed Friday. Iran’s new president is expected to name to attack the soldiers of what appeared to be U.S. military his cabinet by mid-August. The term of current Colombia,” Defence Minister personnel on the base after the President Hassan Rouhani ends on 3 August, a Diego Molano told journalists. attack. Dozens of U.S. advisors Government spokesman said. “Thirty-six people were injured. are stationed in Colombia, but the The sixth round of talks to revive the deal Three of them with a degree of U.S. military’s Southern resumed in Vienna on Saturday (12), between gravity.” Command did not immediately Iran and world powers. One of the injured has had respond to a request for comment. The IAEA does not take any direct part in the surgery, Molano said, and 29 are A soldier patrols around a military battalion where a car bomb exploded, The government blamed FARC according to authorities, in Cucuta, Colombia (Reuters) negotiations but has been called on to verify them hospitalised. dissidents for a car bomb attack and continue inspections in the country. Two men drove a white Toyota battle National Liberation Army 30th Brigade operates. in March in Cauca Province which “The discussions that have been going on for truck into the base after passing (ELN) guerrillas, crime gangs and “The initial hypothesis is that injured more than 40 people. weeks have dealt with very complex and delicate themselves off as officials, he said, former FARC members who reject the ELN are behind this demential A 2019 ELN car bomb attack at technical questions, but what is needed is the adding there were two explosions. the accord. and vile act,” Molano said. “Also Bogota’s Police academy killed 22 political will of the parties,” Grossi said. Despite a 2016 peace deal with The ELN, FARC dissidents and being investigated is the people and ended nascent peace (Reuters) Revolutionary Armed Forces of crime gangs are all present in involvement of FARC dissidents.” talks between the group and the Colombia (FARC) rebels, sometimes-restive Norte de The injury toll could have been Government. Colombia’s military continues to Santander Province, where the higher, but most personnel were (Reuters) thursday 17 june 2021 b11

Faster World recovery boosting prices, but runaway inflation unlikely World GDP to Grow by 6.3% in 2021 – Fitch A faster-than-expected global up US merchandise imports, economic recovery is boosting helping EM manufacturing prices as supply chains have exporters and the recovery in struggled to keep up with rapidly world trade. Alongside the expanding consumer durables synchronous global recovery, this demand and world merchandise has fuelled a sharp rise in global trade. However, slower growth, commodity prices, similar to supply adjustments in bottleneck 2010. sectors, a switch back towards Strong US consumer services consumption, and fading electronics and autos demand impacts from US fiscal stimulus has exacerbated supply-chain should see the rate of inflation pressures in the global decline in 2022, according to semiconductor market. Upward Wednesday Markets Fitch Ratings’ latest Global pressure on US core goods prices Economic Outlook (GEO), is likely to persist through 2021 released yesterday (16). but will ease in 2022. Recent NFOs Increase to Fitch now expects world GDP increases in US services prices to grow by 6.3% in 2021, revised have been focused on hotels and up by 0.2pp since the March airfares and should slowdown Rs 27B to slide GEO. Incoming data, earlier- soon. US services inflation this than-expected services sector year and next will be constrained By PaneethaAmeresekere reopening in the US and Europe, by labour-market slack, which and the impact of policy support will cap wage growth. The bourse suffered net foreign outflows lie behind the revision. World Nevertheless, we have revised (NFOs) for the fifth consecutive market day to growth is expected to slow to excluding China to 5.9% from fiscal policy-easing measures up significantly our US and yesterday due to sustained uncertainty, with 4.3% in 2022. 6.0%. This reflects a large since the previous GEO and global inflation forecasts. We yesterday’s NFOs being Rs 155.57 million. We have raised our 2021 reduction in India’s forecast and investment plans using the EU’s expect US CPI inflation to fall Bourse’s total NFOs in the calendar year to growth forecasts for most cuts to Indonesia and Turkey, Next Generation EU fund have from 4.1% at end-2021 to 2.2% yesterday, amounted to Rs 26.72 billion, a developed economies, with the partly offset by upward revisions been firmed up. We have also by end-2022, but then to rise year on year increase of 56.03 per cent (Rs US revised up to 6.8% from 6.2%, to Brazil, Mexico, South Africa now incorporated an estimate of again to 2.5% in 2023 as output 9.82 billion) due to sustained uncertainty. the Eurozone to 5.0% from 4.7%, and Korea. the impact of President Biden’s moves further above potential Of the 106 market days that have and the UK to 6.6% from 5.0%. A host of indicators point to the infrastructure plans in our US after the labour market fully transpired in the calendar year to date, the Only Japan has seen a reduction, reopening of face-to-face services forecasts for 2022 and 2023. recovers in late-2022. We now bourse has suffered NFOs in 97 of those days, to 2.5% from 3.6% in the in the past couple of months in The effect of the US March expect the Fed to hike rates in translating to the fact that it has suffered previous GEO, but this has been Europe and the US, as new cases stimulus has become clearer, the 4Q23, one year earlier than NFOs in 91.51 per cent of the market days accompanied by an upward and hospitalisation rates have including its contribution to the our previous expectation. The that have transpired in the calendar year to revision in 2022. declined and vaccination rollout boom in US consumer durables ECB will not follow suit and will date. China’s forecast is unchanged has progressed. spending, now a staggering 30% likely continue asset purchases The bourse, due to this uncertainty, at 8.4%, but we have trimmed Germany and Italy have higher than pre-pandemic levels. through 2023 as Eurozone suffered a record Rs 50.94 billion worth of growth in emerging markets announced significant further Durables strength has pushed inflation remains below target. NFOs last year, where in a record 188 of the 207 market days that transpired last year it suffered NFOs, resulting in the bourse suffering a record 90.82 per cent NFOs in the total number of market days witnessed last year. Recovery stalled by the Indian assistance Nonetheless, the benchmark ASPI made a pyrrhic gain of 0.47 per cent to 7,641.19 points and the more sensitive S&PSL20 Index Pandemic – ICRA Lanka by 0.69 per cent to 3,072.67 points on a Rs With the current pandemic The T-bill yields in both primary to promote solar 2.7 1billion turnover and on an 88.24 million situation showing no sign of and secondary markets remained share volume at yesterday’s trading. dissipation, ICRA Lanka stated that stable during May. The market 149 Days they do not expect businesses to activity levels were relatively high. power project The Government’s Face Value Money operate at their full potential or The CBSL maintained the yield cap Printing (FVMP) debt increased for the fourth near potential capacity. on one-year notes at 5.18% which Measures have been taken electricity required for the consecutive market day to yesterday, with its “The impact will be felt more in also had a significantly low bid to increase the contribution Parliament centering the non-demand pull inflationary FVMP debt the services sector than in acceptance ratio (3%). by renewable energy sources Diyawanna Lake as a model marginally increasing by Rs two million and industrial sector. Fuel price hike There was only a smaller bond to the national power grid by project. its overall FVMP debt by 0.00 per cent Rs and its spill over effect will force auction held during the month enhancing solar power The Government of India, 910,410.37 million. inflation rate up”, stated its May which offered about LKR 20Bn – a generation as per the one of the main stakeholders The Government’s FVMP debt has been over Economic review report. significantly lower quantity than National Policy Framework of Sri Lanka for this project, Rs 0.5 trillion for a record 149 consecutive “This will keep pressure on the the usual. ‘Vistas of Prosperity and has entered into a bilateral market days to yesterday due to lack of treasury yields in the near term. As Secondary market volumes rose Splendour.’ loan agreement by agreeing revenue. a consequence of subdued from month ago levels while shifting A key plan of the to grant a Line of Credit The Government’s money printing economic activity level, the credit the yield curve up marginally. Government is to generate amounting to US$ 100 borrowing costs (MPBCs) sharply decreased growth may not be able to maintain AWPR went through a correction solar power by obtaining the million through the Export by 0.65 per cent (Rs 139.22 million) to Rs momentum in June”. phase after seeing a sharp rise in contribution of state-owned Import Bank of India. 21,344.68 million yesterday due to investor High oil and base metal prices the last week of April. Private credit buildings, places of worship The agreement for the Line preference for low value, riskless Treasury (T) combined with falling tea prices will grew moderately by over LKR 57Bn and houses of the low- of Credit signed by the Sri Bonds and T Bills in secondary market further compound the external in April. During the festive season, income families. It is Lankan Government and the trading rather than lend to the lucrative sector challenges. reserve money tends to expand expected to provide financial Export Import Bank of India private sector, the engine of growth, due to ICRA Lanka expects the USD 1 faster but private credit may not benefit to low-income was exchanged between uncertainty. Bn Sri Lanka International necessarily expand households and to curtail Finance Ministry Secretary Liquidity decreased for the fourth Sovereign Bonds maturing in July commensurately. the expenses incurred by the S. R. Attygalle and Indian consecutive market day to yesterday, this to be serviced out of the reserves With the advent of the third wave, state institutions for High Commissioner Gopal time by Rs 456 million (US$2.28 million) led which will put pressure on the it is likely that the momentum of electricity, from the project. Baglay in the presence of by the settlement/s of the Government’s reserve position of the country. the credit expansion in May might Steps will also be taken to President Gotabaya foreign debt servicing commitments and/or During the month of May, excess have been affected. provide facilities to store Rajapaksa and State Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL’s) swaps money market liquidity gradually US treasury yields rose amid US solar energy in batteries for Minister Duminda with the market and/or CBSL’s US dollar declined from LKR 150 to 115 a inflation hitting 13- year high. the low-income families that Dissanayake at the sales to and/or swaps with the Government day. During this time, the CBSL Rising yields triggered investors to are unable to access the Presidential Secretariat this during trading. reduced its treasury holdings by sell their equity positions and move national power grid. The morning (16). Transactions between the Government and about LKR 27 Bn mopping up back to treasuries. project also includes Foreign Secretary Admiral CBSL are foreign reserves neutral. liquidity. In the Eurodollar market, USD generating power by Jayanath Colombage, Conversions are based on CBSL’s Call and repo rates edged up by LIBOR (6M) edged up but SOFR installing floating solar Ministry of Power Secretary administered ‘spot’ on Monday which was Rs about 2-3 bps. Tendency for Banks (6M) dropped further. Yields on Sri panels as a solution to land Wasantha Perera, and the 199.89 to the dollar. CBSL lacks transparency to use Standing Lending Facility Lanka International Sovereign scarcity. Under the first officials of the Indian High in its daily ‘open market operations’ (SLF) was persistent during May as Bonds (SLISBs) improved during phase of this, plans have Commission and the Finance statements. well. the month. been initiated to generate Ministry were also present. Net excess liquidity decreased by 0.55per cent (Rs 454 million) to Rs 82,618 million at the end of yesterday’s trading. ‘Dead’ 33 Days The benchmark administered ‘spot’ was ipso facto unchanged at Rs 199.75/200.25 to Rs 50 Billion Treasury Bill Auction the dollar for the 21st consecutive market day to yesterday in the interbank foreign exchange (FX) market with no trades done, led by moral 91,182-Day Maturities’ WAYs Superimpose suasion. Yesterday was also the 33rd consecutive By Paneetha Ameresekere 10,000 million on offer, was finally sold to market day that no trades were executed in the market at an unwritten maximum the interbank FX market. Nonetheless, the Yesterday’s weekly Treasury (T) Bill administered yield (MAY) of 5.17 per cent, unsaid market exchange rate (MER) has primary auction for the issue of Rs 50,000 up, one basis point (bp) Week on Week theoretically depreciated by between Rs million Treasuries saw only 1.38 per cent (Rs (WoW) to yesterday, leading to the 12.25-11.75 (6.53-6.23 per cent) in two way 275 million) of the ‘long term’ 364-day (one continuance of a distortion in the market, quotes in the calendar year to yesterday and year) T Bills sold to the market from a total of led bythe Government’s borrowing ‘short’ to year on year by between Rs 13.75-14.05 (7. Rs 20,000 million originally on offer due to repay maturing ‘long term’ 364-day debt in 39-7.55 per cent), thereby causing cost-push the market asking for higher yields led by particular. inflationary pressure, in the event trades were sustained uncertainty and inflation. The 182-day maturity, that saw only executed even at those administered prices. Market distortion is conspicuous by the 23.87 per cent (Rs 4,774 million) of the An administratively created ‘dead’ FX fact that the Weighted Average Yields (WAYs) original parcel of Rs 20,000 million sold to market for the sake of artificially inflating the for both the 91 and 182 day maturities’ the market. value of the rupee vis-à-vis the dollar, superimposed at 5.17 per cent at yesterday’s Yesterday’s low returns riskless T Bill however, impinges on the stability of dollar auction. auction saw CBSL selling only 39.76 per starved smaller banks and also leads to a However, Central Bank of Sri Lanka cent (Rs 19,879 million) of the total Rs scenario of shortages, queues, corruption and (CBSL)/Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) 50,000 million worth of Treasuries originally a black market, reminiscent to that which wants to maintain an artificially low interest offered. beset the economy during the period 1970- rate regime to minimise the Government’s maturities; those have not been allowed to be The written MAY fixed for the 364-day 1977. borrowing costs and to spur growth despite fully subscribed because the market was tenure yesterday was 5. 21 per cent, ‘Spot’ trades are settled after two market distorting the market in the process. asking for higher yields. unchanged WoW, synchronizing with its WAY, days from the date of transaction, CBSL deal In the last 15 weekly T Bill auctions to However, the 91-day maturity once more data, showed. The unwritten MAY for the 182- in ‘spot.’ CBSL is the steward of GoSL debt yesterday, of the parcels on offer, in particular uplift sales, where 148.3 per cent (Rs 14,830 day tenure at yesterday’s auction was 5.17 per and its foreign reserves. the one year and the six months (182-day) million), compared to the original parcel of Rs cent, also unchanged WoW. B12 Ceylon FT thursday 17 june 2021 Corporate DFCC Uplifts SL Dairy Sector via Innovative Financing Initiatives DFCC Bank, the premier The objective of such initiatives is to by the U.S. Department of communities, strengthening their conditions to ensure higher commercial bank in Sri Lanka, has address a significant difficulty faced Agriculture’s ‘Food for Progress’ potential to earn, while securing and accessibility and applicability, been at the forefront of enhancing the by many small-scale farmers – the programme. The initiative consisted of improving their livelihoods. including satisfactory pre-agreed risk development of the nation’s dairy lack of access to adequate long-term the provision of customized lending Implemented in partnership with ratings and reduced processing fees, sector through innovative micro financing opportunities. This stands facilities for dairy farmers and was Chello Dairy Products Pvt Ltd, Chello giving the current difficult socio- financing solutions from specialized to enhance the development of the implemented by the International involves the transfer of farmer loan economic conditions. Value Chain Financing schemes. The dairy sector by empowering the entire Executive Service Corps (IESC), who payments directly to a DFCC Bank The project also focuses on Bank has pioneered lending to further value chain, securing long-term managed the technical support account in return of the farmers’ inculcating the habit of saving across the progress of the dairy industry, growth and stability of the industry. provision to both the dairy farmers, supply of milk. DFCC in turn ensures the farmer community, through a allowing farmers in one of Sri Lanka’s Among the many avenues in which and all staff directly involved in dairy access to readily-available financial special cash build-up scheme key economic sectors to better their DFCC Bank has provided financial sector-focused lending activities. support enabling them to have a involving the transfer of a small sum livelihoods amidst a strained economy and technical support to farmers, a Another prime example is a project stronger platform for carrying out to farmer’s accounts, together with and increasingly difficult financial key example is the partnership with that involved granting developmental dairy-farming activities. DFCC Bank the loan installment directly from the conditions. Market Oriented Dairy (MOD), funded loans to MSME’s within the farmer has further provided specialized loan promoter Company.

More online discounts SDB bank Second Public Offering and offers for (SPO) with Issue of up to 88M Shares Coming off a hugely successful SDB bank’s decision to go for an Banking Act. With current stated quarter, recording 282% increase SPO — a capital raising exercise by capital of SDB bank at LKR 7.7 ComBank cardholders in profit compared to the a company that is already listed on billion represented by 91.57 corresponding quarter in the the CSE and involves the sale of million shares (85.65% publicly- Commercial Bank Credit Cardholders registered cards, for up to five orders, previous year, SDB bank and its new shares to the public through a held), the bank’s SME and can enjoy discounts of up to 25% and each with a minimum value of Rs 2000. diverse shareholder base are set to secondary offering is based on its development banking focus is other benefits when they order fresh Customers who have registered their enter another period of consistent decision to invite their customers, expected to ensure continuous vegetables, fruits, seafood and meals via cards on the PickMe app can avail of growth. shareholders and other growth due to their services’ glomark.lk and the PickMe Food App this benefit by simply entering the The bank’s extended growth stakeholders as well as the general entrepreneurial banking outlook in following a tie-up between the Bank and promo code displayed on the app at the phase comes on the back of its public to take part in this journey. nationally-critical economic these retail and delivery partners. time of their purchases, the Bank said. long-term SME development efforts With 68 million new ordinary segments. NDB Investment Bank The Bank’s Credit card customers are Additionally, ComBank Credit which have resulted in loan growth voting shares to be issued to the Limited, who advised SDB bank on entitled to a 25% discount on the items Cardholders will have three delivery fees across the sector; its digital public via the SPO at a share price the listing on the Colombo Stock covered by the offer every Saturday waived off from their total bills until 30 transformation initiatives which of Rs 51.50 and 20 million Exchange in 2012 and the when they purchase via the Glomark June 2021, when they shop at have improved access to solutions additional shares in case of an successful Rights Issue in 2020 Supermarket website and pay for their Keellssuper.com or via the Keells mobile and service delivery and its oversubscription, the fresh capital amongst numerous other fund shopping with their Credit cards for app using their registered Credit Cards, support of key segments including raising effort will enable in further raising transactions, is advising bills over the value of Rs 2,500. This for a minimum bill value of Rs 3500. female-led enterprises. reinforcing the bank’s equity base the bank as Financial Advisors and offer will run till the end of July 2021 Commercial Bank is already The bank embarked on a two- and consequently improve its Managers to the SPO as well. and will enable shoppers to enjoy partnering with Uber Eats to offer its phased capital raising plan last capital adequacy ratios in SDB bank’s continued support of discounts up to a maximum of Rs Credit Card customers who newly year to support business growth adherence with the BASEL III SMEs including female-run 1,500. register on the app a 50% discount for over the next 3-4 years with the guidelines of the Central Bank. industries positions the bank Furthermore, Commercial Bank is food items subject to a maximum of Rs first phase carried out via the Equally, the funds raised via the strategically as an attractive, also offering a 20% discount, subject to 500 on their first three purchases above bank’s rights issue in FY2020, SPO will support SDB bank’s development-oriented investment a maximum of Rs 2,000, on the entire Rs 800, while existing customers which led to LKR 1.5 billion being expected loan portfolio growth for option, directly aligned with bill between 10a.m. and 6p.m., every receive the benefit of a delivery fee raised. This Issue had the twin the period 2021-2022. national economic development. A Wednesday to Credit Card holders waiver on the first five orders of distinctions of being the first-ever The bank’s Board will reserve the stance that sees them offering both shopping online at Glomark. This essential goods over the value of Rs digital rights issue by a Colombo right to offer new shares on financial assistance and promotion can be enjoyed by those with 1500 throughout June. Stock Exchange-listed entity plus preferential basis to identified entrepreneurial consultancy a minimum bill value of Rs 5000 and These promotions were launched to the first local digital share investors (50.0% of SPO Shares) services across the SME sector, will be available until the end of June encourage digital and cashless subscription to be over- plus to existing shareholders which accounts for 52% of national 2021. The discount is applicable to a transactions among cardholders while subscribed. The bank is now (37.5% of SPO Shares), in GDP, this is complemented by maximum of three units of an item or enabling them to practice safe and geared to raise further capital via a consultation with the Colombo their active advocacy of women’s 3kg per product. efficient shopping habits, the Bank Second Public Offering (SPO) to Stock Exchange (CSE). Having empowerment initiatives and ComBank cardholders can also have said. facilitate the second phase of their received shareholder approval at female entrepreneurship as well as Rs 400 slashed from their total bills The promotions are timely, when growth journey in an effort to the recent EGM, the SPO will be digitalisation across internal until 30 June 2021, when they buy many are unable to leave their homes create greater value for its subject to shareholding processes and in service delivery to meals via the PickMe app using their due to the travel restrictions in place. shareholders. regulations as set out in the all customers.

NDB Partners with SL@100 for mid-market firms, SMEs NDB Bank recently partnered with the services to this sector.” Sri Lanka@100 is As the Exclusive Banking Partner, SL@100 Platform in order to focus on a private sector-led business NDB will provide value-added services supporting mid-market firms under the development platform that was launched and financing solutions to companies NDB Jayagamu Sri Lanka initiative. in 2020, to support Sri Lanka’s journey onboarded to the Sri Lanka@100 A majority of the Sri Lankan to become a high-income country by platform. In addition, NDB and Sri businesses come under the SME 2048, when Sri Lanka will celebrate 100 Lanka@100 will collaborate on hosting segment with 45% of employment being years of independence. SL@100 will capacity building programmes and under the same category. Thus, in an work with mid-market firms and SMEs webinars to educate SMEs on financial Ramesh Jayasekara, Chief Operating Officer, Seylan Bank (left) and Gany Subramaniam, Chief Executive Officer, Allianz Insurance Lanka (Right) effort to uplift this segment, NDB Bank in optimising internal operations, services and solutions available to them. tied up with the SL@100 platform in enhancing product portfolios, accessing The partnership will help to expand order to develop the sector and provide new markets, and attracting capital. SL@100 Portfolio companies and the non-financial assistance required to SL@100 is funded by the US contribute to the growth of the SME Seylan Partners develop the sector. NDB Bank Director/ Government’s development arm, the ecosystem in Sri Lanka. CEO Dimantha Seneviratne said "Even United States Agency for International “Enterprises, particularly SMEs, play a during one of the greatest health crises Development (USAID). vital role in raising the standard of living of our lifetime, NDB has always been at “We are excited to partner with NDB, a in a country and their importance in the with Allianz Lanka the forefront of supporting MSMEs. Last pioneer in SME-focused banking in the post-COVID recovery process cannot be year, when we introduced Jayagamu Sri country as we look to unleash the overstated. This project helps SMEs Lanka, it was with the intention of being potential of high-growth SMEs. This navigate the current challenges, become for Motor Insurance a pillar of strength to the backbone of MoU will match SMEs with the banking more resilient, and increase profits and our economy - SMEs. We are looking products that are a strategic fit to them.” employment,” said USAID Mission Seylan Bank announced an providers in the country. forward to making this partnership said Co-founder of Sri Lanka@100 Dr. Director for Sri Lanka and Maldives Reed exclusive partnership with Allianz Particularly given the flat rate on successful in order to further provide our Kumudu Gunasekera. Aeschliman. Lanka, Sri Lanka’s premier their discounted premiums, the insurance provider, offering a host exclusive partnership will deliver of benefits on motor insurance unique value to our cardholders. premium payments. With the current situation within Seylan Credit Cardholders will the country, we believe that it is be able to avail a flat discount of vital to provide customers with Sampath Launches New Visa 18% on insurance premium schemes that are going to reduce payments for cars, and up to 20% their financial burdens. We savings on insurance premium encourage customers to sign on to payments for all other vehicles at the service and reap these Corporate Credit Card Allianz Lanka. They can also remarkable benefits,” said Seylan Sampath Bank recently announced cards. They can also automate the and this launch is yet another much convert these transactions into Bank PLC Chief Operating Officer, the launch of its new Sampath settlement of their recurring payments needed, timely step in that direction. 12-month instalment plans at 0% Ramesh Jayasekara. Corporate Visa Credit Card in such as monthly utility bill payments While strengthening our product interest. “Due to the prevailing global partnership with Visa, the leader in using the Sampath Automated Bill portfolio, we are providing corporate These exclusive discounted health and economic crisis, digital payments, to facilitate better Settlement service, which is offered customers with an effective and premiums are offered to Seylan consumers are being very mindful financial management for corporates. free. The cards also come with tap to smarter financial management that credit cardholders purchasing about their spending. At Allianz, The card, which is accepted worldwide, pay technology, allowing cardholders will help the company during this new motor insurance policies we have been working hard to enables companies to seamlessly track to make contactless payments in a safe global pandemic.” from Allianz Lanka. Seylan Credit secure people’s lives and give and monitor expenses through the and convenient manner by simply “Over the past year, we have seen the Card transactions above Rs them courage and confidence to provision of real time data. tapping the card on the POS machine. increased need for businesses to 15,000 at Allianz Motor Insurance face what’s ahead. Enabling businesses to gain Businesses can also avail themselves digitize their finances and automate are eligible to be converted into We believe our partnership with complete control over their corporate of a wide range of 0% interest processes like supplier paymentsand 0% instalment plans until the end Seylan Bank will enable us to expenses, this card helps them instalment plans as well as a host of reconciliation. To give them more of August 2021 through this support them during these trying minimise administrative costs and other benefits and privileges offered by control over their finances, we are scheme, with a maximum times. We invite Seylan Credit avoid the hassle of unnecessary SampathCards. delighted to extend our partnership transaction value of Rs 500,000 Cardholders to avail the discounts paperwork. Along with this, Sampath Speaking about the launch of this with Sampath Bank to offer corporate per annum. on offer and experience the Bank is also offering free e-statements card, Sampath BankHead of Card credit cards to all eligible businesses. “Seylan is ready to provide the benefits and privileges that come and SMS Alert facilities for the card. Centre, With these cards, they can make best services for our customers. with our world-class motor Businesses can designate a central PLCDarshinPathinayakesaid,“We have payments contactless, faster, safer and This partnership will enable insurance solutions,” said Allianz administrative email Id and phone always strived to be in the forefront of more efficient,” saidVisaCountry customers to receive a host of Insurance Lanka Limited Chief number to receive these updates and offering the latest technology products ManagerSri Lanka and value-added services through one Executive Officer Gany track every transaction made on their to the discerning Sri Lankan customer MaldivesAnthony Watson. of the leading motor insurance Subramaniam. CORPORATE THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2021 CEYLON FT B13 Ericsson Mobility Report: More Than Half a Billion 5G Subscriptions by the end of 2021 Ericsson Projects that 5G mobile fall far behind China, the U.S., Korea, spurred by the enhanced role of now exceeded 1.1 billion, with 5G Vinod Samarawickrama, Head of subscriptions will exceed 580 million Japan and the Gulf Cooperation connectivity as a key component of subscriptions being just below the 2 Ericsson Sri Lanka, says, “5G will by the end of 2021, driven by an Council (GCC) markets in the pace of post-COVID-19 economic recovery. million mark. 5G subscriptions are play a critical role in building the estimated one million new 5G mobile 5G deployments. North East Asia is expected to expected to grow strongly over the national infrastructure to digitalise subscriptions every day. 5G is expected to surpass a billion account for the largest share of 5G next few years with a forecast total the country’s economy and realise The forecast, which features in the subscriptions two years ahead of the subscriptions by 2026, with an of about 400 million by 2026. South the vision of a fully connected nation. twentieth edition of the Ericsson 4G LTE timeline for the same estimated 1.4 billion 5G East Asia and Oceania region will Advanced use cases and affordable Mobility Report, enhances the milestone. Key factors behind that subscriptions. While North American also see data traffic per smartphone smart devices will help accelerate 5G expectation that 5G will become the include China’s earlier commitment to and GCC markets are expected to growing at the fastest rate globally, implementation and adoption in the fastest adopted mobile generation. 5G and the earlier availability and account for the highest 5G reaching 39GB/month by 2026 – a country. The initial payback for 5G to About 3.5 billion 5G subscriptions increasing affordability of commercial subscription penetration, with 5G CAGR of 36 percent. Total mobile telecom service providers will be and 60 percent 5G population 5G devices. More than 300 5G mobile subscriptions comprising 84 data traffic will grow accordingly, lower costs to address the traffic coverage are forecast by the end of smartphone models have already percent and 73 percent of all with a CAGR of 42 percent, reaching growth. 5G combined with IoT, would 2026. been announced or launched regional mobile subscriptions 39EB/month driven by continued help accelerate the government’s However, the pace of adoption commercially. respectively. growth in 4G subscriptions and 5G digital transformation initiatives and varies widely by region. Europe is off This commercial 5G momentum is Mobile subscriptions in the South uptake in those markets where 5G help in the socio -economic to a slower start and has continued to expected to continue in coming years, East Asia and Oceania region have has already been launched. development of the country.”

Colombo City Centre Residences USA is an important – A Living Space like No Other investment partner for SL The Colombo City Centre Residences project is the most celebrated living space – Ravinatha Aryasinha in Colombo,especially during Asia’s first and largest highest standards of living the prevailing conditions and virtual investor forum, SLIF among other advanced circumstances in the country. 2021 showcasing Sri Lanka’s indicators in South Asia. Residents at Colombo City attractiveness SLIF 2021 “Over the last seventeen Centre expressed that it is showcasing Sri Lanka, was years, the country continued extremely convenient for held from 07- 09 June 2021. to transition from an them despite travel The three-day forum agriculture commodity based restrictions and lockdowns organised by the Board of economy to become world imposed in the country. The Investment, the Ceylon leader in textile and apparel, a residents at Colombo City Chamber of Commerce and major exporter of IT and Centre enjoy the luxury of the Colombo Stock Communication related having access to everything Exchange, provided a services and of course a world they need simply by using the comprehensive class destination for elevator.They have the ensured access to banking reaffirmed its position as a understanding on the FDI international tourists.” privilege of walking into the services 24/7. landmark in the city. and Capital Market Kelly concluded his speech largest Hypermarket of Having recorded the highest Speaking on the sidelines, opportunities in Sri Lanka. by stating that the Ambassador Aryasinghe Cargills group in Colombo – number of sales and CEO Praveen Methil In addition to coverage of government of Sri Lanka has Cargills Food Hall, which is handovers amongst stated,“We are delighted to policy topics and deep dive tourism and leisure, promoted pro-business located at the lower ground residential projects in the announcethe opening the first sessions on sectoral infrastructure, and policies including tax benefits, floor of Colombo City Centre, Heart of Colombo during the Flagship Courtyard by opportunities and enabling manufacturing. We must to attract US and other to purchase whatever they peak of the pandemic, the Marriottin Sri Lanka at environments over the 3 also note that with the US foreign direct investments want at their own Colombo City Centre Colombo City Centre by this days, country specific being Sri Lanka’s main and the government has convenience.The Residences project is year-end”. sessions designed for export destination pledged to address the Hypermarket has a well- currently found to be one of Sales Director, Hirushka investors were also held accounting for 26% of Sri pending policy issues and I stocked pharmacy, bakery, the safest investment options Fernando sharing his thoughts during the forum. Lanka exports, there is am confident that once the café, salad and juice bars and in Sri Lanka.The backing of said, “We’re pleased to invite The focused country always the potential for pandemic subsides, concrete many more, in addition to the the corporate powerhouse everyone to join our privileged session for the USA was held greater investment with buy- efforts will begin to improve exclusive range of local and Abans Group saw the project community of Residents at on 09 June. The objective of back and arrangements ease of doing business and imported products. through to completion, Colombo City Centre by this breakout session was to which involve the US as ensure the required The residents also enjoy the amidst turbulent market investing in the few remaining highlight investment well.” facilitation for US investors. benefit of having a unique conditions. ready-to-move-in apartments, opportunities in Sri Lanka He also stated that recent The breakout session mix of restaurants at The mixed development as it’s the perfect time to secure for potential investors from trends indicate US concluded with a lively panel Colombo City Centrealong comprises a total of 192 your living space before the the US. The session companies are currently discussion with with the Food Studio,holding luxury apartments of 2 BR, 3 hotel opening. The investors commenced with an address looking for new destinations representatives of prominent an exciting combination of BR and will be immensely benefitted by Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka is obviously US companies in Sri Lanka local and international Penthouses,facilitating the with the enormous value to the United States of considered potential for representing the service and cuisines that deliver the food apartment owners to gain appreciation expected with the America Ravinatha relocation. Further manufacturing sectors, of their choice to their access to a multitude of opening of the international Aryasinha, followed by Ambassador Aryasinha used namely the Hilton group, doorstep.Unlike many in amenities such as shopping, hotel at Colombo City Centre Charge D’ Affairs, of the this opportunity to thank the Avery Dennison and Colombo, the residents at movies, restaurants, under Marriott International – Embassy of the United US government for the American & Efird. The Hilton Colombo City Centre do not supermarket, entertainment, one of the world’s largest States of America in Sri support extended to Sri Colombo has been operating have to worry about the food courts, gaming, kids’ hospitality groups.” Lanka Martin Kelly. General Lanka to overcome in Sri Lanka for over 30 years hassle of walking out of the play areas, and now – with Colombo City Centre Manager and Head of the difficulties brought on by the and General Manager of the premises even for cash the entry of the 164-key Residences have sold over Secretariat the American COVID-19 pandemic. In Hilton Colombo Manesh withdrawals, as the local and International Hotel with 75% of the inventory and are Chamber of Commerce in Sri conclusion Ambassador Fernando was of the opinion international bank ATMs at Marriott International – now left with just under 25% Lanka Vrai Raymond Aryasinha stated that the Sri that they are looking at two Colombo City Centre mall Colombo City Centre has more units. provided a macroeconomic Lanka mission in new expansions in the coming update on Sri Lanka, which Washington has introduced years., Avery Dennison was followed by a panel a network to connect Sri General Manager and discussion with Lankans living in the US Country Head Lakshitha representatives of US who are interested in Dharmawansa stated that companies based in Sri investing in Sri Lanka, as despite the difficulties faced Ceylinco Life presents Lanka. well as taking advantage of due to COVID-19 the The panel was moderated their knowledge regarding company is reinvesting and by President of the US-Sri the business and investment expanding their current Kuliyapitiya Teaching Hospital High Lanka Business Council climate in Sri Lanka to product range whilst coming under the Ceylon attract more FDIs from diversifying into new areas Flow Nasal Cannula equipment Chamber of Commerce potential US companies. such as recycled polybags, Asanka Rathnayaka. The keynote address was organic base polybags and The Teaching Hospital Hospital Kalubowila, the Units (HDUs) to the Colombo Delivering his welcome made by Charge d’ Affairs of smart products. , American Kuliyapitiya recently received a Teaching Hospital Batticaloa, South Teaching Hospital, speech, Ambassador the Embassy of the United & Efird Lanka (Pvt) Ltd donation of High Flow Nasal and the Kantale Base Hospital. Kalubowila, the National Aryasinha stated that “The States of America in Sri Director Marketing, Sanjaya Cannula (HFNC) equipment The HFNC is beneficial to Hospital, Colombo, the Lady US has been an important Lanka Martin Kelly, who Chandraratne stated that from Ceylinco Life, which has patients who require oxygen via Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, investment partner for Sri said, “Promoting trade and A&E has been in operation been donating medical a non-invasive ventilator, as it and the Jaffna Teaching Lanka since 1978 and investment opportunities is in Sri Lanka for 20 years equipment to healthcare allows them to cough, mobilise Hospital. HDUs are needed to currently is the 10th largest one of the embassy's top and is one of the leading institutions bearing the brunt secretions, and be suctioned, if upgrade a patient from normal investor in Sri Lanka. Latest priorities and a vital manufacturers of industrial of the battle against the necessary. It is especially care or as a step down from data shows over 130 US component of their efforts to and consumer sewing COVID-19 pandemic. useful for patients being intensive care, helping release based projects which encourage private sector led thread, embroidery thread The HFNC apparatus is used weaned from invasive beds in the intensive care account for nearly 500 developments and toward and technical textiles. They in the treatment of patients ventilation. units. These units are used for million US Dollars. The most stronger ties between the two too are currently with severe hypoxic respiratory A consistent benefactor of post-surgery care, before popular investment sectors countries. Sri Lanka was considering investing in the failure. Similar equipment has government hospitals, Ceylinco transferring patients to the for US companies are among the first countries in proposed Fabric Park at already been presented to the Life has also built, equipped, wards, or to treat an intensive apparel and textiles, the region to open its Eravur in the Eastern Colombo South Teaching and donated High Dependency disease. software development, economy and offers the Province.

OPPO Partners with Thales for World’s First 5G SA-Compatible eSIM OPPO today announced the world’s the benefits of eSIM technology. challenge. In addition to smartphones and Thales, being the first in the delivering these experiences,” said first 5G SA-Compatible eSIM on its Unlike traditional SIM cards which and wearables such as smartwatches, world to support 5G SA network on Xia Yang, Senior Director of Carrier newly launched flagship 5G require to be physically inserted into eSIMs also enjoys a widely growing an eSIM-powered device, Product, OPPO. “Through our smartphone, the OPPO Find X3 Pro, devices, eSIM, or embedded SIM, is adoption in Connected Vehicles and spearhead the development of 5G technical collaboration with Thales, developed in collaboration with the directly built into the device. Users Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT). technology. we have made the Find X3 Pro one world’s leading eSIM connectivity can enjoy a trusted and smooth digital As the mainstream 5G futureproof "As a leading global technology of the first devices in the world to be management company, Thales. The experience when selecting infrastructure, 5G SA (Standalone) company, OPPO has been spurring equipped with 5G SA-Compatible 5G Standalone (SA) eSIM-based OPPO connectivity plans from their preferred networks, with lower latency, the development of 5G technology eSIM. As 5G SA networks are being Find X3 Pro will provide users with mobile operators from their higher flexibility and a more since the very beginning. We are deployed around the world, the the advanced 5G experience offered by smartphone. As such, the Thales comprehensive 5G experience, are committed to providing innovative addition of 5G SA-Compatible eSIM 5G SA networks, as well as providing eSIM also helps mobile operators to being deployed by major mobile 5G experiences for users and we see brings more possibilities for Find both users and mobile operators with take up their digital transformation operators around the world. OPPO eSIM as an exciting prospect in X3 Pro users worldwide." B14 Ceylon FT thursday 17 june 2021 Markets March 2021 Quarter Earnings Surge by 207%YoY for 253 Companies – First Capital Research Robust performance in multiple sectors support to hit all-time high Qtr. Earnings

March quarter earnings surged by HOLDINGS (HHL)4QFY21 earnings LKR 4.4Bn (+53%YoY) while GP 207%YoY to LKR 110.8Bn led by were LKR 859.4Mn (+79.2%YoY) margin increased by 190bps to 42%. Diversified Financials (988%YoY), compared to LKR 479.8Mn in COS was up by 48%YoY to LKR Capital Goods (214%YoY), Food, 4QFY21. Profit growth was mainly 2.5Bn mainly resulted by the rise in Beverage & Tobacco (669%YoY), driven by Consumer Brands Base Oil prices as well as the Banks (70%YoY) and Materials segment which recorded a significant rupee depreciation. (267%YoY). However, a sluggish profitability growth of 192.3%YoY to TOKYO CEMENT COMPANY (TKYO) quarterly performance was LKR 620.1Mn. Finance cost 4QFY21 earnings were LKR 1.3Bn witnessed in Consumer Services decreased by 44.2%YoY to LKR (+92.2%YoY) compared to LKR 0.7Bn (-643%YoY), Real Estate (-19%YoY) 125.1Mn with repayment of in 4QFY20. Profit growth was mainly Consumer Durable & Apparel borrowings by 20.3%YoY amidst the driven by the Income Tax reversal of (-170%YoY) and Insurance (-4%YoY). low interest environment.RICHARD LKR 572.0Mn recorded for 4QFY21 Multiple sectors performed PIERIS AND COMPANY (RICH) relative to Income Tax expense of energetically: Exceptional results 4QFY21 earnings were recorded at LKR 22.4Mn in 4QFY20. Revenue were witnessed inDiversified LKR 1.3Bn (+371.1%) compared to a growth of 47.4%YoY to LKR 12.4Bn Financials, Food, Beverage & loss of LKR 468.6Mn in 4QFY20. was offset by the dip in GP margins Tobacco, Capital Goods, Banks and Profit growth was mainly driven by by 629bps to 24.4% and Materials sectors. the increase in total revenue by unprecedented surge in distribution Diversified Financials recorded a 28.2%YoY to LKR 16.0Bn while GP expenses by 95%YoY to LKR 1. 9Bn. growth of 988%YoY primarily driven margin increased by 178bps to Finance Cost reduced by -65.7%YoY by the growth in LOLC Holdings PLC 24.4%. Plastic, Furniture and to LKR 170.6Mn with settlement of (LOLC) (7,781%YoY) boosted by net Electronics segment was the main borrowings by 42.0%YoY.ALUMEX other income, and People Leasing & contributor for the growth in EBIT (ALUM) 4QFY21 earnings were LKR Finance PLC (2,936%YoY) owing to recording an increase of 260.6%YoY 489.7Mn (+27,725%YoY) compared the reduction in impairment. LOLC to LKR 463.5Mn, followed by Tyre to LKR 1.8Mn in 4QFY20. Profit HOLDINGS (LOLC) recorded a profit and Rubber segments contributing growth was mainly driven by the of LKR 7.3Bn for 4QFY21, up by LKR 270.7Mn (47.9%YoY) and LKR increase in revenue to LKR 2.1Bn 7,781%YoY compared to the loss of 376.1Mn (33.5%YoY) respectively. (+88%YoY) and spike in GP margin LKR 94.5Mn in 4QFY20. Total VALLIBEL ONE (VONE) 4QFY21 by 1,661bps to 32.89%. Finance cost operating profit increased by earnings LKR 3.6Bn (+299.7%) has reduced by 37%YoY due to the 781%YoY to LKR 7.4Bn as a result of compared to LKR 910.8Mn in low interest rate environment. decrease in interest expense by 4QFY20.Profit growth was mainly HAYCARB (HAYC)4QFY21 earnings 18%YoY, increase in income and driven by Lifestyle and Finance LKR 639.5Mn (+38.2%YoY) other income by 117%YoY and segments which recorded Profit compared to LKR 462.8Mn in 34%YoY, respectively. Financial Before Tax of LKR 3.3Bn 4QFY20.Profit growth was mainly services segment the main (+352.9%YoY) and LKR 3.5Bn driven by the surge in revenue by contributor to increase in EBIT (+174%YoY) respectively. Net 27.0%YoY to LKR 6.7Bn despite the recorded a growth of 479.7%YoY to Finance cost decreased by 70.7%YoY slight decrease in GP margins by reach LKR 4.8Bn due to increase Net to LKR 205.3Mn as a result of 73bps to 26.6%.Net Finance Income interest income by 60%YoY. Lower decline in borrowings by 26%YoY of LKR 158.4Mn was recorded income tax rate, relative to the last and the low interest environment. compared to LKR 61.6Mn Net year comparative quarter also Finance Cost in 1QFY20. favourably impacted the bottom- Banks too did well DIALOG AXIATA (DIAL)1Q2021 line.PEOPLE LEASING & FINANCE Banks witnessed a 70%YoY growth earnings were recorded at LKR (PLC) 4QFY21 earnings were in earnings to record at LKR 24.8Bn 2.4Bn (+64%YoY) compared to LKR recorded at LKR 3.2Bn (+2,935.6%) primarily driven by COMB (79%YoY), 1.5Bn in 1Q2020. Profit growth was compared to LKR 0.1Bn in 4QFY20. SAMP (91%) and HNB (55%). Profits mainly driven by the increase in Profit growth was mainly derived were boosted due to financial revenue to LKR 32.9Bn (+12%YoY) from an impairment reversal of LKR investment gains (forex and market and reduction in impairment losses 1.9Bn in 4QFY21 as against an to market gains) coupled with on financial assets. Finance cost has impairment charge of LKR 2.6Bn in reduction in impairment reduced by 33%YoY amidst 4QFY20.Net Interest Income slightly provisioning. COMMERCIAL BANK repayment of borrowings while net declined by 0.3%YoY to LKR 4.1Bn OF CEYLON PLC (COMB) 1Q2021 foreign exchange losses increased by amidst decline in Loans and earnings were LKR 6.8Bn 31%YoY amidst depreciation of LKR. receivables by 3.1%YoY to LKR due to lower taxation during the driven by Hand Protection and (+79.3%YoY) compared to LKR 3.8Bn 149.3Bn.CENTRAL FINANCE (CFIN) quarter.NESTLE LANKA (NEST) Consumer & Retail segments which in 1Q2020. Profit growth was mainly Consumer Services, Real recorded a profit of LKR 2.5Bn for 1Q2021 earnings recorded at LKR recorded Operating Profits of LKR driven by the increase in NII by Estate & Hospitality 4QFY21, up by 165.6%YoY 1.74Bn (+170% YoY) compared to 1.4Bn (641%YoY) and LKR 1.9Bn 21.8% to LKR 15.5Bn in 1Q2021 compared to the profit of LKR LKR 0.64Bn in 1Q2020. Profit (87%YoY) respectively.Net Finance despite increase in impairment by Trade record dull period 0.93Bn in 4QFY20. Profitability growth was mainly driven by the cost decreased by 60.8%YoY to LKR 7.6% to LKR 7.2Bn. Loans & Consumer Services and Real growth was mainly supported by increase in revenue to LKR 11.4Bn 1.0Bn as a result of repayment of advances grew by 2.2% in 1Q2021 to Estate illustrated a dull growth in other revenue and reversal (+25%YoY) and increase in GP borrowings by 6.6%YoY and the low LKR 929.6Bn.SAMPATH BANK performance: The Tourism industry in impairment provisioning. Net margin to 36%. Part of the GP was interest environment.ROYAL (SAMP) 1Q2021 earnings were continued to be adversely interest income decreased by offset by Marketing, Selling & Dist., CERAMICS LANKA (RCL) recorded a recorded at LKR 5.1Bn (+90.7%YoY) influenced, hence, Consumer 32.6%YoY to LKR 2.4Bn as a result expenses which jumped by 19% to profit of LKR 2.8Bn up by 330%YoY compared to LKR 2.7Bn in 1Q2020. Services sector earnings recorded a of the decrease in interest income by LKR 1.6bn.LION BREWERY CEYLON for 4QFY21 compared to LKR Profit growth was mainly driven by dip of 643%YoY. Real Estate sector 28.6%YoY to LKR 3.7Bn. CFIN’s (LION)4QFY21 earnings were LKR 656.6Mn in 4QFY20. Profit growth the decline in impairment by earnings (-19%YoY) have slowed impairment witnessed a notable 528.0Mn (-4%YoY) compared to LKR was mainly driven by the increase in 69.6%YoYto LKR 1.6Bn in 1Q2021 down due to the ongoing pandemic, decline in 4QFY21 recording a 547.0Mn in 4QFY21.Profit Before revenue to LKR 14.2Bn (90%YoY) despite the decline in NII by 5.5% to out of which RIL and SHAW reversal of LKR 455.4Mn (down by Tax growth was mainly driven by the and spike in GP margin by 793bps LKR 10.2Bn Loans & advances grew witnessed a decline in earnings by 128.9%YoY) compared to the surge increase in revenue by 21.9%YoY to to 41.1% due to the price increase in by 2.7% in 1Q2021 to LKR 772.7Bn. 65%YoY and 89%YoY, respectively. witnessed inprevious quarters.L B LKR 14.8Bn amidst the tiles and increase in share of HATTON NATIONAL BANK (HNB) JOHN KEELLS HOTELS (KHL) FINANCE (LFIN) 4QFY21 earnings improvement in GP margins by associate profit (Profit from LB 1Q2021 earnings were LKR 4.7Bn continued to be in losses for the 4th were recorded at LKR 2.8Bn 327bps to 21.6%. However, Profit Finance) by 122%YoY to LKR (+55%YoY) compared to LKR 3.0Bn consecutive quarter, recording a net (+120.6%YoY) compared to LKR after Tax was significantly eroded by 744.7Mn.Finance cost has reduced in 1Q2020. Profit growth was mainly loss of LKR 776.4Mn down by 1.3Bn in 1Q2020. Profit surge was the increase in Income Tax Expense by 63%YoY due to the low interest attributable to the increase in -953%YoY for 4QFY21, against a due to the significant reduction in by 788.5%YoY to LKR 644.7Mn. rate environment.LANKA trading gains by 288%YoY and profit of LKR 91.0Mn a year ago. impairment by 87.1%YoY to LKR CEYLON COLD STORES (CCS) WALLTILES PLC (LWL) recorded a increase in contribution via Net KHL’s top line fell 45%YoY to LKR 151.9Mn amidst increase in NII by recorded a profit of LKR 1.4Bn up by profit of LKR 1.5Bn up by Insurance Premium by 27%YoY to 2.0Bn, due to lower occupancy in 43.0%YoY to LKR 5.0Bn. Lending 55%YoY for 4QFY21 compared to 1,753.4%YoY for 4QFY21 compared LKR 2.5Bn, while reduction in both Sri Lanka and the Maldives which comprised of Loans & Leases LKR 0.9Bn in 4QFY20. Growth in to LKR 83.2Mn in 4QFY20. Profit impairment was at 37%YoY to LKR resorts amidst coronavirus. Net declined by 3.8%YoY to LKR bottom line was mainly driven by the growth was mainly driven by the 2.9Bn. Loans & advances marginally finance expenses rose by 8%YoY to 114.8Bn. improvement in revenue by 11%YoY increase in revenue to LKR 9.2Bn declined by 1% in 1Q2021 to LKR LKR 295.2Mn. ASIAN HOTELS & Lower income tax favour- to LKR 19.0Bn with the increase in (99.5%YoY) and spike in GP margin 792Bn. PROPERTIES (AHPL) 4QFY21 sales in the retail sector which by 1,133bps to 35.5% due to the Material sector has earnings were LKR -543.3Mn ably impacts bottom line contributed to an increase in price increase in tiles amidst import (-341.4%YoY) compared to LKR segmental revenueby 9.2%YoY. GP restriction. Finance cost has reason to smile 225.0Mn in 4QFY20. Profit fall off Food, Beverage and Tobacco sector margin for 4QFY21 improved reduced by 55.0%YoY due to the low was mainly driven by the decrease in earnings grew by 669%YoY to LKR marginally to 13.9% compared to interest rate environment. Material sector witnessed a growth revenue by 57.9%YoY to LKR 0.62Bn 16.7Bn led by MELS, NEST BUKI 13.2% in 4QFY20 aiding the growth JOHN KEELLS HOLDINGS (JKH) of 267%YoY largely benefited by with revenue from ‘Leisure’ segment and CARS. MELS earnings spiked by in the bottom line. Lower income record a profit of LKR 4.8Bn up by DIPPED PRODUCTS (DIPD) declining by 57.1%YoY to LKR 255%YoY due to increase in other tax, relative to the last year 27%YoY for 4QFY21 compared to (1,448%YoY), LLUB (198%YoY) and 0.60Bn. OP margin declined to income and lower taxation rate. comparative quarter also favourably LKR 3.7Bn in 4QFY20. Revenue for TKYO (92%YoY).DIPD 4QFY21 -11.4% in 4QFY21 compared to MELSTACORP (MELS)recorded a impacted the bottom line. the period under review up by earnings were LKR 1.7Bn (+1,448%) 10.5% in 4QFY20. Fair value loss of profit of LKR 2.4Bn up by Capital Goods sector witnessed a 4%YoY to LKR 35.6Bn, indicating compared to LKR 0.1Bn in 4QFY20. the Investment Property was 254.9%YoYfor 4QFY21 compared to growth of 214%YoY benefited from that JKH witnessed a faster than Profit growth was mainly driven by recorded at LKR 458.8Mn in 4QFY21 LKR 678.2Mn recorded in 4QFY20. remarkable performance in anticipated recovery in most of its the surge in revenue by 88.1%YoY to against a gain of LKR 153Mn Revenue for the period under review HAYLEYS (HAYL) (1,417%YoY) due business segments excluding LKR 13.8Bn amidst the increase in recorded in 4QFY20. AITKEN increased by 8.9%YoY to LKR to the strong performance in Hand leisure. Consumer segment earnings GP margins by 1,100bps to 26.7%. SPENCE HOTEL HOLDINGS 43.5Bn, while GP margin dropped by Protection and Consumer & Retail improved by 95%YoY to LKR1.14Bn However, distribution cost and (AHUN)4QFY21 earnings were LKR 515bps to 18.3% in 4QFY21 relative segments while also benefiting from due to strong basket value while administrative expenses for 4QFY21 -372.1Mn (-346.2%) compared to to the comparative quarter due to currency depreciation. Further the Retail segment profit improved by also increased significantly by LKR 151.1Mn in 4QFY20.Profit drop increase of excise duty. Beverage sector was benefited by TILE 67%YoY to LKR 0.6Bn driven by 65%YoY and 75%YoY respectively. was mainly driven by the decline in segment was the main positive (962%YoY), LWL (1,753%YoY) and margin improvement in both CHEVRON LUBRICANTS LANKA revenue by 34.2%YoY to LKR 3.7Bn contributor to the increase in EBIT RCL (330%YoY) supported by the beverage and frozen confectionary. (LLUB)1Q2021 earnings were with OP margins dipping to -6.0% in recording a growth of 14.9%YoY to import restrictions. HAYL4QFY21 Due to low interest rate recorded at LKR 1.53Bn (+198% 4QFY21 compared to 15.5% in 2.5Bn, while financial services earnings LKR 3.5Bn (+1,416.7%YoY) environment, insurance contract YoY) compared to LKR 0.52Bn in 4QFY20.Finance cost reduced by segment also witnessed a growth in compared to LKR 234.0Mn in liabilities to the Life Fund increased 1Q2020 Profit growth was mainly 14.3%YoY to LKR 508.3Mn despite EBIT by 494.7%YoY to LKR 646.8Mn 4QFY20. Profit growth was mainly by 114%YoY to LKR 2.0Bn.HEMAS driven by the increase in revenue to increase in borrowings by 11%YoY. sports Thursday 17 JUNE 2021 A15 Hummels own goal gifts France 1-0 win over lacklustre Germany

Title favourites France launched their Euro 2020 Group ‘F’ campaign with a 1-0 victory over Germany on Tuesday, courtesy of an own goal by Mats Hummels, as the sluggish-looking hosts lost their opening fixture at the European Championship for the first time. The world champions went ahead in the 20th minute when midfielder Paul Pogba’s raking pass was fired back across the goal by Lucas Hernandez and defender Hummels shanked the ball into his own net as he tried to clear it. It was a deserved win for France, who also hit the crossbar, while the Germans now have to up their game against holders Portugal on Saturday, while France play Hungary. Andy Murray “It was our first match and it was a huge game,” said France coach Didier Deschamps. “It could have been a semi-final Murray beats Paire on or a final. But we have the three points that will be very important. return to grass courts “They are tough to play against but we were there, on the spot. This win does a lot of Twice former Wimbledon “The body is old, but I did good.” champion Andy Murray made quite well today in terms of Germany’s record 50th Euro match got off an emotional comeback at movement and stuff, to a tentative start before a couple of French the Queen’s Club considering it was my first chances fell to Pogba and Kylian Mbappe. championships to claim a 6-3 (singles) match on grass in The visitors’ gradual pressure paid off France’s Paul Pogba in action with Germany’s Toni Kroos 6-2 win over Frenchman three years,” Murray said when Pogba launched an outstanding cross- Benoit Paire on Monday. before choking up with field pass to Hernandez, who cut the ball Adrien Rabiot cut in from the left but he hit enough boot to the ball to prevent a shot The 34-year-old, five times emotion as the crowd back only for Hummels, who had been the post with Neuer already moving in the before Mbappe went to ground. a champion at the Queen’s cheered. dropped more than two years ago and was opposite direction. “It was a brutally intense game and we event, delighted a home “I love playing tennis and it recalled for the tournament, to clip it into the That looked to shake the hosts into action, fought until the end,” Germany coach crowd with some trademark was great to be out here roof of the net past his own goalkeeper and they carved out three consecutive Joachim Loew said. “An own goal decided it. brilliance to move through to competing again.” Manuel Neuer. chances, with Gosens again in the mix, until I cannot blame the team because we fought a second-round against top The world number 124 The Germans were desperate to impress in an injury to Benjamin Pavard around the a lot. We maybe lacked a bit of punching seed Matteo Berrettini. Murray, handed a wildcard front of a home crowd to make amends for hour mark gave the French some much- power in and around the box.” Murray underwent hip as he looks to Wimbledon, their shock 2018 World Cup first-round exit, needed respite. “Tomorrow we have to process things but resurfacing surgery in will face a step up in quality but instead they rarely broke through the France gradually conceded possession but look ahead. We lost, we are disappointed, January 2019 and has when he takes on Berrettini French rearguard. remained lethal on the break with Mbappe but we still have two games and we can fix struggled to reach his former who came through a tough When they did it was usually with Robin and Karim Benzema both putting the ball in it.” level with niggling injuries first-round battle against Gosens from the left, and one of his crosses the net but having their efforts ruled offside. France, unbeaten in their last 17 limiting his tournament time. fellow Italian Stefano found Ilkay Gundogan, whose shot veered Mbappe was also denied what looked like competitive outings, are second in Group ‘F’ The erratic Paire tested the Travaglia 7-6(5) 7-6(4). wide of the post. a penalty after out-sprinting Hummels to behind holders Portugal, who beat Hungary British player’s movement with Berrettini, playing his first It was France who almost scored again in chase down a long ball in the 78th minute, 3-0 earlier on Tuesday. a succession of drop shots, the match on grass this season, the 52nd when another quick break saw but replays showed the German got just (Reuters) majority of which Murray took a while to find his feet on tracked down successfully. the slick lawn and fell 4-1 Murray was also helped by a behind in the opening set, in string of unforced errors from front of a small crowd. his bearded opponent, but also But he found his range and contributed some dazzling battled back to take a tight Nine SL Cricketers in USA Minor League winners on a sunny summer opener on a tiebreak. day. Travaglia saved a match Nine Sri Lankan Cricketers have been and was phased across seven geographic Master Blasters), Ruvindu Gunasekara He broke Paire’s serve in point in the 12th game of the selected to play in the USA Minor League zones. In total, more than 400 players have (New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers Cricket the fourth game of the first second set, but could not Cricket (MiLC) Tournament conducted by already been selected from the 2,000 Club), Roy Silva (Ft. Lauderdale Lions), set with a running forehand hold off Berrettini in the day›s America Cricket Enterprises on behalf of players. Isuru Kuruvitage (Ft. Lauderdale Lions), pass and matched that with second tiebreak. The world USA Cricket. The tournament will Sri Lankans Shehan Jayasooriya (Silicon Gayan Fernando (SoCal Lashings) and an angled backhand winner number nine rifled a commence from 31 July. Valley Strikers), Amila Aponso (Atlanta Peter Vittachi (SoCal Lashings ) were to get a break ahead in the backhand down the line to The Minor League Cricket Draft took Fire), Shehan Fernando (Hollywood Master selected by six of the 27 teams second set, after which Paire complete the win. place last Friday via video conference calls Blasters), Dhyan Ranatunga (Hollywood participating in the tournament. offered little resistance. (Reuters)

BCB express West Indies and Bangladesh tours desire to host 2025 Warner, Cummins and Maxwell Champions Trophy among six to opt out Bangladesh Cricket Board President Nazmul Hasan said on Tuesday (15 June) that they will express interest to host the David Warner, Pat Cummins and Glenn “International tours in the time of COVID-19 Champions Trophy in 2025 considering they have the Maxwell are among six players to have opted out of undoubtedly present many additional challenges necessary infrastructure. Australia›s tours of the West Indies and for athletes. They also present opportunities for During the 10th meeting of the Board of Directors, it was Bangladesh, while Steven Smith will miss the trips others and, in this case, the chance to push for decided that they will participate in the host selection process because of an elbow injury. selection in the Australian men’s T20 World Cup for the ICC Men’s Events (2024-2031) and to expedite the Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson and Marcus squad later this year and beyond. This is a great process, a management team headed by the BCB CEO has Stoinis are the others to make themselves chance for these players to make a case for the been formed. BCB Directors Mohammed Jalal Yunus and unavailable for the upcoming tours because of a World Cup and all are considered very real Ahmed Sajjadul Alam will oversee the procedure. variety of personal reasons, following their time at prospects of making that tournament by ‘’There are lots of issues (in order to solely host the Men’s the IPL and the difficult journey home when the performing well across these tours.” World Cup). We will need to have 10 full-fledged stadiums. It is tournament was postponed indefinitely. Australia are boosted by the return of Mitchell the same for whoever is interested to bid for the event. So that is Allrounder Daniel Sams had previously put Starc and Josh Hazlewood to the white-ball set-up not possible for us because we do not have so many venues. himself out of contention. after the two were among those unavailable for the Hosting even the T20 World Cup solely is a challenge for us, but Wes Agar, the South Australia and Adelaide T20I tour of New Zealand as they had been we will sit and discuss with some of the neighbouring countries Strikers pace bowler, has earned his first selected for the Test series in South Africa, which to see whether we can become a co-host,’’ he said. international call-up as the one uncapped player was subsequently postponed. “However there is the Champions Trophy [2025] which is in the 18-strong squad. Nathan Ellis, the With Australia’s international borders likely to possible for us to host. We have decided to bid to solely host Tasmania quick, and leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha remain shut well into next year, the requirement the Champions Trophy,” he added. will travel as reserves. to quarantine for two weeks after tours will Nazmul also confirmed that they have decided to hold the Dan Christian and Ben McDermott, who both continue to impact players for the foreseeable BCB AGM on 7 July 2021 in Dhaka as it was at the top of recently aborted their county deals when added future. their agenda during the 10th Board Meeting of the current to the preliminary squad, have been recalled. “The pandemic is now into its second year and term. Nazmul’s second term is set to end in September this Christian last played for Australia in 2017. that has meant athletes and staff, particularly year and according to the Constitution, the Board must From the 29 names in the preliminary squad, those who participate internationally, have spent arrange the election within the next 45 days. D’Arcy Short, who is playing for Hampshire in the lengthy periods in bio-secure hubs, where freedom Nazmul added they have nearly finalized the contract list, T20 Blast, and Cameron Green have not been of movement is restricted, and hard quarantine,” but could not disclose it as there were some last-minute included. Alex Kountouris, Cricket Australia’s head of sports changes. “The national contract is finalized but we cannot Jason Behrendorff, Moises Henriques, Riley science and sports medicine, said. “We look disclose it right now as some changes will be made,” he Meredith, Andrew Tye and Adam Zampa, who were forward to a time when hubs and quarantines are mentioned, indicating that the BCB Cricket Operations also at the IPL, have made themselves available for things of the past, but for now we will continue to Committee has been asked to review the observations of the the tour. Tye and Zampa, along with Kane manage the situation as best we can with the Board and finalize and announce the National Player Contract Richardson, left the tournament early before wellbeing of our people at the forefront of our for May-December 2021. The Board has approved the Australia’s borders shut to arrivals from India, decision-making.” Women’s National Player contract for 22 cricketers up to which forced the remaining players to travel home Australia will leave for the Caribbean on 28 June December 2021 with salary enhancement. after a stay in Maldives. with the tour including five T20Is and three ODIs. BCB extended the tenure of the national selection panel till “We are naturally disappointed not to have all They are then due to travel straight to Bangladesh the next T20 World Cup as the present panel completed their players available for the Australian team at this with five T20Is penciled in between 2 and 10 tenure in June. The Board also approved the concept of a time. However, the NSP [national selection panel] August. shadow National Team programme named ‘Bangladesh Tiger’. respects the decisions of those who have opted out Australia squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Ashton “We decided to introduce the shadow national team as we of this tour,” national selector Trevor Hohns said. Agar, Wes Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, feel when someone gets dropped from the national team, they “Steve Smith was unavailable for selection due to Dan Christian, Josh Hazlewood, Moises don’t have any place to go, like Imrul Kayes for example, so an elbow injury and will now be able to use this Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, Riley Meredith, Ben they must have some place to go,” he said regarding the new time to fully recover ahead of the World Cup and McDermott, Josh Philippe, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell programme that will be overseen by BCB Directors Kazi Inam home Ashes series. Steve was disappointed to Swepson, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Matthew Ahmed and Khaled Mahmud in the coming days. miss the tour with the decision made on medical Wade, Adam Zampa (Agencies) grounds. (Agencies) A16 THURSDAY 17 JUNE 2021 SPORTS

Football Super League Recommencement likely to be postponed

By Mustaq Sydeen Having managed to rope in top flight footballers from various countries, including The recommencement of the Japan, Morocco, Ivory Coast, etc. to inaugural ‘Super League’ (after the represent their clubs, the Super League is international break) which was slated to not short of quality football. It also promises resume on 2 June, is likely to be further to showcase young talent from both Sri postponed due to the travel restrictions Lanka and around the globe. The young Sri imposed by the Government in view of Lankan players can definitely learn a thing COVID-19, a source at Football Sri or two, both on and off the pitch, from Lanka (FSL) revealed. seasoned professionals who have played in “Few participating clubs have fine leagues abroad in the past. So, is Sri requested us to postpone the Lanka football heading in the right direction recommencement of the Super League with the introduction of their very own since they didn’t have enough time to Super League? The success of the Super prepare for the resumption of the game League will hopefully bring in more due to the COVID situation in the investment into the sport enabling FSL to country and travel restrictions. So, in work on grass root and rudimentary things view of the current situation and like infrastructure and youth development. considering their request, most probably The Super League will play host to a the resumption of the Super League will single leg-based format, where the be pushed back,” a FSL source stated. competition will be limited to 45 games, with After a lengthy period of almost 7 9 games per club. The team at the top of the months as to when the football calendar Action from the Super League table at the end of the 45 games will be will resume, the commencement of the crowned Champions of Sri Lanka’s first ever tournament sparked a return of football there is a high risk of continuing with Sri Lanka Football Football Sri Lanka, have set themselves Professional Football Tournament, the action in Sri Lanka, but unfortunately the tournament, since only one-third of heading the right way the ambitious goal of raising the standard Super League. All participating clubs are dark clouds are looming once again the players who are taking part in the of football so that the nation can produce a guaranteed prize money, even if they are over the most anticipated high- tourney have been vaccinated. The Super League from 19 April to 2 team that has the potential to qualify for a ranked at the bottom of the table. Eventual profile league with Sri Lanka battling Since the coronavirus pandemic took May saw three weeks of action with 15 future World Cup. At this point of time, it is Super League Champions will be awarded a with a third wave of COVID-19. over the world in 2020, the deadly virus matches being played before the difficult to say whether the inaugural high- cash prize of Rs. 5 million, runner-up Rs. Earlier, the Super League was hit has affected the whole world, it has also international break. It is learnt the first 15 profile tourney will help the Sri Lanka 3.5 million, 3rd place Rs. 2.75 million, 4th when six COVID-19 positive cases were changed the football scene fixtures of the inaugural tourney has been football team, ranked 204th in the FIFA place Rs. 2.5 million, 5th place Rs. 2.25 detected before the Defenders FC-Up dramatically. From playing in empty viewed by over 1.4 million viewers on rankings (as at 16 July 2021), and its million, 6th place Rs. 2 million, 7th place Country Lions clash, which was later stadiums to sitting in the dugout with FSL’s official YouTube channel, distant dream of participating in a FIFA Rs. 1.75 million, 8th place Rs. 1.5 million, postponed. However, it is learnt even facemasks on, football has had to do its considered by experts to be a decent World Cup. But one thing is certain; this is 9th place Rs. 1.25 million, and despite after lifting travel restrictions and fair share of adjustment to continue to number in a country where football does the only possible way of increasing finishing bottom of the table, 10th place will easing COVID-19 restrictions, still function. not enjoy high popularity. popularity of the sport in the country. still receive Rs. 1 million. Lakshan to miss Sri Lanka qualify for the next practice games round of AFC Cup 2023 after knee injury

All-rounder Dhananjaya Lakshan is undergoing rehabilitation and will miss the two practice games on 16 and 18 June, after he suffered an injury to his right knee while fielding during a training session, SLC stated in a media release. Lakshan, 22, had been one of the breakout players of the Lanka Premier League last year, and was first called for National duty for the England series. The series starts with three T20Is, the first commencing on 23 June. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series starting 29 June. Following the completion of would accelerate their planning Round 2, 13 participating well as three best fifth-place FIFA World Cup 2022 & AFC to strengthen the team further,” teams, including AFC Asian teams – 22 teams in total – have Asia Cup 2023 Joint said FSL President Anura de Cup 2023 host China PR and qualified for the 24-team AFC Qualification round held in Silva. FIFA World Cup 2022 host and Asian Cup China 2023 Korea on 5 and 9 June, Sri With two years to go to Asia’s reigning Asian champions Qualifiers Final Round. Lanka has advanced to the next flagship men’s national team Qatar, are among teams who The remaining four Steve Smith back as round of the AFC Asia Cup tournament, the Asian Football have sealed their places for the Participating teams, ranked 36 2023 to be held from end Confederation (AFC) yesterday Continental showpiece, to 39, will compete in the AFC August to mid-September 2021. confirmed the 22 out of 24 scheduled to take place from 16 Asian Cup China 2023 No. 1 Test batsman “This is a great opportunity teams who have advanced to June to 16 July 2023. Qualifiers Play-offs, which will for Sri Lanka once again after the AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Therefore, three of the lowest be played over two legs on 7 Kane Williamson slides down to No. 2 their spirited efforts against Qualifiers Final Round. ranked second-placed teams, September and 12 October India captain Virat Asian Giants Korea and Following the conclusion of all eight third and fourth-placed 2021, with the draw to be held Kohli jumped to the Lebanon. Football Sri Lanka the Preliminary Joint Qualifiers teams across Groups A to H, as on 24 June 2021. No. 4 spot, while Australia batsman Steve Smith reclaimed the No.1 position in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen for the first Taylor targets Final redemption in WTC time since the Boxing Day Tests last year. The Black Caps batsman is back two on his Test career after the Final is New Smith takes over years later in England, looking to make Zealand wicket-keeper BJ Watling. from New Zealand amends after the Super Over loss at Lord’s, The 35-year-old made his Test debut captain Kane as New Zealand and India prepare to face back in 2009 and is set to make his Williamson, who is set off in the ICC World Test Championship 75th and final appearance for New Zealand to lead his team in the (WTC) Final in Southampton. And the in the longest format of the game, earning ICC World Test 37-year-old admits that had he come out high praise from his coach Gary Stead. Championship Final Steve Smith on the right side of that dramatic finale, Stead said: “BJ is a fantastic player, a against India at the there is a very good chance he would have great team man. He’s turned himself into, I Hampshire Bowl in Southampton from Friday. called it a day. think, one of the best keeper-batsmen in Williamson, who missed the second Test against England at When New Zealand lost the ICC Men’s the world over the past 10 years. Let’s also Edgbaston due to injury after scoring 13 runs in the drawn first Test Cricket World Cup 2019, Ross Taylor remember he was a manufactured keeper at Lord’s, has slipped five points behind Smith’s 891 rating points and thought he might have missed his last as such; it wasn’t his first thing to do. The is second in the batters’ list. This means that Smith has been at the chance at winning a major final. way he’s developed himself and continued top for 167 Tests played worldwide in total, only behind Gary Sobers He said: “It was disappointing to have lost to look to get better over that period of time (189 matches) and Viv Richards (179 matches). The latest men’s that match at Lord’s a couple of years ago. is pretty amazing. weekly update, which also includes performances from the first Test When you lose and you’re at the age that I “I don’t think we as a team will realise between South Africa and the West Indies in St Lucia, sees Quinton was, you think that might be the last time I how much we’ll miss BJ in the dressing de Kock in joint-12th position with Cheteshwar Pujara, while his ever get to play a World Cup final, so it’s playing against India. We’ve only been room and in the role he is in until he’s not compatriot Adrian Markram has advanced two slots to reach 14th nice for me to be here. number one for a few weeks; they have there. He’s a quiet individual, but when he position. “If we had won that game, I might have been number one for five or six years, so speaks, people listen. He’s very popular De Kock, who was named player of the match for scoring an retired after that, so I’m glad that I didn’t they are going to be a really hard opposition among the whole team. He will be a sad unbeaten 141 that helped his team win by an innings and 63 runs, and that I’m here today. to play against, but we’re looking forward to loss for us, but we want to celebrate in style has gained 11 positions to attain his highest position since December “I just think it’s really exciting to be here. that.” hopefully, and send him out on the right 2019. The whole New Zealand side are really While Taylor was considering retirement note.” (Agencies) excited. It’s going to be a great occasion, in 2019, one man who will be calling time (Agencies)

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