highlights tuesday Putin’s 10 november 2020 Latest Edition Flatlining Vol: 09/271 Price : Rs 30.00 Economy In Sports Selectors Opt page A6 For Raw Pace Workers’ Remittances 800 For SA Tour Urgent relief 700 600 500 The training activities of the needed for 400 U$$ millio n 300 national team which had been migrant 200 deferred temporarily for a 100

0 second time due to the workers – CBSLJan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2018 2019 2020 Source: Centeral Bank of COVID-19 impact,.... A16 page b11

Contempt of political victimisation PCoI Five SJB MPs to be charged in CoA

By Faadhila Thassim

The Chairman, of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), appointed to probe into the alleged COVID-19 update political victimisation of public officials during the tenure of the United National Front-led Government, retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Upali Abeyratne, yesterday (9) instructed the five (SJB) Parliamentarians to appear before the Court of Appeal (CoA) when notified, on charges of violating the PCoI Act and the Nine LRH Staffers Constitution.

Story Continued on page 2 AG orders Test Positive Pavithra appoints team WHO to provide vaccine Increase in positive cases remand prisoners to study WHO vaccine for 20% of population in Kurunegala District be allowed bail Manning Market remains closed Social distancing and facemask By Hansi Nanayakkara after 62 labourers test positive law to be strictly enforced Attorney General Dappula de Livera has issued y eylon oday ews esk instructions to the Acting Inspector General of Police B C T N D COVID-19 positive and directed for The ward that these staff members Chandana D. Wickramaratne to enlarge on bail, treatment yesterday (9). were attached to was thoroughly suspects who are presently in remand custody and Five doctors, two nurses and two minor Their close contacts were also disinfected according to hospital to file charges against them. staff members of the Lady Ridgeway identified and will be required to undergo authorities, and has resumed normal Coordinating Officer to the AG, State Counsel Children's Hospital (LRH) were confirmed self-quarantine over the coming weeks. operation. Nishara Jayaratne yesterday (9) said this decision was taken by the Attorney General, in order to Story Continued on page 2 reduce the congestion within prisons in view of the prevailing COVID-19 outbreak in the remand prisons. Due to COVID-19 These directives have been issued by de Livera at COVID-19 can Budget 2020 spreading in prisons the behest of the Minister of Justice, President’s Counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabry. be controlled debate on 12 Nov Rishad attending – President Parliament will meet on 12 November to Parliament a problem debate the Appropriation Bill 2020 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Committee on Public support paramount By W.K. Prasad Manju Parliamentary Business decided yesterday Full paid leave for to curb spread (9). Be that as it may, the second and third Allowing imprisoned Govt spends Rs 60M daily readings of the Appropriation Bill will take All Ceylon Makkal pregnant Police place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while Congress (ACMC) MP on PCR tests from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. the to personnel adjournment debate under a motion moved attend Parliament President by the Opposition will be taken up. sessions had led to Gotabaya Rajapaksa Whilst questions for oral answers will not fresh complications Those with children said the health be taken up on the said date, it was also due to the ongoing sector is capable of decided that the sittings will continue impact of the COVID- under two years too controlling the without a lunch break. 19 pandemic here, COVID-19 pandemic Parliament sources By Thameenah Razeek and what was Story Continued on said. needed was the page 2 This detail had Acting Inspector General of Police C.D. people’s support. come to light during Wickramaratne has issued a special Circular to send “The daily Welikada Prison the Party Leaders’ meeting at the pregnant Police Officers and other officers who have expenditure by the Parliament Complex under the aegis of children under the age of two, on leave, taking into Government to Hospital a COVID-19 Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene account the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases... conduct polymerase yesterday. chain reaction tests treatment centre It is said that the Prisons Department Story Continued on exceeds Rs 60 had informed the Speaker, through the page 2 million,” he said. By Kumudu Upul Shantha Sergeant-at-Arms, that allowing the MP “The COVID-19 concerned to attend coming sessions... Anura Yapa appointed pandemic is a health issue. The Prisons Deputy Health Services responsibility of protecting the people Director Hemantha Ranasinghe said all Story Continued on page 2 against the virus and steering the country patients who were being treated at the COPF Chairman forward lies with the health sector and the Welikada Prison Hospital had been Government.” The President said he transferred elsewhere with effect from With no prior notice Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) strongly believes that Sri Lankan doctors yesterday, as it had been turned into a Parliamentarian Anura Priyadarshana Yapa was and the health sector, one of the best in centre to treat COVID-19 infected Daughter sent to appointed Chairman of the Committee on Public the world, can easily achieve the target. inmates instead. Finance (COPF) yesterday (9). The President made these remarks As a result, some 200 male inmates COVID centre along His name was proposed by Minister Dr. Bandula during the daily discussion with the who were being treated there had been Gunawardena and seconded by SLPP MP Dilan Members of the Task Force on... moved to the Mahara Prison Hospital. with positive father Perera when the Committee met in the Parliament. After appointing the Chair, a preliminary Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 GMOA demands discussion was held on the future activities of the Committee pertaining to the first session of the Ninth immediate probe Parliament. MT New Diamond beyond restoration By J.T. de Silva Story Continued on page 2 Experts suggest demolition Health Services Director General (HSDG) Dr. Asela Gunawardena said the decision to send a daughter of a man Seven New By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan who had tested positive for COVID-19 following a test done at a private hospital Ambassadors approved The charred MT New Diamond oil in Colombo,to a COVID-19 centre in The Committee on High Posts approved tanker that was towed from Sri Lankan Iranawila, along with her father in an appointments of seven new Ambassadors, waters to the (UAE) ambulance, was unacceptable. nominated by the Government, for foreign service of last month, after a nearly two-week battle He said a probe will be conducted on the country at the committee meeting held yesterday to douse the fire, will be dismantled as it the incident forthwith. Secretary of the (9) in Parliament. is beyond repair, Indian sources said. GMOA Dr. Senal Fernando said, the The Committee on High Posts met under the The vessel had arrived and was in incident cannot be condoned and urged patronage of Speaker anchorage in Fujairah on 8 November Minister of Health Pavithra at a Committee Room in Parliament. morning. Wanniarchchi to order a detailed probe Those nominated were: The 20-year-old tanker’s cargo of crude into the alleged incident. Ahamed A. Jawad as the Ambassador to the will be removed and shipped onward to He added, the GMOA would hold talks Kingdom of , Aruni Ranaraja as the client, Indian Oil Corporation, while with the subject Minister today and Ambassador to the ,... the badly burnt ship is likely... promised to make submissions to...

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 tuesday 10 november 2020 news

Continued from page 1 Nine LRH... Meanwhile, Health Minister areas. He said that the Health which was opened under the Market and that a decision yesterday, only a minimum staff was appointed a authorities and the Police had restrictions. regarding re-opening the Market will required to carry out the functions committee to conduct a technical informed the Epidemiology Unit Colombo MC Chief Medical Officer be taken on their instructions. of public institutions. Only a limited study on the COVID-19 vaccine while messages had also been sent Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni yesterday Also, except for 12 Police Divisions number of employees should be which is to be released by the World to the relevant Police areas and PCR said that after identifying labourers in the Colombo District and several called for work, said the Secretary to Health Organisation (WHO). tests had also been carried out on (nattamis) at the Market who were housing complexes, the quarantine the Ministry of Public Services, Media Secretary to the Health 73 of them. The employees remain in COVID-19 positive, the health curfew imposed in several areas Provincial Councils and Local Minister, Viraj Abeysinghe said the quarantine. Another 297 PCR tests authorities had decided not to allow including in the Western Province, Government, J.J. Ratnasiri. He WHO had agreed to provide the had also been done on those in the the vendors to enter the premises. was lifted yesterday. However, eight added that the heads of each COVID-19 vaccine to 20 per cent of surrounding shops but their reports The Manning Market in Pettah, Police Divisions in the Gampaha institution should decide on the the country’s population. He said had been negative. However, the Colombo, would be closed until District, two in the Kalutara area, number to be called and added that that special discussions had been PCR tests should be done after a further notice following several two in the area and the other employees should be on duty held yesterday (9), regarding the use lapse of at least seven days to be labourers (nattamis) based in the Kuliyapitiya Police Division will also from home. of a vaccine to treat the local sure that they too had not contacted market testing positive for COVID- be isolated. Dr. Bandara said that it was patients suffering from the infection, the disease, he noted. The 19, Police Spokesman, Deputy Taking into consideration the advisable to maintain a social with the participation of the State quarantine curfew in the Kurunegala Inspector General of Police Ajith current situation, the Ministry of distance of more than one meter Minister of the Production, Supply District except for in the Rohana confirmed yesterday. Until Health has introduced a series of when considering the nature of and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, Ilippugedara Grama Niladhari then, no vendor is allowed to carry new guidelines which should be COVID-19, which is spreading at Professor and Division and Maha Veediya was out any activity at the Market, he implemented in maintaining daily present. He pointed out that it the Resident Representative for the lifted yesterday. added. activities. would be more appropriate to WHO, Dr. Razia Pendse. Elsewhere, 135 beggars in the Dr. Wijayamuni noted that they During this third level of risk, maintain a social distance of one- Wanniarachchi had appointed a Anuradhapura Town were did 200 PCR tests on labourers and schools, universities, tuition classes, and-a-half or two meters. technical committee to look into the quarantined on 8 November after a 62 out of them had been positive. He cinema halls, children’s parks, zoos, The law regarding social funds that would be necessary to beggar in the Anuradhapura Town said that after discovering that there carnivals, musical shows, massage distancing and the wearing of purchase the vaccine, to classify the area was diagnosed with COVID-19, was a huge threat posed by allowing parlours, clubs and places providing facemasks is being implemented patient category to which the the Anuradhapura Municipal labourers who are COVID-19 accommodation should remain strongly since yesterday, DIG vaccine would be given, the Commissioner Ruwan Wijesinghe positive, they decided to conduct closed. Also, public meetings, Rohana told Ceylon Today. He also management of external resources said. The Anuradhapura District more PCR tests on labourers and outdoor functions, domestic said that a special Police operation that would be required, and data Secretariat, health services, the vendors before opening the Manning functions and visiting prisoners has been formulated for this collection and compilation. military and the Police had taken Market. Accordingly, another 200 have also been banned. In addition, purpose. Health Secretary, Major General these measures, as a result. PCR tests were done yesterday on pre-schools, daycare centres, Police meanwhile arrested 2,923 Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Director Additionally, the Angulana North labourers. restaurants, bakeries, hotels, leisure suspects and 438 vehicles in General Health Services Dr. Asela and South Grama Niladhari Dr. Wijayamuni added that after centres, supermarkets, shopping connection with the violation of the Gunawardena and Additional Divisions, coming under the ensuring the safety of the public, complexes, open markets, economic quarantine curfew since 4 October Secretaries of the Health Ministry Police Division, were they will give permission to open the centres, salons, gymnasiums, and 91 persons were arrested during were also present. declared as isolated areas yesterday. premises. “We should certify the laundries, tailoring shops and the last 48 hours. In addition to Previously, the Media Spokesman Authorities also yesterday declared safety of the customers and vendors financial institutions should be that, 12 vehicles were seized. of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kandana and Mahabage Police at the Manning Market. The vendors’ maintained so that only 50 per cent Rohana said that all the suspects Jayaruwan Bandara, said that if it is Divisions as isolated areas until claiming that they could reopen the of the total space available is utilised arrested under the quarantine law not possible to find a vaccine during further notice. Manning Market is an arbitrary when persons gather. Further, the would be charged in Courts. the COVID-19 second wave, the Furthermore, the health decision that no State authority maximum number of invitees at a According to the relevant Gazette third wave could descend in the first authorities did not allow the allowed,” he explained. wedding should be restricted to 50 Notification, wearing a facemask and quarter of next year and that it could Manning Market to be opened even Meanwhile, a large number of and the maximum number allowed social distancing are mandatory. be far more dangerous. after the Government announced vendors arrived at the Manning to participate at a funeral should be Hence, Police have also arrested 120 Meanwhile, the number of COVID- that vendors can engage in their Market yesterday morning, but the limited to 25. Government offices, suspects in violation of those 19 cases being identified within the business from yesterday onwards. security forces had not given them Government hospitals, pharmacies, concepts within the period of 11 Kurunegala District and its The Manning Market was supposed permission to enter. laboratories, offices in the private days since 30 October. “Additional Municipal Council (MC) limits has to open on the same day from 5 a.m. Vice President of the Manning sector and construction sites should strength will be deployed throughout increased, with eight more patients following the lifting of the curfew Market Traders’ Association, Nimal be maintained with the minimum the country in order to monitor the being diagnosed in the Ilippugedara imposed in the Western Province. Attanayake said that traders are number of employees in compliance public as to whether they are Grama Niladhari Division on 2 However, following PCR tests facing many problems due to this with health advice. Further, wine adhering to these basic concepts. We November, a Public Health Inspector conducted on vendors and reason. He said that they announced stores, restaurants providing have also informed a territorial (PHI) affiliated to the Kurunegala MC labourers, the decision to open it publicly that they will resume their takeaway and agricultural places Police to take stern actions against said. Patients were also diagnosed was reversed. Earlier on the same duties from yesterday onwards and should also be operated based on the persons who don't adhere to from the Kurunegala Town area day, a tense situation erupted in that no one had objected to their health instructions. Moreover, the these concepts,” he noted. when polymerase chain reaction front of the Market as the Police did announcement. He said that they do number of passengers in buses and (PCR) tests were carried out when an not allow the vendors who came not need to open the market forcibly trains should be 75% of the capacity (Contributions by Dilanthi employee of one of its shops was from all over the country to enter the but urged the authorities to inform of seating available and in other Jayamanne , Tharaka Samman, diagnosed with the viral infection. Market although it was announced them about their decisions regarding vehicles it should be 50% of the Dhananjana Rajapakse, With that, the other employees that the Market would re-open from their announcement. number of seats. Buddhika Samaraweera, serving in that shop had been sent 5 a.m. The Police had instead Rohana said that intelligence Dr. Bandara said that although Thameenah Razeek, Methmalie home. They were residents of the instructed them to take their lorries forces and the health authorities are the quarantine curfew imposed in Dissanayake and Chamara Kandy, Galewela, and even Beruwala to the Narahenpita Economic Centre closely monitoring the situation in the Western Province was lifted Amarasuriya)

Five SJB... COVID-19 can... Justice Abeyratne informed MPs , ...COVID-19 prevention held at the Welikada Prison... J.C. Alawathuwala, , Mayantha Presidential Secretariat yesterday (9). Also prison inmates who Dr. Sudarshani He expressed hope that Dissanayake and , that they will “We have three options in the face of the had tested positive had Fernandopulle and the situation within the be charged with contempt of the Commission and spread of the pandemic. The first is to been transferred to the Prisons Commissioner prisons sector could be questioning of its mandate. lockdown the entire country by imposing Pallansena Quarantine General Thushara brought under control A complaint lodged by the SJB MPs, with the curfew. The second is not to do anything. Prison in Negombo. Upuldeniya. during the course of this Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Carrying our normal activities while Ranasinghe said they He added that if the month. Corruption, seeking a probe into allegations that the controlling the infection is the third option had formulated a COVID-19 situation were Ranasinghe mentioned PCoI acted in excess of powers vested in it and the and we opted for that,” the President added. programme to cater to to worsen in the prisons that if need arose they subsequent statements made by the said MPs to the “Our doctors and hospital staff are able to COVID-9 positive inmates sector they had another would also turn the Media against the PCoI, had prompted the PCoI to diagnose the COVID-19 infected in the first following talks held with plan to cater to any Angunakolapelessa Prison issue notice and initiate legal action against these MPs. stage and to treat them accordingly. State Minister of Prisons emergency. into a COVID-19 Centre. Legal action will, thereby be taken in accordance Therefore, intensive care services were not with the provisions of Article 105(3) of the Constitution required. People must also extend their and Section 10 of the PCoI Act. support in controlling the spread of the MPs Dr. Rajitha Seneratne, , Disease and preventing infection”. The Ranjith Maddumabandara, Patali Champika President reiterated that the Media is Daughter sent... Ranawaka, , Dr. Harsha de responsible and duty bound to communicate ... her during the meeting. Silva, S.M. Marikkar and also health guidelines that need to be followed, to According to informed sources, the Full paid... appeared before the PCoI yesterday. the general public. 24-year-old women, who had been sent to ... within the Police Department. “The country cannot remain closed until the Iranawila COVID Centre, has also Regardless of whether the area they the pandemic is wiped out from the world. been forced to undergo the quarantine live in is under lockdown or not, these We have to understand the ground reality programme for a fortnight, and she does Police Officers will be given their Budget 2020... and act accordingly. Infected persons are not have any changes of clothing as she wages, salaries and other allowances reported daily even from areas that have had been sent there without prior notice. that they are supposed to get even Meanwhile, the Appropriation Bill 2021 will be been closed for nearly 40 days. This shows though they don’t report to work. presented to Parliament by Prime Minister Mahinda that the pandemic cannot be controlled by He has sent the instructions to the Rajapaksa on 17 November. lockdown alone,” the President said. heads of the Police divisions. It was discussed that after the presenting of the “Closing down the country is the easiest Meanwhile, Police Spokesman, DIG Appropriation Bill, the second reading and the solution. But people have to live. It is my Anura Yapa... Ajith Rohana noted that if a Police Committee stage debate should be limited to 11 days responsibility to keep the economy going Officer is infected with COVID-19 or in due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. while ensuring all the activities including Ministers , Susil quarantine, they will be given a Rs However, the Opposition said that the complete employment, agriculture and fishing, move Premajayantha, D.V. Chanaka, Vidura 5,000 worth package. The package will number of days should be allotted for the second forward. A huge sum of money is spent Wickramanayaka and Dr. Nalaka be given to family members or reading and the Committee stage. daily on the entire process including Godahewa and MPs Dr. , dependents of the Police Officer. However, a decision regarding the number of days quarantine. It is a personal responsibility of Hesha Withanage, , “There are a considerable number of was not made conclusive and it was mutually agreed the people to comprehend this situation Anupa Pasqual, Sahan Pradeep Withana COVID-19 cases in the Police that the Committee on Parliamentary Business will and avoid falling prey to the Disease,” the and Professor were Department. But the Police meet again on 12 November in order to further decide President noted. present at the meeting. Department will not stop functioning regarding the said matter. The Committee on The Committee is scheduled to meet at any point. Police Officers working Parliamentary Business was Chaired by the Speaker of again on 12 November and the amidst this pandemic should be the Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena and the Appropriation Bill 2020 will be taken up for praised as they are doing an Deputy Speaker , The Leader of discussion during the meeting. honourable service,” he said. the House , Chief Opposition (MD) Whip , , Susil Rishad attending... Premajayantha, , Mahinda ...of the House would be an issue due to Samarasinghe, , Gayantha Karunatilleka, the increase in the number of inmates Anura Kumara Dissanayake, as well as who had tested positive to COVID-19 from the Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika the Welikada Prison. Dasanayake and the Deputy Secretary General and At this stage Speaker Abeywardene had Chief of Staff Neil Iddawala were also in attendance. insisted that Bathiudeen could be allowed MT New Diamond... (MD) in the House only during times of voting ... to be deemed too old to resources to douse the Ship Owner had to pay a and not otherwise due to the prevalent warrant repairs with blaze. fine of USD 4.2 million. situation. experts suggesting that it The oil tanker caught fire The Sri Lankan Navy and However, the Opposition MPs had will head for demolition. in the Indian Ocean in the the Indian Coast Guard Seven New... strongly objected to this move by the The fully laden New Exclusive Economic Zone jointly thwarted the fire Speaker saying that the latter has to Shipping-controlled tanker of Sri Lanka, in the East. and saved the ship from ... Dharshana Perera as Ambassador to , always uphold and ensure the privileges suffered a boiler explosion The fire resulted in an oil sinking. It carried 2,700 M.K. Pathmanaathan, to the Republic of Egypt, S.D.K. and rights of MPs. on 2 September, resulting slick and considerable metric tonnes of crude oil Semasinghe, to the Republic of , C. A. Finally a decision had not been reached in a sizeable fire, centred damage to the marine life and if that had spilt, it Chaminda I. Colonne, to the Kingdom of and at this meeting concerning whether to round its accommodation claimed the Marine would have been the Air Marshal Sumangala Dias, as High Commissioner allow the ACMC leader to attend House block. and Sri Lanka Environment Protection second-biggest oil spill in to .All names were approved at the meeting. sessions or not. deployed significant Authority and the Greek the world. news tuesday 10 november 2020 A3

Allow water meter Air pollution readers easy access By Methmalie by the reader. Dissanayake and Nabiya If there are issues regarding Vafoor the bill, consumers can call the number on the reverse Urging the public for their side of the bill. support, the National Water The toll-free hotline 1939 Supply and Drainage Board can be accessed round the levels decrease (NWSDB) said the supply of clock for consumer issues By Eunice Ruth water would remain and the status of the water uninterrupted and meter bill can be obtained by typing Air pollution levels have reading and the issuance of ‘E [Water Bill Account started decreasing, due to the water bills would be Number]’ and sending a short reduction of the pollutant conducted as usual despite message service text to contribution from the trans- the new COVID-19 outbreak. 0719399999. boundary effect, as the wind The NWSDB urged Consumers can pay their pattern around the country consumers to allow meter bills through the website has changed, said the Senior readers, who follow strict www.waterboard.lk or the Scientist of Air Quality Studies hygiene guidelines, to have ‘NWSDB Self-Care’ app on at the National Building easy access to their water their mobile phones. Research Organisation meters. Consumers are urged To get alerts on the latest (NBRO), H.D.S. Premasiri. avoid meeting or talking to updates regarding the water When contacted yesterday the reader and collect the bill supply, consumers may (9), he noted that according to which will be left at a contact: 0719399999, the the air quality data obtained convenient place (i.e. postbox) NWSDB said. by the Air Quality Monitoring Centre of the NBRO, the air pollution levels have the trans-boundary pollution level has changed. if the pollution level increases, decreased to a moderate level contribution is still remaining Meanwhile, Premasiri Colombo will be a high risk of the ’ Air and only the intensity has further noted that most area and also if monsoonal Quality Index, adding that it is reduced, he added. He also probably by December, we can changes occur, it can increase DMT to draw expected to monitor a further said that due to the experience another increase the pollution to a high level decrease in air pollutants in quarantine curfew and less as was the case in 2019. where the entire island will the upcoming days. However, vehicles plying the road, this According to the 2019 reports, face a threat, he said. strategic roadmap for 2021-2025 Proposals to prevent COVID-19 spread By Faadhila Thassim whether the DMT website is Sammanthurai up-to-date, if it is useful and A strategic roadmap for suggestions to improve DMT. Authorities should 2021-2025 is to be developed It was noted that the farmers being ousted for the Department of Motor responses obtained will be have responded to us Traffic (DMT), in secured and will remain by outsiders collaboration with Citra anonymous while the By Eunice Ruth – LPBOA Social Innovation Lab, to information collected By Naalir Jamaldeen paddy cultivation of traditional improve the DMT’s service through the survey will only Muslim farmers. When they got The Government and getting passengers to deliveries across all of its be used for the specific The Muslims have to know of this, they had authorities should have sanitise or wash hands District offices. purpose of re-engineering traditionally been engaged in rushed to their paddy and vigilantly responded to our before boarding the bus. The public is urged to processes within the DMT. It agriculture in Valathappity and pleaded of them to move away proposals to prevent the He suggested that the provide their experiences in was further noted that Surankavadi in the but their pleas fell on deaf ears. spread of COVID-19 via conductor needed to be interacting with the DMT and demographic data from the Sammanthurai Divisional The trespassers continued with public transport, said the seated in a convenient place their views on issues survey would be collected Secretariat Division and have their illegal activities”. Chairman of the Lanka at the front entrance where pertaining to the services only for the purpose of legal documents to claim Saheel said the Muslim Private Bus Owners’ passengers will pay the fare given by DMT by completing identifying any potential ownership to these lands, farmers brought it to his Association (LPBOA), when entering the bus. an online survey at drivelk. differences in service Sammanthurai Pradeshiya attention and that he in turn Gemunu Wijerathne. He stated, long distance com. Questions include, . Sabha Member A.C.M. Saheel informed the All Ceylon Makkal When contacted yesterday buses will transport said yesterday (09). Congress Ampara District (9), he said, after the COVID- passengers only to the end He lamented that certain Parliamentarian, Attorney S.M. 19 pandemic, they had destination and will not stop persons who trespassed into M. Musharraff who then visited handed over more than 10 anywhere in isolated areas to those lands were interrupting the region on 8 November and proposals to the authorities take on new passengers. Due to Govt’s cover-up of COVID-19 their work threatening them to inquired about their on implementing new Buses will maintain a second wave situ leave and asked them to give grievances. procedures to ensure the passenger tracing log book to up their cultivations, adding He added that the farmers safety of passengers, but enter personal identity Reliability on health that the farmers who engaged had shown documents of there has been no response. details easing the roles of the in paddy cultivation in those ownership to Musharraff. Since yesterday, only conductor and the driver. sector shattered – Withanage lands were gradually losing Musharraff promised the 10-20 per cent of the buses He also requested their source of income. farmers that he would take were running due to low authorities to take proper By Nabiya Vaffoor on the Health Ministry have “At a time when farmers have necessary steps to solve this passenger turnout, he measures to have the busses been shattered. Also, the lack sown paddy in those lands, issue at administrative level added. disinfected ensuring the The awareness that helped of awareness has created a some people who trespassed and that if he failed, he would Due to this situation, the health of all passengers the Government address the doubt among the public. into those lands on 7 November seek the assistance of the LPBOA suggested to the while subjecting them to a first wave of COVID-19 That’s why some of those who have started to plough the land Court to bring justice to the Ministry of Transport the health screening and cannot be seen during the are infected try to escape by illegally and destroying the farmers, Saheel added. need for increasing fares to sanitation procedure at the second wave of the pandemic jumping into sewage the level of the semi-luxury main bus stop prior to and contradictory statements waterways instead of being buses, so that the bus owner boarding. issued by the authorities to quarantined,” he further can fulfill their basic needs Wijerathne said, the cover-up the existing said. such as living costs and Government should have situation have shattered the He further opined that diesel costs. Other proposals responded to proposals of reliability of the health sector, though the Government has The country should face were to check the the LPBOA before lifting the Samagi Jana Balawegaya issued a set of guidelines, passengers’ temperature and curfew. (SJB) Parliamentarian Hesha they haven’t taken any steps the global economic crisis Withanage said. to sort out the practical “The Government is trying issues that will occur when By Thameenah Razeek – Amaraweera to hide the seriousness of the people try to follow them. second wave from the public. “The last time, the Whilst insisting that the curfew island-wide,” he During the first wave the Government had a desire to country should face the global explained. Therefore, we as a Eight arrested for Government was vigilant provide relief to the public economic crisis in the near country have to take tough enough to control the spread whether they were infected or future due to the COVID-19 decisions to move forward, stealing mobile phones of COVID-19 because the not but this time around, pandemic, Environment which also requires a great deal Health authorities and the even those who were forced to Minister Mahinda Amaraweera of self-sacrifice, he noted. By Naalir Jamaldeen camera footage and arrested Tri-Forces worked and stay in quarantine have not said all institutions and the Decisions to prevent COVID- and Farook Sihan two employees on suspicion. supported according to a been provided with adequate public would have to work 19 taken by the Government Preliminary inquiries proper plan, but this time, relief. Maybe, that’s because towards one goal despite the are not taken only by the Eight persons, including a found the suspects had sold during the second wave, the we don’t have any upcoming pandemic while adapting to the President and the Prime woman, were arrested by them to mobile phone shops authorities issued Elections. There was an new normal. Minister or the Cabinet but by the Police on 6 November for in the Sainthamaruthu and contradictory statements just incident reported recently at He expressed these views at also taking into account the stealing and selling mobile Karaitivu areas. to save themselves from the the Dambulla Economic the launch programme themed views of all members of the phones. Based on the confession of questions posed by the Media Centre where over 2,700 ‘Thurupaduru’ to plant trees in Committee appointed to Sammanthurai Police said the primary suspects, other at that time,” he further said. metric tonnes of vegetables the backyards of houses in the prevent COVID-19. yesterday (9) that they suspects who were running He also alleged that the was rotten and had to be Hambantota District. He noted “It is the responsibility of the recovered 18 mobile phones mobile phone shops in the main reason that the Disease discarded. If the Government that the global economic crisis public to prevent this pandemic on information provided by aforesaid areas were has spread is the minimal was vigilant and intervened, is applicable to Sri Lanka too, and to follow the instructions the suspects. arrested by the Police and in awareness that the public these vegetables could have adding that a large number of given by the health sector. It is The arrest was made turn based on their has about COVID-19. been distributed among the foreign exchange earning a task we must do ourselves. following a complaint lodged information, four suspects, “COVID-19 patients have public before they got spoilt. sectors have faltered. That is a social responsibility,” with them by a mobile including a woman, were started to act like criminals People who live in the “Many sources of export he said. phone shop owner in the arrested. by hiding from public health Colombo District have to buy earnings, including fisheries, Meanwhile, steps have been Sainthamaruthu area that Out of the 20 stolen inspectors. It is because the a kilo of radish paying more tourism, remittances from the taken to provide five valuable 20 expensive mobile phones mobile phones, the Police Government and the Health than Rs 150,” he further said. Middle East, and the apparel plants including Katakala, had been stolen from his recovered 8 from the authorities don’t show Withanage expressed these industry, are disrupted. The White Sandalwood and shop. Police commenced Karaitivu area and 10 from enough responsibility like the views yesterday (09) during a economy or normal life cannot Wallapatta for planting in investigations based on the Sainthamaruthu area, last time. The reliability on Media briefing held at the be sustained by imposing a backyards. closed circuit television the Police added. the methods of treatment and SJB headquarters. A4 tuesday 10 november 2020 news CME reopens Govt support CPC to blame for few services for coastal By Nabiya Vafoor Division will be opened and Buddhika today (10) and the Samaraweera distribution of registered needed to degradation letters to Government The Central Mail offices and public By Eunice Ruth failure to conduct a Exchange (CME), which institutions in Colombo proper prior study was temporarily closed and suburbs will The Colombo Port regarding soil dumping, since 5 November commence tomorrow solve wildlife City (CPC) development and a post impact following the discovery (11). project has been the study, these of an employee infected Ariyaratne also added major reason for coastal environmental issues with COVID-19, that there could be degradation in Negombo have arisen, he added. resumed operations delays in the delivery and other areas, and “If sand mining is yesterday (9). services as only a this has especially had conducted on a portion However, Postmaster- limited number of problems a huge impact on the of the Ocean, it needs to General Ranjith employees report for fishing community and be filled up from other Ariyaratne said that the duty due to the marine life, said the portions of the Ocean in CME was opened only prevailing situation. Studies by Uni students and Convener of the order to balance the for a limited number of Ariyarathne further Rainforest Protectors marine environment,” operations. Accordingly, said that it is necessary academics hampered Sri Lanka, Jayantha said Wijesinghe. International Speed to call 0112-320700 for Wijesinghe. The coast at Post, Express Mail an appointment for By Buddhika Samaraweera various academic groups were facing When contacted, he Uswetakeiyawa and the Service Courier, services such as difficulties in pursuing their studies. stated, plenty of places coasts between the Business Mail and Sri carrying out stamp duty Experts pointed out that if the He noted that although various have been impacted by Colombo and Negombo Lankan Post Courier related activities for Government provides the necessary individuals in particular visit forest the project and that seas are the places services were resumed. State or private facilities to those who conduct reserves and other such places with some environmental where sand rigging The Registered Letters institutions. research on wildlife and related political support, study groups issues that have takes place has in turn matters, it would help solve many sometimes do not even get permission occurred as a result of impacted the entire problems related to wildlife from the Wildlife Conservation the project also have Western coast, he conservation. Department to visit them. not been addressed. He added. Currently, the They also pointed out that many He further sad that although the said, this has heavily Coast Conservation environmental problems that have Governments in many countries were impacted in places in Department has started SLACPT refutes arisen so far can be addressed through sponsoring those conducting such Angulana, Mount spending millions to Government support, especially for research, arrangements for such a Lavinia, Chilaw, rehabilitate the coastal university students and recognised programme have not yet been made in Puttalam and could in erosion and in most Prof Jayasumana’s environmental organisations Sri Lanka. He also said that instead of future, impact even up cases they have conducting studies on wildlife paying various foreign institutions to to Mannar. He stated, successfully completed conservation. conduct certain research, large sums the project has not been it. He said, in order to allegations A researcher at a State University of money could be saved if local conducted based on a construct buildings, The Sri Lanka the Western health care said that university students and researchers were sponsored. proper Environmental granite cut down from Association of Clinical system to treat patients Impact Assessment the Western Province Pharmacology and with the Disease and Test, they have not has indirectly impacted Therapeutics (SLACPT) that this alternative published any sources the natural reserves as stated that it supports medicine should not be for the reference of the it reduces mountainous the Ministry of Health, used for the treatment of public. Due to the area. the State Ministry of COVID-19 without Premier participates in Pharmaceutical proving its safety and Production, Supply and efficacy established Rathana Sutta chanting programme Regulation and the through properly Government in their conducted randomised After Sobitha Thera’s death endeavours to provide controlled clinical trials safe, effective and and also that he has quality medicines to the encouraged those National values people. involved in the The Association issued development of this – Karu J a statement with regard product to put it degraded to a response by the through the rigours of Chairman of the much required to State Minister of the formal clinical trials to National Movement for a restore a society that Production, Supply and generate the required Just Society, Karu has been hoodwinked by Regulation of body of evidence. Jayasuriya claimed that lies, injustice and Pharmaceuticals, The Association whilst after the late Ven. deceit. Therefore, we are Professor Channa welcoming Prof. Maduluwawe Sobitha hopeful that the people Jayasumana on the Jayasumana’s response Thera’s demise, are aware of these Sudarshana alternative to the Association’s politicians degraded developments and value medicine where he had statement, noted that national values as some of a just society. This claimed that although the Association’s misled the masses by aspiration is for the he had welcomed the Council refutes all Prime Minister participated on 8 November in the inaugural occa- exploiting race and generation that is yet to development of the said assumptions and sion of the commencement of a series of programmes to chant the Rathana Sutta religion, while religious be born,” he said this alternative medicine that allegations made against across , blessing the people and wishing for the COVID-19 pandemic to be centres were used to while speaking on the may prove useful in the its Members by Prof. eradicated from the island. The chanting of the Rathana Sutta is to be carried out in 25 propagate petty political occasion of the fifth-year fight against COVID-19, Jayasumana in his Districts with the initiation of the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Buddha agendas by spreading commemoration of the Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs on the instructions of the Minister of Buddha he had however, not communication sent on Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Rajapaksa. The inaugural programme was held at misinformation. late monk on 8 advocated for its use in 4 November. the Sri Sambodhi Vihara, R.G. Senanayake Mawatha, Colombo 7 “His philosophy is very November.

Online child sexual exploitation Haldummulla sees signs of development Male victims not recognised – Study President heeds requests of villagers By Ruwan Laknath ensure a comprehensive CSE in Sri Lanka as the Located in the Badulla of the remaining seven km has The construction of the Jayakody protection system. This was current substantive law uses District, the villages of started. After completion, the Kotabogasthenna playground noted in a study titled ‘Sri gendered pronouns within the Welanwita and Akkara Seeya travel time from Akkara Seeya was completed and vested with The current legal framework Lanka: OCSE - Legal Gap definition of the crimes, noting in the Haldummulla area, to Welanwita will be reduced the public recently. uses imprecise terminology Analysis’ conducted by Verité that this is especially which were deprived of public from one and a half hours to 20 The surveying of 187 plots of and thus, the identification of Research and commissioned problematic in light of the amenities for a long time and minutes. The Sri Lanka land has been completed and perpetrators and the methods by Protecting Environment and prevalence of male child where the majority of the Transport Board will add a the remaining is scheduled to of information and Child Everywhere (PEaCE)/ victims in the child sex tourism people are poor, have now passenger bus on the be concluded before the end of communication technology End Child Prostitution, Child industry. The National Action entered into a period of completion of the Road. The the year. facilitated child sexual Pornography and the Plan for Human Rights has development. construction of the Gampaha - Lands under the purview of exploitation (CSE) is adversely Trafficking of Children for committed to establishing a The remaining targets in the Welanwita, Kalipanawala - the Departments of Wildlife impacted. Sexual Purposes (ECPAT) Sri national sexual offender proposed development plan are Halkanna, Akkara Seeya – and Forest Conservation that Therefore, the use of Lanka. registry by 2021 and such projected to be met in the next Kakkutuarawa and Beragala- can be released will be granted internationally agreed upon Also, the study pointed out would provide the basis for two months. Wellawaya Roads has also to farmers engaged in terminology to proscribe online that male victims of OCSE are sentencing for sex crimes, the With a population of around commenced. traditional cultivations. CSE (OCSE) is essential to not recognised as victims of study reminded. 48,000, Haldummulla is the Pylons for power supply are The Agriculture Department most difficult Divisional being installed and wiring will has taken measures to Secretariat Division in the start soon. Once the implement several programmes District. Welanwita and Akkara groundwork is completed, Sri to encourage cinnamon and Seeya are considered to be the Lanka Telecom and Mobitel are pepper farmers. Over 57 most neglected villages in the ready to meet the farmers in the Kumarathenna Met Dept Development is for Division. communication requirements village are cultivating pepper in Commencing the ‘discussion of the area. 160 acres. A pilot project to warns of more the people – Johnston with the village’ programme, The National Water Supply organise an organic village for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Drainage Board has them is underway. A cinnamon By Thameenah Razeek went on an inspection tour of completed the feasibility study processing centre is being built wet weather the Kumarathenna village in and the estimate to supply in Welanwita benefiting 31 By Paneetha Ameresekere Minister of Highways warned Haldummulla on 25 drinking water to the area has farmers. Parliamentarian C.V. Wigneswaran that it is unwise September. also been completed. The Mines and Geology Heavy showers above 100 milimetres to obstruct development activities, and that meetings Villagers told the President The 17th Engineering Bureau and the District can be expected at some places in the about development should not involve politics. that the people had abandoned Regiment is in charge of the Coordinating Committee are Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, The Jaffna District Rural Infrastructure their traditional homes due to construction of a new building working together to promote North-Western and Central Provinces Committee met at the Jaffna District Secretariat their inability to meet even the for the Kumaratenna Vidyalaya the traditional pottery and in the Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and under the patronage of Fernando in line with the basic needs. Heeding their in Welanwita. The construction industry. Nearly 18 families in Trincomalee Districts during the 36 national programme to uplift of the rural economy. requests, the President of the four-classroom building the area are engaged in the hours ending at 4 a.m. today (10), the Fernando said that development work was for the instructed officials to attend to commenced on 4 September. industry. Meteorology Department warned on 8 welfare of the people. their needs for roads, Work is expected to be To prevent elephants from November. The Department further At the beginning of the meeting, Wigneswaran electricity, water and schooling completed before the new encroaching into villages, the warned the public to take precautions to questioned as to whether the Government was for children within three school term. Construction of construction of an electric minimise the damage caused by planning to intervene, ensuring full power in the months. the new classroom building at fence from Pathaha to temporary localised strong winds and North, despite the Provincial Council (PC) Election Implementing the the Soragune Vidyalaya has Ayispeella has commenced. lightning during thundershowers in this not being held, adding that not granting programme, a comprehensive been completed. Teachers have Electric fences in Welanwita period. Misty conditions can be expected development projects to the PCs and Local development drive has been been appointed covering all and Kumarathenna have been at some places in the Central, Government Institutions is a problem. He claimed launched by 19 Government subjects. New Principals have repaired and activated. The Sabaragamuwa, Western and Uva that the Government wants to unfairly take on the institutions under 51 projects. been appointed to the President inspected Sarath Provinces and in Galle and Matara power of the Central Government. The President paid special Wellawaya – Gampaha Ranatunga’s house in Districts during the morning hours. Fernando in reply said that the main objective of attention to development of the Vidyalaya and the Janananda Kumarathenna which was Showers or thundershowers will occur this series of meetings is the development of the road network. Nearly five Vidyalaya. The Haputale Tamil destroyed by wild elephants. at several places elsewhere during the people. “The United National Front led Government kilometres (km) of the 12 Maha Vidyalaya is to be On the President’s evening or night, including in several did not do anything for the people of Jaffna. The km-long Akkara Seeya – included in the project to instructions, the Army has other places in the Northern, Eastern people have faith in us. We will continue to develop Welanwita Road has been elevate 1,000 schools to the built a three-bedroom house and North-Central Provinces. in the next five years,” he claimed. paved with concrete. Carpeting level of national schools. for the family. column Tuesday 10 November 2020 A5

Memories Enemies of Promise – Esmond Wickremesinghe

By Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha He had after all been close to JR diplomacy to sort the issue out, with previously, and worked with him to the Wijewardene’s finally agreeing to 29 May 2020 would have been the attack the Rubber-Rice Pact abide by the original arrangement. 100th birthday of Esmond (negotiated by JR’s bitter enemy RG And after that old D R took Esmond to Wickremesinghe, the eldest brother of Senanayake when Dudley Senanayake his heart, so that soon enough he was Sadly Esmond my mother. He died when he was 65, was Prime Minister) in accordance virtually running Lake House. after an operation in Texas, and sadly with JR’s pro-American approach. saw nothing he is now known only as Ranil’s Hatchet man father. Prime Minister again Significantly the older generation wrong with this. A recent editorial in Ceylon Today With Sir John gone, it might have was not so fond of J R, and indeed D S So after the 1983 ascribed his decline into obscurity, seemed the way was clear for JR to only included him in his first cabinet while his son flourished, to one of ‘JR’s take over the party. But I suspect because Dudley Senanayake insisted. riots he even Two Mistakes’. The second was ‘the because the party at large thought him But JR and Esmond became soul eruption of the Tamil Question’, which unsuitable, Dudley was cajoled back mates, and Esmond was his hatchet excused the makes clear the opinion of the writer into politics and thus became Prime man with regard to those in the UNP massacre of that Jayewardene’s refusal to put Minister again, briefly in 1960 and for JR saw as threats, first Bandaranaike Esmond into Parliament, but instead five years from 1965. However I still and then RG – and of course finally Tamil prisoners give Ranil a seat, was also a recall my sister, as a little girl, Dudley. The lengths to which they in the Welikada horrendous disaster. chanting ‘We want JR’, I think with would stoop are clear from Tarzie Interestingly, Dayan Jayatilleke had regard to the 1960 July election Vittachi’s account, recorded in this jail, claiming that a different take on this, claiming that Dudley had precipitated when he did series, about how Esmond wanted him JR wanted Esmond, but his wife not command a majority in to publish an article denigratory of this was Nalini, JR’s cousin, insisted Esmond Parliament. That could only have been Bandaranaike, and how he was sent necessary to step down and ensured JR took up learnt from Esmond, for my parents off to London when he refused. Ranil instead. never evinced partisanship in politics Dudley and JR and Esmond worked defuse tension. Sinhala Only Bill and my grandmother was a firm Esmond Wickremesinghe his success together effectively when Mrs He also described Senanayake loyalist. was underscored by his betrayals Bandaranaike, having allied herself The reason that version rings true to In my article about Shirley with the left, tried to take over Lake how they had to me is that JR and Esmond were very Amerasinghe I noted how Esmond House. That effort was defeated close, and for many years JR saw became disillusioned with Dudley, and through a combination of idealism and stop the Esmond as one of his two principal wanted him replaced by JR, while bribery, but the UNP government that magistrate right hand men.The third in the UNP Cyril Mathew was also undermining succeeded did not make the radical troika was Cyril Mathew, and certainly Dudley, more actively, by agitating changes JR and Esmond wanted, asking awkward they were responsible for reviving the against his proposed District Councils Dudley for instance refusing to join UNP after its disastrous electoral Bill. But before I go into the aftermath, the pro-American ASEAN alliance that questions performance in 1956, when it was I should go back in time, to explore was set up then. reduced to 8 seats. how Esmond became a pillar of the But what is less well known is that UNP’s radical right. He had laid little Dudley’s sudden death they were also responsible for that stress earlier After 1970 the tension between much time, after dropping in to pay disaster. Bandaranaike is excoriated Trotskyist to radical right Dudley and JR broke out openly, but his respects to his mother, talking to for the Sinhala Only Bill he introduced He was a Trotskyist in his youth, as I therefore on the was resolved conclusively in JR’s me about politics – which is how I after winning the 1956 election, but noted in my article on Regi favour when Dudley suddenly died. So knew all about his predilections, his the UNP precipitated that Election Siriwardena, but all that changed after position of Tamil, the way was paved for preference for Gamini Dissanayake after deciding at sessions in January he married Nalini, daughter of the whereas Sir John authoritarianism when the UNP won over Lalith Athulathmudal as far as first that it wanted Sinhala Only, and press baron D R Wijewardene, who the 1977 election overwhelmingly, and the next generation was concerned, second that parliament should be built up Lake House into a formidable understood the JR turned himself into an Executive his deep affection for Mathew and Paul dissolved for it to seek a mandate to political instrument. The family was appeal of the President. Perera, who had been so ruthless in implement Sinhala Only.This was in forceful, or rather old D R and Nalini Esmond was not put into Parliament destroying the Bandaranaike vote base repudiation of UNP Prime Minister were, the rest being mild and gentle. UNP to Tamils. as noted, but he continued close to JR in Attanagalla at the 1982 referendum. Kotelawala’s promise, made just This is true not only of Ranjith, the and to Cyril Mathew. They were not before in Jaffna, that he stood for son who took over Lake House, but But the party’s fond of Premadasa, and did not want Touchstone of decency parity for Tamil too. Bandaranaike’s also his older brother Seevali, who was nationalist wing, him to succeed, with Esmond even I told my uncle Lakshman, the imperative was to replace English with disinherited by his father after he absurdly suggesting initially that party touchstone of decency in our family, Sinhala, not to do down Tamil. His married a company employee. led by JR (who Chairman N G P Panditharatne might the stories about Esmond when I electoral appeal, he knew, was to the That was how Esmond in effect took be a suitable alternative. But in the spoke to him in a month after Sinhala peasantry and middle class, over Lake House, for nearly 20 years moved a motion end they plumped for Mathew, and I the riots and, though he said he which resented the dominance of the until Ranjith grew up. That old D R in the forties to suspect it was not just his intrinsic thought Esmond was too decent for English speaking. wanted to mould Esmond in his own make Sinhala the racism, but also the assumption that such behavior, I gather the evidence The Betrayal image is clear from the controversy he could emulate Mahathir overwhelmed him when he got back, that nearly stopped the marriage. compulsory Mohammed, that prompted Mathew to and contributed to his early death. He had laid little stress earlier Esmond’s parents, Cyril and Esme present himself as the champion of the I felt strongly about all this, and therefore on the position of Tamil, Wickremesinghe, were strong medium of Sinhalese. suggested as much in the novel I wrote whereas Sir John understood the Anglicans, but they had not been about the events, ‘Acts of Faith’. This appeal of the UNP to Tamils. But the unhappy about Esmond marrying a education in No remorse came out in 1985, while I was abroad, party’s nationalist wing, led by JR Buddhist. However they had schools) and his Sadly Esmond saw nothing wrong and Esmond it seems was deeply (who moved a motion in the forties to stipulated that there should be no with this. So after the 1983 riots he upset. My mother’s friend Diana make Sinhala the compulsory medium religious ceremonies. principal even excused the massacre of Tamil told me that he had upbraided of education in schools) and his prisoners in the Welikada jail, my mother about the book. But she principal henchman Cyril Mathew, The Wedding henchman Cyril claiming that this was necessary to also added that he had said sadly that would have none of that. But on the morning of the wedding Mathew, would defuse tension. He also described how he had thought I was one of his That betrayal, as it was considered, day they found that the Wijewardene’s, they had to stop the magistrate asking admirers. decimated the UNP, for Tamils refused strong Buddhists, had introduced have none of that awkward questions. He died before I came back and to vote for it, and in the south flocked some. The normally mild Cyril This horrified me. But I also realised could speak to him about it. He was to the LSSP which thus obtained 14 Wickremesinghe was furious, and said that he felt traumatised, which is why right in that I had admired him. But I seats. But I cannot believe that in they would not attend the wedding. My he poured all this out to me. I had also felt he had betrayed the values 1956 Esmond supported the hijacking aunt Ena de Silva said she had found been out of Colombo when the riots our family had stood for. I would like of the party, for he had been close to Esmond in tears that morning at broke out, and when I got back my to think he regretted this at the end, Sir John. Lakmahal, for he knew how mother said he had asked for me. He for he did dissociate himself from But with Sir John then going into determined his parents could be if was fond of me and I think even Mathew. But the damage that was retirement, Esmond worked hard with pushed. respected my judgment, for over the done was corrosive, and Lakmahal JR and Mathew to resurrect the party. It took all Sir Oliver Goonetilleke’s preceding three years he would spend should not have been involved in such.

Appreciation Upali Dhanapala Abeyewardene

Upali breathed his last, abundance of energy and of to pay obeisance at the Kalutara of cards, especially Rummy, as a precisely 11 days after course pursuing his abiding Bodhi. Such was his religious part of his relaxation. To back celebrating his 91st birthday interest in boxing. zeal. Following his success at the his profound skill in Poetry, he sans the customary frills, spills He was no doubt a fitness prestigious Sri Lanka contributed lavishly to the and thrills associated with the addict and the crowning moment Administrative Service Lakbima News, and aura of booze and tobacco. and magnum opus of his life was Examination, he was elevated to some other journals. His Instead, Upali opted to offer alms when he was appointed Boxing the position of Deputy outstanding poetic diction at the temple he used to frequent Captain of the Peradeniya Commissioner of Labour. earned him a poet laureate tag. and also to a group of well University. Perhaps in acknowledgement of However, he reserved his deserved women in an old folks After his graduation he had a his efficiency he was seconded to in-exhaustible wit to amuse the home. brief stint as a teacher in a Maha serve the then Air Ceylon as a Sunday Island Funny Caption The handsome youth Upali Vidyalaya before taking up a Director. After that temporary readers. Together my late was a gregarious animal with a position as a Labour Officer posting, Upali returned to the brother and I have adorned the host of friends. He had his where he worked with inimitable Labour Department. He was Sunday Funny Caption pages primary education at St. dedication and industry.At the deservedly awarded a with our contributions winning Thomas’ and St. Peter’s Colombo Employment Exchange where he scholarship to the United many a prize. and his secondary education at worked he set an example to his Kingdom. In recognition of Mr. Upali leaves behind his wife St. Mary’s Kegalle where he subordinate officials on Clean image, this indefatigable Chintha and 4 children whose captained the College punctuality and simplicity. He officer was handpicked to first names all begin with ‘N’ with Eleven, and joined St. Joseph’s was unostentatious to the very conduct Labour Disciplinary his eldest son Nalaka having Colombo where he excelled in his core and did not kow-tow to dispute inquiries. He made no predeceased him. studies to earn the plaudits of political pressure. Nepotism was bones of the fact that he had Upa Ayyah, I miss our daily the Rector in Charge and the not in his vocabulary. conducted well over 300 chats very much. You have left tutorial staff, being one of the six When he was working as inquiries prior to and after his me as the sole surviving sibling to gain University status. His Assistant Commissioner at the retirement. in the Abeyewardene family line youthful vigour and endurance Kalutara Labour Office, he In the wake of his retirement, –up. Budu Saranai! exhibited his prowess in cycling travelled to work by train and Upali joined his redoubtable Good Bye, Sweet Prince long distances, jogging with never hesitated to break journey coterie of friends to play a game Bandula Abeyewardene A6 Monday 10 November 2020 Editorial

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Reward Abiders Gazette At 5 a.m. yesterday, the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) lifted the 10 days and five hours (245 hours) long carte blanche coronavirus or locked down curfew imposed in most areas of the Western Province (WP) since 12 midnight on 30 October. But this curfew failed to keep coronavirus down. For Gazette instance, yesterday registered one of the largest coronavirus detections, a number of 510 in the 24 Gazette hours ended at 10 a.m. yesterday, since the first detection on 27 January. Gazette On the other hand these curfews only increased the hardships faced by the masses of this country, reflected by job losses and pay cuts. Therefore, the way forward is to learn to live with this virus, whilst simultaneously taking precautions to contain its spread. GoSL has seemingly now learnt this lesson, after first imposing a near two-month islandwide curfew in the country from 21 March of this year, after giving time for the populace to buy their groceries and medicines on that day and since this most recent curfew which Putin’s Flatlining impacted the WP and a few other areas outside of the WP. But as subsequent events have shown, curfews failed to destroy COVID-19. In fact it only spread further and fast. Therefore, as a deterrent, breaking of coronavirus Economy laws should be followed by imposing punitive action on such offenders. But because Sri Lanka is a democracy, it may be easier said than done to take action against such offenders. An ‘out of the box’ way of making the public to obey coronavirus laws may be to reward the indigent who observe such laws. This is something which the GoSL should work on, with the aid of the Grama Nildahri officers at the ground level. The President’s Fund may be dipped to reward such law abiding citizens who belong to the indigent category first, with Samurdhi beneficiaries being the target audience, at least in the first instance, before taking into account the rest of the population, who may be rewarded by tax breaks for instance, in respect of those law abiding citizens who pay taxes. Meanwhile, in respect of the lifting of the curfew yesterday, GoSL said, “Except for 12 Police divisions in the Colombo District and several housing complexes, the quarantine (coronavirus or locked down) curfew imposed in several areas, including in the WP was lifted at 5 a.m. yesterday.”(See also yesterday’s Ceylon Today) Colombo District alone is segementalised into 48 Police divisions or stations. “Where curfew continues, are those areas and housing complexes identified as high risk areas.”Additionally, eight Police divisions in the Gampaha District, three areas in the Kalutara District, By Sergei Guriev the global economic pie. This and he dropped the goal in undercounts infections, two areas each in Kurunegala and Kegalle districts will is not a particularly ambitious July, blaming the COVID-19 misclassifies deaths, and delays also be further isolated,” GoSL announced. Gampaha In recent weeks, target for a middle-income crisis. Of course, the entire reporting. Yet the increase in comprises a total of 37 Police divisions. macroeconomic forecasters country. But Russia has failed world is confronting the same mortality, compared to past “The following areas will continue to remain under have presented new, more to achieve it – and not just crisis, which implies that years, suggests that the isolation orders until further notice. Colombo optimistic global predictions because of the COVID-19 relative goals shouldn’t be numbers are huge. District: Mattakkuliya, Modera, Bloemendhal, for 2020 and 2021. Given the crisis. affected. By this measure, Aleksei Kotahena, Grandpass, Foreshore, Barber Street, rising second wave of COVID- Well before the pandemic Putin also announced that Raksha, a former demographer Maligawatte, Dematagoda, Wellampitiya, Keselwatta, 19 infections and deaths in began, a broad consensus had the 2024 deadlines for the at the Federal Statistics and Borella Police areas. Gampaha District: Wattala, much of the world, grimmer emerged among Russia targets he had set in 2018 Service, says official data are Peliyagoda, Kadawatha, Ragama, Negombo, forecasts are likely to replace watchers that without were now shifted to 2030. underestimating COVID-19 Pamunugama, Ja-Ela, and Sapugaskanda Police them soon. But even the institutional reforms, annual Even here, the COVID-19 mortality by a factor of three. areas. Kalutara District: Horana, and Ingiriya Police relatively sanguine current GDP growth rates would crisis is a poor excuse. After With around 115,000 excess divisions, and Wekada-West Grama Niladari Division. outlooks provide little hope for remain stuck at around 1.5- all, it is not as if Russia has deaths in April-September, Kurunegala District: Kurunegala Municipal Council economies like Russia, which 2% – lower than global growth. implemented strict nationwide Russia could have a higher area and Kuliyapitiya and Kegalle District: Mawanella, was stagnating well before the Putin’s Government was lockdown measures, per capita COVID-19 mortality and Ruwanwella Police divisions. pandemic. clearly unwilling and unable to temporarily sacrificing growth rate than the United States or In addition, the following apartment complexes in To be sure, on 30 September, undertake such reforms. As a for the sake of public health. any other European country. Colombo District will also remain under isolation: Russia’s Ministry of Economy result, IMF forecasters have Putin did announce a six-week Given Russia’s relative isolation, -‘Methsanda Sevana’ in Mattakkuliya, ‘Mihijaya published a relatively made clear, Russia’s share of “non-working holiday” last this can be blamed only on Sevana’ and ‘Ranmuthu Sevana’ in Modera. ‘Muwadora sanguine official forecast: its the global economy – whether spring. But the State offered policy. Uyana’ in Grandpass, ‘Sirisara Uyana’ in Dematagoda baseline scenario is that GDP calculated in nominal terms or very limited economic support These failures will have far- and NHS flats in the Maligawatta area,” GoSL said. will contract by 3.9% in 2020, adjusted for purchasing power for small businesses and reaching implications for Meanwhile, GoSL’s most recent, aforesaid, sudden, but will average 3.2% annual parity (PPP) – will continue to households during this quasi- Russians and the world. With carte blanche curfew, extending to a period of 245 growth in 2021-23. Yet the shrink in the coming years. lockdown. Totalling about 1% Putin’s regime unable to secure continuous hours and lifted only at 5 a.m. yesterday, ministry has a track record of This clearly precludes of GDP, Russia’s measures public support based on quality- when in force, impacted the lives of more than 6.1 being excessively optimistic. Putin’s other much-hyped were an order of magnitude of-life improvements, it will million or over 29 per cent of the island’s population. Russia’s Accounts Chamber economic goal: to become one less than what the United invest more in censorship, This happened after GoSL, seemingly without any – another Government agency, of the world’s top-five States and Europe provided. propaganda, and foreign warning, on Sunday 1 November announced the led by former Finance Minister economies. In nominal terms, Unlike their Western adventurism. The Kremlin will clamping down of a week-long, 24-hour ‘COVID-19’ Aleksei Kudrin – criticised the Russia remains the world’s counterparts when they faced try to convince Russians that, curfew encompassing the totality of the WP as well as Ministry of Economy’s bright 11th-largest economy, and is lockdowns and shelter-in- whatever his shortcomings, the Police divisions (PDs) of the Kurunegala forecast. The Accounts unlikely to break into the top place orders, Russians thus Putin is by far their best option – Municipality and Kuliyapitiya, both located in the Chamber has a far more ten in the foreseeable future. had little choice but to not least to confront external Kurunegala District of the North-Western Province, somber outlook: a 4.5% So Putin has been aiming to continue working – a fact enemies. One can only hope that and the Eheliyagoda PD in the Ratnapura District of decline in GDP in 2020, and make Russia a top-five borne out by Google mobility Putin’s the , effective from 5 a.m. last average annual growth of only economy in PPP terms – a data. Putin then ended the quintessential informational Monday (2 November), to 5 a.m. yesterday. 2-2.2% in 2021-23. This is metric commonly used for partial lockdown early, in autocracy will be swept away by This was a continuation of the previous, 24-hour more closely aligned with the evaluating living standards, order to hold the vote on rising Internet penetration and coronavirus or quarantine curfew in the WP imposed International Monetary not an economy’s overall size. amending the Russian distrust of official media, making four days earlier, i.e., beginning from 12 midnight on Fund’s expectation of a 4.1% Eminently achievable Constitution to remove the official narrative increasingly 29 October and which was scheduled to have had been drop in 2020, and 2.4% Presidential term limits, difficult to sell. lifted at 5 a.m. last Monday (2 November), spanning a annual growth in 2021-23 This goal would seem thereby ensuring that he total of three days and five hours under lockdown, (slowing down to 1.8% by eminently achievable: in 2019, would never have to leave (Sergei Guriev, a former before its sudden extension till yesterday. 2025). Russia ranked sixth in the office. Chief Economist of the But with the sudden extension of this curfew till 5 The reason for the world in PPP terms. No more. The Kremlin’s soft-and-stingy European Bank for a.m. yesterday (Monday 9 November), that meant that discrepancy among these According to the IMF’s latest approach to the pandemic saved Reconstruction and this curfew was imposed uninterruptedly in the WP forecasts is entirely political. forecast, Russia will continue the Russian State money. Development and former spanning a total of 10 days and five hours, causing When President Vladimir Putin to lag behind – which Despite lower oil prices, Russia’s Rector of the New Economic more misery to the masses: misery, probably at least began his current term in May currently holds the fifth spot – rainy day National Welfare Fund School in Moscow, is equal, if not worse than what COVID-19 has or would 2018, he promised a rate of in the coming years. stands at 12% of GDP – higher Professor of Economics at have had done. GDP growth higher than the At this point, not even Putin than at the start of the Sciences Po.) world average, thereby can pretend that Russia has a pandemic: But at what cost? It is expanding Russia’s share of chance of cracking the top five, impossible to know precisely, as (www.project-syndicate.org) Column Tuesday 10 November 2020 A7 Need To Find Jobs,

y athiya oorthy Here And Now B N. S M yesterday, not beyond.

Even as is caught in the Whither ‘ model’ grip of the COVID-19 second wave and Since becoming President, Gotabaya the Government is once again tied and also his team-members have been down to controlling it, there is an reiterating the Government’s decision equally urgent need for studying and not to go in for more borrowings, but managing the medium and long-term only seek investments. This decision, effects of the Nation’s economy – and successive Governments, should have strategising recovery measures. Even taken very long ago. But then, it is not from a short-sighted political view- too late, even now, at least from that point, the economic after-effects of the limited perspective. This does not pandemic is going to stay for longer mean that the Nation could tide over than, say, five or ten years, by which the debt-crisis early on. At least, the time the Government’s popularity Nation’s revenue income and that of would come under test in the the man on the street may see better Presidential Polls, four years from now. days than at present, and in the The Economy was bad even without immediate past. For the short and the the pandemic. It had begun even before medium-term, the Government can last year’s ‘Easter Sunday’ serial- begin with more concessions for blasts. Combined, better management mainstay tourism industry and other of the economy was also a part of the forex-earners like garment and gem reason for President Gotabaya stone sectors. But then, migrant Rajapaksa’s sweeping poll victory, just labour market the world over has a year back. People remembered the shrunk with COVID-19 in particular, better days under President Mahinda and that has been among the main Rajapaksa, now Prime Minister. When sources of forex earnings for the the war was still raging, the economy Port City project now under construction with potential to revive the economy once completed Nation. Once COVID-19 ends, either was surging ahead. As much as the the Government negotiates with GDP, even living conditions and costs traditional UNP supporters or not, they the UPFA ‘cohabitation partner’, or diversification, they got it all wrong. counterparts elsewhere, to restore the were seemingly better than later on. definitely voted on ‘non-war President Sirisena, given his over- There may be a lot for GoSL to learn jobs of Sri Lankans who might have or This was so despite the fact that the accountability issues’ on the human ambitious cantankerousness of the from the answers to the question, ‘Why may be losing their jobs. Then comes people had braced themselves to a long rights front. time. no worthwhile investment under the the question of hoping to create more economic winter after the war erstwhile UNP Government, which was jobs. re-commenced in 2006. Battle-victories Running on parallel rails? Unasked question friendly or friendlier to the West, and It is in this context, the Government do not alter the course of the economy Yet, none of them voted on the If it was not ‘Easter Sunday serial- whom the latter had better relations needs to take a closer look at the overnight. They cushion the fall, economy, per se, other than those blasts’, whose investigations revealed with, compared to the Rajapaksas?’ ‘China model’ of development-funding, holding a promise for the future. But in traditional UNP voters, whose numbers the falling standards of the Nation’s Going beyond politics of human rights as different from that Nation’s this particular case, there were were substantial, even while getting political administration in less than and China, there may have been economic model for itself. Despite possible indicators, both in the books reduced with each passing election. At five years after the exit of the structural deficiencies that no one borrowing heavily for development and also on the ground. least some among them strongly felt Rajapaksas, it would still have been wanted to talk about – or, even record projects funded by China, all of which that the Rajapaksas had handled the the economy in elections in November it. After all the previous Government are executed only on Sri Lankan soil, it Where then did Sri Lanka economy very badly through Mahinda’s last. No, it would not have stopped with too was only inviting investments, not has not created a single job for the go wrong? two terms in office. To them, incoming the UNP-linked Central Bank bonds more credit. A creditor should be locals. Neither of the previous two Prime Minister and his UNP team could scam. It owed to the very management worried about repayment and could Governments bothered to set right the The general belief is that the UNP in do no wrong on the economic front, of the economy. In particular, the well be wary of certain economies’ situation, more so the Wickremesinghe power makes for better economic especially, just as their UPFA rivals, question should be asked even if it is at ability to repay. Given the current regime, which was sworn to undo all managers than rivals SLFP, to which whoever it be, could get nothing right. this distance in time (post-poll and truth that the present Government has wrongs of the predecessor Mahinda the Rajapaksas belonged at the time. Yet, the Ranil UNP got nothing right on after the change of Government), why exposed, a very, very high 86 per cent rue, or so did they claim. Today, when Their current ruling party, SLPP is only the economy, other than fuelling their the UNP Government and Prime of the GDP involves debt-related people need jobs to sustain themselves a breakaway faction of the UPFA, with supporters’ suspicions that the UPFA Minister Ranil could not attract foreign issues. But a big-ticket investor need and also their family incomes, if not its leftist, socialist economic ideology, Rajapaksas had done ‘bad’ for the investments as much as was hoped for not be looking at it in the very same boost it, that kind of developmental which was long dead in the two economy. And their economic – though not exactly promised, so to way. For him, it could be an funding is not going to take Sri Lanka Nations, where they had originated, management had nothing to do with say. opportunity as the Government of the anywhere. Maybe, just as the namely, the erstwhile Soviet Union and the inevitable run-in with then Granting the Opposition’s charge of a day should be yielding more ground on Government is talking about China. Of the two, the Soviet Union as President who Chinese debt-trap, the Government, very many fronts, if it could help re-negotiating debt and possibly a Nation, too, had vanished. was an SLFP man, not only at heart especially Prime Minister Ranil, spoke attract big investments. That has been interest repayment with other In 2015, the Rajapaksas were voted but also in reality. Sirisena was also more of the past, and ended up signing the experience elsewhere. Governments, President Gotabaya may out, not for their poor management of the SLFP General Secretary at the time. the Hambantota debt-equity swap-deal Sure enough, the President’s have to take up this particular issue the economy – or, at least from the There is a saying that you cannot run – and yet continued borrowing from Economic Task Force, appointed by with the Chinese leadership when he voter’s perception. There was a single parallel and yet hope to achieve China, possibly on the very same terms President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, would visits them next, or receives another issue. On human rights, the minorities results. That is not true of the most as the Rajapaksas before them. If they have gone into such structural one of their high-profile economic voted en masse against incumbent commonly seen example for two lines were serious about the equally deficiencies, and decided on the future delegations. In the absence of such a Mahinda. Even then there was a running parallel to each other. In the controversial $480-M developmental courses of rectification, for the short, course, there may be more trouble on distinction. The war-ravaged northern railways, the rails that form a funding from the ‘Millennium challenge medium and long-terms. As and when the job, income and by extension law and eastern Tamils voted on wholesome track run only parallel to Corporation (MCC) of the US, why did COVID-19 comes under control, both and order and also popularity fronts. allegations of ‘war crimes’. The each other. They end up reaching the not the UNP-UPFA coalition nearer home and elsewhere across the No amount of creation of more Muslims were upset over post-war same destination. Better still, they also Government did not push it through, world, economy will be the mainstay of Government jobs is going to help, as physical attacks on the community. carry the train that runs on them, to its whatever the consequences under a National politics as never before and the coffers may dry up faster than The Upcountry Tamils voted on destination. This should have been the successor regime. The expectation there won’t be much time to spare. otherwise – and that is just not the way regional and sub-regional issues, case with the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe anyway in their camp would have been Considering that this is only the first of to handle the economy. where the Rajapaksas were believed to co-habitation administration that ran that they were coming back to rule Sri the mandated maximum of two terms (The wrier is Distinguished Fellow be in wrong company then. Yet, there parallel to each other, which ended up Lanka again, maybe minus Sirisena. If for President Gotabaya, he will have to and Head-Chennai Initiative, was also a sizable Sinhala vote, which running parallel to each other on all they thought that would have been a put the economy back on the track, Observer Research Foundation, the was traditionally, pro-UNP, or better other aspects of political more auspicious time for a UNP-led before it became too late for the multi-disciplinary Indian public- still ‘anti-SLFP’, in ideological terms. In administration. On the economy alone, Government without the UPFA baggage common man’s comfort. No time is policy think-tank, headquartered in urban centres, there were Sinhala the Nation ran on a mono-rail, the to claim all credit for the MCC better for it than the present, if not the New Delhi. Email: sathiyam54@ middle-class voters, whether UNP, with no serious interference from investment and such other immediate past, which is just nsathiyamoorthy.com) Fresh criticism of Islamic Fundamentalism Much of Western Europe has stood many is that suicide bomber Zaharan Catholic groups, or to gain political with in denouncing Islamic Hashim was not the mastermind of the and territorial advantage. “The Roman fundamentalism which results in attack. This has been confirmed by no Catholic Church from the Vatican that terrorism and wanton killing in the less a person than Rauf Hakeem. promoted these conflicts assured the name of the newer version of what Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim killers they would not suffer due to Prophet Mohammad said that has Congress Party. Newspapers reported their taking life; the killings were given rise to a deviation of ancient and than when he was interrogated by the considered a penitential exercise that true Islam. Commission, he said he would divulge brought forgiveness of sins. A manifestation of this fundamental information on the master mind Thus the battles still proceed, Islam terrorist activity was the killing of a behind the attack, in camera. We hope against other religions, and racially: French teacher – Samuel Paty (47) – in it was done. The main reason to Arab nations against Jewish. Trump Paris by a Muslim Chechen youth, suspect the suicide bombers were has definitely titled towards , instigated by a parent of a child in puppets is that they killed themselves. moving the US embassy to Jerusalem Paty’s history class. Paty had taught a The puppeteer stays safe, only and negotiating peace pacts between lesson on freedom of speech and used directing the heinous attacks. Israel and many Arab nations in West two Charlie Hebdo cartoons that First historically recorded Asia. caused widespread terrorism by Buddhism - The pacifist radical Muslims rising against Islam wars perceived disrespect to the Prophet religion Mohammed starting in 2012 with the Islam followers actually did not start publication of the satirical cartoons. the wars with Christians. The Mercifully, thankfully and President Macron, on Wednesday 21 Crusades consisted of wars initiated, propitiously, Buddhism has never October, at a private ceremony in the Samuel Paty was killed for showing his students cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad supported and directed by the Latin engaged in militancy or conversion to Sorbonne University, bestowed the Church in the medieval period. Pope Buddhism by coercion. The Buddha highest French honour on Samuel internal trouble and also . Urban II proclaimed the First preached metta and karuna to all Paty and raised him to hero and The Way It Is In Sri Lanka Crusade at the Council of Clermont in sentient beings by human beings. It is patriot status. “Paty was ‘a quiet hero’. 1095. The term Crusades refers to a pacifist religion, more individualistic He was the victim of stupidity, of lies, leaders. Many European countries Memory is still harrowingly fresh in the Eastern Mediterranean campaigns than congregational. Thus no room for of confusion, of a hatred of what, in have suffered several severe attacks by most Sri Lankan minds over the in the period between 1096 and 1271 militancy within it. This is why people our deepest essence, we are. On fundamentalist Islamic terrorists suicide bombing of hotels and that had the objective of recovering in Sri Lanka abhor those in yellow Friday, he became the face of the acting on ISIS orders or on their own. churches on Easter Sunday 2019, the Holy Land from Islamic rule; i.e. robes who turn militant whether in Republic.” Muslim countries themselves have killing hundreds, injuring thousands Jerusalem including Bethleham. “The word or deed. Bhikkhus are certainly He also said Muslim been subject to terrorist activity by and causing suffering to millions. The term has also been applied to other welcome to advise leaders and people, fundamentalism will not be tolerated. these activists following deviant forms Presidential Commission probing the church-sanctioned campaigns fought but not take arms or go on the He was heavily backed by German of Islam. is invariably attack has almost concluded its to combat paganism and heresy, to offensive themselves. These good Chancellor Angela Merkel and other suicide bombed; has had sittings. A suspicion entertained by resolve conflict among rival Roman moves are evident of late. (Kumari) A8 tuesday 10 november 2020 world affairs Is Putin’s Russia threatened by Uzbek Jihadists?

By Uran Botobekov Putin’s authoritarian regime in parent organisation of HTS. In dividing Islam into ‘traditional’ and response to the accusation of Syria’s most powerful rebel group ‘radical’. Could HTS’s new restricting Russia’s FSB on the impending Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has external jihad strategy help to reduce terrorist attack in Volgograd, the recently implemented a new strategy to the risk of Central Asian migrants in Uzbek jihadi group stated that “KTJ transform itself from global jihadist Russia of being accused for activities are limited to the territory outlook into a local ‘moderate national supporting jihad? of Syria, and its actions do not go liberation movement’. Its new agenda beyond the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s is entirely dedicated to Syria and the Will Hayat Tahrir policy.” Further, KTJ assured via its Syrian local Sunni community in al-Sham’s new strategy Telegram channel that it “does not particular. Within this new scope of have its cells in Russia and is not this strategy, HTS began to severely appeal to Russian involved in organising terrorist acts restrict external attacks by Central interests? abroad.” Asian Salafi-Jihadi groups fully In October 2020, HTS sent associated with HTS. Against the As is known, KTJ, created in 2013 additional clear messages to the background of these changes, Russia in Syria, consists of Central Asian West, announcing through its Sharia recently accused HTS-backed Katibat militants, mostly Uzbeks, Tajiks and Council the disavowal of prominent Tawhidwal-Jihad (KTJ) for conducting Kyrgyz from the Ferghana valley. At jihadist ideologue Abu Mohammad a terrorist attack, thus preventing to the beginning of 2015, the KTJ leader al-Maqdisi, who is a strong supporter achieve HTS’s goal. Abu Saloh al-Uzbeki and his of al Qaeda’s global jihad. The West Pressure on Central Asian militants swore allegiance (bayat) to has reacted positively to HTS’s new al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri. strategy to exclude hardliners from migrants amid KTJ’s ‘international Islamist terrorists”. jihadist group KTJ of organising After bayat to al Qaeda, KTJ was its ranks and its ability to pressure However, these statements often terrorist act. On April 3, 2017, the accused of the Chinese Embassy Central Asian Sunni militant groups terror attacks arouse a certain amount of doubt Russian FSB blamed KTJ for the attack in Bishkek in 2016 and the St. to abandon global jihadist ambitions. On 15 October 2020, the Russian among religious experts researching bombing on a subway train in St. Petersburg metro bombing in 2017, It is noteworthy that in February Federal Security Service (FSB) made the activities of Central Asian Salafi- Petersburg that killed 16 people and although it denied these allegations. 2020 the US Representative for a statement that it has “…suppressed Jihadi groups. This mistrustful injured 67 others. According to KTJ is also closely affiliated with Syria James Jeffrey noted that “the the activities of the interregional cell of attitude to the special operations Russia’s Investigative Committee, HTS, Syria’s most potent militant HTS has not – we (US) have not seen the international terrorist organisation carried out by the FSB security forces Akbarjon Jalilov, a 22-year-old Kyrgyz- faction, which controls Idlib province them planning or carrying out Katibat Tawhidwal-Jihad intending to is primarily due to the authoritarian born ethnic Uzbek man with Russian and parts of the western Aleppo. international terrorism attacks. commit subversive and terrorist acts nature of the Putin regime, which citizenship, has been identified as the After breaking off relations with al We’ve seen them focusing on in the Volgograd city.” During the artificially divides Islam in Russia into suicide bomber. Investigators Qaeda, HTS pursues a strategy basically maintaining their position operation, the security forces killed what they describe as ‘traditional concluded that the ideological aiming purely at the local-Syrian in Idlib.” two members of this Uzbek Salafi- Islam’and ‘radical Islam’ over the past mastermind and financial organiser of jihad to overthrow Bashar al-Assad. Despite the efforts of HTS, it seems Jihadi group. According to the Russian 20 years. the subway bombing was Abu Saloh It avoids global jihad outside the highly unrealistic to achieve special services, “…the coordination of According to the tailor-made of al-Uzbeki, the leader of the KTJ group. country and demands to follow its international recognition of its the terrorist activities of the jihadist Putin’s Russia, traditional Islam is It’s known that his real name is plan from Central Asian and legitimacy as a ‘national liberation cell was carried out from the territory assumed as the Muslim Ummah that Sirozhidin Mukhtarov, a faithful Caucasian Salafi-Jihadi groups. With movement’. The primary opponent of of Syria.” The Russian FSB also supports the official policy of the state, follower of al Qaeda who migrated its new strategy, HTS sent a clear lifting international sanctions against distributed photos and videos of that is loyal to Putin’s regime and does (Hijrat) from southern to message to the international HTS is Russia, which supports the firearms, ammunition, chemical not raise any separatist slogans. Syria to wage jihad against the regime community to declare its Syrian Government in a decade-long components of Improvised Explosive However, in Russian reality, the of Bashar al-Assad. transformation into a ‘moderate’ civil war. HTS, which holds the last Device, religious literature, as well as a concept of radical Islam is applied very As a result, a military court of St. faction, and even a ‘national major anti-government bastion in the city’s map of planned explosions seized broadly and vaguely. The authorities Petersburg found eleven people guilty liberation movement’. northwestern province of Idlib, has during the particular operation. usually refer members of the Salafi of organising a bomb attack. One of To achieve international become ‘a bone in the throat’ for the FSB further reported that “…other Wahhabi jamaats of the North the accused individuals was jailed for recognition as an acceptable political high ambitions of Putin and Bashar members of the KTJ’s interregional cell Caucasus, Tablighi Jamaat, Hizbut- life while the other ten were given jail actor, HTS has excluded Central al-Assad to regain full control over were also detained in the cities of Tahrir al-Islami and Nurjular terms ranging from 19 to 28 years but Asian al Qaeda supporters and local the entire territory of Syria. Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ufa, Maikop (supporters of the Turkish theologian all 11 denied the charges and hardliners from its ranks. The dirty In Russia, both HTS and its and Volgograd”. However, no evidence Said Nursi) and other followers of the membership in the Uzbek jihadi group image of KTJ, which was accused of subsidiary KTJ are recognised as of the detention of jihadists in other Takfiri movements to the category of KTJ. The detained two Kyrgyz-born serious terrorist crimes in Eurasia, terrorist organizations. It becomes Russian cities and their affiliation with ‘radical Islam’. brothers, Akram and Abror Azimov severely hampered HTS’s the peculiar of tradition that the any religious organisation was ever Russian law enforcement agencies claimed they were tortured at a secret international ambitions to recognise Russian authorities automatically provided. believe that mass labour migration jail outside Moscow. Both stated that it as a national liberation movement include the Salafi-Wahhabi Jamaats On 16 October KTJ in its Telegram from the Central Asian post-Soviet they were subjected to electric shocks, rather than as a terrorist of the North Caucasus and Central channel responded to FSB’s republics contributed to the revival of simulated drowning, and beatings at organisation. Therefore, in April Asia in the group of so-called ‘radical accusation by highlighting their “… Hizbut-Tahrir al-Islami’s and Tablighi the facility allegedly used by Russia’s 2019, HTS managed to remove Abu Islam’. Any Central Asian Muslim non-involvement in the activities of the Jamaat’s activities in Russia. There powerful FSB. Putin’s Russia Saloh al-Uzbeki from the group’s migrant can be easily accused of Mujahideen cell planning the explosion have been frequent cases of so-called arbitrarily deprived the relatives of the leadership and instead elected Abdul being an ‘Islamist extremist’ and in Volgograd.” The Uzbek militant ‘radical Islamists’ who are actually accused of Russian citizenship and Aziz Uzbeki (Khikmatov), a native of simulate the scenario of preparing a group stated that “…their goal is mere migrants from Central Asia. deported them to Kyrgyzstan. The only the Fergana Valley, as the new leader terror attack within circumstances of exclusively to help the people of Syria However, the ‘light hand’ of Russia’s woman among the of KTJ. lacking civil control over the activities in the fight against the criminal regime law enforcement agencies has unfairly defendants, Shokhista However, Abu Saloh defied HTS’ of the powerful FSB and with the of Bashar al-Assad.” Furthermore, ranked these migrants as ‘religious Karimova, declared her innocence, strategy of giving up global jihad tacit consent of the authorities. KTJ declared that “…their activities extremists’. Furthermore, there have claiming Russia’s FSB had planted a ambitions and joined al Qaeda- In conclusion, Russian counter- are limited to the territory of Syria, and been cases of Central Asian migrants grenade and explosives at her home. backed Jabhat Ansar al-Din along terrorism operations against jihadist the conduct of terrorist acts outside of who have been killed during special Following the trial, human rights with 50 other Uzbek jihadists. HTS groups that challenge Russia’s state it is not the group’s policy.” At the end operations by the Russian FSB groups such as Human Rights regarded such a step as a betrayal security and religious stability is of its statement, the group firmly because that same FSB egregiously Watch expressed concern that Russian and on 16 June, 2020, arrested Abu justifiable. However, innocent denied the accusation by the Russian labelled them as ‘religious terrorists’ law enforcement authorities often Saloh. As a result, KTJ’s military- Central Asian migrants in Russia authorities of planning a terrorist without any trial or investigation. target Central Asian migrants without technical and financial dependence should not face Russian labelling and attack in Volgograd, calling it an Unfortunately, there are plenty of such grounds accusing them of religious on HTS has grown even more, and be stigmatised as ‘Islamist radicals’ absolute lie. cases in Russian practice. extremism. now it is focusing only on local jihad simply because of the crimes of The Russian authorities often issue It is imperative to mention that this Clearly, the activities of the Central in Syria and as a result of the Salafi-Jihadi groups in the far away thunderous statements about is not the first time the Russian Asian and Caucasian Salafi-Jihadi activities of KTJ strictly correspond Middle East. successful special operations against authorities have accused the Uzbek groups are grist to the mill of the to the tactics and strategies of its www.moderndiplomacy.eu

U.S. Elections LGBT+ candidates curf rainbow wave to victory

By Hugo Greenhalgh Peter Tatchell, who last year travelled As the 2020 Presidential Election with McBride to and New result teetered on a knife edge, with LGBT+ candidates have surfed a Zealand, told the Thomson Reuters millions of votes still uncounted, LGBT+ rainbow wave to victory in the US Foundation that her election marked rights groups said the early wins Elections with a series of historic wins, “an outstanding victory for trans showed the growing political including Sarah McBride becoming the people”. importance of the community. first openly transgender person to win a Other landmark victories included “Over the last three Elections, the State Senate seat. Mauree Turner, who identifies as non- share of LGBTQ voters has continued to At least 35 of a record 574 LGBT+ binary, or as neither male or female, increase, solidifying our community as candidates on the ballot were estimated and became Oklahoma’s first Muslim a key rising constituency that to have won as of early Wednesday, state representative, according to the politicians must court,” Human Rights including Ritchie Torres and Mondaire LGBTQ Victory Fund, which backs Campaign (HRC) President Alphonso Jones, respectively the first out gay LGBT+ candidates. David said in a statement. Afro-Latino and Black men elected to Michele Rayner became the first “Our issues matter, our votes matter Congress. Black openly LGBT+ woman to be and politicians around the country “Tonight’s wins for LGBTQ people of elected to Florida’s state legislature, have taken notice.” colour and transgender Americans while Shevrin Jones became the state’s Alan Wardle, director of the Global across the country are historic and long first Black LGBT+ state senator. Equality Caucus, a network of LGBT- overdue,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, got its first openly LGBT+ state supporting parliamentarians around president of the LGBT+ rights legislator, Kim Jackson. the world, said the elected organisation GLAAD, in a statement. “Having visible LGBTQ people in representatives sent out “a strong “Their victories represent a leap positions of political power is crucial to signal that LGBT+ people belong in forward for LGBTQ acceptance and a ensuring that LGBTQ people across public life”. demand for more of the progress and America are championed,” said Eloise In an emotional video interview equality that their very presence Stonborough, associate director of posted to social media before his win demonstrates.” policy and research at Stonewall, was confirmed, Torres thanked his McBride, who became the first trans Europe’s largest LGBT+ organisation. mother for helping his campaign in person to address a major party A National Election Pool exit poll South Bronx. convention when she spoke at the conducted by Edison Research “I would not be here today if it were Democrat National Convention in 2016, indicated that LGBT+ voters represent not for my mother,” he told reporters is the country’s highest ranking openly 7 per cent of the 2020 electorate, higher from Spectrum NY1, a local TV channel. trans official after winning the Delaware than the estimated 4.5 per cent of the “And South Bronx is full of mothers State Senate race for the party. adult population. like mine who have suffered and She tweeted that she hoped her LGBT+ voters made up 6 per cent of struggled and sacrificed so that her victory “shows an LGBTQ kid that our the electorate in the 2018 midterm baby boy can have a better life than she democracy is big enough for them, too”. elections, and 5 per cent in the 2016 did.” Sarah McBride American activist and Delaware State Senator-elect to be sworn in Veteran human rights campaigner, presidential elections. Thomson Reuters Foundation January 2021 Asia tuesday 10 november 2020 A9 China holds off on sending congratulations to Biden

China, which has held off on “pressure, isolate and punish China” Global Times said Beijing should congratulating U.S. presidential he is likely to take a more measured work to communicate with Biden’s election winner Joe Biden even as and multilateral approach. team. leaders of other countries have done “We always believe that China and “It’s in the common interests of so, said on Monday (9) it would follow the United States should enhance people from both countries and of the custom in responding to the result. communication and dialogue, international community that China- Democrat Biden clinched enough manage differences on the basis of US relations become eased and States to win the presidency but mutual respect, expand cooperation controllable,” it said. incumbent President Donald Trump on the basis of mutual benefit and The China Daily said it was has not conceded and is making legal promote sound and stable “obvious” improving ties with China challenges to the outcome of the 3 development of bilateral relations,” could start from trade, and reviving November election. Wang told the briefing. trade talks was critical to restoring “We noticed that Biden has Hu Xijin, editor of the Global Times, some understanding and trust. declared election victory,” Foreign a tabloid published by the ruling Wang Huiyao, head of the Centre Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin Communist Party’s People’s Daily, for China and Globalisation and an told a daily Media briefing. “We said in a tweet: “China hasn’t advisor to the Government in Beijing, understand that the US presidential congratulated Biden on his victory as said he expects more dialogue under election result will be determined quickly as Western countries did.” a Biden administration. following US law and procedures.” “I think it’s because China needs to “Biden’s election means an In 2016, Xi sent congratulations to keep larger distance from the U.S. opportunity to re-establish relations Trump on 9 November, a day after the presidential election to avoid getting with the US as he is more likely to election. entangled in its controversy. This uphold multilateralism. That means Relations between China and the actually shows that China respects China and the US can start United States are at their worst in the U.S. as a whole,” he added. discussing issues including climate decades over disputes ranging from Earlier on Monday, Chinese State change, pandemic control and trade,” technology and trade to Media struck an optimistic tone in Wang told Reuters. and the coronavirus, and the Trump editorials, saying relations could be On China’s Twitter-like Weibo, top administration has unleashed a restored to a state of greater trending items included the hashtags barrage of sanctions against Beijing. predictability, starting with trade. #BidenSpeaksToTheWholeCountry#”, While Biden is expected to maintain While acknowledging that viewed 1.21 billion times, and a tough stance on China -- he has Washington was unlikely to ease “#Trump will lose special Twitter The front page of the Global Times newspaper shows a picture of U.S. President-elect called President Xi Jinping a “thug” pressure on China over issues such protections in January#”. Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at a news stand in Beijing, China. and vowed to lead a campaign to as Xinjiang and Hong Kong, the (Reuters) (Reuters)

Yangon, Choked Suu Kyi’s party confident as unofficial vote tally shows lead

Buildings are seen shrouded in smog in Gurugram, India, 9 November 2020. (Reuters)

A supporter of National League for Democracy holds a picture of Myanmar State Tokyo, Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi as she waits for results outside the party headquarters after Tokyo, Japan the general election in Yangon, 8 November 2020. (Reuters) Suga signals readiness Myanmar’s ruling party led by Aung parties emerge and ethnic minority S. Korean intell San Suu Kyi said on Monday (9) it was parties gain support in some regions. for new stimulus package confident it would form a new In contrast to the wave of optimism chief visit welcomed Government after reporting a lead that greeted the NLD’s landslide win in Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said the based on its unofficial count of votes 2015, Myanmar went into this election Government will do all it can to help the economy recover, from the country’s second general under a cloud of a surging COVID-19 as chance to talk signalling his readiness to compile another stimulus package election since the end of strict military outbreak, economic hardship and Japan on Monday (9) welcomes the visit of to cushion the blow from the coronavirus pandemic. rule. escalating ethnic conflicts. ’s intelligence chief Park Jie-won as Laying the groundwork for more spending, private sector Sunday’s (8) election was seen as a Although Myanmar is seeing an an opportunity to discuss frosty ties between members of a key Government council urged Suga’s referendum on the fledgling democratic average of 1,100 new coronavirus Seoul and Tokyo, the Government’s chief administration to put together measures to support the Government led by Suu Kyi’s ruling cases a day - compared with a handful spokesman said. South Korea’s National economy, funded by an extra budget of “sufficient size”, by National League for Democracy (NLD), in early August - fears of the virus Intelligence Service chief arrived in Tokyo on the end of the year. which remains popular at home but appeared not to dampen Sunday’s Sunday (8) and met senior ruling Liberal “We’d like to come up with measures to put Japan’s has seen its reputation collapse turnout among the 37 million Democratic Party lawmaker Toshihiro Nikai, economy back on a recovery path by deploying all available overseas amid allegations of genocide registered voters. Kato said. “Ties between Japan and South Korea means in a timely fashion,” Suga told the council’s meeting against the Rohingya Muslim minority. The Election Commission has yet to are strained and for these two long-time friends on Monday. The Election Commission is expected release data on turnout but in the to meet and talk is meaningful,” Chief Cabinet In a separate meeting with ruling party executives, Suga to announce early official results later biggest city, Yangon, long lines of Secretary Katsunobu Kato said during a regular said he would instruct his Cabinet on Tuesday (10) to begin on Monday. voters wearing face masks and shields Media briefing. work on a third extra budget, Jiji news agency reported. In a running NLD tally on its official formed from dawn. (Reuters) After posting its worst post-war contraction in the second Facebook page, the party said it had But more than a million people quarter, Japan’s economy is expected to have rebounded in won 30 of the 315 seats being across the country were unable to vote the three months through September. contested in the 425-member lower after polls were cancelled due to But the recovery has been fragile, keeping policymakers house while the second biggest party, insurgencies. under pressure to top up fiscal and monetary support. the Union Solidarity and Development Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, Although the size of the package has yet to be decided, Party (USDP), had won one seat. a Muslim minority confined to camps Shanghai, China requests from ruling party lawmakers have ranged between “The results are better than and villages in Myanmar’s Rakhine 10 trillion yen (USD 96.49 billion) and 30 trillion yen. expected,” said NLD Spokesman State, most without citizenship, were That will come on top of a combined USD 2.2 trillion rolled Monywa Aung Shin, adding that the also unable to vote. Tech industry out in two earlier stimulus packages this year, which would party’s tally was based on data from its The Democracy and Human Rights strain Japan’s already tattered finances. campaign committees across the Party, a Rohingya party, said in a relieved by Biden (Reuters) country. statement it was “utterly disappointed” “I am sure we can ... form the that its people had been win but not relaxed government,” Monywa Aung Shin said disenfranchised. by telephone. The Election Commission has said China’s technology industry, one of President The NLD tally also showed it had won the polls in areas affected by conflict Donald Trump’s main targets in Washington’s a seat in the upper house, where 161 had to be cancelled for safety reasons tussles with Beijing, hopes Joe Biden can create seats are up for grabs in the 217-seat and that only citizens were entitled to a more constructive relationship - but few think chamber, vote. Most Rohingya are not considered the rivalry will deescalate, executives and A spokesman for the military-backed Myanmar citizens but migrants from analysts say. Trump’s four-year term has already USDP could not immediately be neighbouring even though taught the industry the importance of self- reached for comment. many can trace family roots back many reliance, and China’s intentions to improve its The military, which ruled Myanmar generations. domestic tech capabilities will not change, they for nearly 50 years until it began The United Nations has said there said. “When Biden takes office, tech companies withdrawing from civilian politics in was genocidal intent in a 2017 Army in China might be relieved,” said Fang Xingdong, 2011, controls a quarter of seats in crackdown that forced 730,000 director of the Consortium of Internet and both houses of Parliament, under a Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Society at the Communication University of Constitution it drew up and which Suu Myanmar rejects that saying its Zhejiang. “At least, the United States is supposed Kyi and her allies want to amend. security forces were carrying out to re-advocate openness, re-respect fair The NLD needs 322 seats in total to legitimate operations against Rohingya competition, and re-advocate innovation,” Fang form a Government and is expected to militants. added. win but with a smaller margin as new (Reuters) (Reuters) Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. (Reuters) A10 tuesday 10 november 2020 WORLD Russia, Turkey keep Addis Ababa, Ethiopia powder dry in Nagorno -Karabakh conflict Russia has a defence Turkey has voiced strong pact with support for

Sensitive to the threat of wider Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. (Reuters) confrontation, Russia and Turkey are for now limiting involvement in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to Concern of outright war providing humanitarian assistance and some military aid. Ankara sees its strong backing for grows as PM presses Azerbaijan over the fighting with ethnic Armenians in the mountain enclave as military offensive part of efforts to boost Turkey’s international clout. Moscow is Ethiopia’s Prime Minister stepped transgressions” by the Tigrayan determined to defend its own interests up a military offensive in the leaders which led the Government in the South Caucasus. northern region of Tigray on to undertake “this law enforcement But neither wants to be sucked into Sunday (8) with air strikes as part operation”. an all-out war, and private military of what he called a “law Tigrayans complain that Abiy, contractors say Moscow and Ankara enforcement operation”, increasing who is from the Oromo ethnic are largely turning a blind eye to the fears of outright civil war in Africa’s group, Ethiopia’s largest, has role of mercenaries - possibly fighting second-most populous country. unfairly targeted them as part of a on both sides - to avoid stoking Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has crackdown on past rights abuses tensions. defied calls from the United Nations and corruption. NATO member Turkey, which has and allies in the region to negotiate Forces of the Tigray People’s stepped up arms supplies to with leaders in Tigray, home of the Liberation Front (TPLF), which Azerbaijan in recent years, is likely to ethnic group that dominated the governs the region, are battle- refrain from deeper military Rescuers carry the body of a victim following what is said to be recent shelling in the Federal Government before he took hardened and possess significant involvement if its ally continues to city of Stepanakert during a military conflict over the breakaway region of Nagorno- power in 2018. stocks of military hardware, experts Karabakh, in this handout photo released 6 November 2020. (Armenian Unified advance in Nagorno-Karabakh, Infocentre/Handout via Reuters) Abiy last week launched a say. military and political analysts said. military campaign in the Province, They and militia allies number up Russia, which has a defence pact Armenian officials denied this but Russia has said it will give “all saying forces loyal to leaders there to 250,000 men, according to the with Armenia, also has good relations Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan assistance required” should the had attacked a military base and International Crisis Group. with Azerbaijan and is unlikely to congratulated his “Azeri brothers” and conflict spill onto “the territory of attempted to steal equipment. One of the biggest risks is that become directly involved militarily said he believed Aliyev’s statement was Armenia”. Abiy accuses the leaders of Tigray Ethiopia’s Army will split along unless Azerbaijan launches a “a sign” that Azerbaijan would soon A Russian private military of undermining his democratic ethnic lines, with Tigrayans deliberate attack on Armenia, they regain control of more territory. contractor, speaking to Reuters on reforms. defecting to the regional force. said. Turkey’s support for Azerbaijan has condition of anonymity, cited Government fighter jets have There are signs that is already “The fundamental question is: does been vital, and Azerbaijan’s superior unconfirmed information from a since been bombing targets in the happening, analysts said. the Kremlin want the return of weaponry and battlefield advances colleague that Russian mercenaries region, which borders Sudan and The United Nations raised Nagorno-Karabakh to Azerbaijan?” have reduced its incentive to reach a had gone to Nagorno-Karabakh. Eritrea. Aid workers on Sunday concerns of reprisals against ethnic said Pierre Razoux, academic director lasting peace deal. Alexander Borodai, a former leader of reported heavy fighting in several Tigrayans amid heightened tension at France’s Mediterranean Foundation Ankara denies its troops are involved pro-Russian separatists in eastern parts of the region, with at least six in the diverse country in a of Strategic Studies. in fighting but Aliyev has , said a handful of Russian dead and dozens wounded. confidential report dated Sunday Thousands are feared killed since acknowledged some Turkish F-16 fighters, mostly of Armenian descent, Also on Sunday, Abiy named a and seen by Reuters. fighting flared on 27 September in the fighter jets remained in Azerbaijan had gone privately to Nagorno- new Chief of the Army, a New Addis Ababa Police Commissioner breakaway territory, which is after a military drill this summer, and Karabakh but had not stayed long. Intelligence Chief and a New Getu Aregaw said Sunday that the internationally recognised as part of there are reports of Russian and “They understood quickly that they Federal Police Commissioner and Government had arrested 162 Azerbaijan but populated and Turkish drones being used by both wouldn’t be properly used there,” he Foreign Minister, changes that people in possession of firearms controlled by ethnic Armenians. sides. said. analysts said brought close allies and ammunition, on suspicion of Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said on Russia is Armenia’s main arms Moscow and Ankara have cited the into top posts as the conflict supporting the Tigrayan forces. Sunday (8) his country’s forces had supplier though it also sells weapons presence of foreign fighters as a threat escalates. The suspects were “under taken Shusha, the second-largest city to Azerbaijan which, like Armenia, was to stability. The Premier won last year’s Nobel investigation”, he said in a in Nagorno-Karabakh. for decades part of the Soviet Union. (Reuters) Peace Prize for making peace with statement. He did not identify their neighbouring Eritrea and for ethnicity. introducing democratic reforms in The Mayor of the capital, one of Africa’s most repressive Adanech Abiebie, said on Saturday countries. (7) several TPLF members working Warsaw, Poland Baghdad, But the democratic transition he in her administration had been promised is endangered by the arrested on suspicion of planning Tigray conflict, the International to disrupt the peace. Gunmen kill at Crisis Group think-tank warned As Abiy’s Government mobilises last week. troops to send to Tigray, other parts least 11 in attack In a televised address on Sunday, of the country roiled by ethnic Abiy urged the international violence could face a security on Army post - Sources community “to understand the vacuum, analysts say. context and the consistent (Reuters) Unidentified gunmen killed at least 11 people and wounded eight others including soldiers in an attack on an Iraqi Army post in western Baghdad, Police sources and medics said on Monday (9). The assailants in four vehicles attacked the post in Vienna, the capital’s south-western district of Al-Radhwaniya using grenades and automatic weapons, the sources said. The Iraqi military said in a statement that a “terrorist group” of four elements attacked a post of a Government-backed Sunni militiamen, killing four people and wounding three. Independence Day The Army and Police Forces have started an operation in search of the attackers, Police sources said. marchers say they will (Reuters) drive, not walk Organisers of a far-right was not enough time for the Independence Day march in association to apply for Paris, France Warsaw said on Monday (9) permission to stage such an it would take place in a event as the process took up A woman places flowers at the site of a gun attack in Vienna, Austria, 5 motorised form with to 30 days. Students clash with November 2020. (Reuters) participants driving around The spokeswoman said all the Polish capital, after the other official events to mark Mayor refused to allow the Independence Day - other Police as COVID-19 Police arrest 30 in event to go ahead due to the than the laying of flowers - coronavirus. had also been cancelled due protests loom The 11 November march, to the pandemic. anti-terrorism raids which often brings tens of Warsaw Mayor Rafal Students outside a high school in Compiegne, north thousands of people onto the Trzaskowski, a liberal, of the French capital, Paris, clashed with Police on Prosecutors say suspects have no link to attack streets, is seen as a flash refused last Friday (6) to Monday (9) in protests over health risks posed by point between nationalists authorise the march due to schools being open during the novel coronavirus Austrian Police made 30 arrests Brotherhood, the prosecutors’ office and liberals, and has been the health risks, and on crisis, Police unions and Media said. in more than 60 raids on Monday in the southern city of Graz said. marred by violence in recent Saturday (7) a Court The SICP and Officiers et Commissaires de Police (9) as part of an anti-terrorism “The suspicion is of belonging to years. dismissed an appeal against unions said a police car had been vandalised, while Le operation, but there was no link to a terrorist organisation, financing “Due to all the the ban. The organisers have Figaro newspaper and local paper Oise Hebdo a deadly attack in Vienna a week terrorism, association against the circumstances, we thought appealed against that ruling. reported that stones and other objects had been ago in which a convicted jihadist State, criminal organisation and about the formula for a long Poland has seen spiralling hurled at Police. killed four people, prosecutors said. money laundering,” it said in a time. So that everyone can infection numbers, Videos on social media showed a group of youths Austria has formally remanded in statement, adding that the come and celebrate with us prompting Government surrounding a police car outside the Lycee Mireille custody 10 suspects in connection investigation had begun more than this year, we decided to use warnings that a full Grenet school and trying to overturn it, while other with the attack by a 20-year-old a year ago. the car formula,” Witold nationwide lockdown may be videos showed fires burning in the street. gunman who had previously been Hamas, which won the last Tumanowicz, vice-president necessary. Current Student demonstrations having started to build up convicted of trying to join Islamic Palestinian parliamentary election of the association that restrictions ban gatherings in France over the last week, with some teachers and State in Syria. Police shot him dead in 2006, was founded as the organises the march, told of more than five people. students protesting against keeping schools open - minutes after he opened fire on Palestinian branch of the Muslim reporters. Despite such restrictions, while the rest of France is in lockdown - saying it bars and bystanders in central Brotherhood. Participants are invited to Polish cities have seen mass jeopardises their health due to the risk of catching Vienna. Hamas is designated a terrorist gather in cars and on street protests in recent COVID-19 on crowded school premises. Monday’s raids on apartments, organisation by the United States motorbikes at Rondo weeks against a Court ruling Last week, riot Police pepper-sprayed students after houses, businesses and association and European Union. The Muslim Dmowskiego in central that imposes a near-total they blockaded a Paris high school in a protest over premises in four Austrian Provinces Brotherhood is not on the bloc’s Warsaw on Independence ban on abortion in the inadequate COVID-19 sanitary measures. targeted people suspected of terrorism blacklist but prosecutors Day. predominantly Roman Teachers’ unions are due to hold a nationwide day of belonging to or supporting the said they were investigating links But a spokeswoman for Catholic country. protests and strikes on Tuesday (10). Palestinian Islamist movement between the two organisations. Warsaw city hall said there (Reuters) (Reuters) Hamas and the Muslim (Reuters) tuesday 10 november 2020 b11 Exports up 5%, imports down 11% in Sept ’20 Workers’ remittances up 36% to US$ 703 M By Ishara Gamage million dollars. dollars 4,337 million from the dollars coconut exports were up Accordingly workers’ deficit of US dollars 5,612 million 35.8 per cent to 35.8 million US Sri Lanka’s exports were up 4.8 remittances continued to recorded in the same period in dollars. per cent in September 2020 to 1 increase notably for the fourth 2019. billion dollars and imports fell consecutive month, recording a Imports 10.9 per cent 1.5 billion dollars healthy growth of 36.1% Exports Expenditure on merchandise amid a fall in tourism revenues September 2020, year-on-year Exhibiting the resilience of the imports declined by 10.9 per cent and inflows to the government, (YoY), to US dollars 703 million. export sector in the midst of the to US dollars 1,525 million in official Central Bank of Sri Lanka This increase led the cumulative current global market conditions September 2020, compared to (CBSL) data shows. earnings in workers’ remittances and its V-shaped recovery since September 2019, thus continuing Estimated tourism earnings to record a growth for the first the initial outbreak of the the YoY declining trend observed were down to zero from 205 time after experiencing COVID-19 pandemic, earnings since March 2020. Measures million dollars in 2019. Total cumulative declines for six from merchandise exports in taken by the Government to tourist arrivals remained at months since March 2020. September 2020 increased, both restrict the importation of 507,311 during the nine months Accordingly, workers’ on a YoY basis, as well as on a selected non-essential goods Inflationary FVMP Debt Up Rs 32.23B ending September 2020, remittances grew by 2.4 % to US month-on-month (MoM) basis. since March 2020 and lower fuel Monday Markets compared to 1,376,312 arrivals dollars 5,049 million during the Merchandise exports of US prices in the international market recorded during the period from January to dollars 1,000 million in primarily caused this decline. corresponding period in 2019. September 2020, in comparison September 2020 were higher by Consumer goods imports were Accordingly, cumulative earnings to the corresponding period of 4.8 per cent than the exports of down 14.8 per cent to 266.5 Bullish run from tourism, which are 2019. US dollars 954 million in million US dollars with dairy estimated based on tourist The trade deficit fell to 525 September 2019. This was also products up 171.3 per cent to continues at CSE arrivals, remained at US dollars million dollars in September 5.6 per cent higher than the 24.1 million US dollars. Personal By Mario Andree 956 million during the year up to 2020 from 757 million dollars a exports of US dollars 947 million vehicles imports fell to 0.6 million September 2020, thus recording year earlier. The improvement in recorded in August 2020. dollars from 70.1 million dollars, The bullish run at the Colombo Stock a drop of 63.1 per cent from the the trade deficit during the Textiles and garments exports pharma imports were up 15.5 per Exchange continued for the fifth consecutive corresponding period of 2019. month was due to lower level of were down 3.7 per cent to 433.7 cent to 56.4 million dollars session on Monday (9) as the benchmark index Inflows to the government imports and higher level of million US dollars. Petroleum telecom devices were up 29.1 per started the week on a positive note to record a (gross) were down to 124 million exports in September 2020, products were down 29 per cent cent to 21 million dollars. Fuel new more than 10-month high on a higher US dollars from 276 million compared to September 2019. to 28.6 million US dollars, rubber imports were down 39.5 per cent turnover despite continued foreign exits from dollars last year. The cumulative deficit in the products up 9.9 per cent to 78 to 214 million dollars and textile the Bourse. The benchmark All Share Price However, worker remittances trade account from January to million dollars. Tea exports were imports were down 16.8 per cent Index (ASPI) on Monday (9) gained 0.57 per cent were up 36.1 per cent to 703 September 2020 narrowed to US up 3.3 per cent to 114 million US to 208.3 million dollars. (34.41 points) to close at 6,114.50 points, its highest since 30 December last year, while the more liquid S&P SL20 0.40 per cent (9.39 points) to close at 2,379.69 points. The daily turnover at the CSE stood at Rs 5.5 billion, higher than the Rs 4.9 billion recorded Workers’ Remittances COVID hits CEB’s the previous market day. 800 More than 225 million shares changed hands during 39,667 trades. Shares of 255 companies 700 electricity sales – CBSL were traded, of which 108 emerged losers ahead of 90 winners. Foreigners were net sellers for the 600 By Paneetha electricity generation during the twenty-third consecutive session. Ameresekere period from January to July Net foreign outflow during the day amounted 500 2020 declined by 4.3 per cent to to Rs 234 million, as foreigners sold shares 400 Ceylon Electricity Board’s 8,987 gWh in comparison to worth Rs 271 million as against purchases (CEB’s) total electricity sales 9,386 gWh generated in the worth Rs 37 million. The top ten gainers during U$$ millio n during the period from January corresponding period of the 300 the day were Singer Industries, Singer Sri to July 2020 declined by 3.5 previous year (2020), said CBSL. Lanka, Tess Agro, Regnis, Durdans, Expolanka, 200 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Meanwhile, during the period Lanka Walltile, Colombo Investment Trust, 8,218 giga Watt hours (gWh) under review, power generation Mullers and Udapussellawa. Top ten losers were 100 compared to 8,519 gWh in the through non-conventional Renuka Hotels, Paragon, Nation Lanka, corresponding period of 2019 renewable energy sources 0 Colombo Fort Investment, Royal Ceramic, Trans Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec (last year), led by the COVID-19 (NCRE), including mini-hydro Asia, Mercantile Shipping, Dipped Products, CM Pandemic, Central Bank of Sri and rooftop solar, increased by Holdings and Samson International. 2018 2019 2020 Source: Centeral Bank of Sri Lanka Lanka (CBSL) said Saturday 6.8 per cent. before last (31 October). Accordingly, the contribution SL remittances to fall by 9 per cent this year – WB The decline in sales was of coal, hydro, fuel and NCRE to driven by lower demand from total power generation in the all user categories, except seven months ending in July Urgent relief needed for households and government 2020 stood at 39.6 per cent, Controls ‘Kill’ FX sector, it added. 20.6 per cent, 29.9 per cent and – CBSL Consequently, households 9.9 per cent, respectively, it said. Market migrant workers became Sri Lanka’s top Meanwhile, the CEB By Paneetha Ameresekere By Ishara Gamage electricity consumer in the first accounted for 70.6 per cent of unforeseen events as well as in seven months of the year, said the total power generation in The benchmark ‘spot’ remained unchanged While the World Bank (WB) tragic events such as physical CBSL. In the reference period, the country, while the for the second consecutive foreign exchange forecasts a 9 per cent drop in abuse, permanent disability or the household sector remainder was generated by (FX) market day to be trading at Rs 184.45/50 foreign remittances to Sri Lanka even loss of life during their stay accounted for 36.7 per cent of independent power producers to the US dollar in two-way quotes at 4 p.m. this year in the face of this abroad. total electricity sales of the (IPPs) or the private sector, said yesterday, with demand virtually killed by pandemic crisis, the Central Bank According to CBSL, such CEB. It was followed by CBSL. However, CEB, has the import controls to conserve the country’s of Sri Lanka (CBSL) emphasises schemes and other policy industry, general-purpose, and monopoly for electricity flagging foreign reserves, hit, due to continued that the government should initiatives to support migrant hotels sectors which accounted transmission, while both CEB uncertainty, market sources told this reporter. strengthen social security workers would ensure the future for 27.7 per cent, 20.0 per cent and its subsidiary Lanka However, in the calendar year to 4 p.m. measures for the welfare of sustainability of remittances as and 1.4 per cent of total Electricity Company Private Ltd yesterday, the ‘spot’ has depreciated by between migrant workers. one of the most important sectors electricity sales, respectively, (LECO) has the monopoly for Rs 3.15- Rs 3.10 (1.74-1.71 per cent) in two-way The latest WB report says that that supports Sri Lanka’s balance said CBSL. Meanwhile, sales to electricity distribution in Sri quotes, thereby causing cost-push inflationary the reduction in foreign of payments (BOP). the Government sector grew by Lanka. pressure as Sri Lanka is an import dependent remittances has affected all However, the CBSL report 1.2 per cent YoY, while the Provisional estimates of economy. countries in the world in the face stated that despite a moderation sector accounted for 1.5 per transmission and distribution Complementing these negative developments, of this pandemic. seen in the period from March to cent of total electricity sales. losses during the period from Government of Sri Lanka’s (GoSL’s) money “Remittances to South Asia are May 2020 as a result of the CBSL also said sales to the January to July 2020 were printing borrowing costs (MPBCs) sharply projected to suffer a protracted COVID-19 pandemic, workers’ industry, general-purpose, and approximately 8.6 per cent of decreased by 1.33 per cent (Rs 209.02 million) decline of around 4% in 2020 and remittances recorded a higher hotels sectors declined by 10.2 total generation, said CBSL. to Rs 15,456.43 million yesterday, led by 11% in 2021,” it stated. than expected growth thereafter. per cent, 8.8 per cent and 26.7 By end June 2020, solar sustained domestic investor interest in risk free, “Given that the pandemic is Workers’ remittances in the first per cent, respectively in the power generation encompassed but ‘low returns’ Treasury (T) Bills and T Bonds likely to persist through 2021, the half of 2020 declined by 8.9 per reference period. 18,628 solar energy consumers in secondary market trading, rather than earlier anticipated V-shaped cent to US dollars 2,980 million Meanwhile, CEB’s coal power and producers in the country investing in the ‘high returns’ private sector recovery now seems implausible. compared to US dollars 3,270 generation increased by 4.8 per whilst solar power capacity which is also the economy’s engine of growth, This is likely to directly affect million in the first half of 2019. cent to 3,559 gWh during the stood at 222.7 mega Watts due to persistent insecurity. remittance outflows from the With some migrant workers seven months ending in July (mW). CEB experienced However, GoSL’s face value money printing United States, the United returning to the country and 2020 on a YoY basis, CBSL said. significant difficulties in meter (FVMP) debt remained unchanged at Kingdom, and the GCC and EU reduced compensations, as well Similarly, hydropower reading during the COVID-19 Rs 517,156.87 million yesterday, nonetheless, countries to South Asia,” it stated. as job losses faced by some generation increased by 20.4 per lockdown period in the absence the fifth consecutive market day that GoSL’s Many Sri Lankan workers, migrant workers abroad, a cent to 1,853 gWh during the of digitalised meter reading FVMP debt has been over the half-a-trillion including those in the Middle significant decline was recorded in period under review, it said. facilities, resulting in numerous rupees mark due to a sustained lack of revenue, East, have lost their jobs due to workers’ remittances in the period However, fuel oil-based power issues and complaints in its second dispensation, after only a day’s the COVID-19 pandemic. Some from March to May 2020. generation fell by 25.7 per cent pertaining to customer billing ‘respite’ last Monday (2 November), when it went have even lost their lives. Some “However, healthy year-on-year to 2,686 gWh, in the review after the resumption of manual below the Rs half-a-trillion mark, then. are still employed with low wages growth rates in workers’ period, it added. meter reading with the end of Meanwhile, FVMP debt remaining unchanged is and allowances. At the same time, remittances were observed On an overall basis, total the lockdown, said CBSL. a case for MPBCs to at least also stay they and their dependents are thereafter. Nevertheless, the lack unchanged and not decrease under normal facing serious social economic of job opportunities in all migrant circumstances, or if decreasing, on account of issues without having proper destinations, including the Middle the ‘end of the weekend’ yesterday, to fall income. East, due to global economic moderately, not sharply. According to the CBSL slowdown has resulted in Meanwhile, net excess liquidity increased by prevailing COVID-19 pandemic increased uncertainty in relation Broadlands to be 6.99 per cent (Rs 8,649 million) to Rs 132,448 re-emphasised the vulnerabilities to the short to medium-term million due to the settlement/s of a total of US$ associated with workers’ growth path of workers’ – CBSL 46.88 million on account of GoSL’s sales of remittances and the need for remittances,” CBSL report stated. completed in 2021 dollars to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) preparedness to face possible Meanwhile, WB report stated By Paneeetha HEPP had achieved physical and/ or due to CBSL swapping rupees for uncertainties in the future. that the remittance flows to low Ameresekere progress of 72.3 per cent by dollars from the market, yesterday. Conversions “Considering the national and middle-income countries end June 2020. are based on the middle rate of the ‘spot’ as at importance of this sector and its (LMICs) are projected to fall by The 35 mega Watts (mW) ‘Broadlands HEPP, with a 4 p.m. on Thursday which was Rs 184.475 to susceptibility to various 7%, to $508 billion in 2020, Broadlands Hydroelectric capacity of 35 mW, is expected the dollar. geopolitical and economic shocks, followed by a further decline of Power Project (HEPP) will be to be connected to the national GoSL’s FVMP debt is equal to the FV of more protection is needed to 7.5%, to $470 billion in 2021. completed in January 2021 grid by January 2021,’ said CBSL’s T Bills and T Bond holdings. support the stakeholders of the “The foremost factors driving (next year), Central Bank of Sri CBSL. In addition, land Investments in T Bills and T Bonds are risk free, sector,” CBSL stated its latest the decline in remittances include Lanka (CBSL) said, Saturday acquisition, preparatory work, because, in the event GoSL is unable to honour economic development report. weak economic growth and before last (31 October). and construction activities such debt, CBSL is mandated to print demand- Hence, more targeted policy employment levels in migrant- Further the construction related to the Moragolla pull inflationary money and repay such measures are of importance, hosting countries, weak oil prices; work of the main dam, main hydropower project, which is to creditors. including a properly developed and depreciation of the currencies tunnel, diversion tunnel, have a capacity of 30.5 mW, insurance scheme for the workers of remittance-source countries powerhouse, and switchyard continued during the first half who may lose their jobs during against the US dollar,” WB said. site under the Broadlands of 2020, CBSL further said. B12 Ceylon FT tuesday 10 november 2020 news Expolanka records Reserves Fall to revenue of Rs 49B PAT of Rs 4.5B in Q2 FY 2021

Expolanka Holdings PLC continued to record healthy 42-Month Low secured exceptionally strong top growth. By Paneetha Ameresekere than $ 5,858.50 million last took place private sector credit growth, and bottom line growth during the Enhanced agility across sales, 42 months ago end April 2017, when September 2019 (last year) over quarter ended 30 September 2020 procurement and origin The country’s foreign reserves fell to the country’s foreign reserves fell to $ September 2018, growth was flat, with (2Q20), largely as a result of a operations enabled the group to a 42-month low last month (October), 5,045.52 million then, from $ private sector credit growth at an focused and consistent strategy operate in the most efficient bludgeoned by the settlement of a 5,119.85 million in March 2017, a identical speed of 5.8 per cent YoY to along with the ability to stay agile manner.This was augmented by maturing US$ 1,000 million sovereign decline of 1.45 per cent ($ 74.33 September 2019 as well, and and optimise opportunities the group ERP platform, which bond payment, Central Bank of Sri million) month on month to April compared with a YoY accelerated presented in a dynamic operating utilised automation and Lanka (CBSL) data, released on 2017. credit growth of seven per cent in environment. standardisation to enhance Friday, showed. In related developments, private August 2019. Fuelled by surging demand for operational capabilities. Consequently, reserves, last month sector credit growth accelerated for The reason behind the deceleration emergency supplies via air freight A key factor in the success of over September 2020 declined by the second consecutive month in in credit growth in September 2019 into North American markets, the company’s logistics business 12.12 per cent ($ 807.80 million) to September 2020, year-on-year (YoY) was due to the uncertainty Group Revenue expanded by 71% has been its customer centricity, $ 5,858.50 million. 5.8 per cent, data further showed. surrounding over the outcome of the Year-on-Year (YoY) to Rs 49.1 which it further enhanced with Meanwhile, a reserves figure lower However, when compared with November 2019 Presidential Poll then. billion while Group Profit After technological capabilities, while Tax (PAT) registered an providing visibility to customers outstanding Rs 4.5 billion for the and securing greater efficiency quarter under review. across the breadth its operations. Growth in the logistics sector Like all of its industry peers, the was attributed to key strategic performance of Expolanka’s initiatives undertaken by the leisure sector was significantly CSE takes action to company in addition to its ability impaired during the quarter as to pivot to opportunities in the the pandemic forced the market, particularly in response prolonged closure of airports and to the need for emergency medical the institution of travel bans revamp the listing process supplies and Personal Protective across the globe. Equipment (PPE) essential to Consequently, the sector combatting COVID-19 on redirected its focus towards The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) funding will be a top priority and we Another significant change by the extremely tight schedules. restructuring business operations launched an action plan to address have versatile options available to CSE is the introduction of a ‘Single With economies tentatively with a view to optimise key areas relating to the process of address the different funding Window’ customer relationship unit opening up, regular business was opportunities when normalcy listing a company on the CSE with the requirements of corporates. We have that will be set up within the CSE to starting to return by the end of returns, while exploring new objective of enhancing its efficiency put in place systems and processes to identify potential listing candidate the quarter while PPE orders were opportunities in serving thereby better serving the funding cater to an ever-evolving business companies, work with such companies gradually easing. However, the innovative and experiential travel requirements of companies belonging landscape in Sri Lanka and we stand and assist them through the listing company stands fully geared to requirements emerging from a to both State and private sectors. The ready to meet the requirements of our process. This will make it easier for service new opportunities which post-COVID landscape.Over the action plan will further simplify the corporate stakeholders. companies and their advisers to may present itself in such an short-medium term, these will process, eliminate any redundant We strongly believe that the steps we understand and address any problems evolving environment. include a greater emphasis on approval steps, reduce documentation are taking to simplify the listing faced in the process through a single Lower volumes of freight during serving the domestic market, and improve the time to market for process would attract more companies point of contact. Q1 and the initial weeks of Q2 while restructuring the business companies’ new and follow-on to raise capital through the CSE With the objective of further were largely offset by a spike in in order to remain lean and offerings of equity and debt. helping them unlock value and create enhancing the transparency of the Airline rates, leading to the efficient. Measures have already been taken wealth for their shareholder.”The CSE listing process, an online tracking tool Group’s logistics sector recording Meanwhile, the Group’s to change listing criteria by offering a has already commenced stakeholder for all listing applications that have a 76% YoY increase in revenue up investment sector generated wider choice of listing options for engagement to obtain feedback to been submitted to the CSE will also be to Rs 48 billion.The impressive revenue of Rs 635 million, driven companies, further amend the listing carry out further improvements to the introduced, which would provide growth in the Air Freight market primarily by its support for export rules to enable a simplified process in CSE’s overall Listing process. Issuers with more transparency in has displayed signs of a return to operations. Similarly, its addition to carrying out changes to Improvements expected from this tracking the status of their respective normalcy and the company is technology services company, ITX, internal infrastructure of the CSE to new CSE plan, include the reduction applications and understanding which mindful, yields are likely to taper was also able to secure ensure a smoother process workflow. of documentation that have to be parties hold primary responsibility at off as market conditions stabilise encouraging and stable growth Commenting on the new plan to submitted with the Listing Application each step of the process. in the coming months. during the quarter in review. streamline the listing process, CSE and the removal of certain disclosures The CSE now offers equity or debt Activity across Europe and Intra The company remains vigilant Chairman Dumith Fernando said, in the Prospectus/Introductory based fundraising options for Asia Trade Lanes remained fairly towards uncertainties in the “Increasing the number of companies Document. In this connection, the companies of all sizes, from large muted, however these conditions business environment, following listed on the exchange is one of CSE’s CSE would commence discussions conglomerates to SMEs, through were largely offset by surging through on long-term strategy, key strategic objectives. We have to with the Securities and Exchange versatile listing platforms such as the demand from North American managing operations proactively, make exponential progress on this Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) to Main, Diri Savi and Empower Boards. trade lanes- the largest and maintaining open lines of front. As businesses approach the streamline the current dual approval contributor of business. The communication with customers post-COVID period, it is likely that process. Company’s 3PL business and business partners.

PPP vital to drive tourism To increase women’s access to Insurance, create more jobs recovery - UNWTO Gen Secy IFC and AIA Sri Lanka join hands Sri Lankan women, including female entrepreneurs, are expected to have increased access to insurance and more chance of a job in the insurance industry, following an agreement between IFC, a member of the World Bank Group and AIA Sri Lanka, a subsidiary of the life insurance group, AIA. Under the agreement, IFC will help AIA Sri Lanka develop a women’s insurance programme strategy and suitable products for Sri Lankan women. In a country where very few women have insurance, the move will boost women’s access to insurance Amena Arif, IFC Country Manager Nikhil Advani, and help mitigate their risks. for Sri Lanka and CEO of AIA Sri Lanka According to a 2015 survey by AIA Sri Lanka, Sri Lankan women are the and empower them to protect what is Protect All.Over half of this growth is main influencers and decision most important to them,” said Nikhil expected to come from emerging makers when it concerns their Advani, CEO of AIA Sri Lanka. “We markets such as Sri Lanka. family’s protection and future, and see opening up new job opportunities “The pandemic has thrown into are proactive in safeguarding their for women in this industry as a sharp focus the need for adequate health and financial well-being. significant point in increasing the insurance products and services. We By Anjali Caldera platform to allow Members to share Given the low insurance penetration uptake in the women’s market. know the impact on women, their their best practices and proposals rate in the country – which stands at Female recruitment is an important families and their businesses has The engaged participation of all for recovery. Participants were 1.7 per cent – targeting women and part of our recruitment strategy and been disproportionately high,” said stakeholders, especially the encouraged to make use of the new addressing their protection needs we truly do value our female Amena Arif, IFC Country Manager for cooperation between the public and Affiliate Members Virtual Corner, can help insurers reach a larger pool employees for the perspective and Sri Lanka and Maldives. “Our work private sectors, is essential to restart launched to coincide with the of Sri Lankans and increase the value they bring to the organisation.” with AIA will increase access to tourism and drive recovery, said a Plenary Session. number of insured. The women’s market represents a suitable insurance products for not top official of the World Tourism Further, the Plenary Session “Our partnership with IFC will US$1.7 trillion opportunity for the just women but the overall Organisation (UNWTO). focused on laying the foundations allow AIA to better reach women insurance industry globally by 2030, population. It will also help bring UNWTO Secretary General Zurab for UNWTO’s Programme of Work for through insurance – a key and an according to an IFC report, Shefor more women into this industry as Pololikashvili said this at the 2021.This roadmap includes underserved segment in Sri Lanka – Shield: Insure Women to Better employees, agents or leaders.” recently held 42nd Plenary Session continuing to make tourism a key of the Organisation, further pillar of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for highlighting the fact that from the Sustainable Development and start of this COVID 19, tourism has further enhancing sustainability and led the way in adapting to the new inclusivity across the whole of the Ambeon Group’s South Asia Textiles Limited reality and putting public health sector. concerns first and now tourism It was announced that UNWTO’s needs the support of governments of Affiliate Members, who include all tourism destinations and businesses, academia and civil Ajith de Silva appointed MD/CEO international organisations to society actors, will play an important rebuild the industry stronger and role in UNWTO’s work in the As part of a planned and strategic Prior to that, Ajith was also the more resilient, allowing millions of challenging months ahead. leadership change, Ambeon Group General Manager at Growth Lanka people who depend on tourism to Making good on UNWTO’s pledge announced the appointment of and the CFO of Bodyline, a part of the earn an income back. to lead by example, this hybrid industry veteran Ajith de Silva as MAS Group. The session, held under the theme meeting again demonstrated that Managing Director/Chief Executive A fellow member of the Chartered ‘Recovering Tourism, Rebuilding international travel is safe and that Officer of their textile subsidiary – Institute of Management Accountants Trust, Reinforcing Partnerships’ also tourism is proactively adapting to South Asia Textiles Limited. UK (CIMA), he has undergone highlighted the wider priorities of the new post-COVID reality. More Prior to his appointment at South Executive Education in Management UNWTO in restoring confidence in than 200 delegates took part in the Asia Textiles Limited, Ajith was and Leadership from reputed international travel and promoting Plenary Session, either in-person or Managing Director/CEO of Kenpark institutions such as Harvard, collaboration. virtually, with the diversity of and Regency Garments Bangladesh, Wharton, INSEAD, and the University The session also provided a tourism on full display. which is a part of Hirdaramani Group. of Michigan. FOCUS tuesday 10 november 2020 Ceylon FT b13

COVID-19 A wake-up call for Sri Lanka’s tea industry By Nimesha Dissanayaka showed a significant drop in their import quantities during Sri Lanka is identified as one the first quarter of 2020. of the most vulnerable middle- However, by September 2020, income countries in the the situation changed and economic fallout from the major buyers such as Turkey, COVID-19 pandemic. A key and Russia show slight channel through which growth in their tea imports vulnerabilities are heightened, (Figure 3). relates to a country’s export Sri Lanka’s tea trade is in a earnings. While Sri Lanka is disadvantageous position since not highly exposed to global its exports are primarily in the supply chain disruptions, its Figure 2: Quarterly Tea Production in Sri Lanka black tea segment, which is dependence on a limited basket 100 likely to see a further drop. of exports and export 80 Shifts, in consumer preference destinations is of concern. Sri towards high-value products 60 Lanka’s export agriculture that have ‘health benefits’ – sector – dominated by tea, 40 healthier green, functional, and rubber and coconut – is among 20 herbal tea blends – are likely to the impacted sectors. They 0 take place post COVID-19. account for 20% of total export 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Way Forward earnings annually, with tea Figure 2: Quarterly Tea Production in Sri Lanka FigureQ1 1: ChannelsQ2 Linear (Q1)of TransmissionLinear (Q2) of exports alone accounting for 100 COVID-19 Shock on Tea Supply Chains Several initiatives have been about 12%. 80 adopted by the government to By the time COVID-19 hit, minimise the negative impacts Sri Lanka’s tea production and 60 of COVID-19 on the tea supply export earnings had already 40 chain including permitting been on a declining trend over work on tea estates and moving the past few years. The adverse 20 the Colombo Tea Auction to an weather conditions and long- 0 Shocks on Tea online platform. However, the term structural issues such as 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Supply chain present situation of the tea labour shortages and lack of Q1 Q2 Linear (Q1) Linear (Q2) industry demands, Sri Lanka Demand Shock technological application have Price of tea reassesses its sectoral policies affected production levels over Source: Central Bank Monthly Bulletin/ Sri Lanka Tea Board (Various Purchasing power of buyer to increase the sector’s long- Years). Buyer’s exchange rate time. With the first wave of the Willingness to purchase term resilience. pandemic, the vulnerabilities of Desire to buy More attention must be paid Taste & preferences the tea sector were exposed. Figure 3: Tea Import Volume (MT) by Major Tea to value addition including Now, Sri Lanka and most of the Trade Shock moving towards herbal and main tea buyers are Global logistic systems health-based products. This Buyers in January-September 2019 and 2020 Deperciation of exchange retes experiencing a second wave Global competitiveness will require a comprehensive which can have far reaching 2020 2019 reassessment of the long-term negative consequences than Shocks on Tea prospects for Sri Lanka’s tea Supply chain previously anticipated. In this Turkey industry. Introducing modern Supply shock context, this blog discusses the Demand Shock 30000 production technologies, Price of tea Labour intensity of production impacts of COVID-19 on Sri Temporary cessation of production enhancing technical skills and Purchasing power of buyer Lanka’s tea industry and the 25000 Transport restrictions/delayed fostering innovation, together Buyer’s exchange rate shipments different mitigation strategies Willingness to purchase 20000 with improvements in that the government can adopt AzerbaijanDesire to buy Iraq warehousing and packaging to revive the industry. Taste & preferences 15000 facilities and quality assurance 10000 throughout the value chain are COVID-19 and Sri Trade Shock Source: Author’s illustration based on the FAO report ‘COVID-19: critical areas to be addressed. Global logistic systems5000 Channels of Transmission to Food and Agriculture’ (2020). Lanka’s Tea Sector Deperciation of exchange retes COVID-19 should be viewed as Global competitiveness 0 this decline. These are, however, short-run a wake-up call and an The tea supply chain There has been a reduction benefits, and will dissipate as opportunity for all stakeholders comprises of diverse elements, in the volume of shipping as a Sri Lanka’s key competitors to collectively drive growth in including producers, result of shrinking global trade return to normal levels of the tea industry. processors, distributors, ChinaSupply shock Russia due to the drop in demand production. importers, national and Labour intensity of production resulting from COVID-19 and From the demand side, (Nimesha Dissanayaka is a international logistics systems Temporary cessation of production the drop in oil prices in 2020. international price Research Assistant at IPS. Transport restrictions/delayed and exporters who cater to shipments Highly plugged into fluctuations, changes in She holds a BSc (Hons) in both the domestic and international trade via global purchasing power and Agricultural Technology and international markets. Any Iran logistics systems, Sri Lanka consumer preferences could Management, specialised in disruptions to any of these also encountered delays in affect the tea sector. Although, Applied Economics and elements will likely affect the Source: Market Reports from Tea Exporters Association (http:// shipments and clearance Sri Lanka has not yet Business Management from tea industry either through teasrilanka.org/market-reports). processes in ports. experienced import restrictions the . shocks on the supply side, income countries are further few years (Figure 2). While this A significant drop in by any of its tea buyers in the (Talk to Nimesha - nimesha@ trade flow, the demand side or prone to be badly affected due can be mainly attributed to production and exports from its world including most COVID- ips.lk).This article is based a combination of all these to COVID-19. Sri Lankan tea extreme weather conditions main competitors due to 19 hit countries, importing on IPS’ ‘Sri-Lanka: State of (Figure 1). too showed a significant and low fertiliser applications, COVID-19 has enabled ‘Ceylon volumes of major buyers show the Economy 2020’ report on According to the Food and decrease in its tea production restrictions on labour Tea’ to attract a higher price decreases. All major buyers of ‘Pandemics and Disruptions: Agriculture Organization (FAO), during first and second movements and transport of within a short period. A ‘Ceylon Tea’; Iraq (-18%), Reviving Sri Lanka’s the supplies of labour-intensive quarters of 2020 compared to intermediate inputs due to depreciating rupee also gave Turkey (-14%), Russia (-6%), Economy COVID-19 and agricultural products in low- the same quarters over the past COVID-19, too contributed to tea exports a price advantage. (-22%) and Syria (-24%) Beyond’.)

Bridging the Digital Divide to scale up the COVID-19 recovery By Patrick particularly involving Njoroge and Ceyla developing nations, on better Pazarbasioglu aligning Big Tech governance to the Sustainable Digitalization has in the past Development Goals. few years enabled developing countries in particular to Down the road leapfrog on financial inclusion. As we build a digital bridge Countries like Kenya, Ghana, to the future, we must stay Rwanda and Tanzania have focused on the resultant risks. made great advances in Cybersecurity, and data privacy connecting their citizens to and security are the greatest financial systems by threats to vulnerable citizens leveraging on mobile phone using digital services for the technology. first time. We must mitigate As the world has grappled and attracting more than 1.6 their employees hospitalization the center of the global co-operation will be needed to these risks and protect their with the COVID-19 pandemic, million additional customers. and lost-wages coverage. financial system. Digitalization support these efforts. The information and their hard- with closing of borders, In Rwanda, all charges were Fortuitously, for the last 18 must be driven by the needs of International Monetary Fund, earned money. curfews, lockdowns and other waived in March. By the end of months, as part of the United the people and work for them. World Bank and other The pandemic crisis presents movement restrictions, April 2020, the weekly value of Nations Secretary-General’s For instance, Kenya international organizations are the greatest opportunity to digitalization has come to the all kinds of mobile money Task Force on Digital introduced in 2017 a mobile- working with the private and enhance the lives and rescue. Online shopping and transactions increased by 450 Financing of the Sustainable based digital bond dubbed public sectors globally to help livelihoods of citizens. entertainment, digital percent from pre-pandemic Development Goals , we MAkiba to mobilize micro- countries. Governments, the private financial services, virtual levels. explored how digitalization can savings of as little as $30 to Third, strengthen the sector, international meetings and events have Businesses also moved help tackle the world’s most finance government. governance of global digital organizations and citizens must taken center stage in lives and quickly to leverage the power urgent development Remarkably, 85 percent of financial platforms. The take up the challenge of livelihoods globally. of digital technology. In challenges. COVID-19 only investors were participating in so-called Big Techs are increasing digitalization and China, Ant Group partnered amplified its mandate. The the government securities transforming the delivery of dare to make a difference. The Digital solutions with more than 100 banks to pandemic has hindered the market for the first time. services globally including in moment is now! Policymakers at the onset of launch the Contactless implementation of the Second, connecting citizens developing countries. COVID- Dr. Patrick Njoroge is the the pandemic took emergency Loans initiative to help small Sustainable Development to mitigate the digital divide. 19 has accelerated this trend ninth Governor of the Central measures to support and and medium enterprises Goals, particularly in health Over 700 million people lack as they get more entrenched in Bank of Kenya (CBK), and has facilitate digital activities. The recover from COVID-19. In and education. Getting back broadband connectivity, while everybody’s lives. However, been in office since June 19, Central Bank of Kenya waived , the central bank is on track will be imperative to over a billion lack formal developing countries have not 2015. Dr. Njoroge joined CBK charges and expanded the launching PIX, an instant- achieve a global recovery. identification. Countries must been at the table when the after a twenty-year career at limit for low-value mobile payments system expected to How can invest in digital infrastructure governance of these platforms the International Monetary money transactions. This led become widely available this and digital identity so their is discussed. One of the Fund in Washington, DC. to a significant increase in month. In India, Riskcovry, a digitalization help? citizens can access online taskforce’s key initiatives is Ceyla Pazarbasioglu is both value and number of Mumbai-based start-up, services. Coupled with that, the Dialogue on Global Digital Director of the Strategy, transactions, mostly of $ 10 or introduced a coronavirus We have three there has to be investment in Finance Governance, that Policy, and Review less, helping to cushion the insurance policy for recommendations to numeracy and financial seeks to facilitate a balanced Department (SPR) of the IMF. most vulnerable households, businesses that want to offer share. First, placing people at literacy. International and more inclusive dialogue, (IMF) B14 Ceylon FT tuesday 10 november 2020 advertorial Hayleys Fentons joins district hospitals to treat covid-19 patients In its ongoing commitment to play an battling the virus to communicate via a “In this time of need, we believe that it many diverse sectors including Fentons Managing Director, Hasith active role in combatting the COVID-19 PA system, and visually monitor their is our solemn duty to support the healthcare. Hence, as our nation Prematillake said. pandemic in Sri Lanka, Hayleys patients through CCTV without any authorities, and this is why we fully braces itself against the latest wave of To date, the new monitoring system Fentons rolled out their state-of-the-art physical presence or contact. appreciate the tireless efforts of the COVID-19, we are implementing this has already been implemented at the communication system to the State Concurrently, patients may also call Health Sector in arresting the spread of communication system with the State hospitals in Iranavila, hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. on their medical officers to receive the pandemic. We have always placed a hopes of strengthening the safety of Balapitiya, Palamunai, Dankotuwa, This initiative was developed with the attention to their medical needs and heavy emphasis on the value of the front-liners by minimising their and the District Hospital of Mullaitivu aim of enabling doctors and front liners requests. engineering and innovation across exposure to the virus.” Hayleys with tremendous success.

AIBT opens its Campus Uber Eats delivers essential in Hambantota supplies in Colombo District The Asian Institute of Business and Technology Uber Eats today provided with curfew passes professionals as they work (AIBT Campus) ceremonially announced it has partnered and Uber Eats is working tirelessly to help the nation opened its second branch in with grocery chains and closely with authorities to arrest the spread of the Hambantota recently with stores to deliver essential ensure crucial supply lines disease. the participation of Chairman items to residents in the remain open, and that We must commend the Degu Lanka Foundation, Colombo District as the residents stay indoors. delivery partners, too, who Upul Dissanayake, and the country grapples with a “Our partnership with are also COVID warriors, Southern Regional Campus second wave of COVID-19 various suppliers to deliver working tirelessly to deliver Director of AIBT Campus, cases. essential items via Uber Eats supplies and ensure our Shanuka Dias. To facilitate same day will help authorities contain community stays safe during Founded in partnership delivery of grocery items, the spread of COVID-19. We these challenging times,” said with and investment from delivery partners registered laud the efforts of the Armed Bhavna Dadlani, Country established organisations in with Uber Eats have been Forces and Healthcare Lead, Uber Eats Sri Lanka. the field of education from UK and from Sri Lanka, AIBT Campus aims at empowering its students by giving them opportunities to develop and build their career, through high quality and world class education. HNB offers special discounts AIBT Campus offers a Foundation, Upul high-profile international variety of accredited Dissanayake speaking on the education management international Diploma and occasion thanked the experts and partners will and easy instalments Bachelors/Masters/Doctoral management of AIBT campus provide students in degree programmes in for extending their services to Hambantota and neighboring HNB PLC recently announced merchant partners, as well as wanted to ensure that we were Business and Management, Hambantota District, which districts, high class a slew of promotions and easy having the option of instalment able to offer the best possible Information Technology, is now being developed as an educational programmes instalment plans for cardholders payments for transactions made deals for our valued customers, Engineering, Quantity international economic hub ranging from Diploma level when they shop at leading to all insurance, healthcare and while ensuring that they are able Surveying, Human as international education is programmes to Doctoral level supermarkets and online education partners. to safely and conveniently buy Resources, Psychology, the need of the hour. programmes which are retailers. "The last few months have gifts for loved ones, and Education, Training and Shanuka Dias, Southern demand driven and whereby HNB confirmed that been challenging and stressful essentials for the home,” HNB, Early Years. Regional Director of AIBT providing the learners job customers will be entitled to for all Sri Lankans, and with the Head of Cards, Gauthami Chairman Degu Lanka Campus stated AIBT with its prospects internationally. significant discounts from select holiday season approaching, we Niranjan said. Profile Player : Jimutha Eranga Jayakody School : Taxila Central College Horana Born on : 2003.10.04 sports tuesdayBatting Style 10 november: LHB 2020 A15 Matches : 16 Innings : 26 Not Outs : 03 Runs : 760 Ave : 33.04 Eranga Jayakody,Highest Score : 102 against Sri Devananda Ambalangoda 100’s : 2 (102 Vs Sri Devananda Ambalangoda, 101* Vs Kingswood Kandy) 50’s : 2 (82 Vs St. John’s Panadura, 51 Vs Piliyandala Central () Taxila’s Reliable Batsman Jimutha Eranga Jayakody, Profile Against Batting left-hand top order batsman, -keeper and part time Player : Jimutha Eranga Jayakody Holy Cross Kalutara 19 right arm off spinner of Taxila School : Taxila Central College Horana Royal Panadura 03 Central College Horana, scored Sri Rahula Katugastota 34 the most runs for his school in Born on : 2003.10.04 the last two seasons in the Revatha Balapitiya 18 ‘Singer Trophy’ Under-19 Batting Style : LHB Vidyartha Kandy 46 Division Two inter Schools Matches : 16 Cricket (Two-day) tournament Anuradhapura Central 10 conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Innings : 26 President’s Kotte 05 & 01* Cricket Association. Vs St. Peter’s Negombo 24 & 46 The fourth year coloursman Not Outs : 03 scored 760 runs with two Runs : 760 Kingswood Kandy 18 & 101* centuries and two half centuries St. Mary’s Chilaw 04 & 02* in 16 matches in the Ave : 33.04 St. John’s Panadura 28 & 82 2019/2020 season. His best Highest Score : 102 against Sri Devananda Ambalangoda batting performance was 102 Sri Devananda Ambalangoda 19 & 102 runs against Sri Devananda Jimutha Eranga Jayakody 100’s : 2 (102 Vs Sri Devananda Ambalangoda, College Ambalangoda. He also Karandeniya Central 17 & 39 scored a century against skipper of the team in 2016. He 101* Vs Kingswood Kandy) Sri Dharmaloka Kelaniya 28 & 06 Kingswood College Kandy. He scored an unbeaten 142 runs in 50’s : 2 (82 Vs St. John’s Panadura, 29 & 22 made a half century in the 2020 51 balls against St. Anthony’s annual big match against College Panadura the same 51 Vs Piliyandala Central (Big match) Piliyandala Central (Big match) 51 & 06 Piliyandala Central College. year. He commenced his career at He represented the school Western Province South Outer Inter District tournament in and two half centuries in the Assistant Coach Gavinda under-13 level. His father under-15 team (Division Two) in team in theAgainst Prima Champions 2018. Batting 2018/2019 season. His best Basnayake, academic and non- Kamal Sujeewa was the Master- 2017/18. He scored 470 runs Trophy Inter Province He represented the school batting performance was 179 academic staff members, OBA, in-charge and head coach of the with a century and two half tournamentHoly conducted Cross Kalutara by Sri first XI team19 as a fresher and runs against Royal College Wasantha Wijesooriya, former college in 2014. He represented centuries in 2017. He Lanka CricketRoyal in Panadura 2017. He wicket-keeper03 in the 2016/2017 Panadura the same year. district coach (Kalutara), the under-13 team for three represented the Kalutara scored 550 runs with five half season. He passed 300 runs in He thanks Principal Mrs. students, his team-mates, their seasons (2014/15/16). He District team in the Prima centuriesSri in 2018.Rahula He Katugastota led his second under-1934 season in K.K.P.M. Jayathilake, Master- parents and his family scored 450 runs with a century Champions Trophy Inter KalutaraRevatha District (Zone Balapitiya 1) team 2017/2018.18 He scored more in-Charge and Head Coach members. and two half centuries as District tournament and in the Prima Champions Trophy than 600 runs with a century Kamal Sujeewa (his father), (IR) Vidyartha Kandy 46 Anuradhapura Central 10 President’s Kotte 05 & 01* Valencia sink Vs St. Peter’s Negombo Bio-bubble24 & 46 not a Kingswood Kandy 18 & 101* St. Mary’s Chilaw 04 & 02* Madrid on penaltiesSt. John’s Panadura ‘sustainable28 & 82 lifestyle’ Sri Devananda Ambalangoda Prolonged19 & 102stay in bio- Valencia forward Carlos Soler his thumping strike from secure bubbles is not a – Starc scored a hat-trick of penalties distanceKarandeniya in the 23rd minute, Central ‘sustainable17 & 39 lifestyle’ and is as his side beat La Liga but ValenciaSri Dharmaloka pulled level Kelaniyawith bound28 to &take 06 toll on a champions Real Madrid 4-1 at the first of Soler's three cricketer's body and mind, home in an extraordinary penalties.Kegalu Vidyalaya Australia29 &quick 22 Mitchell match on Sunday. Soler saw his spot-kick saved Starc said on Monday. Karim Benzema put Madrid by ThibautPiliyandala Courtois Central and then (Big match) Playing51 &in 06bubbles has ahead with a scorching strike hit the post on the rebound, become the new normal since from outside the area, but while teammate Yunus Musah the COVID-19 pandemic Valencia replied with Soler's netted the loose ball, only to disrupted cricket in March penalties and a bizarre own goal see the goal ruled out after a and Starc joined a growing from Raphael Varane, inflicting VAR review showed him list of players questioning the a second defeat on Madrid this encroaching in the area. A viability of these season and their heaviest re-take was ordered and Soler arrangements. league defeat since losing 5-1 to made no mistake at the second "It's not a sustainable Barcelona in October 2018. attempt. lifestyle," Starc was quoted as Madrid are fourth in the FREAK OWN GOAL saying by a Cricket Australia standings on 16 points after Valencia took the lead before website after he signed for eight games, while Valencia halftime through a freak own the Sydney Sixers to play the climb up to ninth. goal from Varane, who back-end of the Big Bash "After their first goal we unwittingly sent the ball flying League. "You're living in a dropped our level a bit and over his head and just over the hotel room with zero outside stopped doing everything we line, the goal being awarded contact. Some guys haven't bubbles should be taken into lucrative had been doing well. We did several minutes later following seen families or their kids for account when determining tournament. everything wrong, it's difficult to another VAR review. a long time. the length of future tours. "When you're stuck in try and understand our The home side kept up the "It's tough going – we get to Several of Starc's Australia situations like that, month performance," said Real coach momentum and won two play cricket, (so) we can't teammates would return from after month, going from Zinedine Zidane. further penalties, for a foul by complain too much – but in IPL this month and enter bubble to bubble, it can be Real's preparations were Marcelo on Maxi Gomez, then a terms of well-being of players, another bubble for their quite tiresome on the mind disrupted by Casemiro and handball by Sergio Ramos. staff and officials, how long blockbuster home series and body as well," said Starc. Eden Hazard testing positive for Soler converted each time, can you stay in hubs for?" against India. "Not having that escape COVID-19 the day before, while becoming only the third player India captain Virat Kohli While they were unlikely to from day-to-day cricket is they lost Benzema to a muscle Valencia’s Carlos Soler celebrates in the history of La Liga to said on Friday the mental toll be ‘too unhappy coming home (difficult). That's important injury late on. Benzema had got scoring their fourth goal and score three penalties in a single that comes with spending with bags of cash’, Starc had for people's well-being." Real off to a strong start with completing his hat-trick match. (Reuters) long periods in bio-secure no regrets having skipped the (Reuters)

James Vince set to Thiem starts preparations for ATP Finals miss PSL playoffs after Austrian Dominic Thiem said he has recovered from a foot injury he suffered during positive Covid-19 test a tournament in Vienna and will travel to London this James Vince's involvement week to take part in the in the Pakistan Super League season-ending ATP Finals. (PSL) is in doubt after he US Open champion Thiem tested positive for Covid-19. struggled with blisters during Vince, a member of the Vienna Open last month England's World Cup- and his title defence at his winning squad, was set to home tournament ended play for Multan Sultans in when he lost in the quarter- the PSL playoffs on 14 finals. November. The world number three ESPNcricinfo understands subsequently pulled out of Dominic Thiem he is asymptomatic and will the Paris Masters to give the final in London at the novel coronavirus. The imminently undergo a second himself time to recover for the O2-Arena." Thiem went down capital Vienna witnessed a test. But he is legally obliged ATP Finals, which is played narrowly to Greek Stefanos lone gunman kill four people to self-isolate for 10 days between the top eight men's Tsitsipas in the final of last in a rampage on Monday. James Vince from the date of the positive single players and doubles year's tournament after Thiem called the attack test. Vince has also signed for Mahmudullah, the franchise are hoping to sign a teams and will be held in defeating Alexander Zverev in ‘very, very sad’ and said his Sydney Sixers in the Big Bangladesh allrounder, on replacement for Vince, with London from 15-22 Nov. the semi-finals and Roger coach was close to the scene. Bash League (BBL), but, with Sunday, also due to a Joe Denly the likely "Nothing is quiet in fall – Federer and Novak Djokovic "It was a week with the start date just over a positive Covid test. Vince candidate. It is unclear at the last weeks have been in the group stages. thousands of thoughts in my month away, he should still scored 155 runs in five this stage who Vince may busy," the 27-year-old said in "On Wednesday I am mind. My coach Nicolas be able to take part. innings before the have been in contact with in a post on his website. leaving for London with a Massu literally experienced It is the second significant tournament was cut short by recent days but they, too, "After losing in the quarter- 'mini-team'. The final goal of the atrocious terror attack in blow to Multan's title hopes the pandemic earlier this would need to self-isolate for final at my home tournament 2020. The memories of last Vienna, was close having in as many days, following year. ESPNcricinfo 14 days from that meeting. in Vienna I recovered from my year are nice!" he said. dinner at a restaurant and the withdrawal of understands that the (Reuters) foot injury. It took me two, Last week, Thiem's home was locked up until 2:30 at three days to recover; then I country reported record night," Thiem said. started my preparation for number of infections from the (Reuters) A16 Tuesday 10 November 2020 Sports Selectors Opt For Raw Pace For SA Tour

Names 22-member Minister of Sports Namal Rajapaksa during the inspection tour of the Duraiappa Stadium in Jaffna squad for training Duraiappa Stadium to be

By Wichithra They have been replaced in the new developed into a fully Weerasinghe training squad by , , and 20-year- The training activities of old rookie pacer Dilshan Madusanka fledged football stadium the national team which had respectively. Football in the Northern league tournament in the future. been deferred temporarily The selectors have decided to increase Province gets a new boost after Over the next four years, a six- for a second time due to the the number of quick bowlers in the Minister of Youth and Sports lane synthetic track will be laid COVID-19 impact, is set to squad considering the pace friendly Namal Rajapaksa declared the and an outdoor fitness center will be kick started on 13 decks they are likely to experience in Duraiappa Stadium in Jaffna will be constructed in and around this November by Sri Lanka , and have reduced their be developed as a fully fledged stadium as well,” the Minister Cricket (SLC), sources spin options. football stadium. Minister of said. revealed. When contacted, SLC Vice President Sports Namal Rajapaksa inspected Earlier, the Sports Minister also In-house training Raveen Wickremaratne stated that the the Duraiappa Stadium on declared open ‘Volleyball House’, a programme is set to be conducted training activities would commence on Monday (09). high performance centre for the from 13 to 22 November at the the aforesaid date. Stating that as a sportsman he Sri Lanka Volleyball Federation, Pallekele International Stadium Squad: , Oshada was able to identify the which is a dream come true for premises, while it is to be confined to Fernando, , Angelo shortcomings of the stadium, the SLVB and the players. a 22-member squad. This particular Mathews, , Kusal Minister said measures will be The new ‘Volleyball House’ is training programme has been geared Janith Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, taken to complete renovations over situated at Dadalla Sports towards the upcoming two-Test tour Minodh Bhanuka, , the next few years and convert the Complex Galle with all facilities for to South Africa. Santhush Gunathilake, Dushmantha stadium as required for any sport. the players, and ideal for the Out of the 23-member squad that Chameera, Wanidu Hasaranga, He further said that the Volleyball Federation to conduct was named for the postponed series , Dilshan Madusanka, Duraiappa Stadium is situated in their pool practices as well as against Bangladesh, Duvindu Lasith Embuldeniya, Dhananjaya de a central point for the development tournaments. With players getting Thillakaratne, Lahiru Udara, Silva, , , of sports in the Northern Province. an opportunity to conduct their and Kamindu , , “I intend to develop and convert practices with all facilities, it will Mendis have been omitted. and Dasun Shanaka. the stadium into a football no doubt augur well for Sri Lanka 20-year-old pacer Dilshan Madusanka stadium. We will launch a football sports in the coming days. sign three-year agreement Broadcast deal with Nine worth $73 mln

Rugby Australia ended months of The previous agreement with Foxtel financial uncertainty with an was a reported A$35 million to A$40 announcement on Monday they had million a year. The Sydney Morning reached an in-principle three-year Herald reported last month Foxtel had broadcast agreement with the Nine offered less for any new agreement. Network starting in 2021 with an “Rugby Australia is very excited option to extend the contract for two about our new partnership with Nine years. Entertainment Co. and what’s in store The agreement, which needs sign-off for our great game over the next three from the SANZAAR partnership, is years and beyond,” RA’s interim Chief Hershelle Gibbs worth A$100 million ($72.9 million) Executive Rob Clarke said in the Kohli granted for the first three statement. years, Rugby Australia said in a The agreement will provide free-to- statement. It also ended a two-decade air coverage of one AU among high-profile paternity leave long relationship with pay television match a week on television, with the provider Foxtel, which had seemed other matches and games from New Will return home after likely the only bidder after RA’s initial Zealand’s on plans to test the market earlier this the company’s streaming platform Commentary Panel Adelaide Test year fell through. behind a paywall. (Reuters) The LPL 2020, which is scheduled Rohit added to to commence on 26 November at Test squad the MRICS, Hambantota, will see a high-profile commentary panel to India captain Virat Kohli will return help broadcast the action live home after the opening Day-Night Test across the world. in Adelaide after BCCI decided to grant The six-Member Panel includes the expectant father paternity leave. The Mike Haysman of Australia, Roshan decision means India are set to play Abeysinghe and Russel Arnold of three of the four Border-Gavaskar Tests Sri Lanka, Aamer Sohail of - in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane - Pakistan, Hershelle Gibbs of South without their batting talisman. Africa and Darren Ganga of West Ajinkya Rahane, the designated vice- Indies. captain, who has previously captained against Australia and Afghanistan, is likely to lead the red-ball team. Meanwhile, ending an impasse, the All India Senior Selection Committee IPL 2020 decided to add Rohit Sharma in the Test squad while granting him rest from the white-ball leg of the tour in order to facilitate his full recovery from a Mighty Mumbai loom as favourites hamstring niggle picked up at IPL 2020. In a media release, BCCI revealed that its medical team had been monitoring Rohit in the UAE after the injury he against resourceful Delhi picked up on 18 October forced the Mumbai Indians skipper to miss four Delhi Capitals returned as feeling ever,” Delhi captain have looked familiarly games at the same time the squad for a vastly improved side to Shreyas Iyer said after formidable, their explosive the Australia tour was picked. reach their first Indian Sunday’s win. batting line-up Fast bowler Ishant Sharma, who was Premier League (IPL) final, “This has been a complemented by a fiery also provisionally left-out of the squad is but will need an rollercoaster. A lot of ups attack led by India’s rehabilitating at the National Cricket extraordinary effort to upset and downs, but we have Jasprit Bumrah. Academy in Bengaluru after an Mumbai Indians on Tuesday stuck together like a family.” “Having such a versatile abdominal muscle tear ruled him out of after three unsuccessful Against Hyderabad, Delhi squad, it gives me the option IPL 2020. The 32-year-old will be added attempts to beat the showed they have the of changing the batting to the Test squad upon achieving match champions this season. tactical flexibility to try new order,” Rohit said after fitness, the release informed. Mumbai, the tournament’s combinations, opening with securing a place in the T. Natarajan replaces Varun most successful team, made Australian Marcus Stoinis Dubai final.”At times, if I Chakravarthy in T20I squad the playoff with a match to and recalling Shimron want to rotate the bowlers, I Mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, spare and crushed Delhi in Hetmyer in inspired moves can do that as well. The who had earned his maiden call-up to Thursday’s qualifier to stay that paid off richly. guys do understand their the national team for the T20Is by virtue on course for a fifth IPL title. “You can’t have same set roles. of his strong showing in the IPL, has Delhi had to overcome of routines. You have to “It’s not easy if you’re not been ruled out of the series with a Sunrisers Hyderabad in keep chopping and batting in certain positions, shoulder injury. The selection committee Sunday’s second qualifier to changing,” Iyer said.”In the but we made it clear right at have decided to replace him with left- set up a summit clash with next game too, we have to the start of the tournament arm seamer T. Natarajan, who was a side who beat them twice play freely and maintain our that this is how the team is previously named only among the in the round-robin stage temperament.” going to play and the guys reserve group of net bowlers. this season. Mumbai under the are happy with that.” MI Captain Rohit Sharma and DC Captain Shreyas Iyer posing “Amazing, this is the best captaincy of Rohit Sharma (Reuters) with the trophy

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