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DESPITE CONCERNS OF ACCURACY Govt. to continue dubious tests? z Concerns about J’pura Uni z Three letters sent to Prez. z We need J’pura: Health Ministry

BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA to increase the number of daily she said yesterday (9). “We sent a letter on 26 April where The final letter was sent on 6 May,” The Government is to continue to rely on PCR tests PCR tests. The College of Medical Laboratory we urged the President to carry out said CMLS and Association “There is a need to increase testing Science (CMLS) has submitted an investigation into the matter and of Government Medical Laboratory conducted outside the Ministry of Health, despite repeated and we appreciate the help given by three letters to President Gotabaya resolve it. Then we sent a letter again Technologists (SLAGMLT) President warnings from medical laboratory experts on the lack of outside laboratories such as the lab at Rajapaksa; the first as far back as 26 on 3 May that included a 12-point Ravi Kumudesh, adding that no accuracy and false results. Sri Jayawardenepura University. We April, warning about defective PCR explanation of the problems in the official response had been received Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Bhadrani Jayawardena said that the haven’t taken any decision to stop tests, particularly from the lab at Sri various laboratories, including up to date. Secretary to the Ministry of Health assistance of outside labs was needed testing outside the Ministry of Health,” Jayawardenepura University. at Sri Jayawardanapura University. Contd. on page 2 Spring cleaning Borrowings to PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COVID-19 continue: Govt. The Government intends to the interest, the primary balance continue borrowing to meet both is also negative because there is Health debt obligations and expenditure a revenue shortfall. So, we have For verified Suwasariya information Promotion Bureau Ambulance needs, despite allegations of a to borrow and pay. We will not on the Service breach in the borrowing limit. dishonour,” Attygalle told The 1999 1990 (Covid-19) Ministry of Finance and Sunday Morning. contact any of Quarantine Unit 0112 112 705 Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle He went on to say that a vote the following Epidemiology Unit 0112 695 112 authorities Govt. coronavirus hotline 0113071073 said that they would need to on account will come into effect PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK borrow for debt servicing as there from 1 June. The Constitution FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES was a shortfall in state revenue. has empowered the President to Telephone 0114354854, Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 “There is a current account continue spending and issue a vote 0114733600 Email [email protected] deficit. That means revenues are on account for three months from Hotline 0113456200-4 not enough to conduct the current the first sitting of parliament,” TOTAL CASES business including (servicing) Attygalle said. ACTIVE CASES 847 debt interest. Even if you take out Contd. on page 2 DEATHS RECOVERED 578 09 260 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.50 P.M. ON 24 APRIL 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU Municipal Council workers seen cleaning the Fort Railway Station yesterday (9) as authorities prepare to relax curfew in the capital tomorrow (11) COVID-19 CASES IN THE WORLD PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE TOTAL CASES SLTB, SLRD FACILITATE OFFICE COMMUTE RETURNING TO NORMALCY 4,073,592 Public transport DEATHS RECOVERD Gazette to be 278,911 1,417,305 operations planned CASES DEATHS issued today USA 1,335,760 79,471 z Only 25 BY SARAH HANNAN A special gazette notification on the SPAIN 262,783 26,478 passengers resumption of civilian life amidst the ITALY 218,268 30,395 per bus Public transport services will coronavirus threat will be issued today, UK 215,260 31,587 commence in areas where the curfew The Sunday Morning learnt. RUSSIA 198,676 1,827 z Railways is lifted today, while the Western Contd. on page 2 allow only Province’s and the Puttalam District’s pre-booked service will be provided to anyone reporting to work. J’PURA UNI INCIDENT seating Contd. on page 2 COVID-19 TRANSMISSION Student on Covid-19 traced recovery trail Courts to reopen in semen BY AGRA RANASINGHE tomorrow Two Chinese doctors recently published a Pasindu Hirushan, the victim in the As the country begins a will be some restrictions research letter on the Journal of the American University of Sri Jayewardenepura tyre gradual reopening process and adjustments made to Medical Association (JAMA) Network incident in March, has made significant during the Covid-19 crisis, meet the social distancing exploring the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 being progress in his recovery, The Sunday all courts in Colombo too requirements, The Sunday transmitted sexually, after traces of the virus Morning learnt. are planning to reopen Morning learnt. was found present in the semen of patients. Contd. on page 2 tomorrow (11), but there Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2

INFECTED AMONG DUBAI PASSENGERS Grama niladharis Safety concerns rise again get tough z Airline and airport staff cleared zMelbourne flight to land today z Resort to TU action BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA last week, concerns have been Services (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe raised over the safety of the confirmed that there was a Covid- The grama niladhari unions have recommenced With the report of a Covid- staff of SriLankan Airlines and 19-positive passenger on board the trade union action and refused to distribute the 19-positive passenger among the Bandaranaike International aircraft that returned from Dubai Rs. 5,000 vouchers to low-income families and Sri Lankan repatriates brought Airport (BIA). on Thursday (7) morning. vulnerable groups. back to the country from Dubai Director General of Health Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning NEWS Sunday, May 10, 2020 Curfew violations on a steady rise BY AGRA RANASINGHE continuously because they left their houses for periodically, with the exception of high-risk required for the transport of vegetables and various purposes; for example, to purchase food. areas such as Colombo, Kalutara, Puttalam, other agricultural products, even when such Many countries all around the world The Police Media Division confirmed to The and Jaffna, to allow the people to obtain their food is being transported to economic centres imposed lockdowns to tackle the Sunday Morning that by 1 April, nearly 8,450 The traffic police officers continued to essential needs; not to visit friends and family. and markets, and while returning. spread of the coronavirus. The start people along with 2,078 vehicles were taken into apprehend the persons who violated Good Friday, Sinhala and Tamil New Year, and In some other countries like Indonesia, of the curfew was signalled on Friday, custody and by 1 May, 42,810 people along with the highway rules, as usual. We look Vesak Full Moon Poya Day were celebrated specifically, the city of Surabaya of the East forward to take legal action with regard 20 March, by the Government with 11,078 vehicles were apprehended for violating without any gatherings for the first time in Sri Java Province, curfew violators had to spend the the curfew. to these cases Lanka. But in areas where the curfew was lifted night at the police stations for acting against the strict rules in place to control the Senior DIG Mahesh Senaratne movements of the public. Furthermore, The Police Media Division for a period of time, people were found violating implementation of large-scale social restrictions. added that a total number of 50,338 persons basic highway rules. As international news has stated, the Police had Policemen, military officers, and intelligence along with 13,064 vehicles were apprehended the spread of Covid-19. The Police continuously When contacted, Senior DIG Mahesh to take their blood samples for Covid-19 rapid officers were posted in all the cities to stop any for curfew violations since 20 March, till 6 p.m. warned the public and discouraged them from Senaratne of the Jaffna District, which was testing, and those whose rapid tests came back curfew violators going against the Government’s yesterday (9). engaging in social gatherings, meetings, parties, tagged as a high-risk area, said that nearly 2,000 reactive were asked to quarantine themselves order. Although it was just their duty to provide Police Media Spokesperson SP Jaliya Senaratne etc. From the beginning, the Police warned that people were found to have violated the curfew for 14 days. the service for the required hours, police officers told The Sunday Morning that all the people who curfew violators will be arrested and their vehicles in the district. International news further stated that in Jordan, and military officers had to dedicate a majority of have been granted bail with regard to curfew will be seized. However, in order to delve deeper “Nearly 2,000 people were caught in Jaffna, people who breached anti-coronavirus orders their time, similar to health officials, by wearing violations will be prosecuted. into the legal actions that would be taken against along with 500 vehicles, for violating the curfew. are punishable for up to one year in prison. personal protective equipment (PPE). However, “By now, all of the persons who have violated these violators, The Sunday Morning contacted However, there weren’t any serious cases. The Jordan Justice Minister Bassam Talhouni told with the increasing number of curfew violations, the curfew have been given bail. However, after Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith traffic police officers continued to apprehend Al-Mamlaka that “anyone going outside will rules had to be stricter with many checkpoints controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, we hope to Rohana. He said that all those who violate the the persons who violated the highway rules, as be subjecting themselves to punishment”, as and road barriers. The people had to stay at home, prosecute all of them, and no serious cases were quarantine curfew will be prosecuted and would usual. We will take legal action with regard to all businesses in the Middle Eastern kingdom and were not allowed to leave their houses during found,” Senaratne said. have to go through a six-month prison term with these cases,” said the Senior DIG. have been closed, including supermarkets and the curfew period. A majority of the people who violated the a fine under the Quarantine and Prevention of However, during the curfew, the Inspector pharmacies. With the increasing number of Covid-19- curfew were those who engaged in corrupt Diseases Ordinance. General of Police issued directives to allow the However, the Sri Lankan Government did not infected patients, Colombo, Kalutara, Puttalam, activities during curfew hours. The police officers However, the Police Media Division told transporting of food, including meat and fish, take such strict legal action and almost all the and Jaffna were identified as high-risk areas in charge have been notified to take strict action The Sunday Morning that the daily number of and stated that there is no requirement to obtain curfew violators were granted bail. But as stated and the curfew was relaxed in other districts against curfew violators, as the medical experts offenders has been increasing on average since curfew passes for the transport of these items earlier, in the near future, they will be prosecuted for a limited period. Nevertheless, many people and health authorities have said that maintaining 20 March. to storage facilities and distribution centres. and legal actions will be taken against them have been arrested for violating the curfew distance from others is the best way to mitigate In some areas, the curfew was lifted Later, it was announced that a curfew pass is when the Covid-19 pandemic is under control.

Contd. from page 1

contingency measure only and government But the presence of viruses in semen may be contracted the virus, and the patient was then disinfected prior to reopening on tomorrow Govt. to continue.. expenditure can only be allocated by Parliament more common than currently understood, and transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital together with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. Jayawardena said that while the issue was in accordance with the Constitution. traditional non-sexually transmitted viruses (IDH). In addition, cleaning and sanitising facilities being discussed, no decision had yet been made. “This is a contingency measure. You cannot should not be assumed to be totally absent in However, when asked about the safety of the would also be established at court premises, “The issue is being deliberated but we don’t do raising of revenue, which must be done genital secretions. staff of SriLankan Airlines and the BIA, Airport Gamage noted. know where the fault lies; whether it is how through the budget – i.e. the expenditure that Studies on viral detection and semen and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) – Maheesha Mudugamuwa the sample was taken, how it was transported, must be allocated and debated by the members persistence are beneficial to clinical practice Chairman Maj. Gen. (Retd.) G.A. Chandrasiri or the testing method. We first have to of the Parliament. Because that’s the legislative and public health, especially concerning viruses noted that staff members were safe and had been ascertain that before coming to a decision.” function that the Constitution has cast upon the that could cause high mortality or morbidity, cleared by the health officials. The letters had raised concerns about sending legislative, not the executive or the judiciary,” such as SARS-CoV-2. The study is limited by He told The Sunday Morning that a special Public transport... Covid-19 testing specimens of the National Warnasuriya said. the small sample size and the short subsequent health team from the Ministry of Health arrived at Minister of Passenger Transport Management, Institute of Communicable Diseases to the – Skandha Gunasekara follow-up. Therefore, further studies are required the airport soon after the passenger was detected Power, and Energy , University of Sri Jayawardenepura, which was with respect to the detailed information about positive for Covid-19 and they conducted speaking to The Sunday Morning, said that not under the Ministry of Health or its control, virus shedding, survival time, and concentration the necessary health checkups for the entire transport facilities will be exclusively provided while having a Covid-19 testing lab at the Gazette to... in semen, Dr. Zhao and Dr. Zhang indicated. SriLankan and BIA staff that dealt with all the for the workforce that is reporting to work and institute, which does fall under the Ministry. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, President’s If it could be proved that SARS-CoV-2 can passengers. any personnel required for essential services. Kumudesh noted that Health Ministry officials, Media Division Director General Mohan be transmitted sexually in future studies, sexual “The health authorities cleared our staff and “It will take a bit more time for the transport downplaying the matter, had prompted their Samaranayake said the relevant gazette transmission might be a critical part of the they are safe,” Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri said, adding system to function at a regular pace. For now, organisation to reach out to the President. notification was being prepared by the legal prevention of transmission, especially considering that the issue was with around 197 passengers we will only have SLTB buses functioning on “It is a callous and dangerous thing to try and consultants together with the relevant authorities the fact that SARS-CoV-2 was detected in the who flew together with the Covid-19-positive the bus routes, while SLR will cater to personnel hide this issue and we saw that happening at the and that it would be issued soon. semen of recovering patients. passenger. who have pre-booked seats and have been Health Ministry when we raised these concerns Meanwhile, a media statement issued by the Abstinence or condom use might be considered The entire staff is well equipped with the allocated seats on the train services.” and officials started dismissing the matter,” he Presidential Secretariat last week, noted that as preventive means for these patients. In addition, necessary protection needed to prevent them Amaraweera further stated that other said, adding that there was no need to outsource civilian life and state and private sector activities it is worth noting that there is a need for studies from being exposed to the virus and the BIA is passengers will not be allowed to board the tests as the Ministry of Health laboratories had will commence from tomorrow (11) onwards, monitoring fetal development. Therefore, adopting World Health Organisation (WHO) buses or trains under any circumstance. He also the capacity to conduct them. while the curfew is in force in the districts of avoiding contact with the patient’s saliva and guidelines, he noted. stressed that the Lanka Private Bus Owners Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, and Puttalam. blood may not be enough, since the survival of “The Sri Lanka Army is adopting a separate Association had requested to at least allow Heads of institutions are advised to make the SARS-CoV-2 in a recovering patient’s semen mechanism to quarantine all passengers,” he said. them to have passengers to fill the seats. Borrowings to ... necessary arrangements, taking into consideration maintains the likelihood to infect others. According to Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri, Sri “Due to health and safety reasons, we cannot In a recent report, think tank and analysis the required number of employees to run their Dr. Zhao and Dr. Zhang believes that their study Lankans in Melbourne will be brought back to allow that request and buses and train carriages group Verité Research noted that the borrowing organisations. In addition, the general public was might contribute by providing new information the country today on a special SriLankan flight. are only supposed to take half the possible limit set by the previous Parliament in October advised to refrain from unnecessary gatherings. to the current discourse regarding Covid-19 – Maheesha Mudugamuwa seating capacity to maintain social distancing. last year was Rs. 721 billion for the period from People, except those who are essentially prevention and control. Once the Health Ministry approves this, the January to 20 April 2020. required to report to work, are requested to This study was partially supported by grant public will have access to private buses as well.” However, the report reveals that the remain in their homes, and people are allowed KF2018-06 from the Open Project Programme Student on... The SLTB and SLR will schedule buses and Government had borrowed Rs. 120 billion in to leave their homes to purchase essential items of the State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases Pasindu is being treated at the Intensive trains accordingly in the respective routes to excess within that time period. such as food and medicines. in People’s Liberation Army General Hospital. Care Unit (ICU) of the National Hospital of enable the commute to and from work. One such borrowing was the recent $ 500 According to Deputy Inspector General of – Sarah Hannan Sri Lanka in Colombo, where he was admitted SLTB buses will operate at regular office million loan from China Development Bank Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana, the last digit NIC immediately after the incident. times in the morning from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. which amounts to Rs. 96.4 billion. rule will be in effect in areas where the curfew His brother Lakshan Silva told The Sunday and in the evening from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Government Spokesman and former is in force from tomorrow onwards and the Grama niladharis... Morning that Pasindu, who could not even move order to facilitate travelling both ways. Minister of Investment Promotion Keheliya system does not apply to areas where the curfew Sri Lanka Eksath Grama Niladhari Union the right side of his body, has come to a state “Each bus will only allow a maximum of 25 Rambukwella asserted that the Government has is relaxed. President Kamal Kithsiri charged that grama where he can sit alone, walk with the support passengers at a time. We request the public to the constitutional right to do so and referred to Meanwhile, the expressways will also be niladharis were being mistreated despite their of another person, and whisper a few words. adhere to the health guidelines issued by the Article 150 (3) of the Constitution. completely open to the public starting from dedicated service. He also said that the Samurdhi He further said that while Pasindu is unable Ministry of Health. In addition to that, SLTB “The article very clearly states that when tomorrow, including the Southern Expressway, officers receiving a new bonus was an injustice. to take food orally, he has been showing signs officers will be deployed to main bus stops there is no budget passed and Parliament has the Outer Circular Expressway, and the Colombo- “We have been subject to criticism and insults of speedy recovery. to monitor passenger movement and ensure been dissolved, the president is empowered Katunayaka Expressway. despite our commitment to our duties. We have The incident took place on 5 March when a the buses only carry the stipulated number of to spend for another three months from the – Maheesha Mudugamuwa continued our work, including the distribution tractor tyre was thrown in his direction from passengers,” SLTB Deputy General Manager date of the first sitting of the new Parliament,” of the Rs. 5,000 allowance, at great risk to (our) the top of a staircase at a party held for the of Operations H.A. Pandula said. Rambukwella said. lives and the lives of our loved ones. We are first-year batch of the Management Faculty at While prior reservations are not required to Article 150 (3) states: “Where the President Covid-19... not asking for a cent more, but it is unfair for the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. utilise the bus services, the SLTB urges the dissolves Parliament before the appropriation The Sunday Morning contacted STD/AIDS Samurdhi officers to receive incentives when public to limit unnecessary travel for their own bill for the financial year has passed into law, Control Programme Director Dr. Rasanjali they have only limited duties,” he said. safety. Buses will be deployed in the Western he may, unless Parliament shall have already Hettiarachchi to clarify whether Sri Lanka too will He also noted that the previous government Courts to... Province and the Puttalam District to enable made provision, authorise the issue from the be looking at the presence of virus in semen of circular issue had still not been resolved and “As of Saturday (9) afternoon, the decision travel for people reporting to work in the state Consolidated Fund and the expenditure of such recovering patients. Dr. Hettiarachhchi responded that they had decided to completely refrain was to reopen all courts in Colombo on 11 May. and private sector even if the curfew is in effect, sums as he may consider necessary for the that the current requirement is to obtain saliva from doing additional work that was not part And the courts in other parts of the country Pandula reiterated. public services until the expiry of a period of swabs for PCR (Polymerase chain reaction) of their official duties. “We have decided that where the curfew has been lifted had already Meanwhile, the SLR stated that nearly three months from the date on which the new testing. we don’t need to risk our lives to do additional been reopened last week,” Secretary to the 3,000 commuters had already booked seats Parliament is summoned to meet.” “The findings are still at the research level and duties when we are not appreciated. We have Ministry of Justice J.J. Ratnasiri said. on scheduled train services that would be When The Sunday Morning pointed out that once it is clearly defined that it can be sexually been insulted and shamed, so much that some Speaking to The Sunday Morning, he noted arriving in Colombo tomorrow (11). this was conditional on whether Parliament had transmitted, then we will have to obtain genital female officers resigned from their posts. We that the relevant decisions with regard to the “We have made arrangements to send the already allocated funds – “unless Parliament secretions for testing,” she noted. won’t be doing any additional duties, including functioning of the courts would be taken by the seat details and the schedule time of arrival in shall have already made provision” – which it The Eighth Medical Centre of Chinese People’s the distribution of the Rs. 5,000 allowance,” Judicial Service Commission (JSC) while the the respective train stations to the commuters had done in October last year through a Vote on Liberation Army General Hospital in Beijing Kithsiri said, adding that they would continue Ministry is supporting the gradual reopening through SMS. Only those who have reserved Account to allow government spending until Department of Respiratory Medicine Dr. Weiguo with their official duties as grama niladharis. under strict rules to control the spread of the seats will be allowed to board the train,” SLR 30 April, the Minister affirmed that President Zhao MD and Shangqiu Municipal Hospital Government Spokesman and former State virus. General Manager M.J.D. Fernando said. Gotabaya Rajapaksa felt he was constitutionally Henan Province, China Dr. Shixi Zhang MD Minister of Investment Promotion Keheliya Issuing a notice on 3 May, the Supreme Court Accordingly, commuters will be allowed on empowered to continue spending. authored the research letters titled “Clinical Rambuwkella said that they had discussed the Registrar has stated that the court sittings will to the platforms after the SMS has been checked “The President is of the view that he has Characteristics and Results of Semen Tests matter with unions and a solution would be found. be resumed on tomorrow and all the cases that at the entrance of the respective railway station. the right in accordance with clauses of the Among Men with Coronavirus Disease 2019”, “I spoke with union leaders as well. Prime were/are to be taken in open courts from 27 Fernando further stated that only a limited Constitution. But what the Opposition says is which explored the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 Minister’s Secretary Gamini Senarath and Covid- April to 6 May 2020 are to be rescheduled and number of 50 persons can enter the railway that he has to refer to the Supreme Court in a being present in the semen of patients with 19 Task Force Chief will meet with new dates will be duly notified. carriage and passengers are prohibited from situation like this. What he (President) says is Covid-19. the unions and resolve the situation. I expect this When contacted, Colombo Law Society sitting in the seats other than the car seat he doesn’t have to refer and that there is a clause Dr. Zhao and Dr. Zhang studied that SARS- will be resolved by 18 May,” Rambukwella said. (CLS) President Vijaya Gamage told The Sunday assigned to them. that says that from the date of the appointment CoV-2 can be present in the semen of patients – Skandha Gunasekara Morning that all courts would be reopened on In addition, the SLR has also taken steps to of the new parliament, the president has the right with Covid-19, and SARS-CoV-2 may still be tomorrow and strict measures would be taken deploy Army personnel to all compartments to to use the Consolidated Fund for up to a further detected in the semen of recovering patients. by the CLS to maintain social distancing. prevent unloaded passengers. The Commerce three months,” Rambukwella said. Owing to the imperfect blood-testes/deferens/ Safety concerns... “All cases at the District Court which are Superintendent said that attention will also be However, Attorney-at-Law Chrishmal epididymis barriers, SARS-CoV-2 might be The UL 303 aircraft that returned to the country scheduled to be taken up on tomorrow (11) focused on speeding the train service from the Warnasuriya said that the Consolidated Fund seeded to the male reproductive tract, especially on Thursday repatriated 197 passengers including would be postponed by way of notice,” he station to Colombo Fort. could only be used for public services. in the presence of systemic local inflammation. Sri Lankan expatriates living in Dubai. added. It is compulsory for all passengers to wear “You can’t raise taxation on the Consolidated Even if the virus cannot replicate in the male One individual among the passengers had According to him, the seating arrangements mouth (face) masks and after the expiration Fund. That must come with Parliament approval. reproductive system, it may persist, possibly displayed symptoms of Covid-19, following and the number of cases that would be heard in of their duties, the SLR General Manager What they are actually doing is relying on this resulting from the privileged immunity the tests conducted at BIA, and was thereafter respective courts would be decided considering said, adding that commuters are prohibited clause in Article 150 (3) to continue spending.” of testes. So far, researchers have found 27 admitted to the Negombo General Hospital. the social distancing regulations. from sitting on just any seat other than the He pointed out that Article 150 (3) was a viruses associated with viremia in human semen. Later, it was confirmed that the individual had All court premises in Colombo would be reserved seat. the sunday morning 3 Sunday, May 10, 2020 SPOTLIGHT

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN TOP GEAR its recommended energy mix to overcome this problem in the Concerns have been raised future. over the Government Meanwhile, when contacted prioritising the construction by The Sunday Morning, of roads, spending billions of CEB Chairman rupees while the economy is stressed that firm decisions by on the verge of collapse due the top level in government was Power sector important to implement power to the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, a key sector like plants in accordance to the CEB power generation is still Long-Term Generation Expansion Plan. lagging behind without a He noted that once the permanent solution to the construction of the Uma Oya increasing demand for power Project (hydro power plant) was in the country. on low voltage completed, the CEB would be able to minimise the current During the last few weeks, shortage. while the entire country has been zGovt. planning to call tenders zFirm decisions required to However, he stressed the on lockdown, the Government importance of building more seems to have rushed to approve for an LNG power plant achieve power generation plan power plants within the next few unsolicited proposals that came in years so as to avoid a serious from different foreign consortiums power shortage in the future. for the construction of expressways. The CEB Long-Term In addition, Cabinet approval had Generation Expansion Plan also been granted to the Ministry of (2020-2039) (draft) states that Highways to obtain billion-rupee LNG infrastructure must be loans from foreign countries for the established at least by 2021 construction of roads. in order to gain the maximum Numerous allegations have benefit of avoiding utilising also been levelled against the high-cost fuel/oil. The delays in Government for allocating huge procuring LNG infrastructure sums for various expenses while will cause the power plants to Parliament was not functioning at operate on oil, which would result all, and the elections have also been in an enormous cost overrun and delayed due to the crisis situation of increased emissions. the country. Furthermore, it stated that While certain Opposition LNG infrastructure development members are up in arms against the must be fast-tracked and have measures taken by the Government, sufficient capacity to cater for Co-Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. both new power plants and also Bandula Gunawardana stressed that accommodate the conversion of Cabinet approval had been granted other oil-fired combined cycle for projects that had been delayed a number of other sectors have and solar and mini hydro plants, and non-implementation of power power plants to LNG in the by the previous Government, for been severely affected due to according to the CEB’s (Long- plants over the past five years. western region. which the funds had already been the coronavirus, former Janatha Term) Generation (Expansion) In addition, the electricity Furthermore, in addition, allocated. Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) MP Plan,” Amaraweera noted. requirement was growing at an three 300 MW natural gas “The funds granted for a certain Vijitha Herath stressed that it The country’s power sector average annual rate of around combined cycle power plants are project cannot be used for some was illegal for the Government to has been surrounded by myriad 5-6% over the past 20 years, and expected to be commissioned by other purpose,” Dr. Gunawardana allocate huge sums of funds for allegations and there was this trend is expected to continue 2026 in either Kerawalapitiya said, refuting the allegations. development projects, especially vehement opposition to the in the foreseeable future. or Hambantota. Associated The projects should be at a time when the country was purchasing of emergency power Therefore, senior engineers transmission facilities are also implemented so as to keep the heading towards a parliamentary at higher rates to meet the attached to the CEB reiterated to be expedited in parallel to foreign funding and to overcome election. electricity shortage that was a that the country should implement the power plant implementation the economic obstacles faced by the “Usually, the Government result of delays in implementing power plants keeping in mind schedule, it stated. country at present, he stressed. Usually, the Government should present a pre-election Nevertheless, Cabinet approval should present a pre-election expenditure (plan) to Parliament was granted last week for the expenditure (plan) to and get its approval. Since there Highways Ministry to borrow Rs. parliament and get its is no Parliament functioning at 15 billion from China Development approval. Since there is no present, the Government cannot Bank to develop 105 km of road in parliament functioning at go ahead with expenditures like Matara and Hambantota. present, the Government this. It is illegal,” he told The Last month, it approved another cannot go ahead with Sunday Morning. proposal made by Roads and expenditures like this. It is In addition, former JVP MP Highways Minister Johnston illegal stressed that Fernando to allocate Rs. 5 billion Former JVP MP Vijitha Herath road construction should not for the continuation of a project be the Government’s priority at implemented by the Government, of proposals made by the Highways present. towards fulfilling a pledge made Ministry for the construction of He told The Sunday Morning by the President in his “Vistas of expressways including that of that their priority should be to Prosperity and Splendour" policy Central, Northern, and Ruwanpura re-establish the already collapsed document to develop 100,000 km of have also been approved during the economy and more allocations highway in the country. cabinet meetings held over the last should be made to the agriculture In addition, Cabinet approval few weeks. and production sectors of the has also been granted to consider country. a technical proposal from a UK Misplaced priorities At the top of the list of other consortium for the construction Lashing out at the Government sectors the Government should of Section IV of the Central for rushing to go ahead with prioritise is the power sector, Expressway. In addition, a number road construction projects while according to industry experts. They alleged the Government had not given any priority to the need to solve the issues faced by the power industry in the country or taken any considerable steps to build the necessary power plants to avoid any power shortage in the country. In the pipeline When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Power and Energy Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said the Cabinet had approved a proposal made by him to award the 300 MW LNG (liquid natural gas) power plant in Kerawalapitiya to Lakdhanavi Ltd. ‘Immediate actions to be taken’, In February, the Government, overturning a Cabinet according to the CEB Long-Term decision given by the previous Government, awarded the Generation Expansion Plan contract to construct the second phase of the 300 MW LNG (2020-2039) (draft) power plant in Kerawalapitiya to yy Commissioning of the 35 MW combined cycle power plants Lakdhanavi Ltd. on the condition Broadlands, 122 MW Uma must be commissioned in (the) that it withdraws the petition Oya, and 31 MW Moragolla western region by 2022 filed with the Supreme Court hydro power plants by 2020, challenging the original awarding yy Two 300 MW high-efficient 2021 and 2023, respectively of the contract to a Chinese coal power plants are planned company, The Sunday Morning yy Commissioning of a 100 MW to be developed as an extension learnt. wind farm at Mannar by 2020 to the Lakvijaya Coal Complex, However, Amaraweera said in 2023 and 2024. Furthermore, yy Commissioning of other he had not made any proposals two 300 MW high-efficient renewable energy projects – recently to the Cabinet. coal power plants are expected approximate capacity addition “We are going to call tenders to be commissioned in 2025 of 1,200 MW of wind and for another LNG power plant, and 2028 at Foul Point in 2,000 MW of solar is being and the Ministry together with Trincomalee considered the Ceylon Electricity Board yy Implementation of three 200 (CEB) is now taking measures to yy Three 35MW gas turbines by MW pumped storage power implement long-delayed power 2021 plants in 2028, 2029, and 2032, projects including three LNG yy Two 300 MW dual fuel respectively power plants, an extension to the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, 4 the sunday morning ROUND-UP Sunday, May 10, 2020 THE BRITISH MINISTER WITH SOUTHERN ROOTS On the path to recovery A senior official in charge of Ranil’s Sri Lankan ancestry the state coffers is recovering have to steer through in the months to come. Ranil Jayawardena, a British these days after a minor heart However, the official’s temporary national of Sri Lankan origin, procedure at a private hospital, it absence from office resulted in stories last week was appointed as UK’s is learnt. circulating on social media that he was Trade Minister by British Prime Recovering after getting a stent, it is planning to resign from office in protest Minister Boris Johnson. With also learnt that the senior public official of alleged illegal activities taking place this appointment, Jayawardena is set for a strong recovery to face the due to the impending constitutional becomes the first British national of economic crisis the Government will crisis. Sri Lankan origin to hold a portfolio in the UK Government. Jayawardena has been the Member of Parliament for North East Hampshire since 2015. He announced on Wednesday (6) that he was asked by the Prime Minister to join the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State of the Department for International Trade. “It’s a great privilege to have been asked sunny Standing (from left): MP for Berwickshire (Conservative Party) John Lamont, Journalist Somadasa by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to serve Abeywickrama, Ananda De Lanerolle, UK Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena, Kanishka De Lanerolle, as a Department for International Trade and Conservative MP for Bolton West and Atherton Chris Green. Seated (from left): Jayawardena’s side up Minister at this crucial time,” Jayawardena Co-ordinating Secretary Clemency Huggings, Conservative MP for Chippenham Michelle Donelan, and by abilis tweeted. “I look forward to working with Waruni De Lanerolle Trade Secretary Liz Truss to underpin the named Indira (of Indian origin). Nalin Government’s agenda for ‘Global Britain’. Jayawardena later worked his way to serve Much to do...trade, investment, growth.” as a magistrate in the UK. Nalin and Indira However, interest in Jayawardena’s had three children and the son born on 3 Weligama UC Chair roots in Sri Lanka has grown since his September 1986 was named Ranil Malcolm appointment to a high post in the British Jayawardena.” Government. About four year ago, after retiring from Jayawardena’s ancestry begins in the courts, Nalin Jayawardena had visited Sri stands for media ethics Galle District, in Baddegama to be precise. Lanka on a holiday. During his visit, he had One of his relatives, Somadasa travelled to Anguruwathota, Madurawela as Abeywickrama has posted on Facebook well as Baddegama to meet his relatives. about Jayawardena’s ancestry while of the Baddegama Gam Sabha at the time. In January 2018, Ranil had also wishing him the best of luck in the new Three of the sons become vice ministers visited Sri Lanka and met his relatives in appointment. while one became a cabinet minister. Baddegama. On 5 January 2018, Ranil Following is the English translation of Another son was among the first five Sri had spent the most part of his day with Abeywickrama’s post on FB in Sinhala: Lankan engineers. Two of Thepanis’ sons- his relatives in Baddegama. According to “Don Thepanis Alwis Abeywickrama in-laws also became chairmen of the Gam Somadasa Abeywickrama, a lunch was (Godiwatte Loku Mahaththaya), who Sabha. organised on his behalf in Baddegama. was born in Godiwatte in Nayaapamulla, “One of Thepanis Abeywickrama’s Ranil had arrived with his colleagues. Baddegama, was the first Sinhalese to daughters, Daisy Abeywickrama, got “The lunch was organised by one of Don open a tea factory in the area, known as the married to a planter named Henry Thepanis’ grandsons, Ananda de Lanerolle, Godiwatte Tea Factory. Jayawardena from Madurawela in and I being another one of his grandsons “It was a foreigner named Maha Boman Anguruwathota. He was also the Chairman attended the event,” Abeywickrema stated, who first brought a car to Baddegama and of the Mungwatte Bage Paththuwa Gam adding: “One of Ananda de Lanerolle’s the second car witnessed by the people in Sabha at the time. Henry and Daisy had sons, Kanishka de Lanerolle, also the area was purchased by Don Thepanis four sons – Lakshman, Asoka, Nalin, and participated in the lunch.” Alwis Abeywickrama. Don Thepanis had Ananda – and two daughters – Mallika and During his visit with the Baddegama five sons – Andrew, Simon, Henry, Arthur, Devika. relatives, Ranil had expressed his desire and Vincent. He also had seven daughters. “In 1978, Nalin Jayawardena travelled to see the ancestral house where his “Three of the sons held the chairmanship to the UK where he married a lady grandmother was born. Weligama Urban a person suspected to be Council (UC) infected with Covid-19. Chairman Rehan W. While drawing attention Dayasiri’s new role Jayawickrama last to media ethics and the need Mangala’s week created a stir to know what is right and by taking a stand wrong, the UC Chairman against several media had noted that he will be outlets for allegedly using his powers to ban curfew baby encroaching on the unauthorised entry of media privacy of individuals into private vicinities of The islandwide curfew resulted in everyone suspected Covid-19 cases. being confined to their houses and taking suspected to be Jayawickrama had issued time off from their infected by Covid-19. the ban on the media using busy schedules to Jayawickrama had issued his powers under the Urban had cleared the individual spend at home with letters on Friday (8) to two Council Act. as not having contracted loved ones. privately owned electronic According to the UC the disease. However, the media organisations Chairman, while the social stigma that has been Former Minister Mangala complaining over the media highlighted the caused has placed the family Samaraweera however was alleged unauthorised entry suspected Covid-19 members in great distress, greeted with a new bundle and invasion of privacy of patient, subsequent tests Jayawickrama pointed out. of joy during this period of confinement. His loving pet Lulu gave birth to a single puppy earlier this month. Given On his bike the background in the country at the time of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Given the current health issues pup’s birth, Samaraweera (SLFP) General Secretary faced by the country, Jayasekara has decided to name the and former Minister and his supporters assumed the role pup – Corona. Former MP and and of frontline workers by taking on Tamil Progressive his supporters last week the task of spraying disinfectant in Alliance (TPA) Leader Mano took on a new role. the Hettipola town in Kurunegala Ganesan on a last Sunday (3). bicycle visiting people in the Kite flying at Colombo Central area to inquire after their Rainbow’s end wellbeing

Marching orders?

The Ministry of Public , Chandrani Bandara, H.M. Administration last week said Gunasekera, , Lakshman Pleasant surprise it would file a lawsuit against Seneviratne, Amir Ali Shihabdeen, J.C. 20 former ministers for failing Alawathuwala, Ashok Abeysinghe, With the increase in the While the sailors were to vacate the official residences , H.M.M.H. Harees, number of Sri Lanka quarantined in their camps, those assigned to them during their Faizal Cassim, Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Navy personnel infected who tested positive were sent for time in office. , A.L.M. Haleem, with Covid-19, people medical treatment while some were , , across the island kept sent to the Homagama Hospital. These former ministers were given till , T.B. Ekanayake, Jagath wishing them well, given It was at the Homagama Hospital 2 March 2020 to vacate the government Pushpakumara, and M.L.M.A. Hisbullah. the service rendered by that a sailor being treated at the houses occupied by them. However, Prime Minister Mahinda facility was treated to a pleasant The Ministry has stated that although steps Rajapaksa last week presented to the them to the public by surprise when the hospital staff had were being taken to initiate legal action after Cabinet a proposal to permit the former being on the frontlines organised a birthday cake along the March deadline, litigation could not be state ministers as well as the Opposition when dealing with with a simple celebration to mark pursued due to the Covid-19 pandemic and MPs, former Speaker, and Opposition Leader persons infected with the birthday of this respective Former Minister pictured enjoying his the curfew that was imposed with it. to use their official residences and vehicles time at home. Last (9) evening, a photograph was posted on social the virus. sailor. media of him flying a kite at his Bolgoda residence. Among the 20 former ministers are to carry out their work for a nominal fee. the sunday morning 35 Sunday, May 10, 2020 FOCUS

PUBLIC TRANSPORT New anti-corona measures proposed BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA ends meet somehow,” Wijeratne The GMOA (Government Medical taking the same bus route would be stressed. Officers’ Association) isn’t opposed assigned a bus for that. This way, the With economic activities set to He went on to say that the ID to this, but we are still seeking the entire bus would be for the employees resume from tomorrow (11), system was unrealistic as it would consent of the Ministry of Health. If of that particular company and if the the Government is seeking require a large number of security this is allowed, then private buses will virus is present, it will only spread to implement new measures officials to enforce it. be allowed to run,” Amaraweera said. within that particular company and for public transport to reduce “It is not a practical system. They Nevertheless, he too admitted that not to all those who travel on the the risk of transmission of won’t be able to stop the people from the enforcement of health protocols same road. But the issue here is Covid-19, even though unions coming out tomorrow. Even now, with regard to public transport was a that the number of buses for other charged that social/physical people who are not essential services challenge. purposes will be limited,” Ranawaka distancing within buses was employees are using our buses for “To ensure social distancing is explained. transport. The only good thing is followed, there is no other solution He said that health guidelines not being adhered to. that inter-district travel is restricted, than to advise the public to follow were mainly being flouted within the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ but within a district, we cannot stop health protocols and to hope that our Colombo and other city limits, and Association President Gemunu ordinary people from using our people are disciplined,” the Minister not in rural areas. Wijeratne asserted that from buses,” Wijeratne said. He said that said. SLTB Chairman Kingsley “Yet, the problem is with regard to tomorrow, people would be out and despite government instructions, Ranawaka said that steps were being social distancing. What we have seen about in large numbers and health hoping people would follow health taken to provide buses for individual is that even though commuters may services guidelines with regard services guidelines was impractical as companies to limit the spread of the practise social distancing, sometimes to public transport would not be there wasn’t a method to implement. coronavirus in public transport. Army officers or police officers on followed. “We have no powers or net profit a day so that would be permission to operate private buses the roadside will be taken in and then “When they reopen the economy responsibility to check if an equivalent to around Rs. 60,000,000 either,” Amaraweera noted. it becomes overcrowded. We can’t on the 11th, there will be a limited individual is an essential services a day. But today, we are running at a Further, Amaraweera claimed that really blame the bus officials because number of bus drivers, but people will employee or not, nor do we have the loss,” he said, adding that despite this, social distancing was practised and All this talk about the ID system they are also sympathetic. come out in large numbers and the powers to reprimand individuals who they had not resorted to hiking fares. health guidelines were being followed will go out the window. People “There are other instances where buses will definitely be overcrowded. fail to follow health services protocols “We had the option of increasing in Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) will ignore that and everyone people forcibly get on buses without That is to be expected when there is when travelling, such as social bus fares for a month and a half but buses. will be out on the streets. To practising social distancing. We an increased demand for transport but distancing,” Wijeratne noted. we didn’t do that. What we said was “So far, we haven’t had any implement the ID system, a have instructed bus officials to make a low supply of buses. Our aim is not at least give a diesel subsidy for this complaints from the state buses large number of police officers sure the extra commuters get off to profit, but to follow the guidelines time period,” he said, lamenting that about the failure to follow health and other officials will be at a police station to ensure social of the health services,” Wijeratne this request too was rejected by the services guidelines. In fact, we have needed to monitor whether the distancing, but that doesn’t happen said. We haven’t had any complaints Government. instructed the Police to stop buses public are following the ID very often and buses can become He went on to say that he believed from the state buses about the “The Government should have at checkpoints and see if social system or flouting it overcrowded. We see this mainly the Government should focus on one failure to follow health services discussed with all the relevant distancing was being practised but up Lanka Private Bus Owners’ happening in the Colombo and urban issue before going on to the next, as guidelines. In fact, we have stakeholders in the transport sector, to now, no such complaints have been Association President Gemunu areas,” Ranawaka noted. it is folly to expect social distancing instructed the Police to stop but they failed to include us in their made. Only around eight to 10 people Wijeratne He added that to overcome the to be practised when the economy is buses at checkpoints and see discussions.” travel in the buses, according to the issue of losses due to low commuter reopened. if social distancing was being Meanwhile, Minister of Passenger reports we have received.” turnout, permission was being sought “The Government must contain practised but up to now, no Transport Mahinda Amaraweera However, the Minister too admitted He said a system was being enacted to operate between districts in the the virus. If that is the case, then the such complaints have been asserted that private buses were not that the buses were incurring where the number of employees from designated “green zones”. Government must instruct private made. Only around eight to permitted to operate at this time. significant losses across the board. a particular company taking the same “We are not able to cover even the buses not to run but they haven’t done 10 people travel in the buses, “We have only given public “CTB (Ceylon Transport Board) bus route would be determined to diesel cost through ticket sales due to that either. They are asking us to run according to the reports we have transport for essential services. is incurring heavy loses; around Rs. provide the company with a bus for low commuter numbers. The SLTB the buses but to also ensure social received Private buses are not allowed to 1 billion a month but nothing can daily transportation. will operate as we are a government distancing and other health guidelines Minister of Passenger Transport run and it’s the duty of the Police to be done. However, we will pay the “We have got email addresses of entity but the private buses are are adhered to. But this is impractical. Mahinda Amaraweera ensure that they don’t operate. Even salaries of the CTB employees,” various companies and government struggling at the moment. “For almost two months, bus tomorrow, private buses have not Amaraweera assured. institutes and have determined how “We have now asked that people be drivers and conductors have been been given permission to operate. He then divulged that the Ministry many private sector employees allowed to be seated according to the suffering because no opportunity He went on to say that private It is up to the Police to monitor that had sought permission to allow and government service employees number of seats, at least in the low- was given to the bus industry. The buses were incurring heavy daily situation. I was told that a private bus people to sit according to the number would be using public transport from risk zones. We have also asked that Government thinks that pensioners losses, running into the millions. which was illegally operating was of seats in a bus. tomorrow. buses be allowed to travel between and essential services employees are “There are around 20,000 private stopped and those involved were “There have been discussions with “Subsequently, we are hoping to districts. We are waiting on a decision enough to run the country, but people buses running around the island and penalised. The provincial councils are the health services to allow people to implement a system where around 20 from the health sector,” Ranawaka will come to the streets and make each bus makes about Rs. 3,000 responsible, but they haven’t given sit according to the number of seats. employees from the same company said.

BY SARAH HANNAN of drugs that were required; SHORTAGE OF PHARMACEUTICALS anaesthetics, non-communicable A shortage of some disease medication, antibiotics, and pharmaceuticals has come to light, medication for respiratory disease. with consumers also complaining Considering the health threat that they are unable to purchase imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, medication even from the private we have taken measures to order sector. Supply chain disrupted sufficient stocks,” SPC Chairman The Government Medical Dr. Prasanna Gunasena said. Officers’ Association (GMOA) has on several occasions in the z Restocking delayed due to z MSD admits to shortage of past few weeks also pointed to a shortage of certain essential travel restrictions several pharmaceuticals For the moment, we can pharmaceuticals. manage with the available It seems panic buying has imposed. This would have created this issue should clear up, Wilson stocks. However, if the travel affected the pharmaceutical an unexpected stock shortage. believes. restriction continues and we industry as well, since most However, there is no visible Medical Supplies Division fail to import the necessary government clinics shut its doors to shortage of pharmaceuticals in the (MSD) Director Dr. Kapila stocks, there will be a shortage patients after curfew was imposed. country at the moment,” Sri Lanka Wickramanayake, meanwhile, MSD Director Dr. Kapila On the instructions of the Ministry Chamber of the Pharmaceutical admitted that the there was a short Wickramanayake of Health, hospitals dispatched Industry (SLCPI) President Kasturi supply of certain brands. However, enough prescription medicine Chellaraja Wilson explained. with the alternative brands that to last two months, for persons Suppliers had not said that they are available, the shortage can be Procurement lapses routinely medicated. have insufficient stocks, but as a tackled. “For the moment, we can When The Sunday Morning While many who could afford result of border restrictions, they manage with the available stocks. inquired from Ministry of Health to were able to stock up on their would have delays in restocking However, if the travel restriction and Indigenous Medical Services medicines, some had to make do their inventory. continues and we fail to import the Secretary Bhadrani Jayawardena with medicine supplies sufficient Furthermore, Wilson assured necessary stocks, there will be a the reason behind the somewhat for just a week. that the international suppliers shortage.” frequent occurrence of drug have continued to supply the shortages, she said: “Shortages in necessary medicines to Sri Lanka refuse to release stocks going employ scientists for the task, 80% medicines and medical supplies do as required and as importers, forward. of the country’s pharmaceutical not take place suddenly. The public Considering the health threat they have not faced any issues “In such a situation, local requirement has to be fulfilled There isn’t going to be a needs to understand that there is a imposed by the Covid-19 so far. Manufacturers might face manufacturers will be asked to through imports. The State shortage in the private market, procurement process involved. The pandemic, we have taken shortages in sourcing active adjust pricing which will result in Pharmaceuticals Manufacture but the state sector might Ministry calls for tenders in the measures to order sufficient pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) the consumer having to pay high Corporation (SPMC) is only face a shortage as they have middle of the year and interested stocks during this period due to border prices for essential medicines. capable of producing 12-15% of defaulted and not paid for the suppliers are allowed to bid and the SPC Chairman Dr. Prasanna closures and would see delays in In the worst-case situation, the the requirement. stocks that were purchased. supplier that gets awarded the tender Gunasena their manufacturing processes. medicines will come through Wilson suggested that the State Mismanagement of their has to then supply the medicines or Even so, Sri Lanka will not illegal channels and consumers will Pharmaceuticals Corporation procurement process is to be medical instruments for the whole necessarily face a price increase have to pay exorbitant amounts to (SPC) should look at sourcing blamed of the following year.” Persons prescribed medication in essential drugs as most of the obtain medication,” Wilson opined. through local manufacturers. SLCPI President Kasturi According to Jayawardena, there for non-communicable diseases imported pharmaceuticals are price “There isn’t going to be a Chellaraja Wilson has been a lapse in the procurement (NCDs) and cancer treatment controlled. Local manufacturers shortage in the private market, process, and delays that are caused experienced a supply shortage The last price adjustment was in an option but the state sector might face a during the process are reflected in pertaining to some of their May 2019, and the next one was Since Sri Lanka’s pharmaceutical shortage as they have defaulted With the airports and seaports the ability to purchase the necessary medication over the past weeks. due on 1 May this year. Therefore, manufacturing industry is yet to and not paid for the stocks that opening routes for the movement pharmaceuticals on time. In 2019 With travel restricted, many were there is no price adjustment due improve its research facilities and were purchased. Mismanagement of essential goods, over the last two alone, the MSD and SPC had spent unable to obtain certain antibiotics to currency devaluations. The of their procurement process is to weeks, Sri Lanka received much- Rs. 20 billion over the allocated and other necessary medicines Government usually sets the rate be blamed, as they should focus on awaited shipments of medical budget to purchase medicines. prescribed. for price control purposes when sourcing from local manufacturers supplies and pharmaceuticals. She further stated that the The Sunday Morning spoke to purchasing pharmaceuticals; last Shortages in medicines and as much as possible. However, The SPC informed The Sunday procurement process is to be state and private entities to find year, the rate for tenders was Rs. medical supplies do not take local manufacturers at the moment Morning that 480 varieties of streamlined by the present out whether this issue has been 178. The Government should have place suddenly. The public are facing issues in sourcing APIs medicines have been ordered and Government with the assistance of resolved. adjusted it on 1 May this year and needs to understand that as they mainly rely on China, once the shipments arrive, the the relevant institutions, to avoid “Pharmacies would have run devalued the currency by about there is a procurement process which in return has affected their country will have pharmaceutical incurring losses and drug shortages out of their inventory as people 18%, stated Wilson. involved production.” supplies that would be enough for a in the future. were excessively purchasing their She shared that this would have Ministry of Health Secretary With the border restrictions six-month period. All attempts to contact the prescription drugs to last a period been a policy decision; it could Bhadrani Jayawardena being somewhat relaxed, allowing “Out of the 310 essential drugs, GMOA and the Minister of Health of two months once the curfew was impact imports if the suppliers essential goods to be transported, we have received 300 varieties proved futile. 6 the sunday morning ECONOMY Sunday, May 10, 2020

Sri Lanka is facing a serious shortage of fertiliser due to excess land cultivation and a shortage of certain crops as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and longstanding economic issues, The Sunday Morning learnt. Currently, farmers are lamenting over the fertiliser shortage with unions charging that a mafia is causing an artificial shortage to increase their profits. All Island Farmers’ Federation (AIFF) National Organiser Namal Karunaratne told The Sunday Morning that he had spoken with the Director of the Fertiliser Secretariat, who had claimed that there is no fertiliser shortage for paddy, adding that there is however a problem with distribution FERTILISER MAFIA AND SEED SHORTAGE and a small shortage of fertiliser for other crops such as vegetables. “This is their side. But in reality, they have reduced mud fertiliser by 50% as well as MOP (potassium DEBT INTEREST IN 2019 NEARLY HALF OF GOVT. REVENUE chloride) and urea by 5% in No growth comparison with the last Yala season. The Fertiliser Secretariat says the reason for this is to meet the PH balance of soil. We won’t go to question this because these chemical fertilisers harm the soil when used in spurt for Debt noose excess,” Karunaratne said. Refuting the Government’s position, he asserted there was in fact a shortage. “Regardless of what the Fertiliser Secretariat is saying, the paddy farmer agri sector has not received fertiliser and so they are using mud fertiliser. But this z Govt. denies z Farmers tightens fertiliser is useless after the paddy has been planted. Urea must be used two shortages dismiss claim z Govt. revenue insufficient z Further borrowing may be weeks after the plants have sprouted, to pay interest: Govt. a solution: Economist and again after four weeks. The different types of fertiliser must be – the latter is not essential. There is a “Big onions are mainly grown in the BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA going into further debt. There applied at certain stages, so there is no huge mafia behind this and the private Districts of Anuradhapura including are certain expenditures point of receiving the fertiliser after companies are the key players,” he Kekirawa, Jaffna, and Kurunegala With the government foreign debt interest alone that have been curtailed this period is over,” he pointed out. emphasised, adding that a similar scam especially Polpithigama, along with accounting for more than half of state revenue in despite borrowings; public is being done to consumers by various other areas. In the Matale District, 2019 and the Government expecting to borrow investment is not happening. sellers. Dambulla, Sigiriya, and Galewela are more to meet the debt obligations, experts warn We’ve had additional costs Karunaratne said that they would particularly popular regions for big such as the Rs. 5,000 voucher rename normal keeri samba rice as onion cultivation. But in recent years, of the need to refrain from defaulting as the Urea, MOP, and TSP (triple super consequences would result in an economic collapse. we have been given. The “supiri keeri samba” and sell at a higher farmers have been giving up big onion budget deficit this time will phosphate) fertilisers are to be sold price to get around the fixed price for farming and moving to other crops,” he According to the recently means the revenue is not be much higher because at Rs. 20 per kilogramme and a 50 these types of rice. said. released Central Bank of enough to do the current of the revenue shortfall, kg bundle of fertiliser is (priced at) “There is no grain called ‘supiri keeri Sri Lanka (CBSL) Annual business including the but the cushion coming Rs. 1,000. But the problem is that samba’. There is keeri samba. Similarly, Report for the year 2019, interest. Even if you take out from the public investment vendors mix these three fertilisers there is no ‘supiri nadu’. There is nadu. and sell them at higher prices the outstanding Central the interest, the primary is slowing down and certain The sellers use different names so they The long-term solution is to go Government debt increased also a negative because there recurrent expenditures is not AIFF National Organiser could sell normal keeri samba and nadu Namal Karunaratne for local organic fertiliser and the by 8.3% to Rs. 13.031 is a revenue shortfall. So we happening.” at higher prices than the Government Government is already beginning trillion at the end of 2019, in have to borrow and pay. We The Treasury Secretary control price,” Karunaratne said. such a programme comparison to the outstanding will not dishonour it. We will then went on to say the Fooling the farmer The big B onion issue Secretary to the Ministry of debt at the end of 2018 which be paying somehow,” he said. Government is in discussion Agriculture Neil Bandara Hapuhinna stood at Rs. 12 trillion. with several international Karunaratne said that while paddy With regard to the big onion shortage, The debt-to-GDP (gross organisations for financial farmers would receive fertiliser Karunaratne said reasons are threefold: domestic product) ratio assistance including a budget from the Government eventually, the High price of big onions, natural causes In the last Yala harvest, although increased to 86.8% at the end This is a bigger financial support programme worth vegetables farmers are forced to find such as weather, and the spread of the around 2,500 hectares in the Matale of 2019 from 83.7% at the issue for the Government $ 300 million from Asian and purchase fertiliser, thus falling kalanduru weed. District alone was cultivated with end of 2018. and the country to Development Bank (ADB). victim to various scams. He said big onions, farmers had lost more In 2019, the Government face this year. The “We have discussed this that due to this fertiliser shortage, Army cultivates arid land than 1,000 hectares. Despite the incurred a loss of Rs. 901.3 Government will have (financial assistance) with vegetable farmers have to buy fertiliser Government’s efforts to increase the billion as interest payments to to do further borrowing multinationals such as at exorbitant prices despite the The Army’s initiative to cultivate arid size of these farmlands, it had not been service its debt obligations. and also there may be ADB, Asian Infrastructure Government-imposed control price for and unused land saw its first harvest at successful. The foremost reasons for The Central Bank Annual friendly countries. The Investment Bank (AIIB), fertiliser. the end of April this year. the loss of land is the high price of Report also revealed that Government has already and the Organisation of “Urea, MOP, and TSP (triple super Some 12 acres of unused land onions and the farmers being unable to the share of foreign debt as negotiated with India the Petroleum Exporting phosphate) fertilisers are to be sold at adjacent to the newly built Army sell their harvest as a result of erratic a percentage of GDP rose and China and there Countries – they will support Rs. 20 per kilogramme and a 50 kg Headquarters in Sri Jayewardenepura whether conditions. to 42.6% in 2019 while are negotiations ongoing us but all this will take some bundle of fertiliser is (priced at) Rs. had been cultivated and its first harvest “There wasn’t a good price for interest payments on foreign with the International time. ADB has pledged a $ 1,000. But the problem is that vendors was done on 30 April. big onions. Another reason was that debt increased by 16.9% Monetary Fund 300 million budget support mix these three fertilisers and sell them Addressing the occasion, Army several harvests in the recent years to Rs. 248.6 billion due Senior economist Prof. programme. We are also in at higher prices, circumventing the Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva were ruined due to natural causes to the increasing foreign Sirimal Abeyratne talks with AIIB and they also control price set by the Government, commended the initiative, saying: such as bad weather and diseases. As commercial borrowing during provide funding. The World Karunaratne explained. “The entire process of cultivation and a result, about 75% of the harvests that year. Bank has already pledged He said they would rename the harvesting was done solely by Army were ruined. There was an instance It must be noted that He asserted that the $ 128 million and India has mixed fertiliser types to escape the personnel. This paddy harvest will be where one farmer committed suicide interest payments were Constitution allowed the agreed in principle to defer Government price restrictions on utilised for the nation’s needs.” after being unable to repay his debt the single largest recurrent President to issue a Vote our foreign debt to a period of fertiliser. A unique feature of this cultivation is because he couldn’t sell his harvest,” expenditure accounting for on Account for the first three years.” “They’ll call it by various names such that no chemicals or artificial substances he stressed. 39.2% of total recurrent three months after the new Concerning the possibility as chilli fertiliser, yaramila fertiliser, have been used. Karunaratne went on to say the expenditure and equal Parliament’s first sitting. of introducing additional vegetable fertiliser, etc. and sell these Secretary to the Ministry of recent ban on certain imported to 47.7% of government “The Constitution says the taxes to increase government mixed fertilisers at high prices as there Agriculture Neil Bandara Hapuhinna chemical weedicides was also a reason revenue in 2019. President, when there is no revenue, Attygalle said the is no control price for fertilisers other said it was a completely voluntary for the decline in big onion cultivation. Parliament, can issue a Vote economy and the masses than for urea, MOP, and TSP.” programme and the project would “As a result of banning weedicides, Debt obligation will on Account for three months must be first allowed to Karunaratne then pointed out that properly kick start when ample seeds farmers ended up either having no be honoured from the first sitting of the recover before adding more 90% of the fertiliser industry is run by are made available. proper way to control weeds or being Secretary to the Treasury new Parliament. This means tax burdens. the private sector and that a mafia is “It is a volunteer programme by forced to buy weedicides on the black S.R. Attygalle, speaking if the election is held on 20 preying on innocent farmers. He said the Army. Some camps have already market for exorbitant prices,” he said. to The Sunday Morning, June and Parliament sits on The Government is another scam when selling fertiliser is started. The programme will properly He said the regions where big accepted that government 5 July, the President can go in discussion with to compel farmers to purchase more start when they get the seeds. But some onions are cultivated the most were revenue was insufficient to for a Vote on Account till 5 several international than one type of fertilisers. camps are already cultivating manioc Sigiriya and neighbouring Kimbissa, repay even the interest of October – that is until a new organisations for “For example, if a farmer wants to and sweet potato. Once they fulfil the but those areas have been overrun foreign debt, assuring the government is formed, a financial assistance buy a bundle of urea, then he must also seed requirements, they will go ahead by the kalanduru weed, which has Government would honour finance minister is appointed, including a budget buy 10 kg of yaramila fertiliser which with that,” Hapuhinna said. caused a shortage in big onion seeds all debt commitments. and a budget is presented. support programme is priced at Rs. 165 per kilogramme coupled with the unavailability of the “There definitely is a The Vote on Account will worth $ 300 million from imported weedicides. He said that current account deficit. That come into effect on 1 June,” Asian Development Bank PHOTOS PRADEEP DAMBARAGE kalanduru, once it infects a cultivation, he explained. is impossible to remove without Attygalle went on to say “With regard to future tax, damaging the crop unless there are that the government revenue we have to first let the people proper weedicides. The revenue was not had always been negative breathe after this pandemic is Noting that the big onion seed centre enough to do recurrent even before the ongoing over. The new Government is in Kimbissa, he said it had affected expenditure even before pandemic brought the came in with the intention of the overall seed supply of the country. coronavirus. So even economy to a standstill and reviving economic growth, Contd. on page 12 paying the public sector that the Government would so we took steps such as salaries had to be done have to continue borrowing reducing VAT (Value-Added by going into further for debt servicing as well as Tax) from 15% to 8%. When debt. There are certain expenditure. this pandemic is over, things Between 1 and 30 May, 45,000 expenditures that have “We will have to borrow. A won’t turn around instantly. metric tonnes of urea will arrive been curtailed despite deficit means we will have to Growth will take time. The in addition to the 15,000 metric borrowings; public borrow. We have always been economy must run for at least tonnes of other subsidised fertiliser. investment is not borrowing for many years. six months afterwards and In total, around 60,000 metric happening The revenue was not enough the global economy must tonnes of fertiliser would be to do recurrent expenditure pick up. After that, if there is Secretary to the Treasury imported even before coronavirus. So excess, then we will introduce S.R. Attygalle National Fertiliser Secretariat even paying the public sector new taxes,” he said. Director Mahesh Gammanpila salaries had to be done by Contd. on page 12 the sunday morning 37 Sunday, May 10, 2020 ECONOMY

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA The coronavirus pandemic is Unlike in the previous global financial expected to cause thousands crisis, which had no effect on the more Sri Lankans to lose their developing countries like Sri Lanka jobs/livelihoods, leaving many because of the capital inflow to of them stranded due to the lack developing countries from developed of state unemployment benefits, countries, all countries will be hit by economists warned. what is happening in the world CBSL Monetary Policy Consultative According to them, the worst-affected Committee Chairman formal sectors include tourism, automotive, Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne apparel, services, and almost all businesses relying on imports and exports. month, who have received less or no wages, Senior economist and former Central and also those who depend on the plantation Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Deputy industry. were among those eligible for the Governor Dr. W.A. Wijewardena predicted allowance. that the rapid spread of the disease around In addition, the CBSL, acting on the world would delay the recovery of these instructions given by the Government, sectors for many months to come. initiated a debt moratorium to provide relief Although part of the country remained to affected individuals. However, a number opened for the past two weeks under several of serious concerns have been raised against restrictions, a majority of small, medium, the programme as a majority of the business and large-scale businesses were yet to restart community claimed that the process was their operations due to the lack of credit ECONOMIC CRISIS delayed and that awaiting relief, their lines and the inability to pay employees’ businesses would collapse. salaries. In the meantime, the Department of In this backdrop, Dr. Wijewardena Labour has recently launched an e-survey claimed that the longer the lockdown and/ for private sector establishments affected by or curfew remained, the longer it would take the Covid-19 pandemic. for sectors to recover. The e-survey requires details ranging After analysing the business climate over from the nature of the business to the total the past few weeks, economists believe that number of employees employed as at the the Government needs to take initiative to WORST IS end of February; if the business is open, strengthen the entire business community as the total number of employees working well as the private sector, in order to resume at present; reasons for the establishment operations while protecting those employed closing or for partial operation; and in in the sectors. the case of the business closing down, if Meanwhile, another senior economist they expect to reopen and reasons for not warned that the Government would have to reopening. face a series of crises after ending its battle zYET Thousands in the informal TOz Businessmen claim promisedCOME z Govt. proposed solutions to ensure Other information required ranges from against the coronavirus pandemic. sector to lose livelihood relief not delivered protection of livelihoods whether companies have already terminated According to social analysts, the negative their permanent/probationary/contract/part- and most disturbing impact would be massive losses are expected across different the world economic crisis as most of the time/casual employees and how many, to unemployment. They claimed the higher the income groups but especially in upper economies around the world were integrated inquiring about whether the company has unemployment in the country, the greater middle-income countries, of 7%, translating The foreign reserves have been built with one another. any plans to reduce/terminate employees the social issues for which the Government to 100 million full-time workers. simply by borrowing and there has been “The world economy will go into in the future due to the impact of Covid-19 will have to find solutions. Informal sector hardest hit a massive trade deficit. As a result, recession this year and the Sri Lankan and how many; if steps had been taken to In addition to those employed in the the rupee has been depreciating. The economy, which is also integrated with pay employees the April salary even if the formal sectors, daily wage earners are also Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Dr. budgets have not been managed well the global economy, will have to face business had been closed; and if the business severely affected. As of now, thousands Wijewardena stressed that a massive CBSL Deputy Governor consequences. Unlike in the previous global is to remain closed in the upcoming months, of daily wage earners have had no work number of enterprises the majority of Sri financial crisis, which had no effect on the how they expect to pay workers who have Dr. W.A. Wijewardena over the past two months, making them Lankans are engaged in have been ignored developing countries like Sri Lanka because been made to stay at home. financially vulnerable. by the Government. of the capital inflow to developing countries The Labour Department is also seeking He highlighted that tailor shops, stressed that providing concessions has from developed countries, all countries will information on companies’ financial losses A global issue welding shops, caterers, and the like are been a pattern throughout the globe, but be hit by what is happening in the world,” as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic from According to the International Labour not categorised as micro businesses or the capacity of the Government to deliver Prof. Abeyratne stressed. January to the end of March, and also Organisation (ILO), the Covid-19 crisis is even SMEs (small and medium-sized is very limited. Elaborating on the issues projected financial losses from April to the expected to wipe out 6.7% of working hours enterprises); these industries have not been faced by large and SME businessmen, Govt.’s solutions end of June. It also requires information on globally in the second quarter of 2020 — welcomed by the formal banking sector and Sri Lanka Trade Development Council Meanwhile, the Government’s measure in whether businesses applied for/obtained equivalent to 195 million fulltime workers. haven’t been captured in the concessionary (SLTDC) Chairman Roshana Waduge told the form of a relief distribution programme loans granted by the Government at the It stated that more than four out of five package announced by the Government. The Sunday Morning that the Government initiated in March, since the outbreak of interest rate of 4%, to support working people (81%) in the global workforce of As explained by Dr. Wijewardena, all was yet to deliver the promises made to the the coronavirus, in order to minimise the capital, and also their expectations from the 3.3 billion were currently affected by full or macroeconomic indicators have been falling business community. negative impacts caused by Covid-19, has State in terms of minimising the impact of partial workplace closures. and the economy has been stagnating. For businesses, as claimed by Waduge, encountered its fair share of issues. the pandemic on their businesses. As highlighted by the ILO, the substantial “The foreign reserves have been built the need of the hour was financial support, So far, it has provided a monthly relief Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Skills reductions in employment were foreseen in simply by borrowing and there has been a as they couldn’t wait another month as allowance of Rs. 5,000 for destitute families Development, Employment, and Labour Arab countries with 8.1% or five million massive trade deficit. As a result, the rupee many of them have to pay salaries to around for the month of April, which will also be Relations Minister fulltime employees, Europe with 7.8% or 12 has been depreciating. The budgets have 50-100 employees or more. paid for the month of May, starting Monday. said that the private institutions had agreed million fulltime workers, and Asia and the not been managed well, even though the He also questioned the necessity of The President’s Office assured that people to ensure the safety of all employees and not Pacific with 7.2% or 125 million fulltime past governments promised to bring down providing financial support once the who qualified as beneficiaries and were on lay off any private sector employees due to workers. the budget deficit to 4% of GDP (gross business had already collapsed. waiting lists would receive this allowance the pandemic situation. According to the international body, the domestic product),” he stressed. Meanwhile, CBSL Monetary Policy for the month of May. All private sector institutions are sectors most at risk include accommodation Highlighting the announcements made by Consultative Committee Chairman Prof. The circular issued by the President’s scheduled to recommence operations from and food services, manufacturing, retail, and the Government on providing concessions to Sirimal Abeyratne stressed that Sri Lanka Office stated that the families that receive this week, while adhering to the health business and administrative activities, while the affected communities, Dr. Wijewardena would also have to face the impacts of pension payments of less than Rs. 5,000 per guidelines issued by the Government.

and cultural days, and also seasonal our life for the rest of the year. This activities such as the fiestas that year, we surely will struggle as we take place in Nuwara Eliya during We buy this inventory on loans. were not able to sell a single pot or the month of April; these are but We have incurred heavy losses, lamp.” a few instances when these small but will have to pay the loans we Flower pickers and vendors in businesses earn large portions of took despite having no income Anuradhapura and Mahiyanganaya their annual income. over the past two months said that it is during April-June that The cultivators of flowers to floral A vendor near they are able to earn the most. But business; the flower picker to the Hakgala Botanical Gardens due to the curfew, they have not flower vendor who supplies flowers been able to earn a cent this year. as offerings at temples; the clay “We do not have any field to miner to the potter; and the harvester “We buy this inventory on loans. cultivate in this area and can only of palm leaves to the weaver of We have incurred heavy losses, pick flowers and sell to the flower palm leaf hats, have felt the chain but will have to pay the loans we shops that are in the vicinity of the reaction of losing business over the took despite having no income over Mahiyangana Raja Maha Vihara. past six weeks. the past two months,” one of the We sell each flower at about Rs. Along with reports of the many vendors lamented. 4 or Rs. 5, but the flower shops affected by the virus, we also came The pottery industry in Uva sell flowers at Rs. 25 each. Even across reports from across the Paranagama and Horana brings in the little amount that we earn country on how the pandemic is a considerable amount of earnings has now stopped coming in as crippling the personal finances of during April and May as many there are no people visiting the many families, gradually disabling purchase new pots to prepare milk temple,” a flower picker from the country’s economy and lowering rice for Avurudu and a lot of clay Mahiyanganaya said. RURAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN DIRE STRAITS the gross domestic product (GDP). lamps get sold during Vesak in In Ethumalpitiya, Polonnaruwa, May. However, this year, these 150 families are engaged in Suffering across the island industries could not make any producing palm leaf hats which Fifty shops in the vicinity of profits due to the travel restrictions are favoured among locals as well The forgotten people Hakgala Botanical Gardens have and the difficulty in supplying any as foreigners. There had been a lost business due to curfew and of the products to other cities. high demand for these hats across z Cottage industries heavily impacted travel restrictions. Shop owners said “We have pawned all our gold the island prior to the Covid- that most of their inventory has now jewellery. And have also taken 19 pandemic. However, travel BY SARAH HANNAN these two months could allow them obtain a loan would be considered expired and perished. loans to purchase the necessary restrictions have now hindered this to sort their finances for the rest of a longshot as they do not have the raw materials to make these lamps, business. The season, starting from the the year, thereby enabling them to necessary paperwork nor do they fall pots, and vases. But with the first week of April which trickles pay off any loans they took pawning under the low-income categories, pandemic, we have not been able What’s being done?

through to the first week of June gold or via microfinance schemes. which then also disqualifies them Once these issues have been to sell any of these things,” a potter The Industrial Development owing to the Sinhala and Tamil New However, these small enterprises to apply for schemes such as reported, the Government will from Uva Paranagama said. Board (IDB) will meet with officials Year, Vesak commemorations, and were overlooked by the Government Samurdhi. look into those areas and make Echoing similar sentiments, a of the Ministry of Industries and religious and seasonal activities, is when they announced relief Over the past weeks, many certain adjustments to the welfare potter from Horana added: “These Supply Chain Management as well considered the busiest months for packages to assist in the current small enterprises were expecting to sector and accommodate them are the peak months for our as other state institutions next week many in the cottage industries of the climate. For those engaged in the directly and indirectly benefit from Government Spokesperson business and whatever earnings to discuss the challenges the local country. cottage industries, going to an tourism – both local and foreign during this period allow us to pay industries are facing at present. Their capability to earn during established financial institution to – activities surrounding religious off the loans and then continue with Contd. on page 14 the sunday morning 9 Sunday, May 10, 2020 EDITORIAL/POLITICS

The meeting with the former last Monday (4), differed the decision parliamentarians, convened by following the issues raised over the legality Prime Minister (PM) Mahinda of nominations. Rajapaksa on Monday (4), was Therefore, the Commission is also Navigating the attended by all former MPs of expected to discuss the matter of issuing the governing party. The Tamil numbers to candidates at Tuesday’s new normal National Alliance (TNA) was meeting. the largest group to attend the Weighing between definite Nevertheless, the issue of nominations With Sri Lanka easing its lockdown restrictions starting tomorrow meeting out of the Opposition apart, the fate of the 20 June general (11), amidst the discovery of new Covid-19 cases on a daily basis, the political parties. elections hangs in the balance, in the hands real battle to contain the virus as well as resurrect the crashed economy of the SC, due to the brewing constitutional is only just beginning. A total of 16 political parties had crisis. The biggest concern is to ensure that a second wave does not take attended the meeting. However, the United place as has been the case in many countries that successfully contained National Party (UNP), Janatha Vimukthi Mangala strikes again the virus the first time. Countries like Singapore, , and Peramuna (JVP), and Samagi Jana Former Minister Mangala Samaraweera South Korea did well in round one but have faced huge challenges in Balawegaya (SJB) did not attend. on Tuesday (5), sending another letter round two. Former President elections and indefinite date to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has Sri Lanka has modelled its virus response on the lines of the Chinese arrived a little late and attended the z z challenged the President seeking an example with a strict lockdown and stringent safety protocols. While meeting as a former parliamentarian. Petitions mount before SC pushing for reconvening of Parliament EC to meet on Tuesday to decide fate of 2020 general election explanation and to prove the constitutional the majority of the people have adhered to the precautions, a sizeable The PM had invited all former authority he and his Government possess number have chosen to ignore the guidelines. If Sri Lanka was to model parliamentarians, including those who had to authorise and incur public expenditure its reopening also on the Chinese example, then it would be apparent represented the legislature in the past while from 30 April 2020. that the road ahead is anything but smooth. Opposition political parties of the last Samaraweera made these remarks in a Wuhan, the Chinese epicentre of Covid-19 which gradually reopened Parliament issued statements claiming they letter addressed to President’s Secretary at the beginning of April, is struggling to find its feet a month later. would not be attending the meeting. Dr. P.B. Jayasundera. The former Finance When the lockdown was eased, it was widely anticipated that shops and At the outset of the meeting held at Minister had first written to the President businesses would reopen, factories would begin production, and public Temple Trees, the TNA lobbied PM on 28 April requesting Parliament be transport would return to normal, but very little of that has happened. Rajapaksa about the importance of reconvened to find a solution to the Instead, people are finding themselves out of jobs, entrepreneurs are reconvening the dissolved Parliament to impending constitutional crisis. He finding themselves struggling for survival, shops are closing because deal with several constitutional and legal received a response letter on the 30 April owners can no longer afford to pay high rents, factories are idling due issues which have arisen. by Dr. Jayasundera. to lack of consumption, and the end result is an economy heading into The party also reiterated the stance it In his letter to Dr. Jayasundera, the recession – something that has not happened in decades. took in signing the joint statement issued former Finance Minister charged that there With an imminent full-blown conflagration between Beijing and by the Opposition political parties recently, is no appropriation bill or vote on account Washington, there is every prospect that Sri Lanka and the other emerging that their MPs’ support would be publicly duly passed by Parliament for public economies will become collateral damage in this war of attrition. How pledged towards the Government’s relief spending after 30 April 2020 and that the our leaders play this out will inevitably decide our revival prospects. efforts and they wouldn’t attempt to President may override fiscal powers of It is no secret that the decision to open tomorrow has been heavily undermine the stability of the regime. Parliament and authorise expenditure from influenced by the Government’s resolution to go ahead with the Rajapaksa said that the proposals made the Consolidated Fund only for a period general election on 20 June. With the Election Commission (EC) by the former MPs would be taken into PHOTOS PRADEEP DAMBARAGE of three months after the convening of a requesting a minimum of 35 days to prepare for the poll, the schedule consideration when taking necessary Prime Minister presiding over a meeting of former MPs at Temple Trees last week new parliament consequent to a general ahead is a tight fit. However, the date now depends on the outcome of measures in the future. election. litigation initiated by at least half a dozen individuals and parties that The senior representative of the State commenced a dialogue with the The TNA noted the need to address been made – public commitments have UNP led by , He added that under Article 150 (4) of have filed fundamental rights (FR) applications in the Supreme Court Intelligence Service (SIS), Health Services International Monetary Fund (IMF) for outstanding issues, including been made to the country and to the maintained that it would not go before the Constitution, the President is otherwise (SC) seeking to annul the dissolution of Parliament and declaration of Director General, Prime Minister’s emergency financial support. issues faced by the Tamils and the international community – in regard to the SC or take any other action to oppose only authorised to issue and spend from elections based on the unconducive environment brought about by the Secretary, Treasury Secretary, and the IMF Director – Communications enactment of a new constitution, how this issue would be addressed and the Government’s decisions to dissolve the Consolidated Fund for expenditure Covid-19 pandemic. members of the Covid-19 Task Force also Department Gerry Rice during a press apart from focusing on the crisis concluded in an acceptable way. Parliament or hold the 2020 general incurred in holding a general election. Be that as it may, the already delayed election has actually been a participated in the meeting to brief the briefing on Thursday (7) said: “We have resulting from the coronavirus... 5. The support of the international election, the SJB, led by former Opposition “Except for the above and the provisions blessing in disguise as it has provided a window for people to think and former MPs, address their concerns, and the received a request from the Sri Lankan However, the TNA emphasised that community was obtained on the basis of Leader , has filed an of Article 150 (3), there is no other reflect on who best should represent them in the new parliament, which answer their queries on issues ranging from Government (GoSL) for emergency the meeting summoned by the such commitments. These commitments FR petition before the Apex Court last provision in the Constitution that allows will arguably have the toughest job in the country’s post-Independence Covid-19 to financial management. black box financial support, under the rapid financing Prime Minister was not and cannot have to be kept in the interests of Wednesday (6). the President to exercise his authority be a substitute for convening history in getting the economy back on track. The health authorities had made a by Capt. Vasabha instrument.” national peace, regional peace, and world The petitioners have requested that the to withdraw and spend funds from the At the time we gained independence in 1948, Ceylon was Asia’s presentation to the former legislators on He further noted that the IMF will be Parliament peace. It would otherwise appear that court invalidate the Gazette notification Consolidated Fund for public services,” reigning star. But, with the exit of the British, that show didn’t last long. the current situation of Covid-19 in the The US on Wednesday (6) announced working in close co-ordination with the the meeting summoned by the Prime the international community was also issued by the President to dissolve Samaraweera added. We certainly didn’t waste time in losing the plot with the events that country, while the Intelligence Chief had the commitment of more than $ 4.5 million GoSL to assess all relevant factors related Minister was not and cannot be a substitute deceived to betray the Tamil people who Parliament and the special Gazette “Therefore, my letter to the President transpired just eight years later in 1956. It has been all downhill ever assured that the second and third contacts to help Sri Lanka in its fight against Covid- to that request. for convening the Parliament. “We are were the victims. notification issued by the EC on holding emphasised that only Parliament can since. The British for their convenience had a divide and rule strategy of the infected persons have been identified 19. This brings the total US contribution to “I can also say that the Sri Lankan of the firm view that Parliament must be the general election on 20 June, as the lawfully authorise spending of public so that we natives were busy fighting each other rather than them. After and steps had been taken to isolate or $ 5.8 million. authorities also expressed interest in a convened as stated in our joint statement to More petitions coronavirus pandemic continues to spread funds from 30 April 2020, up to the date Independence, our politicians simply could not see the bigger picture or quarantine them. “This assistance continues the long range of options for future engagement deal with several constitutional and legal Former President Maithripala Sirisena and Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the former throughout the country. on which Parliament is summoned to meet against polls MPs meeting in some instances simply did not want to, and the seeds of dissension Special attention had been given to tradition of US support for Sri Lanka’s with the Fund, and, in this context, again, issues that have arisen, which Parliament The petition has been filed by SJB again. Although the Election Commission that were sown between communities rather than being uprooted, were the distribution of Rs. 5,000 among low- security and sovereignty,” said US we’re discussing the authority’s intention alone can deal with.” Meanwhile, the number of fundamental to be held on 20 June 2020. fundamental rights under Articles 12 (1) General Secretary Ranjith Madduma has announced that the general election allowed to fester and grow. The rest is well-documented history. income families and the issues faced in Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. to replace the extended fund facility The memorandum handed over to the rights (FR) petitions filed before the Issuing a press statement, the CPA and 14 (1) (a) of the Constitution have Bandara. will be held on 20 June 2020, the date Covid-19 has presented an unprecedented second chance at redemption distributing it across the country. Teplitz. “Over the past 20 years, US arrangement that they had with the rapid Prime Minister included the following Supreme Court (SC) seeking the said: “Articles 70 and 33 (2) (c) of the been violated,” the statement read. The Attorney General (AG) representing on which the new Parliament shall be for politicians to put aside petty politics and unify in the national interest, Several MPs from most parties present assistance in Sri Lanka has totalled more financing instrument,” Rice added. assertions: nullification of several gazettes connected Constitution permit the President to Meanwhile, Ivan was joined by T.M. the President, EC Chairman Mahinda convened has not yet been declared but it seems that the same forces that destroyed prosperous Ceylon are also voiced their concerns over the forcible than $ 1 billion, including $ 26 million for 1. The Pandemic – the coronavirus – to the pending parliamentary elections saw dissolve Parliament prior to the completion Premawardana, Prof. Anton Meemana, Deshapriya, and its members N.J. officially.” still very much alive, playing the same deadly games and in the process, use of schools by military personnel. health.” TNA meets MR has been gradually escalating. Much a drastic increase. of its five-year term, after the passage of A.M. Jiffry, S. Sivagurunathan, Mahinda Abeysekara and Ratnajeevan Hoole have He further noted that Parliament has full pushing the country further into the doldrums. The Premier listened to their concerns, This assistance, channelled through the After the meeting at Temple Trees more needs to be done to eradicate it The previous week saw Attorney-at- four-and-a-half years from its first sitting. Hattaka, M.S. Jayakodi, and Dr. been named as respondents. control over public finances in terms of The time has now come for people to take matters into their hands had aides take detailed notes of specific United States Agency for International last Monday, the TNA met with the completely from our country, there is Law Charitha Gunaratne filing an FR The President used this power to dissolve H.D.S.F.D. Hearth in filing yet another The petition filed by Vidanapathirana Article 148 of the Constitution. through the democratic process and throw out the elements that instances, and stated that the Government Development (USAID), includes $ 2 Prime Minister at his official residence a legitimate fear amongst the people petition before the SC seeking to quash the Eighth Parliament on 2 March 2020 by petition before court. Associates points out that according to Following is the text of Samaraweera’s have destroyed the country from within. In 40 days, they have the was generally aware of these issues and million to increase social services for on Wijerama Mawatha in Colombo that it could further escalate with grave the decision of the Election Commission Gazette Extraordinary No. 2165/8 and fix These petitioners have stated that the the Constitution, there is a provision that letter: opportunity to elect a new set of representatives who can stop the would look into specific cases and take the areas and populations most impacted and reiterated its offer to support to the consequences. The country’s united (EC) to hold elections on 20 June and to 25 April 2020 as the date for election of the Eighth Parliament was dissolved and/ the next new parliament should be held “Regarding your reply to my letter to HE rot. This fundamental fact is what will shape Sri Lanka’s destiny for required measures. by the crisis, and support for activities Government to address key national issues. efforts are needed in this regard. prevent parliamentary elections from being Ninth Parliament. This was despite the fact or purportedly dissolved on or about 2 within three months from the date of the the President on 28 April 2020. generations to come. Those elected will be the ones who will either Meanwhile, a statement issued by the that build social cohesion. Another $ The offer was repeated in a 2. At all national elections over the past held altogether, allowing the Executive to that Covid-19 was spreading across the March 2020; 25 April was nominated and/ dissolution of Parliament, which was 2 It is regrettable to note that your reply to make or break this nation in the unforgiving, dog-eat-dog world that Prime Minister’s Office stated that Premier 2 million will strengthen small and memorandum submitted by the TNA 25 years since 1994, over five terms rule unilaterally until the Covid-19 case world, and Sri Lanka too was taking steps or purportedly nominated as the date for March. my letter addressed to HE the President on will unfold in the post-Covid-19 era. Let’s hope that profound thought Rajapaksa had told the former MPs that medium enterprises and increase women’s directly to the Prime Minister at this of both Parliament and presidency, subsides. to combat it. elections, and the new Parliament was However, the EC's decision to postpone 28 April 2020, requesting that Parliament will sink in for the electors. the country had not received any foreign economic participation. As part of the discussion. the people have in the exercise of However, last week saw the Centre “The declaration of Covid-19 as a summoned and/or purportedly summoned the election until 20 June due to its be reconvened conditionally to resolve It has been speculated that the pandemic will be around for up to two financial aid for the Covid-19 activities in newly announced assistance, the US is In the memorandum, the TNA noted their sovereignty – their franchise, for Policy Alternatives (CPA) and its pandemic, and its rapid spread resulted to meet on 14 May 2020 in terms of inability to prepare for or hold the elections the crises constitutionally and to approve years and around 70% of the global population could be infected at the country. also providing $ 590,000 in humanitarian the need to address outstanding issues, rejected the 1978 Constitution, and Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy in the Election Commission making Gazette Extraordinary No. 2165/8 of 2 amidst the Covid-19 pandemic situation, public expenditure does not address the some point or the other in the absence of a vaccine. The fallout of this However, Finance Ministry Secretary assistance that will support vulnerable including issues faced by the Tamils and given a mandate for the enactment of Saravanamuttu, senior journalist and a decision to postpone the election. March 2020. coupled with the President’s firm vow to pertinent issues mentioned in the letter is two years of global economic misery followed by a global economic S.R. Attygalle had stated that financial aid people during the pandemic. the enactment of a new constitution, apart a new constitution, encompassing all activist Victor Ivan, together with seven Thereafter, on 20 April 2020, the The EC's decision to postpone the never reconvene the former Parliament but instead, refers to some other external war that will decimate the weak and sustain the smart. worth $ 127 million offered by the World This new assistance builds on the $ from focusing on the crisis resulting from three components of their sovereignty other members of civil society and the SJB, Commission issued Gazette Extraordinary election until 20 June due to its under any circumstances, has resulted matters of no consequence. It is, in fact, Therefore, the writing is on the wall. It is only a parliament that will Bank (WB) would be received in the near 1.3 million in health assistance the US the coronavirus. – powers of governance – including filing four more petitions before the SC No. 2172/3 fixing the election for 20 June inability to prepare for or hold in a constitutional crisis that requires the unbecoming of a senior public official of spawn a capable, credible, qualified, experienced, go-getter government future and that it would be utilised to cover Embassy announced on 9 April, which is “We are prepared to extend our legislative executive and judicial pushing for the reconvening of Parliament 2020. the elections amidst the Covid-19 intervention of the SC. your stature to send a political reply with that will save the day for the nation. Every country in the world will the expenses of the Health Ministry and the helping the Government prepare laboratory co-operation to the resolution of these power – fundamental rights, and their and revoking the 2 March decision to “The Gazette by which the Eighth pandemic situation, coupled with no basis with the objective and intention of be compelled to utilise their best brains to ensure economic survival. Covid-19 eradication campaign. systems, activate case-finding and event- issues in a reasonable and acceptable franchise. This mandate of the people in dissolve Parliament. Furthermore, former Parliament was dissolved fixed the date for the President’s firm vow to never AG responds to EC defaming the past Government to conceal This is the first time in history where traditional politicians will have It was the US that responded based surveillance, and support technical manner in the interests of the country and the exercise of their sovereignty has not MPs Patali Ranawaka and Kumara the first meeting of the Ninth Parliament reconvene the former Parliament Last Monday (4) also saw the AG facts from the people and mislead the to make way for professionals to run governments not only here but immediately as soon as the Premier’s experts for response and preparedness. all its people.” been fulfilled and the country continues Welgama added to the petitions before for 14 May 2020. The petitioners have under any circumstances, has responding to the request made by the EC public. all over the world. If we, at the next poll, don’t realise this truth and statements were made public in the media. Meanwhile, the Government However, the TNA emphasised that to be governed under a constitution Supreme Court to declare the dissolution of stated that while the said Gazette remains resulted in a constitutional crisis for an observation on the legality of the The Constitution is the supreme law of persist with those who have failed us, then we are doomed. rejected by the people for over 25 years. Parliament null and void. in place, a new date for the election of the that requires the intervention of nominations accepted by the Commission the country. Elected leaders of the country What we must remember is that at the end of the day, every Covid- a. The Parliament elected in 2015 The CPA on Tuesday (5) announced the Ninth Parliament cannot be fixed beyond 2 the Supreme Court for the 2020 general election. and public officials publicly pledge to 19-battered country will line up and fight for the same share of the pie, unanimously resolved to convert filing of an FR application challenging June 2020. The question of the legality of the uphold and defend the Constitution, based be it resources, markets, financial assistance, etc. If Sri Lanka's answer itself into a committee of the whole the decision by the President to dissolve “The petitioners argued that regardless They have noted that thereafter, the EC nominations arose at a meeting between on the admirable concept that there can to this is the same chilli powder throwers, holy book throwers, water Parliament – termed a Constitutional Parliament on 2 March 2020 and the of how it is dissolved, Article 70 (5) of gave inter alia notice of polls on or about the EC and representatives of political be no democratic governance in a lawless pourers, and foul-mouthed hooligans in white garb, then we the people Assembly with a Steering Committee decision of the EC to reschedule elections the Constitution provides a mandatory 20 March 2020 that the election would be parties last Saturday (2). The point made country. It is the Constitution that is have failed the nation and generations to come. and subcommittees in charge time limit within which a new Parliament held on 25 April 2020. was that there were legal issues over the supreme and not an individual or political The world economy as we know it has been reset in digital parlance. of different subjects and should meet, i.e. three months from the They have further stated that the nominations accepted by the Commission party. In fact, governments come into being

When the pandemic eventually pans out, all those affected will line an Experts Committee to IN THE SUPREME COURT date of dissolution. The petitioners state members of the EC have held out in on 17, 18, and 19 March since these were as stipulated by the Constitution. OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA up as equals on the starter’s line. Who wins and who gets what will formulate a new constitution that if the 2 March 2020 dissolution media appearances that unless a free and declared as public holidays. At present, Sri Lanka faces a crisis that depend on the athletes that each country fields at the race, meaning the dealing primarily with three In the matter of an application under and in is permitted to stand, this would have fair poll can be held on 20 June 2020, Public Administration Minister Janaka exceeds the Constitution. Although the terms of Articles 17 and 126 of the governments they elect. Therefore, it is essential that Sri Lanka picks issues. Constitution of the Democratic Socialist required the new Parliament to meet for which includes the ability for parties and Bandara Tennakoon in a Special Gazette President issued an Extraordinary Gazette the best possible team to run the race ahead. i. The executive presidency Republic of Sri Lanka the first time by 2 June 2020. Thus, a candidates to campaign freely and openly, notification declared 17, 18, and 19 March notification declaring the dissolution of

The people of this land who more often than not have voted with their ii. Electoral reforms to decision to hold the election on 20 June the date would be postponed even further. as special public holidays to prevent the Parliament, it has not been possible to 1. Patali hearts and not their minds have an obligation this time around to ensure Parliament 88/1 Jayanthipura Road, 2020 is unconstitutional, and a violation They have also noted that in terms of the spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. hold parliamentary elections on the date Battaramulla that those who have failed in their duties and responsibilities should iii. The National Question, the of their fundamental rights. law and the Constitution, elections must The EC Chairman however responded to specified therein. Also, it is not possible to 2. , not be re-elected; those who have propagated hate and caused divisions Tamil Question – sharing Horawala, Welipenne “The petitioners have observed that be held and a new Parliament summoned the queries saying he would seek the AG’s convene the new parliament within three and dissension should not be re-elected; those who have governed with of powers of governance PETITIONERS it is impossible to hold a free and fair within three months of the dissolution of advice. months of dissolution i.e. by 2 June 2020, their mouths and not action on the ground should not be re-elected; 3. All political parties were SC FR Application No.-: _____ /2020 -VS- election in the context of the Covid-19 Parliament. “I have considered the contents of as stated in the same Gazette notification. those who have lied and failed to account for their actions and inactions represented in the several crisis. The health risk would seriously They have hence insisted that the EC the aforesaid letter and the applicable In this context, as stated in your letter 1. (A) Hon. Attorney General, should not be re-elected; those who have amassed wealth and fattened committees established, Attorney General’s Department, impede campaigning efforts and voter was not empowered to alter the date of provisions of the law. It is observed that and as per the opinion of constitutional themselves on the poor man’s account should not be re-elected; those there was substantial Hulftsdorp, Colombo 12. turn outs, which are essential for a free polls and contends the Gazette notification nominations have been accepted by you in experts, the President shall be authorised who have cheated, robbed, and hoodwinked the public should not consensus, reports of the 1. (B) Hon. Attorney General, and fair election. Further, it would be amending the notification with the date respect of the Parliamentary Elections Act. to issue and spend money from the Attorney General’s Department, be re-elected; those who have been proven con artists should not be committees were filed in the Hulftsdorp, Colombo 12. difficult for election officers and voters prescribed for the holding of polls is In this context, it is further observed that Consolidated Fund only for three months re-elected; those who have violated the law and democratic principles Constitutional Assembly, to maintain social distancing during unlawful, void ab initio, and of no force or you have also taken consequential steps for from the date on which the new Parliament 2. Mr. Mahinda Deshapriya, should not be re-elected. the process reached its final Chairman the election and the preparation for the effect in law. the conduct of elections. Therefore, in the is summoned to meet.

In navigating the new normal in the post-Covid-19 context, the stages, when it stalled until 3. Mr. N. J. Abeysekera PC, same, which would increase the risk of They have maintained that a free and circumstances, you are required to follow All these crises are attributed to the Member relevance of outdated, mediocre politicians will be zero. The ball is in the dissolution of Parliament. the spread of the virus. As such, there fair election cannot be held on 20 June the procedure established by law for the failure of the present Government to 4. Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole, the people’s court. 4. The National Question, Member is a likelihood that elections could be 2020 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic conduct of the parliamentary election,” the present a budget for 2020 after assuming

the sharing of the powers 2nd – 4th Respondents all of, further postponed beyond 20 June. and measures taken in respect of the AG said in his response to the EC. office in November 2019. In my letter No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. of governance, has since Petition by former Election Commission, “The lack of a functioning same and called for the nullification of The EC is to meet this Tuesday (12) to dated 28 April 2020, addressed to the MPs Champika Sarana Mawatha, Fax - 011 2 673 441 the enactment of the 13th Rajagiriya Parliament for more than three the Gazette notification dissolving the discuss the issue of nominations and to President, I elaborated comprehensively Ranawaka and General - 011 5 200 900 Amendment to the Constitution, Kumara Welgama RESPONDENTS months undermines the sovereignty of former Parliament and calling for general also discuss the Covid-19 situation in the and emphasised that there is no Director Sales & Marketing - 077 3 866 143 been addressed by all political filed against the people and undermines the rule of elections. country at present. appropriation bill or a vote on account duly Circulation Manager - 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367620 parties and political leaders and President's law. In light of all these circumstances, The Commission, which was earlier passed by Parliament for public spending E-mail - [email protected] decision to dissolve successive governments since Page 1 of 14 the petitioners have requested the SJB takes a stand scheduled to release the numbers of the after 30 April 2020. Parliament 1991 – and much progress has Supreme Court to declare that their While the main Opposition party, the candidates at the upcoming election Contd. on page 14 10 the sunday morning VIEWS Sunday, May 10, 2020 GENERAL ELECTION READY OR

BY DIANDRA ANNE Schools, universities, companies, NOT? shops, etc. have shut down temporarily, causing economies around the world to come to a screeching halt. And the cause behind this? Covid-19. The Covid- 19 pandemic has put a halt to all normalcies in our lives and instead replaced it with fear. As Sri Lanka’s elections loom around the corner, many have been wondering if having an election is a good move or a massive risk. Perhaps the election scheduled for 20 June should not be delayed further due to mandatory requirements. However, there may be alternative solutions to this problem. In order to see what people think of this predicament, The Sunday Morning asked the general public’s opinions…your opinion.

Perhaps from house to house collecting votes. What must be have to decide whether we are going to Also, if the election takes place in the stop attending to our day-to-day lives or technology upcoming months, there could be a spike done, must be continue. Schools, universities, shops, in the number of coronavirus cases. It and factories are going to start, and as a is the answer is up to the Government to take a wise done democratic country, we have to follow Chamindie decision. Are elections important now, or certain mandatory requirements to ensure Tissera – Junior people’s lives? Susan Smith – the democracy of the country is maintained. Administrator merchandising The question should be as to how at JMS manager the authorities are going to help people International Losing focus number of cases have only increased with To a great participate in the elections in a safe manner. Montessori every passing day. The nightmare keeps extent, I I also think there will be a good voter Unlike the Helen Faber worsening. There is no sign of it stopping think we are turnout, as even back in 1989, during the other countries – doctor of anytime soon. Needless to say, the curfew ready for the JVP insurrection, 37% of people voted in that focus on their optometry at is still in place. Statistically speaking, the election under this country. economies, our The Optical number of cases is 800-plus, given that the current country focuses My opinion three-fourths of the citizens in the country situation. Sri on mankind and is that we are are locked in their houses. Lanka on the Safety first ensuring their not ready for One cannot depict Covid-19’s ripple whole has safety. But on the any election or effect when people would be gathered in handled the Akesh Jayarajan other hand, Sri political agenda clusters to cast their votes. The endless situation with – banking Lanka is going due to Covid- possibilities are tough to comprehend. great insight, associate to be in the midst 19. There are As an act of self-responsibility or social vision, precise People are of a constitutional crisis as the legislative more important service, one would not want to willingly planning, and not ready at the is absent. As there is no parliament, matters to be invite the danger. discipline. They have been able to curtail moment for legislative acts are withheld, making it sorted out at However, this being said, I agree that deaths and curb the spread of the disease. elections. The difficult for the country to function with no the moment the elections are equally mandatory, I feel it would be quite safe for the country reason is the acts passed. rather than the and by pushing it any further, there may to have elections since they have shown country’s situation For the time being, even though it is a election. For be a downside that triggers legislative how well they could handle precarious – with all the daunting task, I believe the Government now, the Government should focus on crisis. But we are stuck in a situation situations at all times. In fact, the voter complications that should take measures to utilise technology health issues like how to eradicate the where every step needs to be weighed turnout could be fair since the majority of have come into and pave the way to have the election via pandemic completely so that we can start enormously. One wrong decision and the the Sri Lankans have begun to trust the play and pretty an online voting system or some other way a normal life again. whole country will be at stake. present President and his administration for much as there are many can access. Everyone is affected by the pandemic. Right now, considering the pros and their safety and wellbeing. people who are I feel like the turnout will be somewhat The Government should help all cons of the parliamentary election, it’s suffering from less, but there still will be people in the citizens instead of having an election. best to find an alternate solution to the the Covid-19 virus and some are under 45 and upwards age category who would Furthermore, I don’t think people will put polls scheduled, rather than endangering The new global quarantine. Right now, those people are definitely vote. With the current situation, their lives at risk just to cast a vote. thousands of lives. After all, by more concerned about their own safety. it is quite hard, but as the laws are passed The Government should also help functioning as one, our main concern is to reality No one is going to focus on the country’s by the Parliament, we need to have an schools and colleges with regard to tackle and defeat the virus. situation with regard to politics. Elections election one way or another. their education during this trying Milinda do not really matter right now. What does time. Furthermore, they should make Rajapaksha – matter, however, is how a person can get a programme to assist the small- At what cost? political activist through this trying time. Perhaps elections Alternative scale enterprises with reopening their Enoka The problem should take place when it comes to a businesses. Goonasekera – here is not controlled state, but not right now. systems housewife whether people Jeffrin As a are ready for it or democratic not, but what is Asirwatham – Save mother This isn’t the time state, we need the constitutional Charmanie student Lanka, save one elections. But provision. Nanayakkara No, I don’t due to the Whether we It would be think people are another prevailing like it or not, better if a date ready for the Fatema situation of to ensure the for the election election because Fakhrudeen – the country democracy of the would not be the risk is high. digital marketer and since the country, if the fixed as we still In the first It is not ideal pandemic is constitution says have no idea how instance itself, to hold an not fully under that we have to things will turn the Sri Lankan election amidst control, it is not have the election out to be. We are Government took this strange the time to have on time, then that is the constitutional also still unsure strict measures pandemic. elections. If the mandate and no one has the power to as to how to deal and ensured Regardless of political parties violate it. So the Chairman of the Election with the Covid- everyone’s having evaluated are not in a Commission has to make the decision and 19 situation. safety. Their actions were successful, as the safety position to hold convey it to the executive of the country and The media has the percentage of people who have died measures, if the propaganda, the general public. basically only from coronavirus is lesser compared to election is to meetings, and We can also see good examples from been talking about other countries like Italy and the US. be held, there pocket meetings or visit houses, then it other countries such as South Korea where the number of Therefore, I hope the Government won’t is a great risk will not be possible to conduct a free and they had their parliamentary elections. deaths and who died from where and not take rash decisions and ruin all their hard of the situation fair election on an equal platform. Even If you observe, every day, increasingly so much about the precautionary measures. work. deteriorating. at polling stations, it will not be possible countries are opening their economies Therefore, in this instance, I feel that having Instead, they should go for an To begin to maintain health guidelines. Finally, and day-to-day activities. Hence, the new the election should not be a top priority. alternative solution like an online voting with, we must appreciate the efforts of until the health authorities confirm that global reality is not waiting for a post- During casting votes, people would not system, or since some may not have the the heroes at the forefront, who have the country is safe from the pandemic, we Covid-19 era, but preparing to live with the care so much for social distancing and other technology to do this, they can implement risked their lives to save the country. should not think of conducting elections at virus. We have to admit that this pandemic safety measures, which would lead to utter a system where the relevant officials go Kudos to their hard work! However, the the cost of the safety of the general public. will continue for about one year. So, we chaos. the sunday morning 11 Sunday, May 10, 2020 hot seat PENDULUM CONTINUES TO SWING BY AGRA RANASINGHE Tomorrow is a big day in the controversy over the scheduling of the parliamentary election 2020. The Supreme Court is set to consider the four petitions that have been filed by political parties and journalists against the conduct of the election on 20 June, and the stakes are sky high for those on both sides of the political divide. The Sunday Morning spoke to the three main parties to get their views on this matter, and what follows are excerpts of the interviews.

Following are we going to postpone the Following are excerpts of excerpts of Sri Lanka election for two years? former Janatha Vimukthi Podujana Peramuna November Peramuna (JVP) MP Sunil (SLPP) frontliner Will the President Handunnetti’s interview ’s reconvene Parliament with The Sunday Morning. interview with The sceptics will before 20 June? Sunday Morning. He will not do that You are asking for the election to because our Constitution be postponed. Is an election not Many Opposition parties vote for Govt. has two references to important for democracy? and journalists have reconvening a dissolved An election is about asking for pointed out that there UDAYA GAMMANPILA parliament. The most the people's opinion. When one are legal issues regarding important is Article party has that capability and the holding the election on 155 (4); it says if the other cannot move amongst the 20 June. What is your president declares a state voting public, it is not a democratic response to that? of emergency, parliament election. There should be a free The Election Commission will automatically be environment from the moment (EC) has acted according to reconvened. the vote is cast to the moment the the law and that’s why the The second reference is election results are announced. Opposition was silent until Article70 (7); it states that Without that, democracy will not recently. The two factions of if the president is satisfied be safeguarded. the UNP (United National that there is an emergency Party) thought that people situation which requires the Does your party have time to President trying would stand with them. reconvening of parliament, prepare for the 20 June election? They realised that the party he may do it. The first The question is whether we can supporters are angry with reference is mandatory and hold an election by 20 June in the to increase votes both sides. So now, they the second is optional. first place. It’s not about whether want to get back together we have time but rather about and the only barrier to it is Has the Government whether the EC has time, because using virus that they have submitted prepared for all the new it must have at least five weeks to nominations throughout challenges that may prepare for the election. Not even SUNIL HANDUNNETTI the country as two different emerge after opening the preferential vote numbers have teams. The only way to up the country from been allocated yet. Therefore, it They haven’t reopened Constitution of the country should cancel the nominations is to tomorrow (11) onwards? will not be possible to hold an the schools; the activities of be protected as well. pass an act in Parliament and to the Constitution and the (special public) holidays, he The countries that went election on 20 June. government institutions cannot that is their objective. (Parliamentary) Election(s) had not amended the First into lockdown after Sri be maintained, and we are slowly Do you think that the decision Act and hold the election. Schedule of the Holidays Lanka have already opened. What do you think the EC opening up tomorrow – 11 May. to reopen the country from The Attorney General Act. Therefore, accepting Right now, we’ve already should do as per the advice of How can we hold an election tomorrow (11) onwards is (AG) has told the EC Do you agree with the nominations from 17-19 had nine deaths (from the the AG? campaign? How do people vote in correct? that elections should be AG's decision? March was not an issue virus), and if we continue When the Election such an atmosphere? How are we I don't have the expertise to conducted according to I do, because the EC at all. the lockdown, there will Commissioner had announced going to address the people? say that. If I answer that, I will be the procedure established sought the AG’s opinion be more deaths because of the postponement of the election, overstepping my boundaries. That by law and several people on whether it was legal Do you think there will be financial issues. he also stated that the date of the Do you think that the President is what politicians always do. have filed fundamental to accept the nomination a conducive atmosphere by election would be determined after should reconvene Parliament rights (FR) petitions at on 17-19 March when 20 June for the election? Some parties allege that considering the Covid-19 situation; before 20 June? Some parties allege that the the Supreme Court (SC). Government had declared It would have been ideal if the Government is trying it depends on how people behave. It is the President who has Government is trying to gain What is the Government’s those days as special we had been able to hold the to gain votes through The AG can teach the law. to take the call on whether to votes through the ways in which view on this? government holidays. The election before Covid-19. the ways in which it is Politicians can teach politics. But reconvene Parliament or resolve it is handling the Covid-19 The next week (this reason for seeking this Unfortunately, because of handling the Covid-19 epidemiologists are the ones who any issues pertaining to that. pandemic. Do you agree with it? week) is very crucial for the advice was that there was the 19th Amendment to the pandemic. How do you have to teach us about Covid-19. We are demanding that he That is what they have been election and we are looking an issue with regard to Constitution, the President respond? That is why health officials have to follow the Constitution. If doing from the beginning. forward to it. As far as I can the Holidays Act No. 29 was not in a position to hold Any political party would decide on elections. there is a problem, it should be Deciding on curfew, opening tell, all the actions taken of 1971, Section 5, which the election soon after he love to increase their vote clarified with the Supreme Court schools, etc. were done thinking by the EC are legal and states that that no legal was elected. bank. But since Sri Lanka Do you agree with the AG's (SC). Parliament is the people's of the election. Their goal according to the law. business can be carried out has been commended decision? representation. Those who refuse is to increase their votes. In on public holidays. Do you think people will even by the international The AG did not say anything to reconvene the old Parliament the same way Prime Minister What do you think the EC By Section 8, the participate in voting community, even people out of the ordinary. If the AG had are not saying they don’t want to Mahinda Rajapaksa tried to should do as per the advice Subject Minister has been despite fears of the virus? who did not vote for the asked the Election Commissioner convene the Parliament at all. If increase his votes by using of the AG? empowered to amend the It’s a challenge. Most of President at the last election to do something illegal, then we they are saying no to the concept the war, President Gotabaya As the next step, Act and add additional the countries in the world would be voting for the would stand against it. of parliament itself, then it’s a Rajapaksa is trying to increase they should gazette the holidays. Although have come out of lockdown Government. But we haven’t different situation – a dangerous his votes by using Covid-19. preferential numbers of the Minister of Public and are living with the done any manipulation or Do you think there will be a situation. In the same way we Because of that, they have lost each candidate; they are Administration had declared virus. If it takes two years exploitation to increase our conducive atmosphere by 20 are protecting ourselves from the popularity they enjoyed bound to work according those days as government to control the virus; are vote bank. June for the election? Covid-19, democracy and the initially.

Following are excerpts of the coronavirus issue, we are very whatever financial expenditure he At the moment, there are only (UNP) concerned about whether it is going carries out will be illegal. He has to 1,500 tests being done in a day, National Organiser Navin to be a public health issue, so we be very careful about what he does. which has gone up from the initial Dissanayake’s interview with will strictly abide by and follow the This country is run by the 500. But we want a minimum of The Sunday Morning. rulings of the EC. Constitution and rules and laws. 3,000 tests to be done each day. I don’t think as the President of Only then can we detect the actual It has been alleged that the The Attorney General (AG) has the country, he wants to violate number of patients. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is told the EC that elections should the Constitution or to be seen as a We urged the Government opposing the election because it is be conducted according to the president who has broken the law to give priority to testing while an illegally formed party. Do you procedure established by law. of the country. So, he has to be very imposing curfew and while social agree with that? What would be your party’s careful about how he is going to run distancing is being practiced. It is not the question of whether it next step if the Supreme Court the country after 2 June. While commending the Army is illegal or not, but rather whether (SC)’s decision is to postpone the and the health officials, we must it is a political party or an alliance. election? Do you think that the decision to say there is a big gap in the Oshala (Herath) has filed a case to We will abide by whatever the SC open the country from tomorrow coronavirus prevention policy of the determine this. The SJB has validly decides. The Election Commissioner (11) is appropriate? Government. changed its name and appointed will decide next week whether the Yes, I think so, because we can’t its President and Secretary, and election can be held on 20 June. We continue like this. We are restricting Some parties say that the the Election Commission (EC) has will strictly abide by the decision of people and they find it difficult Government is trying to increase accepted it. But we have doubts as the EC and the Supreme Court. because they have no income. I their votes by exploiting the to whether the appointments of the think we have to first follow the Covid-19 pandemic. Do you other so-called members are valid or Do you think there will be a health advice given by the health agree? not. For example, conducive atmosphere for the Hope Prez. authorities. We are very unhappy with the being the National Organiser. country to hold elections by 20 If we look at other countries latest social welfare measures If Oshala’s case proceeds for June? that have successfully dealt with that have been employed by the hearing, the SJB will be badly I personally don’t think so. changes his mind the coronavirus such as Vietnam, Government. They have given Rs. affected. one thing we can learn is the 5,000 to Samurdhi beneficiaries, but Do you think people will importance of testing. Although I this distribution has been politicised. Is it not important to hold the participate in voting despite fears agree with the strict measures that Therefore, we feel that there’s elections to maintain democracy? of the virus? have been taken it is an emergency politics even with the distribution of The UNP has no worries or I can’t speculate on that. Again, If the President doesn’t reconvene has said that he is not going to situation, my party, my leader, and goods and welfare measures. So yes, concerns about holding the election I personally think if the election is Parliament before 2 June, how reconvene Parliament. I hope and I have consistently been asking the I think that the Government is trying at any time. We are ready to face to be held on 20 June, voter turnout will your party respond? pray that he decides to change his Government to increase the number to use the coronavirus issue to gain an election. However, because of will be less. Well, the President up to now decision, because after 2 June, of tests conducted. political benefits. 12 the sunday morning FOCUS Sunday, May 10, 2020

Contd. from page 6

face this year. The Government will Debt noose... have to do further borrowing and also Our education there may be friendly countries. The The search for new avenues Government has already negotiated with India and China and there While noting that some countries are negotiations ongoing with the around the world had already International Monetary Fund (IMF).” system’s greatest test defaulted due to high debt and low The second option would be state revenue, Professor of Economics to target the 1% with direct taxes at the University of Colombo and but cautioned that increasing z How schools and universities Royal College Principal curricula. Another platform is senior economist Prof. Sirimal taxes, especially indirect, could be B.A. Abeyrathna already in progress which is about Abeyratne said that he believes Sri detrimental in an economy with are learning from a crisis The first steps – We collected to be released to increase efficiency Lanka could repay its debt obligations. diminishing production. information on any affected children even further. E-learning is not a “The Government is not in a position “I can see a decrease in tax revenue BY PAVANI JAYASINGHE MUNAGAMAGE from grades 1-13 from all of our substitute for our original teaching to pay off debt. So you would have to because of the decline in economic class teachers. We took measures methods in a classroom, but going further borrow, debt moratorium, look activities, so there is no way of “Statistics show that out of to adhere to the standards and forward, our virtual platform will be for financial assistance, restricting increasing tax revenue in an economy 10,167 schools in Sri Lanka, instructions given by the Ministry a ready-to-use platform at any time. other expenses – these are the things where the production and aggregate 3,040 contain less than 100 and institutions, and we are still Fees and salary payments – We, as a country could do in a situation like demand is falling. An increase in taxes students in very remote areas. collecting information regarding the the management, released a letter to this. Even after doing all these, it may could be detrimental, but if they can To think about instantly pandemic and how it is affecting the parents informing them of relief not be possible for some countries. find other places which have not been providing e-learning platforms us. Royal College has a doctor mechanisms in place for families Already there are countries that have taxed, they might impose new taxes to these schools is a very association in place, with whose who are finding it difficult to pay defaulted. Lebanon defaulted a few like the Advance Personal Income complicated task. Right help we initiated a programme their children’s school fees since weeks ago. I hope Sri Lanka will not Tax they introduced recently. The now, our main focus lies in to motivate children at home and Lyceum’s students come from both be there because it has never done that, aim of that tax was to tax part of the keep their spirits high with newly middle and low-economy families and Sri Lanka will have the capacity six-figure income earners, although assisting the 1,093 schools introduced video programmes as well. There are also scholarships to manage it. So even by spending half they paid off the Pay As You Earn that have an Advanced Level and posters, etc. We have already in place for students who do well in of government revenue, Sri Lanka (PAYE) tax.” (A/L) and Ordinary Level (O/L) started taking precautions and have their examinations. As for payment will do that.” Prof. Abeyratne then warned that curriculum, to help establish this equipment will be given completely processes in place to ensure the structures in management, there Prof. Abeyratne, admitting that the defaulting from debt obligations an e-learning platform for free of charge.” best methods of safety and hygiene have been cut-downs to some of the Government was close to exhausting could spell disaster for the country’s them as soon as possible,” said for our student and staff bodies staff, while there are also essential its ways of increasing its revenue economy and its citizens. Virtual feasibility and relief authorised by the Government. staff who are still paid fully. channels, pointed out that foreign “Defaulting from repaying debt Minister of Education Dullas measures Alahapperuma, leading into a E-learning – We have a financial aid is one avenue for could result in the Government A more frequent problem that was special computer system that Royal Institute recourse. finding it very difficult to survive in conversation with The Sunday International School Morning. posed by the public, rather than on we were hoping to introduce to “The Government cannot do the modern financial environment; inquiries about how a virtual platform the college in the near future but Academic Director anything beyond the boundaries the their rating will drop tremendously As Covid-19 breaks into its seventh functioned, was how families with since the pandemic took over, we Nirodha Bandara Government has already attempted, and they may not be able to borrow week in Sri Lanka, since strict procedures no access to devices or the internet immediately pushed the system The first steps – As soon as we such as saving expenditure in some anymore. Furthermore, the economy have been implemented islandwide, a would join an e-learning programme forward and implemented it. Our heard the news, we sent a letter areas, increasing tax revenue, and will reduce to the basics – or worse, trending topic has surfaced on social to recommence their studies in schools virtual classroom system is already out to the parents and staff, about bringing back direct income taxes. the Stone Age economics – and media about how our education system and universities with no interruption. established. A sum of Rs. 300 was the closure of our school premises. This is a bigger financial issue for ultimately the people will have to will decide to progress further and how Alahapperuma declared that their to be charged for classes and the At the same time, we followed the Government and the country to suffer,” he added. it is fairing as of now. e-Thaksalawa platform is available for parents agreed to pay the sum. We the principles of our Chairman, How stable and effective are online free for any child at any time. He went have given an arranged timetable who repeatedly mentioned that we student-teacher sessions? When and how on to add: “We are unable to conduct that our students now follow in have to continue our education no will schools progress to normalcy? How e-learning classes in every school for the virtual classrooms. Even the sports matter what. Then we grasped at No growth... are salaries and fees being maintained? simple reason that not everyone is able section to date has established this opportunity to educate our kids “Whatever seed stocks that are infected, the private companies that It is common knowledge that education to attend classes the same way due to a very good system where our via a virtual environment. We don’t available are with the private sector produce fertiliser did not want the plays a critical role in any child’s life. And economic issues. Due to this situation, we coaches help students conduct their know when schools will reopen, but and have to be bought at high prices armed forces to be involved,” he said, in a never-before-seen scenario where are working on new methods, conducting exercises as often as needed. we have taken measures to get the – Rs. 22,000-25,000 per kilogramme. adding that the Civil Defence Force children are restricted to their homes in classes on radio and television, and trying Fees and salary payments – necessary hand wash and sanitiser The Department of Agriculture, was now helping with the distribution. unaccustomed virtual platforms, are we our best not to let anyone’s school life Regarding payment structures, we products in place. First, when we however, gives a kilogramme at Rs. Hapuhinna said that a possible following the best alternatives we can? be hindered.” have tried to maintain the same open our offices, we are not going 14,000, but there is an injustice here permanent solution proposed by the Investigating further into the matter, Even though regulations seem to be in salary structure for most teachers, to take any visitors in without as the Department buys the seed Government was to shift to organic The Sunday Morning spoke to members place to bring schools back to normalcy, but for some staff members, there face masks, providing them hand from seed farmers at Rs. 9,000 a fertiliser. “The long-term solution is of the Ministry, the University Grants another concern to bring attention to is have been advised cut-downs sanitiser, etc. outside the premises, kilogramme.” to go for local organic fertiliser and Commission (UGC), the Federation of that of local universities and its students. implemented. The fee structure and when we figure out whether this According to Karunaratne, there the Government is already beginning University Teachers Association (FUTA), To examine this issue further, we remains the same. method is effective for our academic had been an initial agreement between such a programme,” he added. and principals of private and public spoke to FUTA President Dr. B.M.H.S.K. staff, we will consider letting our the farmers and the Department of schools to help our readers formulate Banneheka. Visakha Vidyalaya Principal children back into the school. Agriculture to sell seeds at Rs. 9,000 Increased fertiliser a better idea on how the situation is “So far, we have successfully Sandamali Aviruppola E-Learning – We’ve really a kilogramme, but the agreement had demand progressing. identified how to deliver lecture material The first steps – We closed our adapted to the situation in the virtual been forgotten by the Department National Fertiliser Secretariat to students through our virtual LMS schools on 13 March and in the platform. We’ve been trying to and farmers had been compelled to Director Mahesh Gammanpila too Opening strategies (learning management system) platform following week, spoke to our establish e-learning for about two purchase big onion seeds at Rs. 14,000 said that excess cultivation is a major The Minister of Education went on which is provided free to all university sectional heads and discussed what years now; it failed in the beginning, a kilogramme. issue causing scarcity in fertiliser to state: “Ever since the news of Covid- students. E-learning is not an option for could be done about the situation. but right now, parents and teachers “This is very unfair of a government stocks. He said that in the 2019 Yala 19 surfaced, the Education Ministry the conventional way we teach, but we We took full use of our WhatsApp have no choice but to adapt and institution to do. But now, even that season, a total 329,000 hectares were and the Health Ministry together have are trying to identify certain curricula groups that connect us to our that has happened wonderfully. isn’t available as the Department too cultivated but that number went up to developed three steps to follow in order that can be delivered online and are parents, staff, and management to Now, all our parents have their own has run out of seeds. Big onion seed 539,000 hectares in 2020. to recommence school terms. trying our best to project that through come out with a better resolution email addresses and are present in production is a complex process. It is “Last year, we only needed 110,000 “The first step will be to conduct a our platforms.” for what we could do. Our safety Google Classroom, so we are able to done in the Kimbissa seed centre. The metric tonnes of fertiliser for paddy thorough clean-up and sanitisation at When Sri Lanka faces issues such as procedures and plans are still in successfully send study packs, etc. seeds are first extracted and then sent cultivation, but this year we need all schools in Sri Lanka to ensure the university students not having the ability discussion. Fees and salary payments – We to Katunayake where they are stored around 150,000 metric tonnes at a highest methods of safety for students to participate in online classrooms due to E-learning – We have time tables have tried our best to pay everyone in freezers before being sent to Seetha cost of Rs. 10.07 billion for the Yala and staff returning to the premises. the lack of a stable internet connection in place that help us carry out our their same fee structure and there Eliya in Nuwara Eliya where they are season.” “The second step is to supply or devices, etc., the problem of granting classes accordingly online. We had have been no cut-downs thus far, but stored further,” he added. Gammanpila said that due to the sanitisation materials; soap, etc. and relief is directed to the UGC. an LMS previously and a connection there is a regulation in place that if He said the decline had begun lockdown/curfew measures to address to successfully install hand-washing/ UGC Chairman Senior Prof. Sampath with guru.lk but it was not greatly we find a staff member not carrying around 2017 and repeated appeals the coronavirus outbreak, farmers had sanitising stations at the entrance of all Amaratunge stated: “Even with the implemented. Now with this Covid- his/her duties to educate the children, to the (then) Government had fallen begun cultivating land at an earlier educational premises. difficult circumstances at hand, we 19 issue, our teachers have gained their performance incentive will be on deaf ears. Therefore, within the last stage as well as cultivating additional “The third step is to initially bring only wanted to continue our education schemes experience with it and thus, I think deducted. Our fee structure remains few years, big onion cultivation has land. administration and staff into schools with as little interruption as possible. we’ve greatly advanced. It is my the same but we also understand dropped by around 30%. “This began “They started the Yala season during the first week of re-opening, and After the pandemic, I immediately had opinion that the fact that everyone that parents find it difficult to pay around 2017-2018. We have spoken cultivation early and now they proposing that they change their time a conversation with President Gotabaya had been delaying our e-learning the fees, and we have extended about this with the Government on have cultivated additional land in schedules accordingly and arrange the Rajapaksa and prepared to arrange free- platforms, thinking about its our fee deadlines by a month and many occasions. Each time, they comparison to last year. Some lands necessary school proceedings for its of-charge internet facilities to students negative outcomes, is a disadvantage have become more lenient with the promise something but nothing has had not been cultivated in almost 10 commencement, following which, steps who can log into their LMS online, because the internet, if used properly, penalty charges in instances where been done so far,” Karunaratne added. years but have now been cultivated. will be taken to restart schools for A/L which is functional as of now. is a great facility for our children, parents are unable to pay their The Ministry of Agriculture too Therefore, there is a huge shortfall and O/L children to return to school. Only “The next concern was whether people and issues such as a teacher’s children’s fees. agreed that there was a shortage in fertiliser stocks,” Gammanpila as our last and final step will schools be had devices to use this facility. A great absence could be easily eradicated in both big onion and green gram explained. He said that thus far, around reopened for other grades.” advantage that came to play here was through online classes. S. Thomas’ College Mount seeds. Secretary to the Ministry of 70% of paddy for the Yala season and While there was a cloud of uncertainty that our students wanted to learn, and Fees and salary payments – Lavinia (STC) Principal Agriculture Neil Bandara Hapuhinna around 70% of fertiliser for more than surrounding the present Government thus always found a way to connect from We have not encountered any Rev. Marc Billimoria said that despite the need for green 400,000 hectares have already been taking immediate decisions to close down their smartphones, etc. We are also in problems with our fees or salaries We also managed to obtain gram and big onion seeds, importing distributed, which he said is far more all schools in the face of the pandemic, the process of establishing a mechanism yet at all. There have been some a brief comment regarding this was not an option. than for the same period last year. which was also severely interrogated by where students can receive computers advised cut-downs, but apart from matter from STC Principal Rev. “We don’t have time to import However, Gammanpila also said that the Opposition, Minister Alahapperuma with a loan that they can settle after that, payments are being done Marc Billimoria, who said: “STC seeds for the Yala season, especially more stocks of fertiliser would arrive said: “I request my fellow politicians, completing their university years.” accordingly. began online classes in April and big onions. But all seeds we had have in the island this month. trade unions, print media partners, and we continue to offer our boys been distributed among the farmers. “Between 1 and 30 May, 45,000 social media platforms, to keep aside School evolution since the Lyceum International whatever support is possible online With regard to big onion, of course, metric tonnes of urea will arrive in your political agendas; do not drag our breakout School Chief Visionary via remote learning. Our biggest there is an issue,” Hapuhinna noted. addition to the 15,000 metric tonnes children into the midst of these issues.” A vital component in need of looking Officer Nikitha Grero issue is data; as private schools, He further said the Government of other subsidised fertiliser. In The Minister also added that the into was how the public and private The first steps – The sectional we don’t qualify for free data and had introduced certified prices for total, around 60,000 metric tonnes statement that was made previously by schools have been dealing with the heads gathered from all Lyceum so families with more than one 16 crops including onions, green of fertiliser would be imported,” he a print media platform that schools will news of Covid-19. Investigating this branches to form a committee child find that accessing data and a gram, potatoes, cowpea, soya, said, assuring that the shortage would be reopening on 13 May was completely matter, we detailed the progression of to discuss further plans of the fast internet connection is a costly and ginger in order to encourage be addressed in this manner by the fabricated, made only to unnecessarily the public schools Royal College and school. Government instructions matter, and we have also found that farmers to cultivate these crops and beginning of June. rile up the public. Visakha Vidhyalaya and the private were strictly followed and the some of our students don’t have to address the issue of the shortage. Gammanpila too went on to say “We closed schools and universities schools Lyceum International School, schools were closed down access to the necessary hardware or Speaking on the fertiliser issue, that the Government had begun a not after requesting the public for an Royal Institute International School, immediately. Holiday structures smart devices. However, through Hapuhinna said the key problem was programme to switch to organic opinion, but during the very first hour and S. Thomas’ College. were given according to government the support of our OBA (Old Boys’ that land cultivation had increased fertiliser. of news of the pandemic breaking out, As discussed, schools and procedures. We have already started Association) and PTA (Parent- far more than last year, resulting in “Eco-friendly fertiliser is the best which helped us greatly in controlling universities seem to be on par with taking measures to set up hand Teacher Association), we have tried an increased demand for fertiliser. solution and it is safer too. We have this situation, and thus, the decision to their advancement since the inception sanitisation spots and have health to find a way to collect used and He said a lack of proper distribution already distributed 10,000 hectares reopen schools is not a political decision of Covid-19. Sri Lanka’s reaction to mechanisms in place for when new devices that can be given for networks due to anti-Covid-19 worth of eco-friendly fertiliser among but rather a judgment that the Health the situation and our Government’s school does reconvene. this purpose to the boys in need. measures is also a current factor. paddy farmers free of charge,” he said, Ministry has to advise us on.” response prove that there is still much E-learning – Thanks to Lyceum’s “Even when schools do reopen we “Another thing is the distribution adding that a 25,000 metric tonnes is He also stated: “Contrary to statements more progress to be made before the management staff, an e-learning plan to offer some form of ‘blended channel because those who distribute to be distributed in total. that are being published on social media re-opening of educational premises structure was already in place. We learning’, given the restrictions and are mainly from Colombo and they are He further said that there was a that we are charging for medical supplies, someday and building more safe and easily released it from early on safeguards we would need to take to under lockdown/curfew. Therefore, number of different organic fertiliser thermometers, etc., note that we do have secure surroundings for all students to students and teachers for them ensure that our staff and especially they cannot engage in distribution. products which could replace a certain implementations in progress to give and staff. But the question remains, to start working on their usual our children are safe from infection.” The Army and Navy were distributing, percentage of chemical fertilisers. thermometers to schools but that all of when is this someday? but after the Welisara Navy Camp was – Skandha Gunasekara the sunday morning 13 Sunday, May 10, 2020 FOCUS

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA Yet another legal issue popped up last week at the Election Commission (EC) on the validity of parliamentary election nominations, solely due to the miscommunication between the government authorities. The legal issue about the validity of the nominations accepted on 17, 18, and 19 March, which were declared holidays by the Government, has been raised by several representatives of political parties who are contesting at the election. These representatives met the EC last week and forced the commission to postpone the issuing of preferential numbers until further notice. It was earlier scheduled to issue the numbers on 4 May. Section 10 (1) (a) of the Parliament Elections Act (No. 1 of 1981) provides the nomination period during which nomination papers shall be received by the returning officer during normal office hours at his office. Further, Section 15 (4) of the Act, states that such nomination paper shall be delivered to the returning officer at his office during normal office hours within the nomination period by the secretary of a recognised political party or by the candidate whose name appears first in such nomination paper in the case of a recognised political party or by the group leader in the case of an independent group. PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE AG advises EC Soon after the issue was raised by the political parties, the EC has sought the Attorney General’s (AG) opinion to clarify whether the process was running contrary to the provisions of election law, as challenged 2020 GENERAL ELECTION by several party leaders. In response to the letter sent by the EC, AG Dappula de Livera, on Monday, gave the go-ahead to the EC to conduct the parliamentary election according to the procedure established by law. In his letter, the AG stated: “I have considered the contents of the aforesaid letter and the A poll marred applicable provisions of the law. It is observed that nominations have been accepted by you in respect of the Parliamentary Elections Act. In this context, it is further observed that you have also taken consequential steps for District secretariats are where the conduct of elections. Therefore, in the the returning officers are based circumstances, you are required to follow the by controversy and the returning officers are procedure established by law for the conduct those who received nominations. of the parliamentary election.” nominations on those two (17 and 18 March) preferential votes would also be discussed at for 14-21 days. Under these circumstances, If those three days were not days,” Deshapriya noted. the commission meeting this week. a free and fair election cannot be held in the holidays for those officers, then EC in the dark “But 16 March was different as it was He also noted that the commission was country, the petitioners stressed. Acting upon the instructions given by the declared a public holiday for all and the EC preparing for the election. Hence, the extraordinary gazette notification there was no issue in receiving AG, the commission, which is scheduled to decided to stop receiving nominations on that published by the EC declaring the general nominations on those two (17 meet on 12 May, is to take the final decision particular day,” Deshapriya added. FR petitions galore election on 20 June has violated fundamental and 18 March) days on the validity of the parliamentary election As of midnight on 16 March, the EC only had Meanwhile, several fundamental rights (FR) human rights, the petition stated. EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya nominations. the media release issued by the Department of petitions have also been filed in the Supreme The EC Chairman and its members, the When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Government Information. The gazette had been Court, seeking an order to invalidate the Secretary to the President, the Director General EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said issued at midnight on 17 March. Therefore, the extraordinary gazette notification declaring of Health Services, and the AG have been The motion filed by SJB General Secretary the declaration of 17, 18, and 19 March as commission acted upon the instructions given the general election to be held on 20 June. named as the respondents of the petition. , together with public holidays was not communicated to in the media release, Deshapriya explained. The Supreme Court has ordered the FR The petitioners argued that as stated party attorneys, requests that the court hear the commission by the Ministry of Public Minister of Public Administration, Home petitions to be called on 11 May. in Article 70 (5) (a), (b,) and (c) of the the petition filed on the 6th of this month on Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local In their petitions, the petitioners have Constitution, mandatory provisions have been 11, 13, and 14 March. Councils, and Local Government and therefore, Government pointed out that holding the election on a provided to fix a date or dates for the election The first FR petition filed by Attorney-at- the EC had to go ahead with the press release in a special gazette notification declared 16 date exceeding 2 June is unconstitutional as of Members of Parliament and convening Law Charitha Gunaratne requested the petition issued by the Department of Government March as a public and bank special holiday the mandatory provisions have provided that of the new Parliament, no later than three to be taken up on 11, 13, and 14 March. The Information. to support the quarantine process to combat a date for the election should be fixed within months from the date of proclamation of the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) which Citing the media release, Deshapriya noted the coronavirus. Furthermore, another special a period no less than five weeks and no more dissolution of Parliament. Hence, the election challenged the election process also filed a that 17, 18, and 19 March were special holidays gazette notification was issued, by the same, than seven weeks, from the closing date of date could not be later than 2 June. motion that their case be taken up on the same given to the public, excluding essential services declaring three days – 17, 18, and 19 March – as accepting nominations. In their petitions, the petitioners have sought dates. Senior journalist Victor Ivan and seven as well as district secretariats. special public holidays to prevent the spread Accordingly, the EC is legally bound to hold the Supreme Court to issue an interim order others also filed FR petitions challenging the “District secretariats are where the returning of the Covid-19 outbreak. the election before 13 June, the petitions noted. preventing the general election from being parliamentary election to be held on 20 June. officers are based and the returning officers However, nominations were accepted on In addition, the petitioners have stressed that held until a verdict on the petition is delivered. EC member Prof. Hoole told The Sunday are those who received nominations. If these days as 19 March was the last day for the outbreak of Covid-19 has created an unsafe Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya Morning that the commission was preparing those three days were not holidays for those the handing over of papers. environment in the country and risk groups (SJB) filed a motion to the Supreme Court to hold the election. However, the Supreme officers, then there was no issue in receiving According to Deshapriya, the date on issuing are mandated to undergo a quarantine process to fix the FR petition next week. Court’s decision would be the final verdict.

health guidelines issued at present will need virus. If they follow the guidelines accordingly to be followed for a year or so, as the country and continue to maintain social distancing and is still facing the threat of the virus. good hygiene practices, we will be able to keep Race to elections The Sunday Morning spoke to Dr. Jasinghe this virus at bay,” he added. to inquire whether it is advisable to conduct He also stated that anyone who happens z DGHS says elections not his concern elections amidst a pandemic, to which he to experience symptoms of the infection replied: “Elections are the least of my concerns. should seek medical advice immediately. z Keeping virus at bay is everyone’s responsibility For that, we have the Election Commission and Furthermore, clear instructions have been relevant authorities. The Election Commission given for workplaces to monitor the health seeks our assistance in drafting the health and conditions of their employees as well. Therefore, BY SARAH HANNAN segments involved in the process, such as the safety guidelines to uphold elections and we if anyone falls ill at work, they should follow EC permanent staff, government officials who will provide them with the expert knowledge the issued guidelines. Work is to resume tomorrow (11) islandwide will be assisting with election duties, political to draft it.” Once work resumes and the travel restrictions and although many will still continue to work parties on how to conduct their campaigns, Dr. Jasinghe stated that it is now the between districts are relaxed, many from high- from home, a section of the workforce will and the voters. responsibility of the public to follow the health Elections are the least of my risk areas and areas that were under isolation report to work and follow the health guidelines Director General Health Services (DGHS) guidelines that have been issued when they concerns…The EC seeks our would also return to work. This might prompt issued by the Ministry of Health. Dr. Anil Jasinghe meanwhile indicated that the report back to work or go out of their residences assistance in drafting the health the necessity of subjecting employees to PCR While the general public is beginning to and safety guidelines to uphold tests by employers for safety purposes. We ease into the “new normal” of life amidst elections and we will provide asked Dr. Jasinghe, whether such requests the Covid-19 pandemic, some sections of them with the expert knowledge will be facilitated. the political sphere of the country are more “We will not entertain such requests as eager to prepare for the parliamentary election to draft it the PCR test needs to be conducted only on scheduled to take place on 20 June. DGHS Dr. Anil Jasinghe persons who are exposed to a Covid-19-positive Earlier this week, when The Morning spoke person or those who have symptoms. Even if to Election Commission (EC) Director General to obtain essentials. we conduct a PCR test on a person today and Saman Sri Ratnayake, he noted that since the Responding to the concerns on how prepared the reading is negative, there is a chance that activity will involve a mass mobilisation of the healthcare system is to handle a situation person can get infected the next day or next people from all parts of the country, additional of community transmission of Covid-19 once week,” he explained. measures apart from the general health the work resumes, Dr. Jasinghe informed that To avoid such mishaps, the Ministry of guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health strict guidelines have been issued to keep track Health does not recommend mass PCR testing will need to be put in place. of visitors who come to obtain services from to be carried out. The Government was due Ratnayake said the EC has held several state and private institutions. to publish a gazette notification yesterday (9) discussions with the healthcare authorities and “While we continue to closely monitor the on the resumption of work and returning to is amidst drafting the necessary guidelines. situation, it is also the responsibility of the public normalcy amid Covid-19 and the guidelines The guidelines will have to address different to safeguard themselves from contracting the that should be followed by the public. 142 the sunday morning OPINION Sunday, May 10, 2020

BY KRISHANTHA PRASAD COORAY Over 250,000 people have succumbed to Covid-19 as I write these words. If every death diminishes each one Covid-19 of us left alive, then we have indeed been reduced to minuscule dimensions. Yet, our fears and sorrows are monumental. Before Covid-19, few of us had truly and the play comprehended that death, indeed, is a great leveller. When Portuguese billionaire and Santander Bank President Antonio Piera died on 21 April, of masks his daughter observed: “We are a wealthy family, but my father passed away alone, suffocating, looking for something free, which is air...The money stayed at home.” He was one among the and mirrors 973 who died out of the 24,505 infected in Portugal. The other 972 did not take anything with them been forced to deal with the reality species’ signature. As throughout look in the mirror either. They may not have had of retribution. Some believe that history, these remain the defining and reflect on the wealth, but like Piera, they had justice is delivered by God, while traits of many who possess power journey of life. The to leave behind family, property, others see logic in the Buddhist of one kind or another. It will fragility of life as we plans, joys of one kind or another, concept of paticcasamuppada not be easy to script in empathy, knew it has blown all and hopes. Material acquisition or the doctrine of dependent compassion, and humanity to our covers. Each of us must ask: and the processes of acquisition origination. Buddhists and non- DNA unless people reconsider “What have I done?” Many who have started to seem meaningless. Buddhists alike know something their lives in terms of their do may find the most unpalatable The virus has infected royalty of the term “karma”. There are individual roles as employees or answers echoing in their mind. truly say “I have not consciously that we can be humble. We can and mendicant, doctor and patient, dozens of references to retribution employers, parents or children, They have resolved to do things harmed anyone and have never be generous and caring. We jailor and prisoner, capitalist and in the Bible and in the Quran. governors or governed, buyers differently. once gained pleasure or profited have moments of kindness and worker. Even if we do not directly Whatever your faith is, almost or sellers, and most importantly There remain among us those from insulting or seeing someone compassion. We can embody all attribute it to God, the natural everyone believes that there is a whether or not they recognise who cannot cure themselves of being insulted”. There are also these qualities more than any order, or some other supernatural moment of reckoning at which that their power alone amounts the urge to lie, deceive, sling those who simply cannot make other species that has walked this frame, there is a lesson here about one’s past conduct will supersede to nothing if their every word mud, and destroy other people’s such claims. They know who Earth. That is why they are called discrimination. What this means is all else. Covid-19 has affirmed and deed will one day be judged lives rather than doing something they are. Cosseted in their “human” qualities. that we are in a rare state in which this in no uncertain terms. alongside their humility and positive or useful for their fellow homes, they must now wonder There can be no rationalising the possibility of imminent death The sad truth is that many humanity. creatures. There are those among “what retribution awaits me for the loss of so many hundreds of is shared by one and all. have taken the easy path of What have been our dominant us who still seem to wake up the grievous harm I’ve done to thousands of lives from Covid-19, Soul searching is not out of wearing a disguise long before values, we can ask ourselves. every morning wondering how others, for betraying trust, for and the countless others whom the order in a situation where death Covid-19 forced everyone to What kind of professional have they can destroy people, exploit being ingratiate, and for rank pandemic has left impoverished remains a looming shadow over wear a face mask. The villains you been? Have you been ethical the weak, poison the Earth, and dishonesty?” and hopeless. Anyone who each of us for the foreseeable among us often disguise and humane in your professional derive pleasure from such wanton It is never too late to turn over a believes that they have not lost future. After all, we all know or themselves as benefactors of conduct? Have you ever abused acts of inhumanity. It is a habit new leaf. With our inactivity, the something or someone significant know of someone who fell victim. humanity, the cruel promote power to harm someone you that some people are finding it Earth has begun to do just that. in the last few months may Who among us has not pondered, themselves as paragons did not like? Have you derived hard to discard, obviously. People can correct themselves soon be in for a reality check. “could I be the next?”? We know of virtue, and the vile and pleasure from hurting someone, There is no doubt that too. We have all experienced The question is how we will that human beings are tenacious despicable convince us that from exacting revenge, or from we have abused the and benefited from friendship, move forward, as societies and creatures. They are known to they are saintly seeing someone suffer? Are hate natural world endlessly. loyalty, and affection. These are individuals, to transform our lives fight even when death is seen and jealousy core attributes of We took it for granted. It among the things that make life and recover. After Covid-19, if as imminent and when they find The oft-quoted verse from the your character? Have you rejoiced is as though we pillaged a interesting and happy. Every crisis humanity once again shuns the themselves in the middle of a Vasala Sutta is an apt reminder: in another’s sorrow? Have you wonderful temple and earned yields an opportunity, a chance to decent and gives pride of place to calamity where there is little, if “Najajjā vasalō hōti, najajjā hōti ever turned a blind eye rather than the wrath of the deities be better, or to take a further step, the indecent, if we look to those any, control left to exercise. brāhmanō; kammanā vasalō hōti, help someone in distress? who had showered us with to be the best we can be. who seek to divide us rather than By and large, human beings kammaṃā hōti brāhmanō (nobility Nearly all of us find a way bountiful harvests In the end, we will discover who unite us, our species will not last have all had time to reflect on the and ignobility are not products to hide our human frailties, by of all kinds we really are. We will also realise much longer on this Earth. way we have conducted ourselves, of birth; it is conduct alone that wearing a metaphorical mask. who true friends are. Everyone The path we must choose is both as individuals and as a makes one noble or ignoble).” Even if wealth and position make If they found the humanity will be judged whether they like it a different one. Every one of species. There is palpable remorse In other words, we are not born for an effective disguise, can to do so, they would find the or not. us will have a responsibility to about the way we have interacted with virtues and vices. We you hide from yourself? The sad courage to deploy their energies, Those who survive to tell the change how we live our lives, to with the world around us. We acquire them over our lifetimes. truth is that many have taken the strengths, and powers to uplift tale, hopefully, would have a sober look to the decent and dignified have thought long about what we If judgment and retribution is easy path of wearing a disguise their fellow human beings or and positive narrative to articulate. for guidance and leadership and have championed and what we fair, then time is running out for long before Covid-19 forced compensate for the hurt caused My own hope is that history will to cast out those among us who have neglected or ridiculed. We the ignoble to recalibrate their everyone to wear a face mask. to the natural world, whether by record that human beings learnt a try to capitalise on the agony have found that there is little to be conduct, for postponement would The villains among us often planting a tree or adopting a “do lot about the Earth, about life, and of the pandemic to pursue their proud of and much to be ashamed be folly indeed. disguise themselves as benefactors no harm” lifestyle. There are good about themselves after Covid-19, own interests and vendettas. It of. There is no doubt that we have Covid-19 has stopped us in of humanity, the cruel promote people in this world. There are especially the folly of their ways, is only by reaching across every abused the natural world endlessly. our tracks. It is no longer about themselves as paragons of virtue, ample examples of selflessness, as a species and as individuals. chasm of division, demonstrating We took it for granted. It is as how hard we can hit, but about and the vile and despicable generosity, empathy, and Hopefully, historians will recount empathy, and reconnecting with though we pillaged a wonderful how hard we can get hit. The convince us that they are saintly. compassion that have made a big how the good hearted prevailed one another that each of us, our temple and earned the wrath of the question is, have we thought Beneath the ready smile, there is difference in the lives of many. over the vicious, and the vicious societies, and our countries will deities who had showered us with enough about hitting and being often a heart of poison and a mind History has shown however that mended their ways or were find a way to survive and thrive in bountiful harvests of all kinds. hit? Nature clearly is doing its filled with the sharpest knives. nothing changes at the snap of shunned by society at large. the world to come. Mother Nature The Earth seems to have run out bit, but has there been a marked Sometimes, the mask falls off a finger. People with inordinate The key word is hope. If was quick to adapt and start of patience and responded in a transformation in the way human by mistake, exposing the horror reserves of venom and an diminished is what we are today, healing no sooner we stopped way that no one ever expected. beings relate to one another? underneath. insatiable thirst for vindictiveness then enlightened is what we polluting her planet. Let us follow These are truths that by now have The unhappy truth is that Nevertheless, Covid-19 is do not change overnight. It is want to be tomorrow. The human her example by expunging the become self-evident to us all. cruelty, heartlessness, selfishness, ironically unmasking everyone. unwise to expect miracles. species is not all bad. We have pollution from within our own This is a time when we have and greed continue to make our The spectre of death forces one to There will be those who can been resilient. We have shown inner natures.

Contd. from page 9 Contd. from page 7 The forgotten... the present situation is totally new Weighing between... to the world. While the Government “The Covid-19 pandemic has initially expected that the first Accordingly, the President may override new Parliament shall be convened has not yet Rs. 721 billion. However, this Government greatly affected many traditional circular issued to announce relief fiscal powers of Parliament and authorise been declared officially. has unlawfully obtained loans exceeding industries. We have instructed our and concession for the people would expenditure from the Consolidated Fund I state here that Parliament has full control the limit approved by Parliament. This has regional offices to gather the details of suffice, it had now in total issued only for a period of three months after the over public finances in terms of Article 148 of pushed the fiscal situation of the country into all the local industries that have been five such circulars where different convening of a new Parliament consequent to the Constitution. a crisis and a future government will have affected. While some of the industries segments of the public and industries a general election. Therefore, I challenge the More than five months have passed since to consider the legality of such loans. Such will need financial aid to get back on had to be included to ease their President and the Government to explain and this minority Government was formed after irresponsible action will also have serious their feet, we will also need to look financial burdens. prove the constitutional authority they possess the presidential election of 16 November long-term negative repercussions on Sri at assisting them with selling their Rs. 50 million was set aside not to authorise and incur public expenditure from 2019. So far, it has failed to submit an Lanka, internationally. products,” IDB Director General to give loans, but to pay banks the 30 April 2020, until the date on which a new appropriation bill or a vote on account. Therefore, considering the multiple P.L.U. Rathnamalala explained. interest income lost when issuing Parliament is summoned to meet consequent I recall that the United National Party crises faced by the country, I reiterate that He stated that a blanket decision loans at the rate of 4%, he shared. to the parliamentary general election. (UNP), which came to power in January Parliament be immediately reconvened with will have to be taken for all the “As we move on, we see that However, under Article 150 (4) of the 2015, was also a minority Government for the support of all political parties represented industries at this point. However, there are more segments of the Constitution, the President is authorised to nine months. Nevertheless, we were able to in Parliament to approve all essential if the IDB is to provide financial local industries and enterprises that issue and spend from the Consolidated Fund muster support from all in the governing and expenditures including salaries for the public concessions to the industries, there have not been covered by the relief for expenditure incurred in holding a general Opposition parties to submit a budget for the service for the period from 30 April 2020, would be an issue of funds. and concessions that have been election. year 2015 in January 2015 and gain majority up to the date on which a new Parliament is All attempts to contact Minister announced. Once these issues have Except for the above and the provisions of vote for approval in Parliament. summoned to meet after the general election.” of Industries and Supply Chain been reported, the Government Article 150 (3), there is no other provision in The current minority Government which The Government has yet to respond to Management, Small and Medium will look into those areas and make the Constitution that allows the President to came to power after 16 November 2019, Samaraweera’s latest salvo, but the intense Business and Enterprise Development certain adjustments to the welfare exercise his authority to withdraw and spend has consistently failed to present a vote on and public back-and-forth has caused concern proved futile. sector and accommodate them,” funds from the Consolidated Fund for public account or a budget that is acceptable to the among cabinet members and Finance Ministry In his stead, we contacted former Rambukwella explained. services. majority in Parliament which is a breach of officials about the possibility of facing State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara, Providing relief and concessions to Therefore, my letter to the President responsibility and also a sad state of affairs. litigation over spending during this period. who stated that since he has been the entire business community needs emphasised that only Parliament can lawfully Parliament has not yet passed a legitimate With the legislature defunct, the Rajapaksa dismissed from his ministerial post to be comprehensively looked into authorise spending of public funds from budget or vote on account to be effective from regime focused on trying to control the after Parliament was dissolved, he and should be broken down to very 30 April 2020, up to the date on which 30 April 2020. This Government has already coronavirus, and the Opposition parties is not part of the decision-making specific areas as well, Rambukwella Parliament is summoned to meet again. violated the Vote on Account which was moving the SC to prevent parliamentary process anymore. claimed. He added that his is an Although the Election Commission has passed by the previous Government and its elections a second time in less than two years, Government Spokesperson ongoing situation and damages announced that the general election will be term ended on 30 April 2020. According to it is once again likely to be the judiciary that Keheliya Rambukwella, speaking cannot be totally assessed before held on 20 June 2020, the date on which the the Vote on Account, the borrowings limit was determines the political future of Sri Lanka. to The Sunday Morning, said that providing assistance and relief. the sunday morning 15 Sunday, May 10, 2020 SPORTS Star TV on collision course against BCCI! In case the 2020 Indian Premier League Breach of contract (IPL) gets cancelled due to the Covid- However, the BCCI has hinted that Star’s Enigma 19 outbreak, its broadcaster Star TV is right to broadcast IPL ends in 2022 as the reportedly seeking an additional year deal is for “only five years”. This conflicting added to their broadcasting contract interpretation of the terms of agreement might with the Board of Control for Cricket in result in Star invoking the “breach of contract” India (BCCI) -the organisers of the IPL- clause, the reports further added. indicating the tensions that cricket’s giant broadcasters are undergoing at the moment India to form two sides due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the reports also added that a delayed, or Legal experts have told that Star TV’s even shortened, IPL might avert this potential unravelled existing 2017-22 rights deal with the face-off. A report suggests yesterday (9) that BCCI should get extended to 2023, in the BCCI is considering fielding two different What happened to SL’s youngest-ever Test case of the said eventuality, Indian media teams at the same time to avert the heavy revealed last week. financial crisis. cricketer Sanjeewa Weerasinghe?

BY REVATHA S. SILVA AND VERNON TISSERA (IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA) Sanjeewa Weerasinghe Bio Shehan Karunatilaka  Full name: Colombage Don Udesh The joys and hazards of published in 2010 the Sanjeewa Weerasinghe award-winning novel  Born: 1 March 1968 in Colombo Chinaman: The Legend (age 52) ‘reading between the moves’ of Pradeep Mathew,  Father: Wilfred Newton When reading a book or watching a movie which was partly based Weerasinghe with an interesting plot, we generally prioritise on the enigmatic career  Mother: Hazel Weerasinghe understanding the storyline and its many twists. THE CHESS of former Sri Lanka  Siblings: Two elder brothers and Those who are blessed with the skill of reading all-rounder Anura one elder sister between the lines tend to notice a lot more – the CORNER Ranasinghe. The leg-  School: Isipathana College, Colombo subtle hints and the hidden messages. by Dulan Edirisinghe spinner Sanjeewa  School coaches: David Heyn, Lalith A high-class chess game is similar. With Jayasundara, and Hemal Mendis classical chess not being considered a spectator Weerasinghe who played for Sri Lanka in the 1980s  Batting: Right-handed middle- sport, the pleasure of watching chess mostly But of course the great man has seen it all. order bat comes from the joy of understanding ideas. The Tal nonchalantly showed the beautiful 93.Nb3!, creates a similar enigma and aura.  Bowling: Righ-arm leg-break and moves written on the score sheet are just the securing the draw. googly tip of the iceberg. The true intellectual pleasure Tal is celebrated for his explosive sacrifices.  Awards: All-island best school boy of following a game comes from being able to His sacrifices were mostly intuitive, prompting Yet, he came and he went, bowler in 1985 and 1986 “read between the moves” or beyond. him to say: “There are two types of sacrifices played only one Test for Sri Lanka – correct ones and mine.” Yet, it is a Tal non- when he was one of the most  Test: Played one Test at age 17 for SL in 1985 vs. India in Colombo (the sacrifice that really intrigues us. prodigious schoolboy cricketers first Test SL won). Holds record as the Mihail Tal – Bent Larsen (Bled 1965) of the time, but was never to be youngest to play for SL in any form 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 dxe5 seen again in the big league. Sanjeewa on the famous of international cricket 5.Nxe5 Nd7 The only Test he played in, Sportstar magazine in 1985  First-class record: Played 44 happened to be the one Sri Lanka matches for Bloomfield, Tamil Union, recorded her historic first-ever and NCC; scored 845 runs at 17.97 Test victory in September 1985 What are you doing now in the school’s first-XI team. Anura with a century (112 n.o.) and two against India in Colombo. The Australia? Abeywickrama and Chethaka fifties. Took 103 wickets at 24.03, long-awaited win came three- Since 1997, I have been Rajkumar were the first-XI inclusive of six five-wicket (in an and-half years and 12 matches living here in Australia. I run Captains then. I remember I innings) and two 10-wicket (in a after her inaugural Test. an academy here. I live in Narre was the Man of the Match of match) hauls. Best 8/77 The cherished image of Indian Warren South in Dandenong, our annual Big Match against  Overseas assignments: Played in Captain Kapil Dev being caught Melbourne, Victoria with my Thurstan in 1985. Dhaka League, Bangladesh; Ipoh, mid-pitch by a diving Rumesh wife and three daughters. Malaysia; and district cricket at Ratnayake at P. Sara Oval off his How were you noticed at the Mornington League, Australia own bowling is perhaps second, national level so early? After 90...a3 in terms of its impact, only to the In 1985, I won the Best Bowler Furman – Smejkal (1971) one depicting Actually I didn’t feel any award and was picked for SL (on 6 Sep. 1985). Black has played the endgame expertly to receiving the Wills World Cup seriousness about that. It was U-19 team against a touring reach this overwhelmingly winning position. from Pakistan’s Prime Minister something like just another Australian team under Tom Duleep, Roy, Sidath, Ranjan, White tried the desperate 91.Ne4+ Kf3 92.Nxc5 Benazir Bhutto in Lahore in school match for me. No Moody. Gurusinha was our Arjuna, Aravinda, Rumesh, a2 93.Nb3 Ke4 94.Kg2 Kd5 and soon resigned. The famous Tal “non-sacrifice” 1996. pressure whatsoever. All the Captain. I remember myself, Ashantha - playing among Most ordinary observers would call it a typically It takes a brave man (or a stupid one) to Weerasinghe was an ambitious players treated me really well, Rajkumar, and K.G. Priyantha top players for your country dull conclusion to a long game, but the great poke the bear with a move like 5... Nd7. Tal yet naive 17-year-old schoolboy particularly Arjuna. They all from Isipathana got a call for at the tender age of 17. How Mikhail Tal was watching the game intently, calculated the 6.Nxf7 sacrifice for almost an then, playing for the Isipathana helped. It was a very happy selections. W.A.N. Silva saw us was it? and he was no ordinary observer. hour and decided not to play it because he College first-XI cricket team. at the selections held that time Actually I didn’t feel any As soon as white resigned, “the magician couldn’t see a win after 6.Nxf7 Kxf7 7.Qh5+ A natural leg-spinner, as was bunch. We played hard in Matara. We all got into the seriousness about that. It was of Riga” approached the board with a twinkle Ke6 8.g3 b5. The modern engines, ironically, identified by former Sri Lanka cricket 20-man squad. something like just another in his eye, and asked Smejkal how he would give the sacrifice their stamp of approval. cap David Heyn, Weerasinghe On starting cricket at The first one-dayer was at school match for me. No have responded to 91.Nb3. Smejkal responded: Exploring beyond the moves that were played went into the wilderness no Isipathana? Stadium, pressure whatsoever. All the “...a2, of course.” Then Tal demonstrated an has caused its share of controversy as well. sooner than he entered into the My father and many of his Moratuwa. Silva was our Coach players treated me really well, amazing defensive resource. Moscow and Leningrad, two major Russian highest echelons. What happened brothers had played cricket for and Abu Fuard was the Manager. particularly Arjuna. They all 91.Nb3 a2? 92.Nc1!! cities with a great chess tradition, used to play to Sanjeewa Weerasinghe after Ceylon Govt. Railways (CGR). Kapila Dandeniya played that helped. It was a very happy an annual “big match” since the early 20th that? Why couldn’t he serve Sri One of my brothers also played game as the leg-spinner. Moody bunch. We played hard cricket. Century. The match was often a double-round Lanka cricket any longer? Where junior cricket. When I played got a century and we lost that We always looked to win. robin affair on 40 boards. In 1968, the score is he at present? U-11 for Isipathana, our coach match. I was selected for the I bowled seven straight was locked at 39.5-39.5 with the deciding game Another enigma is unravelled. David Heyn came to me at BRC second OD. I got the wicket of maiden overs to Gavaskar who reaching the position below. Sanjeewa talked to The Sunday grounds and said: “Son, you have Moody in my first over, stumped had scored over 9,000 runs that Morning on in a comprehensive a good future as a leg-spinner.” by wicket-keeper Gamini time. My figures in the first interview where he answered all Ashantha de Mel, Asanka Wickremasinghe and finished innings were 16-7-28-0 and in those questions. Sanjeewa is now (Gurusinha), and Hashan with 1/14 in 10 overs. “Gura” the second, I didn’t bowl much living in Melbourne, Australia (Tillakaratne) – all played for struck a century and we won (3-1-8-0). It was a fast track. with his wife and three children. my school at some stages of the match. Then in the unofficial Rumesh and Saliya Ahangama Below are excerpts of his their careers. Since I was playing Test of the same series at CCC, bowled brilliantly and we won interview: U-15 in 1983, I could play for where Roshan Mahanama was by 149 runs. our Captain, I took a match-bag Notes: of seven wickets. SL recorded her much- The youngests!  Sanjeewa Weerasinghe is the youngest awaited first Test victory In Test cricket to play for SL across all three formats: Then you got a call for SL’s and you were part of it. Your World: Hasan Raza of Pakistan Test, ODI, and T20I Test series against touring thoughts? 14 years and 227 days After 92.Nc1!!  The second youngest to play Test cricket India under Kapil Dev the I remember Rumesh taking (vs. Zimbabwe in Faisalabad on 24 for SL is Arjuna Ranatunga, who was If black loses the a-pawn, the game is a draw October 1996) same year (1985)? that diving catch to get out Kapil even without the white knight. Promoting  18 years and 78 days when he made No. I was first selected for as the last wicket. I was usually SL: Sanjeewa Weerasinghe his debut vs. England at P. Sara on the pawn to a queen or a rook will result in 17 years and 189 days the three-day practice match fielding at cover-point. It was stalemate, and a promotion to a bishop will leave 17 February 1982 in the country’s against India played at NCC. a different era. Now I see the 25th in the world inaugural Test. He is the 48th in the black with two useless dark-squared bishops. Black to play Arjuna was the Captain. There footage on YouTube and notice (vs. India in Colombo on 6 September world list As Tal started to walk away, Smejkal waved Lyavdansky (Moscow) – Volovich (Leningrad) 1985) I took five wickets in the first that I run across the pitch after him back, claiming a win with 92...a1=N. The game was adjourned here, and  The third youngest to play Tests for SL, innings, including those of the catch back to the pavilion. In ODI cricket and the 49th in the world, is Roshan a Grandmaster panel was tasked with World: Hasan Raza of Pakistan Jurangpathy who was 18 years and Sunil Gavaskar and Mohammad President J.R. Jayewardene adjudicating the result. After much 14 years and 233 days 81 days when he made his debut vs. Azharuddin. In that game, declared the following day a deliberation, they declared it a draw. (vs. Zimbabwe in Quetta on 30 October India in Kandy on 14 September 1985. Sumithra Warnakulasuriya national holiday, but I can’t Outraged, team Leningrad appealed with 1996) That was the very next match of the scored 160 odd runs and we remember whether even my father long (and supposedly winning) variations SL: Sudath Pasqual same Indian series, where Sanjeewa (the Board President’s XI) took came to watch that game. My sister that even reached the Encyclopedia of Chess 17 years and 237 days Weerasinghe made his debut a first-innings lead. I was not in was there on the last day. Endings later. Team Moscow returned the 40th in the world  The 21st in the youngest players’ the squad for the first Test which Cricket Board President Mr. favour, with their analysts claiming a draw. (vs. New Zealand in Nottingham on list for ODIs in the world is Ravindu was drawn at SSC, but I was Gamini Dissanayake gave us Opinions and disagreements went back and 9 June 1979) Gunasekera who is of Sri Lankan origin. picked for the 15-man squad for a grand dinner at his residence forth with the Leningraders claiming a win In T20 cricket He was 16 years and 347 days old when the second Test at P. Sara. that day (11 Sep. 1985). It was and the Muscovites a draw. World: Meet Bhavsar of Kuwait playing for Canada vs. Bermuda in I can still recall that the champaign all over. The Maharaja As the bitterness escalated, the annual 14 years and 211 days Ontario on 1 July 2008 practices were held that time at company awarded every player affair had to be called off, and it took a long (vs. the Maldives in Al Amerat on 20  The 120th in the youngest players’ list NCC under our Coach W.A.N. a medallion which I still wear in 16 years for cooler heads to prevail and the January 2019) for T20Is in the world is Tharindu Perera Silva and Fielding Coach Ranjit my neck. A small sum of money SL: Akila Dananjaya who is also of Sri Lankan origin. He was rivalry to resume. Thanks to the all-knowing 18 years and 359 days Fernando. Duleep Mendis was was presented. Nobody played endgame table bases, we know the absolute 18 years and 318 days when playing the SL Captain then. I was for money back then. The country 130th in the world for Botswana vs. Uganda in Kampala truth about the position. It’s a draw with the (vs. New Zealand in Pallekele on 27 on 20 May 2019 expecting the call and was ready came first. After 92...a1=N best play. September 2012) to play on the match-day morning To be continued next week… 16 the sunday morning Sunday, May 10, 2020 sports Lim pulled his pants down Paks for Windies 50% of NZR staff lose jobs! South Korean short-track skater Lim Hyo-jun was Pakistan can end up playing up to five Test matches in England this Now, of all places, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) last week found guilty of sexual harassment after summer, if the three-match Test series between the hosts and West Indies has felt the sting of the Covid-19-spurred he pulled down a male colleague’s trousers in is unable to go ahead, Pak media said economic crisis. 50% of the 180-strong front of female teammates last year. Lim, who yesterday (9). The start of the English workforce at NZR may lose their jobs, claimed the 1,500 m gold medal at the 2018 cricket summer has been delayed New Zealand media quoted NZR Chief Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, was fined until 1 July at the earliest with the Executive Mark Robinson as saying $ 2,500 (over Rs. 466,000) and ordered to Windies series already postponed on Friday (8). NZR is expecting a 70% undergo 40 hours of therapy. from its original June dates. revenue decline this year.

BY REVATHA S. SILVA In a bid to restart matches and arrest the situation of deteriorating finances, local governing bodies, including the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), are setting up a new model for the resumption of international cricket in the post-pandemic New survival impasse. With enclosed areas for training that will initially be for limited groups, matches played in only a few venues following strict “bio- security” measures, and live TV coverage with a limited number of spectators on the ground - the world’s leading cricket boards including SLC are about to finalise on a plan for cricket fresh “safe model” for international cricket to restart. That is, in their respective efforts to resurrect themselves in the “staged opening” z World cricket to resume in a new model the world is undergoing at the moment amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. the situation after a week’s time.” in place. It’s a matter of deciding when we are our activities on 1 June. We will have to get the offer better bio-security to the participants. going to start it. For that too, we are waiting clearance from the health authorities and the England Test skipper Joe Root last week Discussions with ISM Residential training begins for about a week. Nothing is finalised so far,” Sports Ministry before starting our training. in a conversation with Sky TV, indicated SLC held its initial, yet informal, discussions Yet, it has been resolved in the above de Silva explained. That is what we are tentatively planning that it could be the future model for cricket’s reportedly with representatives of the Institute discussion to begin practices for a group right now. Basically, we’ll have to assess the resumption in what is now called the post- of Sports Medicine (ISM), headed by Dr. of about a dozen individuals, consisting of India tour neither cancelled nor situation in about a week’s time.” pandemic world. Lakshman Edirisinghe, last week seeking both players and coaching staff, in a strictly postponed “It would be the playing group and advice as to how the Sri Lanka team is to “bio-secure” atmosphere. The players and the There is a little more than six weeks to go England indicates same model management, almost in your own little house restart their training under a new “healthy support staff are to be accommodated in the for Sri Lanka’s next scheduled assignment, the Like many other cricket boards, England throughout and almost in isolation together, not and safe” model. grounds or a nearby hotel while the player high-profile limited-over home series against also indicated last week that they would put interacting with the opposition, broadcasting However, speaking to The Sunday groups are to be rotated according to their India. Yesterday, we asked de Silva whether in place the same resumption model. crews, officials or media,” he explained. Morning Sports yesterday (9), disciplines; such as fast bowling, batting, the proposed two-week tour of India, for three In an effort to save the remainder of the 2020 “It would be a very different look to SLC CEO Ashley de Silva spin bowling, etc. ODIs and three T20Is slated from June last season from a complete wipeout resulting in a how a normal Test week would go and the said: “So far, nothing This new method of “bio-secure residential week, can go ahead due to the pandemic, to loss of over $ 450 million (Rs. 83 billion), the environment we work in, but I do think it has been discussed. training” for the Lankan squad is set to begin which he replied: “We’ll make a call regarding England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is would probably be manageable and hopefully We’ll have to on 15 May at either the Sinhalese Sports Club it by the end of the month.” contemplating on conducting the resumption that’s the case.” assess cricket ground or Nondescripts Cricket Club He added: “We have been engaged in talks under the new model on 1 July. Almost all cricket boards around the Test- ground in Colombo, it is learnt. with them (the Board of Control for Cricket in In their preparation too, England plans playing world are under great pressure to “We’ve had internal discussions (about India [BCCI]). It (the tour) has neither been to have an expanded squad of 30, who will restart international matches as quick as they training). We laid down a plan and that is cancelled nor postponed. be training in a camp for about nine weeks, can and are already suffering heavy financial “We have not held any discussion with the before matches will be played behind closed losses due to a drop in revenue, coming mainly health authorities so far. We (the SLC) will start doors in only two selected grounds which can through television rights sales.

And of course nothing is more satisfying than finding a solution to an issue and Difference between good and great players having good results because of it”. lookout for new material and are always Physical awareness Dinith curious to learn about anything and Great players are always aware of Pathiraja everything. In the words of the “great” what they are capable of or not. They Warren Buffet, “knowledge builds up know exactly what their limits are. ON COURT like compound interest”. Therefore, from the beginning of the This very fact that the player’s match, they plan accordingly. Not only Today’s society has a very knowledge about the subject is so good that, they also adjust their game to the short attention span. is the very fact that eventually becomes needs of their body even as their career That is probably the main self-confidence. progresses. Best example would be characteristic of this Rafael Nadal. When he first started Emotional control tennis, he was an extremely physical generation. In retrospect All great players have great emotional player. He would demand a lot from with the older and more control. Take the two basic examples his body. But now at 33 years old, he experienced generations, Andy Murray Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal Roger Federer of Roger Federer and Nick Kyrgios. doesn’t play such a physical game the younger generation One is ice cool, has won too many and he tries to shorten the length of probably has the shortest could very well be argued that one yy Self-confidence – great players Speaking to the local “great” tournaments to count, always comes the points knowing that he probably attention span of all. The of the reasons why, apart from their truly believe in themselves for Harshana Godamanna when getting up with answers, never gives up, and would not be able to last as long as he reasons for this could be own dedication and hard work, the big many reasons this article together, he was asked about is perhaps the greatest ever to play the did and to demand as much as he did many. The internet, the four of Federer, Nadal, Murray, and yy Emotional control – great what drove him on to establish so many game of tennis. The other is always from his body in his younger days. lifestyle, life ambitions, as Djokovic has been able to dominate players have superb control records in Sri Lanka tennis and he had angry at something, has basically won For the young players, this particular well as the modern trends the sport of tennis for so long could over themselves and never give this to say in his own words. “All I’ve nothing compared to his undoubted point should be of great value. This is could probably be some of have its roots in the lack of focus and anything away done in my career is always to find a talent, seems always to have more “match management”. That particular application from the latter generations. way to win. I understand that if I come questions than answers, has been topic would be discussed in a separate them. But these would only It certainly is not because of lack yy Tactical awareness – great across a challenge or an issue, there is accused of not trying hard enough, article in the future. be the tip of the iceberg as of talent as there have been plenty players are always the first to spot always a solution. My goal is to find and would certainly not fall into the there would probably be a of talented players in the generation solutions to problems that solution and keep going. Since “great” category, at least not yet. Conclusion multitude of reasons. between the big four generation and the yy Physical awareness – great I’ll always come across challenges The young players can make up These points are only a very few of present, very much younger generation, players are well aware of with certain players, I’ll always keep their own mind what is working. And a number of points that would separate Elaborating only on the very first who are now starting to challenge what they can do and can’t do looking for solutions, so it’s a never- I rest my case. the good and the great players. It is reason, which in the eyes of many the them. The generation after the big physically ending process.” fervently hoped that the young Sri major reason, the internet could be that four was good players. But they never This writer is not going to add Tactical awareness Lankan tennis players would take on the ability of the younger generation became great players. Therefore, what A more detailed but summarised anything else to that sentiment from Great players are always tactically board the points discussed here and to look up anything with the typing really separates the good players from look will now be taken at the above him. Remember and follow those words astute and are aware of what is going would start their own research so that of a few clicks means that they need the great players becomes a really points with the hope that the younger and you can’t go wrong. on around them. For them a problem they can start on their way to greatness. to keep their focus and attention only interesting discussion. generation of players, especially the in a match is a puzzle to be solved. In the words of “Godda”: “I would say for that short time to find anything Sri Lankan players, will take heed and Self-confidence And because of the fact that they are that I was never chasing records, but out. Contrast this with perhaps two Separating the good and correct course to achieve greatness. All great players, coaches, actors, knowledgeable and curious, they are whenever I look at the numbers and the generations back where they would scientists, or persons in any field have always looking for the answers. This records that I have, it makes me even have had to spend hours poring over a the great Attitude great confidence in their ability. They particular thinking pattern always more motivated to keep pushing. What’s book to look up the same point. In the opinion of this writer, the Speak to any top player, coach, or are never swayed by the opinion of separates the pack. While great players more satisfying is winning matches following main characteristics, among administrator and they will immediately the public. They believe in themselves look for the answers, the good players than really having the records. Hope Longevity of the big ‘four’ many, separates them: tell you the major difference between and their projects. But on the other are hoping for something. The problem that makes sense.” Whilst this has both advantages and good and great players is the attitude. hand, this belief does not cross over to is “that hope is not a strategy”. Of course it does. Of course, yes. If yy Attitude – great players disadvantages, this lack of focus has Great players will always try to come being overconfident. They are always And again quoting from the answer that didn’t make sense for the young absolutely hate to lose even a started to seep through into the world up with solutions to the problems that willing to learn from anyone and “Godda” sent me, “it’s the drive and tennis players of Sri Lanka, nothing else practise match of sport also in the recent times. It they face in matches. everyone. They are also always on the satisfaction to find solutions as you go. is ever likely to make any sense at all. DID THE COLOMBO STOCK EXCHANGE MISS THE BUS? »SEE PAGE 5

PRICE CONTROLS DON’T WORK AND I TOLD YOU SO »SEE PAGE 3 Sunday,business May 10, 2020 Employers to begin prorated salaries z Employees guaranteed z ‘Working from home’ minimum Rs. 14,500 entitled to full salary

BY CHARINDRA CHANDRASENA Weerasinghe said that employers will discuss measures that could be taken to implement this scheme without delay. ensure employers do not resort to layoffs Private sector businesses will immediately start paying their “This is a major relief for us. We amidst the economic devastation caused employees on a prorated basis following an agreement reached will start this arrangement immediately by the Covid-19 pandemic. with the Government last week, according to The Employers’ because this is only applicable for two The prorating system is designed to Federation of Ceylon (EFC). months,” he said. ensure that every employee receives a This agreement was reached during a minimum monthly salary of Rs. 14,500, Under this new system, employers from home. meeting between Skills Development, even if the said employee was not required EFC Director General (DG)/Chief Executive will not have to pay the full salary to Speaking to The Sunday Morning Employment and Labour Relations to report to the workplace or work from Officer Kanishka Weerasinghe an employee who hasn’t been required Business, EFC Director General (DG)/ Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the EFC home a single day of the month. to report to the workplace or work Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kanishka and trade unions held on Tuesday (5) to Contd. on page 2 Importers plead govt. not to extend Telcos sweat over import suspension mounting data bills BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR restrictions were extended until 15 July and z TRCSL directive renders operators helpless z Danger of widespread subscriber default further expanded to include rice, sugar, liquor, Sri Lanka’s importers who took a massive flour, and apparel-related products. BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR offers given by them or by the hit due to temporary import restrictions The letter requests the Government to not leeway given for customers to imposed in March have requested the extend import restriction beyond 15 July. With the directive from the settle their bills. Treasury to not to extend these restrictions “In the case of most finished goods Telecommunications Regulatory “We are expecting a decline in beyond its original three-month period. importers, suspension causes stoppage Commission of Sri Lanka data revenue despite its growth The request has been made to Treasury of operations, sales, and distribution that (TRCSL) to not discontinue and it is either going to be at par Secretary S.R. Attygalle by Ceylon Chamber impact the cash flow of such businesses. any telecom services due to or it is going to come down from of Commerce Import Section Chairman Naturally, the staff involved had lost their non-payment still being in the usual level. Dialog model Delano Dias on Wednesday (6), considering regular income by way of incentives, causing effect, telecommunication works with a 10% margin. When the potential of import businesses going hardships to all dependents for the next two service providers are becoming you give out free, that margin bankrupt if the ban is to be extended further. to three months,” it says. increasingly concerned over their comes down. From the first week The Government decided to temporarily Speaking to The Sunday Morning subscribers’ mounting data bills. of curfew itself, we brought suspend non-essential imports in mid- Business, Dias noted that the classification To comply with the directive in offers. We are giving out 1 March this year in order to avoid a foreign of “non-essential” items by the Department issued by the regulator and GB free data with other relief exchange crisis in the country. On 1 April, of Imports and Exports Control and to ensure uninterrupted measures,” the official noted. this was extended to all types of imports the Ministry of Finance has been done communication during this In addition to this, data except for pharmaceuticals and fuel. considering only foreign exchange reserves critical time period, it is learnt bills from Dialog’s corporate However, subsequently local exporters were but not the economic consequences it would that none of the service providers clients who mostly uses fiber provided exemptions to import raw materials have on import businesses. have resorted to disconnections Industry insiders told The Sunday service provider with the largest connection have taken a hit necessary for exports. On 19 April, the import Contd. on page 2 since 20 March. This has meant Morning Business about the market share is worried over with only 20% of the bills being sustaining large sums of unsettled precarious situation this has possible defaulting of large bills settled, while prepaid, which data bills of consumers, most of placed the industry in. after the end of the curfew as contributes to about 75% of whom are staying at home, and Dialog they had to remove the maximum Dialog’s revenue, is suffering this has instilled fear in service An official from Dialog Axiata credit limit of unsettled loans due to the inability of customers providers over possible defaults PLC, who wished to remain due to the directive issued by the to buy cards and tellers to following the curfew. unnamed, noted that Dialog TRCSL, which would otherwise operate during curfew. According to usually has a fair cash flow have allowed service providers As a measure towards ensuring telecommunication service despite volatilities in the country, to keep unpaid bills lower. their corporate clients stay with providers, data usage has been but that they too have found the According to the official, them without opting for another substantially higher than voice going tough with the mountain during this curfew period, data fiber service provider, Dialog is calls or messages during this of unsettled bills. usage has grown by around 30%. planning on negotiating a deal period and the large bills have Moreover, the country’s leading However, this growth is driven agreeable to both sides. also been due to high data usage. mobile telecommunication either by free data packages and Contd. on page 2 CSE braces for bloodbath Sovereign Bond yield despite new safeguards rates rise alarmingly BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR Government’s long-term foreign currency Stakeholders of the Colombo Poor’s Sri Lanka 20 (S&P SL20) The CSE in a letter on Thursday harmful to investor confidence issuer and senior unsecured B2 ratings under Stock Exchange (CSE) are index, which includes the 20 (7) told stakeholders to make and may deter foreign investors Sri Lanka’s International Sovereign Bonds’ review for downgrade. Fitch went a step further bracing for a massive sell-off largest companies by total market necessary preparations as it in the future, as they will have (ISBs) secondary market yield rates have and downgraded Sri Lanka’s long-term foreign tomorrow when it opens after capitalisation listed on the CSE, “intends” to recommence trading no guarantees that they could risen alarmingly since the identification of the and local currency issuer default ratings (IDR) a seven-week shutdown, with drops by 10% or more. tomorrow (11), as the Government pull their investment out when first Sri Lankan Covid-19 patient in March to “B-”, from “B” with a Negative outlook. foreign investors reported to be In fact, the last day the CSE was has permitted the public and private they wish to. and the strict islandwide curfew that was Sri Lanka currently has 14 ISBs that reach waiting anxiously to pull out of open, 20 March 2020, it dropped sector entities to resume work from In the days leading up to the imposed subsequently to contain the spread maturity between 2020 and 2030. Almost the market at the first opportunity. by 11.72%, despite trading for tomorrow onwards. initial closure of the CSE on 16 of the virus, which unfortunately served to all the ISBs have followed a similar trend However, the CSE will debut a less than half the usual period. At the time of writing, there has March, the CSE’s circuit breaker bring the economy to an almost complete halt. since 6 March. Yield rates of the ISBs were new circuit breaker system which Under the old system, trading been no change to this decision was activated multiple times after The yield rates, which were earlier hovering somewhat closer to their coupon rates as of 6 is set to stop the hemorrhaging if was halted every time the S&P by the Government, and if this the S&P fell by 5% slabs several around their original rates of primary issuance March. However, they saw a dramatic increase it gets out of hand. The Securities dropped 5%, with the market remains unchanged today, the times, triggering 30-minute halts (coupon rates), have increased by double digits either during the week ended on 3 April or 10 and Exchange Commission of Sri closing for the day if it dropped market is likely to experience in regular trading. The following since the second week of March and continue April. Even though most of the ISBs recorded Lanka (SEC), which regulates 5% at or after 2 p.m. The new one of its toughest days in recent week, it remained closed for to remain at high levels. declined yield rates the following week, they the CSE, on 30 April, introduced system has done away with this times, according to stock market four days with the Government During this time, there were also two rating once again rose to early or mid-April levels last a new system under which the 2 p.m. mark, allowing the market analysts. declaring holidays before being actions on Sri Lanka by two of the three big week, excluding very few ISBs that reached market will automatically close to be closed as early as 12 noon Market analysts point out that opened on Friday, 20 March. credit rating agencies in the world, Fitch and maturity in the near term. for the day if the Standard and if the S&P drops 10% or more. this prolonged closure has been Contd. on page 2 Moody’s. Moody’s placed the Sri Lankan (See full story on page 3) 2 the sunday morning business NEWS Sunday, May 10, 2020 Central Bank warns Fitch downgrades BOC, NSB, and DFCC banks that fail to Fitch Ratings downgraded the been affirmed at “B”. The Support 3.9% and 1.0%, respectively. ratings of three banks including Rating and Support Rating Floor We expect banks’ financial (BOC), National have been affirmed at “5” and “No profiles to come under stress Savings Bank (NSB), and DFCC Floor”, respectively. from the increased challenges in Bank on Tuesday (5), following The rating action follows the the operating environment, and reduce lending rates the downgrade of the Sri Lankan downgrade of the Sri Lankan their key credit metrics are likely sovereign rating on 24 April. sovereign rating on 24 April to be weaker than our previous The Central Bank of Sri Lanka respectively, effective from close of Fitch has downgraded Sri 2020, which Fitch said reflects expectations, notwithstanding (CBSL) on 6 May warned business yesterday. Lanka’s largest bank, BOC’s the impact of the escalating regulatory reliefs,” it noted. that it will be compelled “The Board arrived at this Long-Term Foreign and Local- coronavirus pandemic on Sri Fitch said it expects GDP to take regulatory action decision considering the Currency Issuer Default Ratings Lanka’s economy. Fitch revised growth of 4% for Sri Lanka in against banks and financial necessity to further support the (IDRs) to “B-“ from “B”. The its 2020 Outlook on Sri Lanka’s 2021, on the basis of a gradual institutions if they do not economy to weather the adverse Outlook remains Negative. At the banking sector to Negative recovery in tourism receipts reduce lending rates as economic impact caused by same time, Fitch has downgraded in March 2020, saying the beginning in late 2020. However, desired by the CBSL soon. the Covid-19 pandemic, given BOC’s Viability Ratings (VR) to coronavirus pandemic poses it added this forecast is subject subdued inflationary pressures.” “b-“ from “b”, Support Rating increased risks to the previously to an unusually high degree of “Financial institutions are With this decision, policy interest to “5” from “4”, and its Support anticipated expansion in the uncertainty and downside risk, urged to reduce lending rates rates of the CBSL have been Rating Floor to “B-“ from “B”. economy, which will affect depending on the evolution of the without further delay, failing reduced by 150 basis points thus NSB’s Long-Term Foreign and performance of the banks. pandemic both within Sri Lanka which, the Central Bank will be Central Bank Governor W.D. Lakshman far in 2020, in addition to the other Local-Currency IDRs has been “We have revised our and globally. compelled to take appropriate measures taken to ease monetary downgraded to “B-“ from “B”. assessment of Sri Lankan banks’ Correspondingly, the Outlook regulatory action to bring down monetary policy and monetary conditions in the market. The Outlook remains Negative. operating environment to ‘b-’/ for the operating environment market lending rates,” it said in a conditions during the year. The new rates are as follows: Fitch has also downgraded Negative, from ‘b’/Negative, assessment is maintained at press release. Furthermore, the CBSL also yy SDFR – 5.50% DFCC Bank PLC’s Long-Term primarily to reflect the heightened Negative, to reflect the possibility This was after the CBSL said decided to reduce the Standing Foreign and Local-Currency IDRs risk of doing business in the of further downside risks yy SLFR – 6.50% it noted with disappointment Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) to “B-“ from “B” and its Viability jurisdiction. Under Fitch’s base- should the potential impact of that market lending rates had not and the Standing Lending Facility yy Bank Rate – 9.50% Rating (VR) to “b-“ from “b”. The case scenario, we forecast the the economic fallout from the declined in line with the series Rate (SLFR) of the CBSL by 50 yy Statutory Reserve Ratio (SRR) Outlook on the Long-Term IDR is world economy and the Sri Lankan coronavirus pandemic become of measures it had taken to ease basis points to 5.50% and 6.50%, – 4.00% (unchanged) Negative. The Short-Term IDR has economy to contract in 2020 by more pronounced or linger. SriLankan launches cargo flights to Europe and Asia for local exporters Tokyo Cement wants cement To support troubled enabling the importation at the earliest possible export industries, Sri of much-needed raw moment, and we at Lanka’s national carrier materials required for SriLankan Airlines have import restrictions continued SriLankan Airlines is the production of export been intent on restarting launching dedicated goods. This includes the our services from the day BY UWIN LUGODA exasperates Sri Lanka’s national cargo services to a host apparel industry which we reluctantly suspended forex deficit. of destinations in Europe, has long been one of regular operations in the Tokyo Cement Company In his statement, Gnanam the Middle East, the the cornerstones of the face of the pandemic.” (Lanka) PLC has recommended stated that the market will Far East, and the Indian nation’s economy. The airline’s existing that the Sri Lankan Government contract further due to the Subcontinent. SriLankan Airlines fleet of Airbus A320 “remain steadfast” in restricting Covid-19-related economic Accordingly, SriLankan Chairman Ashok and A330 aircraft will cement imports that increase impact, and suggested that will commence 27 Pathirage: “SriLankan be utilised for these the country’s foreign exchange this is an opportunity for local dedicated cargo flights Airlines has always flights and SriLankan exposure without adding value manufacturers and job creators per week from Colombo, considered the nation’s has enhanced the cargo to the local economy. to service a larger slice of the connecting Sri Lanka interests foremost in every carrying capacity of the In a statement released to local market, while helping with major cities in the crisis situation during aircraft beyond the usual the Colombo Stock Exchange reduce the country’s outflow of aforementioned regions, the past 40 years. We are capacity of the cargo holds. (CSE) on 4 May, Tokyo forex that would otherwise go the airline announced on keenly aware of our duty SriLankan Airlines is Cement Managing Director towards imports. 5 May. to support the Government also the sole handler of S.R. Gnanam stated that due Tokyo Cement has been in Destinations include of Sri Lanka and the nation all ground services at the to saturation by importers, last operation for three decades and London and Frankfurt in as a whole, even at a time country’s international year saw local manufacturers is the largest manufacturer and Europe; Beijing, Shanghai, when our company itself is airports, including cargo. supplying only 62% to the supplier of cement in Sri Lanka, and Guangzhou (Canton) facing a difficult situation. It has a state-of-the- national consumption, despite with an installed capacity of in China; Melbourne in “We have no doubt art cargo warehousing having the capacity to supply nearly two million tonnes of Australia; Singapore and that every single export complex at Bandaranaike 90%. cement. The company also Tokyo (Narita) in the Far industry will benefit from International Airport (BIA) “The local production employs over 600 people and East; Doha and Dubai in this bold initiative that which handles all types capacity of our cement industry import restrictions on all obtained the approval of the has Rs. 14 billion in assets. the Middle East; and Male, we plan to launch on 18 of cargo, ranging from is 5.7 million metric tonnes non-essential goods in April Import and Export Control Earlier this year, Asia Dhaka, and several cities May at a time when most raw materials, dangerous (MT), which amounts to for three months to prevent Department. Cement was Securities, a Colombo-based in India in South Asia. other airlines are keeping goods, and courier items 90% of last year’s national a looming foreign exchange included among these brokerage, stated in a research These dedicated cargo their fleets grounded and to mail, live cargo, and consumption of 6.3 million crisis, and this applied exemptions. report that Sri Lanka’s cement flights will be a vital link global trade by air is under valuable cargo. Sri MT. In the short run, we are to cement too. However, He explained that for every production and bagging for local exporters to take a lockdown situation. The Lanka’s award-winning well placed and have targeted amidst pressure from various $ 1 spent on the import of raw capacity will outstrip demand their produce to new and Government is extremely carrier is a member of the these markets catered to by industries, a list of goods materials for local production of in the near term with new plants existing international keen on restarting the Oneworld global airline importers.” were exempted from these cement, $ 2 is spent on cement coming in, until economic markets, while also country’s export industries alliance. The Government imposed restrictions if the importers imports, which unnecessarily activity recovers.

Contd. from page 1

Such a scheme was included in a of Customs House Agents and Importers suffering. In such a case, we have to imposed with a usage threshold. Employers... list of proposals submitted by the EFC President Nujjith Samarawickrama on let them convert their corporate money “Even though the data usage is high, we The employer is required under this to the Labour Minister on 25 April to Tuesday (5) stated that about 20,000 import into something else or we have to do a have given them free data. If customers system to pay such an employee 50% of provide relief to employers and prevent containers are pending clearance at the port, complete write off. Otherwise, they might get large bills and they are unable to pay, the basic salary or Rs. 14,500, whichever bankruptcies. which is the highest number in the entire go for other service providers. To retain it will be disconnected in a month usually. is higher. If the employee was required to history of the port. customers, we have to do; it is going to be But now, they might defer payments and report to work or work from home for only The letter requested Rajapaksa to tough,” the official noted. then get a connection from a competitor a week in that month, he or she would be Don’t extend... instruct the Minister of Ports and Shipping, Speaking to us early April, Dialog Axiata network,” the official noted. entitled to 25% of the total salary, including As a result, import-related businesses are Chairman of SLPA, and CEOs of the two PLC CEO Supun Weerasinghe confirmed Sri Lanka does not have an industry- allowances. However, in addition to this, enduring significant financial struggles. port container terminal operators to waive that it is unfair of the company to provide wide credit rating system for subscribers the employee would also be entitled to “Due to this sudden suspension, our off port demurrages up to one week from the people deadlines to settle their bills at a and therefore they can freely default to either 75% of Rs. 14,500 or 50% of what members are burdened with various issues. date of the lifting of curfew to facilitate the time period like this; therefore, they will one company and then move on to another his or her basic salary would be for a three- For example, they cannot delay or reverse clearance of the backlog of containers. continue providing services and give a network. Therefore, Mobitel is planning on week period. their pre-ordered shipments because that is The union had also urged Rajapaksa to reasonable time for consumers to settle giving discounts to encourage payments. However, if the employee has worked against international shipping conventions,” instruct the Minister of Ports to advise the bills after the curfew. “We have to give a discount for the from home for an entire month, he or she Dias added. Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents He noted that the non-settling of customers to settle at least a small amount. would be entitled to the total salary, as it On a further note, he stated that (CASA) and key mainline ship operators to bills during this period is mainly due to There are options to reduce bandwidth, would be outside the scope of this scheme. international supply chains operate with grant trade waivers on the liner container constrained mobility as a result of the but we are not going down that road,” the When contacted, Commissioner General 12-14 weeks of lead times and a sudden demurrages for one week since lifting of ongoing curfew. official added. of Labour R.P.A. Wimalaweera told The disruption of this nature would cause long- curfew. Furthermore, he noted that Dialog is According to the official, service Sunday Morning Business that this scheme term delays in supplies, causing undue In April, the Ministry of Ports and considering providing their corporate providers have expressed their concern has been devised to encourage employers to stockouts. Shipping announced a full waiver of port customers a grace period until September, over this directive by the TRCSL, but keep their employees on the payroll through A considerable amount of such pre-ordered demurrage till 13 April 2020 and the where before the end of this grace so far no favourable response has been these tough times, even on a rotation basis. consignments are stuck at ports, causing recovery of basic port rent from 14 April till period, it will not levy penalty charges received from the TRCSL. “This is to encourage the private more financial issues for importers as they 7 May 2020. for outstanding payments of its corporate Mobitel recorded a profit of Rs. 3.6 sector to employ the workers as much as have to pay demurrage costs for shipments Sri Lanka’s imports in 2019 amounted customers. billion in 2018, compared to Rs. 3.3 billion possible or to use them on a roster basis. that are yet to be cleared from the port, to $ 19.9 billion. On 19 April, the Ministry Dialog Axiata is a listed company and a in 2017. Mobitel has a market share of If an employee is employed on a fulltime according to Dias. Demurrage charge is an of Finance suspended importation of 156 subsidiary of the Malaysian Axiata Group. over 28% with a customer base of over five basis, the employer is liable to pay the amount payable to the owner of a chartered products under selected payment methods. For the year ended 31 December 2019, the million. basic salary plus allowances. This is for ship on failure to load or discharge the ship Products including sugar and flour are not company’s profit stood as Rs. 11.5 billion companies that are struggling to start their within the time agreed. allowed to be imported under Letters of compared to Rs. 4.3 billion a year prior. business and for those that are working Containers that are pending clearance at Credit (LCs), Documents against Payments, As at end-2018, Dialog had a market share CSE braces... below full capacity. In that case, it is unfair the port have to pay two types of demurrage and Documents against Acceptances. of over 44% and a 13.8 million mobile The curfew imposed in the evening on 20 to expect them to employ their full staff,” costs. One is the Port Demurrage Storage Further, 111 selected items that include milk subscriber base. March has made the CSE the stock market he said. Rent Payable to Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s and palm oil are allowed to be imported that has been closed for the longest period When inquired as to whether this (SLPA) Jaya Container Terminal, South only on a credit basis. It is learnt that these Mobitel in the region due to Covid-19. In fact, only could be abused by employers to make Asia Container Terminal, or Colombo decisions have also impacted importers The Sunday Morning Business spoke to the Dhaka Stock Exchange in Bangladesh employees work from home but only pay International Container Terminal. Second significantly. an official from Mobitel, a subsidiary of has been closed for a somewhat similar them Rs. 14,500 or 50% of the basic salary, is the Container Shipping Line Demurrage Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and the second period, having shut its doors on 29 March. Wimalaweera said that such cases could Payable to the shipping agents for the usage biggest mobile telecommunication service Despite many countries around the world be brought to the attention of the Labour of the container that belongs to the ship. Telcos sweat... provider in the country. The official told us being in a state of lockdown, the stock Department, which would examine the case In another letter to Special Advisor to “Factories are not operating and they that they too are concerned over customers exchanges of these countries have generally and make a decision. the President Basil Rajapaksa, the Union would tell us that they are financially defaulting after the curfew as they were not been open for trading. the sunday morning business 3 Sunday, May 10, 2020 ECONOMY

at all; no one can enter that market. As a By result, the trains are late, always on strike, Dhananath and overcrowded. The route permit for a bus is more expensive than the bus itself Fernando for most of the routes, and is heavily politicised. A story my biology teacher taught Market entry is extremely difficult and prices are controlled. As a result, me when I was a schoolboy is even buses are always slow with very poor the present day is a formidable safety precautions. Passenger service is anecdote in the grey area of public unimaginably terrible as a result of the policy and economic management. absence of choice for people to shift to Once upon a time, deer and lions alternatives. Simply, bus owners have were living in the same forest. no incentive to provide a better service. The then king was very fond of Making things worse, private vehicular deer and felt that deer are treated traffic to the city is increasing alarmingly, unfairly as they often become prey combusting more hydrocarbons and to a marauding pride of merciless impacting the environment. As a side lions. effect we spend billions of dollars on importing fuel to burn on bumper-to- The king ordered his guards to destroy bumper traffic. This is just a single all lions in the jungle. After a few months, example of the disastrous combination of the deer population grew rapidly and price controls, lack of competitiveness, the king was very happy. A few more A good recent example is the and overregulation. months later, the deer population grew price controls imposed by the The other two main macro decisions Government on tinned fish and exponentially and the food sources in dhal which were revoked recently by the Government this column has the forest were not adequate for their highlighted are most likely to cause further consumption and they, in desperation, unintended consequences with the gradual resorted to eating the barks of trees. This opening up of the Western Province from resulted in the death of the forest, which tomorrow (11) onwards. ultimately extended to the deer. Soon, 1. Imposing import controls will have there were neither deer nor a forest. The an impact on local industries and entire ecosystem had collapsed because of Price controls don’t employment, along with shortages of one single intervention. essential items for consumption, and Public and economic policy have cause supply-side shocks and create similar dimensions and that is why we inflation. should not intervene in markets but 2. Money creation (quantitative easing or allow free exchange, as there could be a work and I told you so money printing) will further depreciate chain of unintended consequences, even our currency in the long run and create though the initial intention was good. In controls haven’t been spoken about and in place for essential goods such as rice, an artificial demand for imports. Already the current global economic landscape the connection in this hullabaloo is not milk powder, turmeric powder, big onions, our rating has been downgraded by interdependencies of two or more cogs visible. It has had the most impact on the and maize. The results from this will Fitch. in the global market make the wheel poor and vulnerable community in society not be different to what we experienced turn, and the time it takes from action to who do not have a voice. Tinned fish was with tinned fish and dhal. Not only food The solution reaction could be a mere few seconds or probably their most affordable source of essentials, but LP gas and cement also We need to realise that not making a just days. A good recent example is the protein, but instead had to shift to more have price controls. In the leisure sector, bad decision is equal to making a good price controls imposed by the Government expensive sources which is beyond their hotels have a minimum room rate. Our decision. Rather than controlling prices, on tinned fish and dhal which were affordability, and in most cases I’m sure petroleum products (diesel, petrol, and we need to enhance competition with the revoked recently. The Government’s that they stayed with empty bellies due kerosene for example) and bus fares have gradual opening up of the economy, and decision to revoke the price controls is to the unavailability of affordable and price controls. not waste time during this crisis, without commendable, but the damage to the by nutritious food. Price controls, more so than regulation easing regulatory barriers such as price market is done, at least for the moment. This has also resulted in the President and lack of competitiveness, are sure controls and opening up for regulation Markets are not limited to the supply having to sacrifice his political capital as ways of stagnating any market or that is both consistent and transparent. and demand of goods and services so they a significant priority was given to price industry. Without going into detail, if you Institutes like the Consumer Affairs have a mechanism to reach an optimal creation of black markets and shortages of controls during his address to the nation, observe sectors like public transport, it Authority’s mandate need to be revisited price and quality. It’s more than that. It is food for people. Sri Lanka imports 90% and now the decision has been revoked. is evident how the combination of price and they should lead the promotion of important that market sentiments are kept of its tinned fish and has a 35% tariff on Price controls in Sri Lanka are not a new controls, lack of competitiveness, and competition instead of becoming the consistent so as to ensure the key wheels imported tinned fish. When the marked/ phenomenon. Every government has overregulation has led to a terrible public neighbourhood cop for price controls. of the economy – investors, buyers, and market price is Rs. 225, but the legally imposed price controls and these have service for the taxpayers. (The writer is the Chief Operating sellers – keep turning as efficiently as allowed selling price is only Rs. 100, the constantly and comprehensively failed, but Although the world has moved from Officer of the Advocata Institute and can possible. If this takes place, consumers, obvious reaction of importers would be are continually included in the political travelling from Earth to space over the last be contacted at dhananath@advocata. that is you and I, get the best products and to stop importing tinned fish. It’s not the theatre to mislead the taxpayer. It is five decades, the brand of the buses, train org. Learn more about Advocata’s work services at the best price, without being prerogative of a business to knowingly sell unfortunate that the taxpayers too continue compartments, and their service condition at www.advocata.org. The opinions prey to black-market racketeers. at a loss, regulated or not. to swallow the same trick, regardless of have remained the same during the expressed are the author’s own views. The Advocata Institute, and this Price controls during a pandemic like their past experiences. same period in Sri Lanka. The reason is They may not necessarily reflect the column, highlighted why price controls Covid-19 look insignificant, but it is not. Price controls are not limited to tinned simple. Trains are a complete government views of the Advocata Institute, or anyone are impractical and how they lead to the The stories of the adverse effects of price fish and dhal. There are price controls still monopoly and there is no competitiveness affiliated with the institute) Sovereign Bond yield rates at alarming levels z First patient in March and Fitch downgrade in April major factors

BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR financial market volatility, with large 91.93% on 3 April and dropped to 39.23% In addition, in October 2015, ISBs to billion five-year and $ 1.25 billion 10-year upcoming external debt redemptions and on 30 April. However, last week it hiked to the value of $ 1.5 billion were issued at ISBs with maturity dates in April 2023 and Sri Lanka’s International Sovereign limited foreign-currency (FX) reserves. 44.42%. a yield rate of 6.85% per annum with a April 2028, with 5.75% and 6.75% yield Bonds’ (ISBs) secondary market yield Its reserves are about $ 7.2 billion, while In July 2011, the Government issued an maturity period of 10 years. This was Sri rates, respectively. This is the largest bond rates have risen alarmingly since the the sovereign’s external debt payments ISB amounting to $ 1 billion. The issue Lanka’s largest offering within a year in the offering raised by Sri Lanka, surpassing the identification of the first Sri Lankan from May to December 2020 amount had a maturity of 10 years at a fixed rate international bond market since the first ISB $ 2.15 billion raised in 2015. Covid-19 patient in March and the strict to $ 3.2 billion, including a $ 1 billion yield of 6.25%. According to Central Bank was issued in 2007. The five-year bond’s yield rate was islandwide curfew imposed subsequently international sovereign bond payment due of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) annual reports, The ISB which reaches maturity in 5.69% before the local spread of Covid-19 to contain the spread of the virus, which in October. Fitch estimates Sri Lanka’s the funds were utilised to restructure the November 2025 was at a yield rate of and it increased to 26.63% on 10 April. unfortunately served to bring the economy external liquidity ratio, defined as liquid Government’s outstanding debt stock with 6.75% during the first week of March, It fell to 25.28% on 30 April. It reached to an almost complete halt. external assets/external liabilities, at about the retirement of some high-cost debt, which then shot up to 19.48% on 10 April. its peak levels last week as it ended on The yield rates, which were earlier 64%, among the weakest in the ‘B’ rating and helped reduce pressure on domestic However, on 30 April, this dropped to 27.26%. hovering around their original rates of category,” Fitch noted in its rating action. resources and interest rates. 19.20% but during the week ended on 6 Yield rates of the 10-year bond were primary issuance (coupon rates), have Of these two actions, it is Fitch’s The yield rate of this ISB was even lower April, it increased to 20.75%. 7.62% during the first month of March increased by double digits since the second downgrade that has hurt the most, with than the coupon rate as it was 4.78% as at The Government successfully issued 16.83% on 10 April. Even though it week of March and continue to remain at a dramatic spike in the yield rate of the 6 March. It increased to 41.37% on 3 April. its 10th ISB in 2016, reflecting improved declined the following week, it rose again high levels. ISBs in the week following the Fitch However, at the end of the week ended investor sentiment on Sri Lanka. at the end of April as it was reported at This time, there were also two rating announcement. on 30 April, the yield rate of the ISB was Accordingly, the Government was able 16.57%. It further rose to 17.33% last week. actions on Sri Lanka by two of the big three reported as 34.22%. This ISB’s yield rates to raise $ 1.5 billion in July 2016 through In March last year, CBSL returned to credit rating agencies in the world, Fitch Sri Lanka’s 14 ISBs too increased last week as it was reported at the first dual-tranche offering of 5.5-year USD bond markets, pricing a new issuance and Moody’s, which have certainly not Sri Lanka currently has 14 ISBs that 38.91%. ($ 500 million) and 10-year ($ 1 billion) of $ 1 billion five-year and $ 1.4 billion helped matters. reach maturity between 2020 and 2030. Sri Lanka successfully issued its fifth bonds at yield rates of 5.750% and 6.825%, 10-year bonds with maturity dates of March On 17 April, Moody’s Investors Service Almost all the ISBs have followed a similar ISB of $ 1 billion in July 2012, with a respectively, amidst high volatility in the 2024 and March 2029, respectively. placed the Government of Sri Lanka’s long- trend since 6 March. Yield rates of the comparatively lower yield of 5.875% per global markets. The five-year bond’s yield rates were term foreign currency issuer and senior ISBs were somewhat closer to their coupon annum and a maturity of 10 years. Most of The 5.5-year ISB was at a yield rate of 6.19% as at 3 March and went up to 24.24% unsecured B2 ratings under review for rates as of 6 March. However, they saw a this inflow was directed to the continuation 4.95% on 6 March. It hiked to 36.88% on on 10 April. However, it reduced and downgrade. dramatic increase either during the week of major infrastructure projects which 10 April this year. Even though it saw a recorded 22.32% on 30 April. However, last “The Government’s external debt service ended on 3 April or 10 April. Even though commenced in 2010 and 2011. This bond decline the following week, once again week it reached mid-April levels as it grew payments amount to approximately $ 4 most of the ISBs recorded declined yield reaches its maturity in July 2022 and it hiked to 35.86% on 30 April. It further to 24.81%. billion between 2020 and 2025 (1), in rates the following week, they once again was at a yield rate of 5.20% on 6 March. increased to 38.9% last week. Meanwhile, the 10-year bond’s yield rates addition to financing part of the wider rose to early or mid-April levels last week, It increased to its highest on 10 April to The 10-year ISB which reaches maturity were 7.85% on 3 March and it increased to budget deficit externally. International excluding very few ISBs that reach maturity 31.79% and recorded as 28.34% on 30 in July 2026 was at 7.08% during the first 17.74% in April and even as of 30 April, the sovereign bonds account for a sizeable in the near term. April. However, last week it exceeded mid- week of March this year, which gradually rate was above 17%. It increased further last portion of maturing government debt over Yield is the income returned on an April levels and reported as 32.06%. increased and reached its peak of 18.98% week to 24.81%. this period, including upcoming payments investment, such as the interest received In 2013, Sri Lanka did not issue any on 10 April before recording a slight drop to Last June, the CBSL issued $ 500 million of $ 1 billion each in October 2020 and from holding a security. The yield is usually ISBs. The Government raised $ 2.15 billion 18.05% in the last week of April. However, five-year and $ 1.5 billion 10-year bonds July 2021. In the current market conditions, expressed as an annual percentage rate through the issuance of ISBs during 2015. during last week it increased once again to with maturity dates in June 2024 and March refinancing these maturities on international based on the investment’s cost, current In May 2015, the Government successfully 19.39%. 2030, respectively. The yield rates of the markets would come at considerable costs,” market value, or face value. issued ISBs to the value of $ 650 million The Government was able to raise $ 1.5 five-year bond were 6.27% on 3 March it said in its statement. The ISB that reaches maturity in October with a maturity period of 10 years at a billion in May 2017 with a 10-year maturity which rose significantly to 27.47% on 10 Thereafter, on 24 April, Fitch Ratings this year is a 10-year ISB of $ 1 billion, progressively lower yield rate of 6.125% at a yield of 6.2% per annum. Yield rates of April before dropping to 20.95% on 30 downgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term with a coupon rate of 6.25%, to repay some per annum. this ISB were at 7.33% during the first week April. However, it increased to 22.86% last Foreign and Local Currency Issuer Default high-cost domestic borrowings. This was This bond was 6.74% during the first of March and that 17.91% at the end of the week. Ratings (IDR) to ‘B-’ from ‘B’, with a the third ISB issuance since Sri Lanka week of March this year and this hiked up first week in April. However, it reduced to Meanwhile, the 10-year bond’s yield rates Negative Outlook. started issuing ISBs in 2007. to 19.62% on 10 April. This has dropped 16.53% in the last week of the same month. were 7.95% on 03 March and it increased to “Sri Lanka’s external financing This was 4.50% as at 6 March, a week slightly to 18.87% on 30 April. However, However, it reached early April levels last 17.74% on 3 April. However, it recorded as challenges have increased in the current prior to the first Covid-19 patient being it reached its peak since March, during last week as it increased to 17.69%. 16.47% on 30 April before increasing once environment of global risk aversion and reported. It increased dramatically to week, as it reported a yield rate of 20.44%. In April 2018, the CBSL issued $ 1.25 again to 17% last week. 4 the sunday morning business VIEWS/NEWS Sunday, May 10, 2020 Back to work, back to Buddhism A second Vesak has passed adjust to the new laws of working and remain optimistic through empathy is not to be weak and concern. The current conditions us by with no pomp and through a pandemic. The teachings the harsh realities of everyday soft; it is to offer the comfort of will only compound toxic work celebration – a reminder of of the Buddha and Dhamma offer business. These will be stressful, a cool head, to prioritise health, cultures; it is imperative that the impermanence that is opportunities for contemplation anxious times for employers to model a balanced life. A good businesses also use this experience the cornerstone of Buddhist for employers and employees and employees and there’s no example is the empathetic and to address those weaknesses, doctrine. Living in the midst preparing to go to work this week better time to digest the virtues compassionate leadership style thereby readying their workplaces after 50 days of working from of non-attachment. This is not to of New Zealand Prime Minister for better performance when the of a pandemic is a life lesson home. suggest disinterest or emotional Jacinda Ardern, widely admired economy is back on track. in the Buddha’s words about Workplaces must hope for detachment from one’s work for her handling of Covid-19. When we go back into our the transient, inconstant, and renewed self-discipline in their THE and duties; it is in the context of Compassion and humanity are offices, the one thing that will frail quality of life. In fact, so people; better mindfulness even choosing to leave self-interest the foundation of any religion; strengthen our collective spirits much of Buddhist philosophy in the very basic actions such as HEADLIGHT aside, remain objective, and see these are deeply Sri Lankan is the knowledge that this too is so relevant to these times, keeping themselves from touching the ground realities and the tasks characteristics and ones that must shall pass. These unprecedented not just as a religious faith their faces and washing their hands one’s self and one’s environment. at hand from a wider lens. come to the fore at this time. developments will inevitably lead but as a way of life. thoroughly. Mindfulness may be As the weeks progress, the These are extraordinary times There is a moral obligation, on to pressures and tensions but let us a buzzword of our times but it is a business community will face and businesses must make hard the parts of both employers and not allow the difficulties we face The resumption of work as we fundamental practice in Buddhism growing uncertainty and fears decisions. But those decisions employees, to be compassionate doing business define how we treat know it is still a long way off and and now more than ever, our and will have to seek from deep must be made with compassion towards each other; employers each other; let loving kindness to this week will see workplaces workplaces need an injection of within themselves and their and also, in the best interests of must care for their employees ourselves and others be how we scrambling to recalibrate and mindfulness – an awareness of employees the ability to survive people’s wellbeing. Leading with who must in turn, reciprocate that choose to survive this pandemic. Two mega malls Job cuts are inevitable, waive off rental fees for retailers are you willing to adapt? z and Majestic City go ‘rental-free’ to support industry By zSri Lankans will not escape unscathed, but Tharaka De Colombo being laid off is not the end of the world City Centre Alwis 1. The Winners: Sectors affected free and paid e-learning services. personal brand. The more positively by the pandemic Focus on high-demand skills original-quality content you A recent headline on 2. The Losers: Sectors affected you can obtain within two to share with your network, the BBC read: “Four out of negatively by the pandemic three months. Here are a list of more people follow you and five people’s jobs hit by 3. The Inbetweeners: Sectors that e-learning services offering free consider you a thought leader pandemic.” Globally, could go either way depending and paid courses for virtually any in your respective industry. a number of public on how they adjust and skill: This is a proven dynamic in companies with thousands respond Online Courses – Learn personal social branding. of employees have already The opportunities for new Anything, On Your Schedule | Start with opinion pieces, as declared bankruptcy or are employment clearly lie in the Udemy – www.udemy.com it’s hard to go wrong here. This first segment — The Winners. To is about sharing your personal in the process of doing so. yy Online Courses | Harvard take a few examples, there is a view on a trending topic and University – online-learning. In Sri Lanka, a number of large boom in the following industries: requires minimal research and fact harvard.edu private and public companies have e-commerce marketplaces, checking. However, it is a good announced pay cuts and layoffs, pharmaceuticals, logistics/delivery, yy edX – www.edx.org practice to ground your opinion BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR other countries, especially that of the most affected being the travel enterprise collaboration software, yy in facts so as not to come off as the tourism generating markets of and hospitality sector. While entertainment streaming, and Coursera | Build Skills with overopinionated. Amidst the prolonged impact Sri Lanka. some businesses in all sectors will gaming. Online Courses from Top Next, you can move on to Institutions – www.coursera.org of Covid-19 on retail sector Meanwhile, in a communique recover in the long run, the short A guide to navigating the doing some research on trending businesses, two leading shopping released on 4 May, SLRA to medium term is bleak and mass yy Alison | Free Online Courses dilemmas and socioeconomic complexes in Sri Lanka, Majestic President Sidath Kodikara re-employment is highly unlikely. job space and Online Learning – alison. issues. The key is to follow well- City and Colombo City Centre, appealed for landlords to provide A hard pill to swallow If you are at risk of suffering com established, credible sources and have announced a “rental-free” a 50% concession on rentals or from a massive pay cut or lay off, y get the facts right. Also, beware policy for their tenants. leases for the next six months on The reality of this situation is it is high time to start looking for y Khan Academy | Free Online of flogging dead horses and More retail space providers properties leased and rented by that most people will not be able alternatives now. While this is not Courses, Lessons, and Practice avoid talking about old news. are expected to announce similar SLRA members, as many retailers to make a living in their current a definitive guide to a guaranteed – www.khanacademy.org Break new ground and bring new concessions following a request are suffering losses due to the sector and/or job role. People job, this is a proven framework to yy Learn to Code – for Free perspectives to the table, even if made by the Sri Lanka Retailers’ prevailing situation in the country need to start looking at alternate increase your chances of getting | Codecademy – www. it’s the same old problem. Association (SLRA) yesterday (5) caused by Covid-19. Kodikara jobs in the same sector or moving re-employed or self-employed codecademy.com The above steps are just the from all landlords and lessors to further noted that the industry into completely new domains with a decent income. start of your personal branding reduce leases and rentals for the employs more than 15% of the which have vacancies. Change yy Learn the Latest Tech Skills; journey. You can expand on this association’s membership. workforce. is not easy, especially for those 1. Look for opportunities Advance Your Career | Udacity with more ideas and tips online. When contacted, Colombo “The ongoing lockdown has who have been in their respective The key thing to keep in – www.udacity.com Just Google personal professional City Centre General Manager drastically limited all retailers’ industries or roles for over 10-plus mind here is that you are not yy Lynda.com – www.lynda.com branding and you will find Selwyn Chiu told The Sunday ability to operate their respective years. With age, the ability to necessarily looking for a job. everything you need. Morning Business that the mall has outlets, thus resulting in more than learn new skills also becomes a You are looking for a source of 4. Build your personal brand introduced a rental-free policy with an 85% drop in revenues across all challenge. income which you can obtain with Think just sending a poorly 5. Start applying, NOW effect from 18 March, considering retail establishments and sectors. There is a saying: “You can’t minimal re-skilling/upskilling structured CV document will land With layoffs on the horizon, you the plight of its tenants, and that this This significant drop in revenue has teach an old dog new tricks.” requirements. Start with the you a great job? Think again. have absolutely no time to waste. policy would remain in place till the resulted in losses for all retailers; This is actually backed by local job sites like topjobs.lk Employers nowadays look for Once you have a basic LinkedIn end of June. currently, all our membership is research and studies which prove or XpressJobs, and work your a lot more than pure experience profile, updated CV, and minimum Colombo City Centre is a $ 180 struggling to stay afloat,” he said. the science behind the difficulties way up to the global job boards. and skills when selecting top skills from online courses, start million joint venture between local Speaking to The Sunday Morning in learning as we age. Considering the restrictions candidates for jobs. People with applying for jobs and part-time retail giant Abans and Singapore- Business, Kodikara noted the It may be the ability to filter on travel and migration, filter professional social presence gigs immediately. The key here based Next Story Group. It has SLRA has about 46 members and eliminate old information — international jobs by remote stand out from the crowd. You is to play the numbers game. around 70 outlets within the including Fashion Bug and Cool rather than take in the new stuff working options. Especially focus can improve your chances of Statistically, if your chances of building, which have been leased to planet and they have not had any — that makes it harder to learn as on freelancing opportunities with landing the job ten-fold simply by getting a particular opportunity various brands, and all these tenants business since 20 March and have we age. Scientists report: “‘When significant pay i.e. $ 20/hour or creating a small personal brand by is 1/100, the best way to pull the will be entitled to this concession. requested from the SLRA to appeal you are young, your brain is able more. Some recommended sites following these easy steps: odds in your favour is to apply for Selwyn further said that City Centre concessions from their landlords on to strengthen certain connections to find these would be Fiverr.com, as many as possible. plans to open on 11 May as per behalf of them. and weaken certain connections Freelancer.com, Peopleperhour. a) Create a LinkedIn profile – Prepare well in advance for that government regulations. SLRA is the representative body to make new memories,” said com, and Upwork.com. Shortlist if you already have one, golden opportunity also known as Meanwhile, Majestic City, owned of the country’s retail industry and Joe Z. Tsien, a neuroscientist at these opportunities with a simple then spend a few hours and a face-to-face interview. Research by C.T. Land Development PLC, provides membership for nine retail the Medical College of Georgia. link list. Here’s some criteria for follow the built-in profile about the employer and the job announced that they will implement sectors. It’s that critical weakening that shortlisting: completion wizard to update role. Let them know you mean a rental-free policy other than for A report compiled by First appears hampered in the older a) Relevance to existing skills and your information. While business. Even if it’s over a video the electricity consumed inside the Capital Research states that the brain, according to a study in the experience it’s not recommended to lie call, dress professionally and shop during the curfew period. retail industry is highly impacted as journal Scientific Reports. b) Potential income meets your about skills, especially if do not turn up in your pyjamas. “We would also be taking into it is not an essential service or item. Neurons in young people’s minimal needs you’re claiming to speak five Nothing beats a good first consideration the adverse economic “The retail sector is exposed brains are able to “talk” to one c) Ease of learning the new skills languages or swim, you can impression. impact of the closure on our tenants because it is struck by a double another a fraction of a second required for the job be creative in presenting your A common question asked at and will formulate a rental-free/ whammy due to social distancing longer and make stronger bonds existing skills and experience interviews nowadays is: “Why reduced rental scheme for a further requirements coupled with the with each other, optimising 2. Identify required skills b) Expand your network – getting do you think you are the best period until such time as the mall Government deciding to suspend/ learning and memory (source: a job can sometimes literally candidate for this job?” Be ready is fully reopened,” C.T. Land limit importation of non-essential Business Insider). Once you shortlist potential jobs, be about who you know. If for this one, be bold and respond Development Deputy Chairman items,” the report added. Nevertheless, with looming create a short list of the new skills your current circle of friends with your own question: “Tell me J.C. Page said in a disclosure to the It further noted that wholesale job losses on the horizon, it is required. There are two easy ways and associates aren’t any help, your company’s top challenges Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and retail trade will face significant imperative to start looking at fresh of going about this: then it’s time to expand your and I will explain how I intend to on 30 April. challenges due to import restrictions alternatives before the hammer a) Job vacancy posts will have network. Join shared interest use my skills to help overcome The company has given this and worsening exchange rate and comes down. sections clearly defining the skills groups, webinars, causes, them.” Stay calm and understand assurance to its tenants regardless declines in real income. and proficiency of certain tools and any other networking the challenges laid out to you. of the substantial impact on the The report added that when the Every dark cloud has a required for the job opportunities that can help All you need to do now is explain company’s revenue due to this automobile segment is considered, silver lining b) Look for people who are you build your connections in briefly the relevance of your skills announcement as it understands it is already highly exposed because The pandemic has decimated already doing similar jobs and read the professional world. with a mild dose of enthusiasm. that most of the businesses have not of their reliance on international the tourism, travel, and hospitality their online profiles to understand c) Share your hopes, dreams, In the eyes of potential new yet recovered even from the Easter supply chains. The crisis will sector and at the same time created their skills and experience ideas, and opinions – like employers, you can be just Sunday incidents. exacerbate the already dwindling a boom in a number of sectors Newton’s law of universal another brick in the wall like Page further noted that the demand for vehicles. like healthcare, e-commerce, and 3. Upskill with e-learning gravitation, which says the Pink Floyd warned us about. or recovery period of businesses at First Capital expects the recovery enterprise collaboration software. With a basic computer and gravitational force increases shine bright like a diamond like the complex and their company of the retail sector to take between We can broadly categorise all internet connection, you can learn with the mass of an object, Rihanna told us to. The choice is depended on the recovery period of 12 and 18 months. businesses as follows: these skills through a number of so does the gravity of your yours. the sunday morning business 35 Sunday, May 10, 2020 MARKETS

BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR It is finally happening. The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) last week told stock market stakeholders that it “intends” to recommence trading Did the Colombo Stock tomorrow (11), which will bring to an end seven weeks of inactivity that began with the imposition of islandwide curfew on 20 March. In the days leading up to the initial closure Exchange miss the bus? of the CSE on 16 March, the CSE’s circuit breaker was activated multiple times after zOther frontier markets have suffered and recovered zCSE will be hoping it isn’t too late to follow suit the Standard and Poor’s Sri Lanka 20 (S&P SL20) index, which includes the 20 largest Indian news report that the markets are a companies by total market capitalisation reflection not just of the past, but also a listed on the CSE, fell by 5% slabs several mirror of the success of the companies in the times, triggering 30-minute halts in regular future. trading. The following week, it remained “Hiding this crystal ball because it is closed for four days with the Government showing an unpleasant future is like hiding a declaring holidays. It was opened only on thermometer because you have high fever. It Friday (20 March) that week and that too for will actually provide false comfort that you a shortened trading time. Since then, it has are healthier, even though your symptoms remained closed. are getting worse,” the firm added. What can the CSE expect once it opens? European Securities and Markets Hanoi Stock Exchange of Vietnam Casablanca Stock Exchange Bahrain Bourse There is general consensus that there will of Morocco Authority (ESMA) President Steven Maijoor be a “bloodbath” with a massive sell off by a month ago had noted that stock exchanges foreign investors who have been waiting not restricted to Asian frontier markets sectors, VN-Index kept rising even by the Morocco, as of Tuesday (5), reported over should remain open during a pandemic. anxiously for seven weeks to pull their but extends to most major developing and end of April, showing stronger signs of 5,000 cases and 180 Covid-19 deaths. The He is of the view that stock markets are investments out. The statistics bear out developed markets as well. However, it is recovery, recording decade high gains in its country reported its first Covid-19 case on vital for the functioning of an economy and this fear, as the CSE suffered a net foreign believed that the lower oil price will be a VN-Index. 2 March. The stock exchange, which was financial systems, especially in the current outflow worth Rs. 473 million in the five- tailwind for most Asian frontier markets as BAHRAIN very much dynamic during the early weeks circumstances. and-a-half days it was open before the this will help manage inflation and interest Bahrain Bourse is one of the frontier of this year, plunged into an unprecedented current closure. rates and can support the recovery of growth markets of the Middle East. As at 2017, 42 panic, recording the largest daily decline in Safeguards in place However, there is less agreement on in 2021. companies were listed on the exchange. The its history on 9 March. When the CSE opens tomorrow, it will how the market would perform in the short exchange operates from Sunday to Thursday. The Moroccan All Shares Index (MASI) have a new system under which the market to medium term, with some analysts and The frontier rally Three indices track the Bahrain Bourse: lost 5.82% of value on Monday alone, will automatically close for the day if the market insiders hopeful of a recovery and VIETNAM Bahrain All Share Index, Dow Jones Bahrain reaching an all-time low of 10,806 points. It S&P SL20 index drops by 10% or more, others bracing for an extended period of Vietnam is a frontier market and has Index, and Estirad Index. is one of the two main Moroccan indexes, according to the Securities and Exchange losses. two stock exchanges namely the main Ho Bahrain as of Tuesday (5) had 3,533 the other being the Moroccan Most Active Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) which Therefore, we decided to take a look at Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HOSE) along Covid-19 cases reprting eight deaths. Shares Index (MADEX). The drop was regulates the CSE. some other frontier markets such as Sri with the smaller Hanoi Stock Exchange Bahrain confirmed its first Covid-19 case purely attributed to Covid-19. Under the current system trading is halted Lanka which have been affected by Covid- (HSX). HOSE is the largest stock exchange on 21 February and the first death was However, by the end of March, the every time the S&P SL20 drops 5%, with 19 but have been open for a while or were in Vietnam. The Ho Chi Minh VSE is a reported almost a month after. Following Casablanca Stock Exchange managed to be the market closing for the day if it drops 5% never closed. This is to ascertain how the major stock market index which tracks the first Covid-19 patient, Bahrain’s index one of the best performances in the region at or after 2 p.m. The new system has done CSE would perform over the next month or the performance of 303 equities listed on dropped by 0.5%. By end-February, Bahrain of the Middle East and North Africa with away with this 2 p.m. mark, allowing the two since opening tomorrow. the HOSE and HSX in Vietnam. It is a Bourse hosted workshops for Kuwait-based notable gains. market to be closed as early as 12 noon if the capitalisation-weighted index. The VN-Index companies, explaining opportunities at Meanwhile, another frontier market in the S&P SL20 drops 10% or more. What are frontier markets? has a base value of 100 as of 28 July 2000. Bahrain stock market. African region, Nigeria, too managed to gain The Three-tiered Circuit Breaker structure The hierarchy of investing comprises Vietnam reported its first Covid-19 case However, by 1 March, Bahrain’s Bourse a considerable number of days since the last is as follows: three types of markets with developed on 23 January this year. By this point, most edged down 2.1% but rose by 2.2% the week of April. It is notable that the Mauritius yy First Circuit Breaker – after markets such as the US and the UK being of the Asian stocks were subdued owing to following day. The Bourse again witnessed frontier market too remained open despite commencement of trading of the CSE for on top, followed by emerging markets the rising death toll in China. The benchmark a 5% drop by 9 March. It kept dropping in the spread of Covid-19 within the country. the day, a market halt to be imposed for such as India, Pakistan, Russia, and China. VN-Index plunged 31.88 points, or 3.22%, the subsequent days and as a result, Bahrain 30 minutes in the event the S&P SL20 Frontier markets such as Sri Lanka, Nigeria, to 959.58 points on 30 January, the biggest Bourse announced temporary closure of its Market closures – good or bad? index drops by 5%. and Kazakhstan are at the bottom of this losing session since November 2018. 274 trading floor to the public as a preventative While most of the stock markets remain hierarchy. stocks lost and just 80 gained on the HOSE, measure until further notice. However, the open despite the spread of Covid-19 in yy Second Circuit Breaker – having re- Frontier markets are less advanced capital on which the benchmark VN-Index is based, following day was Thursday after which their respective countries, Sri Lanka and commenced trading after the cooling off markets in developing countries that are as trading opened after a one-week Lunar usually Bahrain Bourse closes trading for Bangladesh have stood out for keeping their period of 30 minutes following the S&P established far better than those in the New Year break. three days. When the bourse was opened markets closed for extended periods of time. SL20 drop of 5%, if the S&P SL20 index least developed countries (LDCs), but are On 3 February, VN-Index fell 8.48 points, on Monday, 22 March, Bahrain Bourse was The seven-week “closure of the Colombo drops again by another 2.5%, a market not as developed as markets in emerging or 0.91%, to 928.14 points, its lowest point down marginally. Stock Exchange will likely affect short- halt to be imposed for another 30 minutes. economies. Therefore, frontier markets since 11 February last year. This was the Even during early April, Bahrain Bourse term sentiment towards Sri Lankan equities yy can still be recognised as “pre-emerging” third consecutive session that Vietnam’s was trading in red as they were trading once markets do re-open as selling pressure Third Circuit Breaker – upon re- markets. benchmark index fell since it reopened after marginally lower. However, this trend saw a would have built up”, said Ruchir Desai, a commencing trading subsequent Nevertheless, what makes these frontier a one-week Lunar New Year break. reversal since 12 April as the Bahrain Bourse fund manager at Asia Frontier Capital Ltd. to cooling off period of 30 minutes markets at the bottom of the hierarchy better, Vietnam stock market kept plunging. The was trading in positive territory, rising in Hong Kong, speaking to Bloomberg last following the S&P SL20 drop of 2.5% according to global analysts, is the fact that benchmark VN-Index on the HOSE took 0.23%. On 19 in the same month, Bahrain week. Some foreign investors had raised (altogether S&P SL20 has dropped by they are less vulnerable to external shocks a nosedive to close at 835.49 points on 9 Bourse increased 0.6% to 1,320 points. their concerns about the extended closure via 7.5%), if the S&P SL20 index drops by a due to their limited financial links with the March, recording the worst slump since United Arab Emirate (UAE) stocks, which intermediaries to the regulator, Desai said. further 2.5% (S&P SL20 index has fallen rest of the world. 2002. However, by 17 March, the cash flow includes Bahrain Bourse, posted straight Local market analysts pointed out to altogether by 10% for the day), trading There are about 30 frontier markets mostly into Vietnam’s 30 biggest stocks narrowed sessions of gains since mid-last month as The Sunday Morning Business that this will be halted and the market shall be in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. These the VN-Index’s losses to 0.28%, from above governments continued to take colossal prolonged closure is harmful to investor closed for the day. markets have a combined market value of 0.9%, in four previous sessions, reversing strides to help keep their economies afloat confidence and may deter foreign investors The SEC said it has deemed it necessary $ 715 billion. Sri Lanka is one of the four the plunging trend of almost two months. amid a ravaging pandemic and a slump in oil in the future, as they will have no guarantees to amend the current methodology by frontier Asian markets. The VN-Index recorded a remarkable prices. that they could pull out their investment introducing a Three-tiered Circuit Breaker recovery on 25 March, surging 4.71% to The sectors partially reopening and a when they wish to. Furthermore, we learnt structure having taken into consideration the Frontier markets’ outlook 690.25 points, its biggest single-day gain surge in oil prices helped Bahrain Bourse to that retail stockbroking companies have had prevailing market conditions. As reported by Forbes, frontier markets in since 24 July 2009. Reuters reported on 30 a stable trading compared to a month ago no revenue whatsoever for over a month “Accordingly, a Three-Tiered Circuit general are at greater risk of being upended March that Southeast Asian stock markets by the end of April. Other stock markets which has severely impacted their cash Breaker structure is hereby introduced in by coronavirus, although certain countries rose as China factory activities were that remain open in the Middle East, which flows, even putting in doubt its ability to pay order to strengthen the capital market and and sectors may have opportunities for expanded in March after contracting to a are also on their recovery paths including salaries. ensure that precautionary measures are in patient investors, according to a Dubai-based record-low in the previous month. Kuwait and Oman. Oman stock exchange International market analysts had place to eradicate distortion in the S&P SL20 fund manager. By 1 April, the VN-Index surged 17.7 was too back in the green by late last month. expressed views on whether a stock market Index by providing a layered approach.” “Frontier markets, loosely defined as points, or 2.67%, to 680.23, with nearly MOROCCO should remain open during a pandemic. It remains to be seen how often this circuit those emerging countries that fall outside all of Vietnam’s 30 biggest market caps in Morocco is a North African frontier CFA Institute Director of Capital Market breaker system will be relied on by the CSE of the Brazil-Russia-India-China (BRIC) the green. Following this, almost all the market. The Casablanca Stock Exchange of Policy – India Sivananth Ramachandran in its first few days of trading. However, sphere, are as a general rule be less prepared blue chips in the market gained for three Morocco is the third largest bourse in Africa. says closing markets is not a well-thought- what is more interesting is how the market to deal with the Covid-19 crisis than their consecutive sessions. On 10 April, with just The Morocco Casablanca Stock Exchange’s out reaction. Speaking to a foreign media, would perform over the few weeks following counterparts in the developed world (sic),” it one new Covid-19 infection recorded in two MASI Index is a major stock market the institute stated closing the markets will this expected initial selloff. Will it capture reported. days, the VN-Index surged 4.98% to 736.75 index which tracks the performance of all not change the reality but will send wrong some of the resurgent spirit shown by other Overall, 2020 is expected to witness points, its biggest single-day gain in 19 companies listed on the Casablanca Stock signals to investors. frontier markets, or has it been kept closed lower than historical GDP growth in Asian years, which was remarkable. Exchange. It is a free-float, capitalisation- A financial sector law firm based in for too long to expect such a recovery? frontier markets, which is a phenomenon Led by blue chips in general and banking weighted index. Mumbai, Finsec Law Advisors, told an Only one way to find out.

Listed companies’ Q3 earnings drop but banks, telcos profit The December quarter earnings was mainly owing to the lower cash holdings compared to the compared to the heavy exchange for 266 companies listed on the consumer spending stemming previous year, and lower finance loss incurred in the previous year. Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) from subdued economic growth. income as a result of the deployment The material sector presented dipped by 4.7% year-over-year The profit dip of Ceylon Tobacco of cash in new investments leading a growth of 101% YoY in profits (YoY) to Rs. 66.6 billion, primarily Company (CTC) was due to to a -23% YoY decline in capital as a result of Tokyo Cement owing to sluggish performance in successive tax hikes affecting goods sector earnings. Company (Lanka) PLC (TKYO) food, beverage, and tobacco (-35% volumes which resulted in the -24% which posted earnings of Rs. YoY), insurance (-41% YoY), and YoY in earnings, while Brown Signs of recovery 257.0 million relative to a Rs. capital goods (-23% YoY) sectors, Investments PLC (BIL) recorded The banking sector witnessed 174.5-million loss posted in Dec according to the Quarterly Results a dip of -195% YoY mainly due a profit growth of 17% YoY to 2018 and improved performance Review from First Capital Research. to a rise in cost of production and record Rs. 23.0 billion primarily in Chevron Lubricants Lanka However, an upside in earnings administration. Melstacorp PLC driven by PLC (LLUB), led by strong was witnessed in banks (+17% (MELS) earnings declined by PLC (HNB) (+28% YoY) and top-line growth of 15% YoY. YoY), telecommunication (+259% -20% YoY in line with the dip in Sampath Bank PLC (SAMP) The diversified financials sector YoY), materials (+101% YoY), and financial income and Nestlé Lanka (+29% YoY). HNB and SAMP posted a growth of 3% YoY with Listed companies’ quarterly earnings for 2018 and 2019 diversified financials (+3% YoY), PLC (NEST) dipped by -17% YoY profits were boosted due to the LOLC Development Finance PLC negating the negative performance along with the weakened consumer fall in impairments by 48% YoY (LOLC), LB Finance PLC (LFIN), in the above-mentioned sectors, the demand and rise in cost of sales. by -15% YoY and Janashakthi reversal). John Keells Holdings and 21% YoY, respectively. The and People’s Leasing and Finance review showed. Accordingly, mainly led by the Insurance PLC (JINS) by -98% YoY PLC (JKH) recorded a downturn in telecommunication sector recorded PLC (PLC) posting earnings above counters, the sector recorded (due to a rise in benefits, claims, earnings of -50% YoY primarily due a growth of 259% YoY mainly due growth of 13% YoY, 27% YoY, Weakened earnings a decline of 35% YoY. and expenses). In addition, HNB to the leisure sector still harbouring to Dialog Axiata PLC (DIAL), and 6% YoY, respectively, while Lackluster performance in A dip of 41% YoY in insurance Assurance PLC (HASU) recorded the impact of the Easter Sunday recording an earnings growth of earnings were supported by the the food, beverage and tobacco, sector earnings was primarily driven a decline of 66% YoY (due to attacks, exchange losses on its 2538% YoY, primarily driven strong net interest margin (NIM), insurance, and capital goods sectors by Ceylinco Insurance PLC (CINS) the previous year recording a tax foreign currency denominated by by the foreign exchange gain First Capital Research noted. 6 the sunday morning business REAL ESTATE Sunday, May 10, 2020

By Rohan Parikh Super luxury “It’s only when the tide goes out that you learn who has been swimming naked” – Warren Buffet For much of the past decade, developers in a post-war economy, Colombo experienced a building boom. However, this was primarily in the luxury sector, and there was still a shortfall in the semi-luxury or affordable luxury sector. will struggle in Compared to all major South Asian cities, Colombo has a lower rate of urbanisation and urban density. As a result, the city has one of the largest proportions of daily commuters and a public receding tide transport system that struggles to support them efficiently. It was felt that, as the economy continues has bounced back, although it has increase in costs and prices. fund their projects (i.e. a sign of There is an opportunity in every Initial caution from investors to grow, this shortage would been interrupted once again by an Initial caution from investors weak capitalisation), or who have crisis. Prudent developers who will result in slower sales become more and more acute, unforeseeable event. However this will result in slower sales for a large loans and interest costs, or have chosen the right segment for a few months, putting and the need for housing would proves that, given the right price few months, putting further stress projects that are targeted at the and are conservatively capitalised further stress on the cash continue to increase. Hence, the point, there is tremendous demand. on the cash flow of developers. wrong market segment. Those will be able to see themselves flow of developers. Weaker long-term view for apartment The current global pandemic Weaker developers will be put projects that are highly dependent through to project completion. developers will be put under values in Colombo was extremely has had a significant effect on under tremendous pressure to on a small pool of ultra-wealthy or There will be reduced competition tremendous pressure to positive. the construction industry and the sustain themselves through this overseas clients, and those catering as weaker developers and inviable sustain themselves through However, the construction challenges faced are manifold. The period. These are developers who to the luxury and super-luxury projects will be forced out, and this period industry then had to endure most obvious being delays caused are dependent on presales which end of the market, especially a lack of new projects starting, project to invest in could see a multiple shocks over the past to construction companies. Idling found in Colombo 1 and 2, will owing to capital scarcity caused strong return on their investment two or three years. These started workers and escalating interest The current global pandemic struggle. So, as Warren Buffet so by the global economic slowdown. in the long run. However, picking with slowed economic growth in result in increased costs for the has had a significant effect memorably put it, we will soon This would make apartments an the correct developer and project 2017, political uncertainty and a companies. Restarting sites, while on the construction industry see who is “swimming naked”, as excellent investment at this time. is key. constitutional crisis in 2018, the ensuring social distancing and and the challenges faced are some developers collapse under Overall, this could prove to be (The writer is the Managing Easter Sunday terrorist attacks in other safety measures prescribed manifold. The most obvious the weight of the pressure on an optimal time for smart buyers as Director of Iconic Developments 2019, and finally, the current global by the Government, will be time- being delays caused to the balance sheets caused by the developers offer discounted prices and an alumni of the Wharton pandemic. In the past, the demand consuming and costly, leading to an construction companies receding tide of Covid-19. to buyers. Those choosing the right School of Business and INSEAD) How Covid will change commercial real estate BY UWIN LUGODA will be seen in the temporary step back from open work spaces and intimate work Sri Lanka has now endured several environments. But the office space will be weeks of curfew imposed by the less impacted than the overall economy,” Government in order to contain the Mawilmada noted. spread of Covid-19 and has seen Despite this, he stated that many firms many office and retail spaces close renting out work spaces will struggle to up shop and move towards remote pay rent, and this might lead to a slight working arrangements. This has led adjustment in where the demand is. the country’s commercial real estate Subasinghe agreed with Mawilmada sector to unchartered waters, as the and stated that similar to office spaces, the demand for commercial real estate overall is pandemic-fuelled economic crisis still modest, and probably will be the least is set to change the industry as a affected sector compared to the residential whole. sector. A research conducted by the Research “As for the research presented by the RIU, Intelligence Unit (RIU) in Sri Lanka showed we can see that we are already at a 90-95% that pre-Covid, the country had 1.9 million sq. occupancy, so I think the commercial space ft. of Grade A commercial space, which is the is going to pick up faster,” Subasinghe top tier in the market with key attributes such noted. as high-end construction and interior finishes, Speaking in terms of retail spaces, modern architectural design, state-of-the-art RIU Founding Director Roshan Rental payments increase in the coming months. Subasinghe stated that it will take a longer mechanical systems and technology, and a Madawela added to this and explained that The presentation also went on to highlight Tenant expectations also give a higher time to recover since it has a correlation variety of property amenities. This accounted this was especially the case with regard to the impact of Covid-19 on the sector, as priority to sanitation when it comes to with the country’s tourism sector. for about 30% of Grade A and B commercial commercial real estate, as the demand for research has shown that many occupants picking an office space. “We have seen a lot of brands come into spaces in Colombo, and has had a 90-95% high-end office spaces has traditionally of high-end commercial spaces are foreign However, Ekroma Realtors Managing Sri Lanka in the last two to three years, occupancy for much of the last 10 years. Most lagged behind the supply in Colombo. companies (MNCs), with their earnings Director Onesh Subasinghe stated that the and we have a lot of exclusive brands of these could be found spread out through RIU research presented at the virtual largely derived from the US dollar, making industry will have to make a lot of changes. locally as well. However, they all depend Colombo 1, 2, and 3 with Colombo 5 slowly forum showed that for the most part, current rental rates in Colombo very He explained that he is currently working on on foreigners coming here and spending coming into the fold with the progress of developers have opted to construct attractive to them, especially amidst a a Grade A office space and has made one of money,” Subasinghe said. Havelock City Towers. residential developments that yield more perennially weakening Sri Lankan rupee. their key focus areas the ventilation and air He also stated that retail spaces will have The RIU has a 17-year track record of immediate returns, within a short period The research showed that most building filtration of the space, due to the potential to adjust to the general walk-in traffic they providing research and advisory services of three to five years, and consequently, owners have not decided on the reduction risk of the virus being transmitted through get and adapt their spaces in line with social for both the public and private sectors, and the supply of commercial space, which of the prices even though tenants have air conditioning. distancing regulations. currently has offices in the UK, Sri Lanka is typically leased and not sold, had been asked for concessions. As of now, building Due to this, he suggested the sector look Mawilmada agreed with this and stated and the Maldives. neglected. managements are adhering to a “wait and into working with their consultants to try to that retail spaces will take at least six However, Madawela stated that in the last see” approach with no decision being taken figure out a way to filter the air, to lower the months to start recovering, since it is linked Supply-demand mismatch few years, the firm has seen a real estate so far and discounts being negotiated. risk of infection. to leisure, hotel, and sales revenue of the During a virtual forum held on 6 April market equilibrium with residential real “We have noted that already many of the Subasinghe stated that now they also brands they house. by the RIU, in association with the Sri estate, as commercial real estate developers service office space providers have given need to focus on good hygiene practices and Compared to retail spaces, he stated that Lanka Chamber of Commerce, to discuss have come in and initiated new projects. discounts and concessions to their tenants, work with property management companies office spaces will completely transform and Sri Lanka’s real estate market and the post- The RIU presentation showed that some which is a trend we expect will dominate the who are capable of administering those there will be a change in the behaviour of Covid-19 outlook, RIU Senior Business of the key drivers of commercial real market here in Colombo for the next two or hygiene practices. tenants, because office spaces have a better Consultant Dr. Anil Baddevithana stated estate are the rapid growth of the service three quarters,” said Madawela. In terms of office sizes, he explained response time, in terms of being able to that even before Covid, the entire real estate sectors such as IT, telecom, and ride- Furthermore, the presentation stated that most companies will be downsizing adjust. market in Sri Lanka was showing signs of hailing companies, and the rising demand that co-working space discounts are being post Covid, and many employees will opt However, Mawilmada suggested that stress due to oversupply or supply in the for multinational corporations (MNCs) in seen across tenants who have subleased to continue working from home, as it will stakeholders must remember that this wrong places. commercial cities like Colombo. office buildings, and land owners of be the new norm. He went on to state that outbreak is temporary, and there is no need smaller commercial properties have already offices will also look to increase the number to fundamentally change everything. extended grace periods for their tenants, of sq. ft. per person, increasing it from the “What we need to remember is that this although discounts on rent are less common. current 1-70 sq. ft. and 1-80 sq. ft., adopted is a temporary situation and we will bounce by most office spaces, to 1-110 sq. ft. and back; real estate is a long-term asset, so The tenant experience 1-120 sq. ft., in order to accommodate projects that start now will be completed in Madawela stated that the tenant the social/physical distancing regulations. four years when this thing will be something experience is the top priority for most Subasinghe also predicted that the concept of the past. So I think we need to be cautious commercial real estate leaders, and that of open office spaces will be replaced by of overreacting to a short or medium-term this experience is going to change post a cubicle-style office space, at least until a phenomenon, and fundamentally changing Covid-19. vaccine is found. everything around us.” He stated that the on-demand economy During the discussion, Chamber of is reshaping tenant expectations about how Residential and retail Construction Industry President Ranjith real estate is consumed, and technology- However, according to John Keells Gunatilleke stated that for real estate as a enabled facilities and personalised Holdings Property Group Sector Head whole to recover and for projects to resume experiences are already transforming the Nayana Mawilmada, office spaces, when work, it will take around six months, unless sector. He went on to explain that most compared to retail and residential spaces, some sort of push is given to real estate foreigners are concerned about the security are most likely to be the least affected developers by the banking sector. and sustainability measures and are willing post Covid-19. He explained that while “Right now, people are prioritising a to pay a slightly higher premium. the shift towards open work spaces and lot of other things over investing in real Speaking on office space, Madawela environments will slowdown, the general estate, so recovery might take longer for stated that tenant behaviour will change demand for office spaces should sustain. the industry. If the banks were to give the with working from home and remote “I think businesses generally tend to developers a push to finish the ongoing working concepts normalising, and the continue post crisis. However, we will projects, I think the industry should be prominence of online platforms such as probably see a change in patterns when ready when the interested parties come in,” Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Skype will it comes to workplace arrangements; this Gunatilleke said. the sunday morning business 37 Sunday, May 10, 2020 TOURISM

BY UWIN LUGODA Hotels across Sri Lanka are DCSL eager currently going through the worst crisis they have ever faced, with both international and to restart local tourism having come to a complete standstill due to the Maintaining Covid-19 pandemic. However, a liquor sales lack of guests does not mean a BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR complete shutdown of the hotels’ processes, as the management The largest liquor still needs to focus on the manufacturer in the maintenance of their properties country, Distilleries and managing the staff payroll. ghost hotels Company of Sri Lanka PLC (DCSL), is hoping During a virtual forum conducted to recommence liquor by the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance zVeteran hoteliers on the challenges of a tourist-less Sri Lanka sales as soon as possible, (SLTA) on tourism resilience, Jetwing occupancy and revenue in the upcoming Lanka and I would imagine that at least according to a disclosure Symphony Chairman Hiran Cooray months. 50-60% are getting very close to facing issued by its parent stated that this was the worst crisis he The memo explained that the these difficulties,” he added. company Melstacorp has experienced in his 33 years in both management was reluctantly compelled PLC to the Colombo the Sri Lankan and Asia Pacific tourism to take the difficult decision of enforcing Crisis creativity Stock Exchange (CSE) industry. a downward payment revision across all According to Cooray, Jetwing has last week. Jetwing currently hosts a chain of 26 levels of employment. These pay cuts begun utilising its properties, such as the “We would be DCSL Chairman Harry Jayawardena hotels, 10 villas, and a travel agency that were not put on those earning below Rs. ones in Dambulla, Sigiriya, Wellawaya, working towards getting focuses on both inbound and outbound 15,000, and ranged from 10% upwards and Yala, for agriculture. He explained the beverage sector functioning normally as soon travel. The group has close to 3,200 for those getting above Rs. 15,000 and that the hotel staff has begun growing as possible, which would cushion to a great extent people working in its hospitality sector, 50% for those getting Rs. 500,000 and several vegetables in these properties and (the) adverse impact on the company’s finances. and another 400 in its travel segment. above. even larger crops like paddy in Wellawaya This would be the priority,” Melstacorp PLC Out of these properties, the chain owns “This is the first time in the history of and Yala. Managing Director Amitha Gooneratne stated. some whereas the rest are managed for Jetwing we have had to ask close to 90% “Pre-Covid, we used these to give The Government imposed an islandwide curfew their respective owners. of associates to take voluntary pay cuts. tourists an authentic experience by on 20 March which compelled all businesses Cooray said that out of the plethora It goes from 10% from the lower-end showing them the crops and letting them excluding essential services to be closed down. of hotels and villas the hotel chain earners to 50-60% for the senior people, pick their own food. But now we have Even though the curfew has been lifted and owns and manages, only one has been while I am without a salary for the started to seriously grow these vegetables re-imposed a number of times since then, liquor Jetwing Symphony Chairman Hiran Cooray officially closed while the rest are moment,” said Cooray. and crops so that we can at least feed the shops were asked to remain closed. In mid- active with no guests. Currently, the 35 He explained that Jetwing generally people in the properties,” he pointed out. April, liquor shops were allowed to be opened properties that are active only have the had a salary bill of close to Rs. 120 Cooray also stated that in order to in low-risk districts where curfew was lifted, managers and a few staff that are there million per month and has currently keep Jetwing in the forefront of people’s but were asked to close the following day due to to clean up the property and make sure reduced it to Rs. 80 million with the pay travel plans, their sales and marketing consumers’ failure to maintain social distancing things are under control. cuts. He went on to state that this made staff have been in contact with former guidelines outside “wine stores”. This includes running the air it tough for a company with no current guests, sending them safety wishes, Gooneratne stated that restrictions placed on conditioning plants in the properties for source of income to pay salaries on a recommending books to read, giving them liquor sales is significantly impacting both the at least an hour every day and operating monthly basis. recipes to make Sri Lankan curries, and topline and bottom line revenue of the company. their BioMax generators. According to However, Cooray stated that for the even teaching them to use local ayurvedic “It is indeed significantly impacting the Cooray, this is to ensure the machinery moment, the Sri Lankan Government medicine to boost their immune systems. Government’s revenue and it is imperative that does not go unused and breakdown, has given them some comfort in the Similarly, Wright stated that Shangri-La the present curtailment on the sale of liquor which would cost the group a lot more form of a moratorium on payment of too is keeping contact with their clients, is normalised in the not too distant future,” money to re-install. capital and interest for six months, including those who have been staying at Gooneratne noted. Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo Vice which they believe would be extended the hotel for the last couple of weeks. He DCSL is a diversified Sri Lankan conglomerate President (VP) and General Manager if tourism does not recover in that time. stated that the hotel has organised some listed on the CSE with a market capitalisation of (GM) Timothy Wright agreed with Furthermore, he stated that they were activities such as bingo sessions to break $ 600 million. It was one of the first Sri Lankan Cooray, adding that they too have faced Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo Vice President and also told of a working capital loan and the monotony of the curfew while still companies to be listed in Forbes’ Best Managed similar challenges. He explained that General Manager Timothy Wright has applied for it in hopes of cushioning respecting the need for social distancing. Companies (outside the US) with revenue under $ Shangri-La’s Hambantota property the impact for the next couple of He explained that fortunately, the hotel 1 billion. has currently been closed and is only months. is right next to Residence, Melstacorp PLC is essentially an investment operated through a skeleton team that In order to cut down the costs, he thus giving them the opportunity to look company with diversified holdings in listed and helps maintain the property. stated the Jetwing properties have at food deliveries and bread sales as an unlisted companies in many industries and is However, Wright stated their property drastically cut down on things such option. He stated that when the curfew owned by business tycoon Harry Jayawardena, in Colombo is still being operated and as electricity consumption and fuel initially started and access to food was an who also serves as Chairman of DCSL. has been hosting about 20 to 30 guests consumption by working on a bare issue, the hotel was able to support some A significant portion of the Melstacorp revenue during this curfew period. He went minimum. of the residents living in the complex and is comprised from the turnover of subsidiary on to state that the other development Speaking on Shangri-La’s finances, explained how they have managed to companies, notably DCSL PLC, Aitken Spence in Colombo, the One Galle Face Wright stated that their senior expand to other condominiums in the area PLC, Balangoda Plantations PLC, Madulsima Residence, is also still operating while management has taken voluntary pay as well. Plantations PLC, Lanka Bell Ltd., Continental the mall has been closed off, with the cuts in order to help their lower earners Speaking for the SLTA, Co-Chair and Insurance Lanka Ltd., and Periceyl (Pvt.) Ltd. exception of a few offices. and are currently looking at other Resplendent Ceylon Managing Director Sri Lanka’s liquor industry, one of the top He explained that during this period, ways in which they could contribute to (MD) Malik Fernando stated that this is contributors to the country’s tax revenue, lost its finances are of great importance and support these lower earners and their an opportunity for a reset for the industry. annual Sinhala and Tamil New Year and Easter there is a need to try and conserve families. He explained that the industry’s formal sales this year owing to the ongoing curfew as much as possible while reducing “Managing the payroll is really going sector was not doing well, even before the imposed to curtail the spread of Covid-19 within expenses. However, similar to Cooray’s SLTA, Co-Chair and Resplendent Ceylon to be the big challenge. None of us know Easter attacks in 2019. the country. thoughts, Wright too stated that Managing Director Malik Fernando when or how long this is going to last or Therefore, he suggested that the As noted by the industry, the losses could be maintaining the asset is a concern and chain has also had to look towards pay how long we can continue to support the industry stakeholders take this opportunity in the billions, as Easter and New Year sales requires some level of air conditioning cuts ranging from 10-50%. The group labor force that we have,” Wright stated. to look at sustainability in terms of collectively bring in significant revenue, similar to and running of some in-house released a memo to the Jetwing team He stated that they are concerned sustained growth and higher yielding that of Christmas any given year. machinery. earlier this month, where the company that the drop in service charge is going bottom lines. Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business had stated the outbreak had taken an to impact their lower earners, some of “When we re-open, we should use last month, an official from a renowned liquor Financial conservation immense toll on the economic growth whom are having difficulty sustaining that opportunity to reset the direction we manufacturer stated that the company had lost In order to cushion the financial forecasts of the country, especially and supporting their families. are going in to make the industry more sales to the tune of about Rs. 3 billion, which they impact from the pandemic, the hotel the tourism industry, leading to no “We have 1,600 employees in Sri sustainable,” he stated. were expecting to make during this festive season.

Twenty31 Consulting Inc., Toronto, Canada Partner and University of Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts Head of E-Tourism Frontiers Chief Executive SLTDA and SLTPB Chairperson UNWTO Special Advisor to the Secretary Hawaii Executive Development Institute Minor Hotels Group CEO and Minor Brand Marketing, and Cinnamon Life Mall Officer CEO Damian Cook Kimarli Fernando General and CNN Travel Representative Programme School of Travel Industry International CEO Dillip Rajakarier CEO Dileep Mudadeniya Anita Mendiratta Management lecturer Oliver Martin The Cinnamon Future of Tourism (FOT) 2020 virtual conference will be held tomorrow (11) on the theme “Charting a Course for Sri Cinnamon Future of Tourism virtual Lanka’s Tourism Future”. The first- ever edition on its virtual platform (Facebook Live/MS Teams) will host renowned speakers known summit to discuss Covid-19 tomorrow internationally for their expertise in Development Institute Programme Marketing, and Cinnamon Life Mall options post Covid-19, and growth priority once the virus is deemed from 3.30-4.30 p.m. on Facebook the industry. School of Travel Industry CEO Dileep Mudadeniya. projections, destination and property contained, is essential to move Live and MS Teams. Please register They include UNWTO Management lecturer Oliver Martin; The panellists will discuss and marketing post crisis, and best forward. This event will provide on www.futureoftourism.co or (United Nations World Tourism Minor Hotels Group CEO and debate on key areas such as the practices adopted to overcome and industry professionals and those contact 0717 118 111 for inquiries. Organisation) Special Advisor to the Minor International CEO Dillip impact of Covid-19 on the industry navigate the current situation. who are passionate about business Cinnamon FOT 2020 is endorsed Secretary General and CNN Travel Rajakarier; and Sri Lanka Tourism (locally, regionally, and globally), Commenting on Cinnamon FOT with the tools, tips, insights, and by UNWTO and is in partnership Representative Anita Mendiratta; Development Authority (SLTDA) possible timelines of the crisis 2020, Mudadeniya stated: “Global understanding they require to take with Xiteb as the official digital E-Tourism Frontiers Chief and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion ending (with suggestions to rethink tourism may not return to its boom our tourism industry forward. partner. Executive Officer (CEO) and expert Bureau (SLTPB) Chairperson the strategic focus and framework as quick as the virus spread across We are a resilient nation that can For further information, on post-crisis recovery Damian Kimarli Fernando. The session of quality and contribution of the world, however being prepared achieve positive change and strive contact Public Relations Assistant Cook; Twenty31 Consulting Inc., will be moderated by John Keells leisure and business tourism to the with a strategy to be resilient as to overcome this crisis.” Manager Nishara Johnpillai via Toronto, Canada Partner and Holdings Vice President, Cinnamon country’s sustainable growth and a competitive advantage, with The Cinnamon FOT 2020 virtual [email protected] University of Hawaii Executive Hotels and Resorts Head of Brand community development), recovery recovery and growth as a first conference will be held tomorrow or 0719 760 568. 8 the sunday morning business CORPORATE Sunday, May 10, 2020

BY UWIN LUGODA both in the UK and Australia, with over 21,000 bottles being sold in Amidst the ongoing their UK stores alone. pandemic, Sri Lanka’s very Rockland lifts Lankan “Both brands are doing very own Rockland Distilleries well internationally in HORECA (Pvt.) Ltd. achieved a (hospitality industry). For Ceylon momentous feat last March Arrack, the usage in restaurants by bringing home three and bars in the UK is higher than awards from the coveted spirits amidst the gloom the total usage of this premium San Francisco World Spirits arrack at home in Sri Lanka,” he Competition 2020. z stated. Wins three coveted awards at prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition Merricks stated that they are The almost century-old local Speaking to The Sunday that Ceylon Arrack offers an hoping new interest for the distillery went head to head with Morning Business, Rockland interesting taste profile and has three products will come from around 3,000 entries from all Distilleries Head of International smoothness to it, while Colombo international bars and restaurants corners of the world in this year’s Sales Graham Merricks stated that No. 7 Gin is a classic London dry that are looking to stock up on competition and managed to secure by winning these awards, a gin with Sri Lankan spices and award-winning brands and enjoy the “double gold” standard along spotlight was placed on Sri botanicals. working with them to make with gold and bronze medals for Lankan products and it also helped He stated that the demand creative cocktails, while also three of their products. reinforce that Sri Lankan products for both Ceylon Arrack and having the two gin products in The San Francisco World Spirits are of worldwide quality and can Colombo No. 7 Gin comes from their gin menu listings alongside Competition assesses hundreds of compete with other international all over the world with enquiries the best gins from all over the entrants annually from around 63 companies and their products. coming every week asking for world. He went on to state that countries, with tastings involving “It makes us extremely proud stock and its availability in the this will also attract many gin panels of expert judges selected that our family-run business can respective countries the brands are enthusiasts from around the world each year from the spirits industry, compete with other international available in quite a few countries who would like to have these including mixologists and spirits brand owners and/or companies,” internationally. These products bottles in their collections. buyers, and media from across Merricks said. are currently available in many “We are constantly marketing the US. Producers submit their This new win follows several high award of double gold while category, Colombo No. 7 Ration countries including the UK, our brands to international products to the competition and others, as Rockland has previously their new product Colombo No. Navy entered the Navy Strength France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, markets, either through our pay a fee for its evaluation, after won several medals since it began 7 Navy Strength Gin also won a Gins with a high ABV, and Ceylon Australia, India, Singapore, distributors in other countries which the ones judged for their competing in the World Spirits gold medal. Arrack was entered into the Other Malaysia, and Japan and are or by the Rockland team. sufficient quality are given bronze, Competition in 2016. These wins “Colombo No. 7 winning the Spirits category. also available at Bandaranaike We also participate in many silver, or gold awards from the came to Ceylon Arrack, which double gold medal is so fantastic According to Merricks, International Airport (BIA) and exhibitions targeted for the bar, tasting panel. Entrants that are won two bronze medals and two as entries that receive this are Rockland’s products have always onboard Sri Lankan Airlines restaurant, and hotel sectors given a unanimous gold medal by silver medals; Colombo No. 7 rated by the judges to be among been of the highest quality and flights. and many exhibitions that are the panel are given the coveted Gin, which won a bronze, a silver, the finest products in the world.” have had a consistent taste, which Merricks stated that the demand consumer-based, where we can distinction of a “double gold” and two golds; and this year This year, Colombo No. 7 Gin made it stand out from the rest for these products also comes conduct tastings which are really medal. Colombo No. 7 has achieved the entered the London Dry Gin of the competition. He explained from the Aldi supermarket chain enjoyed,” he shared. SLT appoints Pan Asia posts its best Q1 results with PBT up 53% Pan Asia Banking Corporation 1.52% to 1.63%. Furthermore, the bank better performance going forward,” PLC said last week that it concluded maintained a strong return on equity of Tillekeratne added. Group CEO to 2020 Q1 with the best-ever financial 12.35% in Q1 after taking a sizable hit The bank maintains adequate results in a first quarter of a year in on profits due to increased prudential liquid asset stocks to meet statutory enhance synergy its 25-year history, reporting Profit impairment provisioning. requirements as well as to face Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 652 million Commenting on the bank’s 2020 contingencies. The bank’s Statutory z Fills position left vacant for over two years and Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 416 Q1 financial performance, Pan Asia Liquid Asset Ratios (SLAR) at the million, recording a growth of 53% in Bank Director/Chief Executive Officer end of the quarter stood at 26.16% and BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR Campus (Pvt.) Ltd. (SLTC), both, demonstrating resilience amidst Pan Asia Bank Pan Asia Bank (CEO) Nimal Tillekeratne said this 24.84% for the Domestic Banking and Chairman Director/CEO eChannelling PLC, and challenging conditions. G.A.R.D. Prasanna Nimal Tillekeratne performance had been possible due to Offshore Banking units, respectively. After the position was Galle Submarine Cable The bank’s operating profit before the bank’s well-balanced, sustainable This is against the statutory minimums left vacant for almost two Depot (Pvt.) Ltd. taxes on financial services for the quarter was also supported by the overall growth across all business of 20%. years, the state-owned According to Perera, quarter increased by 22%, reflecting low financial services taxes regime segments coupled with improved Meanwhile, the bank’s Liquidity telecommunication provider at the moment there is solid overall core banking performance, that prevailed throughout the current efficiency and commitment from all Coverage Ratios (LCR) under Basel Sri Lanka Telecom PLC a lack of co-ordination effective assets and liabilities quarter. Meanwhile, the bank continued staff. This impressive performance III stood above the statutory minimum (SLT) has announced an between these companies management, and excellence in NPL to compute income tax and deferred reflects the bank’s resiliency, foresight, of 100% at the end of the quarter. The appointment to the role which resulted in the group (non-performing loan) management, tax liabilities at the rate of 28% as the agility, and growing capability to bank’s all-currency LCR ratio stood at of Group CEO in a bid to missing opportunities in the although prudential impairment proposed new rate of 24% is yet to be generate strong financial performance 129.45% and LCR ratio in Sri Lankan enhance synergy amongst market. provisioning undermined the bank’s legislated. The bank’s Earnings Per even amidst challenging market rupees stood at 104.09%. Meanwhile, the subsidiaries of SLT. “If we take SLT and operating profits to an extent. The Share (EPS) for the quarter rose to Rs. conditions. the bank’s net stable funding ratio On 4 May, in a disclosure Mobitel into consideration, bank said it consciously increased 0.94 from Rs. 0.62 in the comparative “This is the best-ever post-tax profits stood at 118.51% at the end of the to the Colombo Stock there are a lot of areas impairment provision buffers during period. in a first quarter the bank had in its quarter against the minimum regulatory Exchange (CSE), SLT in which we can work Q1 to deal with probable general The bank’s net interest margins history of 25 years. We have achieved requirement of 100%. announced the appointment together. There is much deterioration in asset quality due to the improved from 4.36% to 4.78% during this feat while building additional The bank’s net asset value per share of Lalith Mohan less synergy between the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. As a the past three months, which is a provision buffers to deal with possible as at 31 March 2020 improved to Rs. Seneviratne as the Group mobile arm and fixed result, the total impairment charge for commendable feat given the industry- general deterioration in credit quality 31.06 from Rs. 30.12 at the previous CEO, less than four months communication arm. If the quarter increased by 46% to record wide deterioration in credit quality due to the impact of the Covid-19 year-end. Meanwhile, the price of after his initial appointment you really look at the Rs. 529 million compared with Rs. 361 and steps taken by the Government pandemic. This robust performance the bank’s ordinary voting share fell to the SLT Board. development side and million during the same period a year to bring down market interest rates we recorded in the first quarter with to Rs. 8.10 by the end of the quarter, Seneviratne was appointed market opportunities, there ago. despite the increased credit risk of the contribution from all segments and following a steep decline in stock as a Non-executive Director is a lot of synergy we can The bank’s growth in both profit borrowers. Meanwhile, the bank’s is in line with our budgets and also market indices since the wider spread along with establish for before income tax and profit for the pre-tax return on assets improved from gives us the confidence to record even of the Covid-19 pandemic. several new the betterment appointments of the group. to the board on This synergy is 23 January, and mainly going Dankotuwa Porcelain loses Emirates SkyCargo begins cargo was appointed to be driven as the Group by the Group 65% of original revenue CEO with CEO,” Perera BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR company’s preliminary trend flights from Colombo tomorrow effect from 1 explained. analysis indicates that at best, Emirates SkyCargo has announced the May. Lalith Mohan Amidst disruptions caused it could be towards the end of commencement of scheduled cargo flights Speaking to Seneviratne to businesses by the local the third quarter this year. from Colombo, following the successful The Morning Lalith Mohan Seneviratne is a Chartered spread of Covid-19, renowned The company had a sharp operation of special flights in the second half Business, SLT Engineer and a tableware manufacturer decline in the final quarter of of April to support Sri Lankan exporters’ CEO Kiththi Perera noted member of the Institution Dankotuwa Porcelain PLC the financial year 2019/2020 efforts to keep their supply chains open. that the appointment does of Engineering and has managed to due to revenues The air cargo operator of Emirates said not replace anyone as it was Technology UK. In 1988, retain only 35% being subdued it will initially operate one cargo flight a left vacant following the he became the Head of of its originally largely on account week commencing Monday, 11 May, using a resignation of former Group Engineering of Celltel, forecasted revenue. of production Boeing 777-300 passenger aircraft, offering CEO Dileepa Wijesundera. setting up South Asia’s first This has been disruptions and Sri Lankan exporters access to markets in Karachi, and Lahore with two special He added that this is a mobile telephone network. revealed in a global market more than 65 countries in a network that is flights in passenger aircraft operating as move made by the board Currently, Seneviratne is disclosure to the sentiments. constantly expanding. freighters. to improve co-operation a member of the board of Colombo Stock “While we are Operating as EK0654, the passenger With close to 100 daily cargo flights between about eight directors of four mini hydro Exchange (CSE) unable to quantify freighter will arrive at the Bandaranaike operating to a destination network now companies that come under companies. on Tuesday (5) Dankotuwa results at this stage, International Airport (BIA) at 6.55 p.m. every spanning more than 65 cities across six the purview of SLT Group. The present Board by Dankotuwa Porcelain overall results Monday, bringing in essential imports. Each continents, Emirates SkyCargo is leading the Dileepa Wijesundera of Directors comprises Porcelain Chairman Chairman R.N. are expected to be flight can carry up to 50 tonnes of cargo global cargo industry during these critical assumed duties as the SLT Non-executive Directors R.N. Asirwatham. Asirwatham substantially lower on its return journey. Emirates SkyCargo’s times in delivering essential supplies and Group CEO in March 2015 Chan Chee Beng and Lai “Customers are than planned,” products such as Emirates Fresh and Emirates commodities to people around the world. and resigned in March 2018. Choon Foong; Independent willing to take delivery at this Asirwatham noted in the Pharma help transport perishables, medicines, The air cargo operator is currently flying Since then a group CEO had Non-executive Directors stage. However, this status disclosure. and other temperature and time-sensitive 11 Boeing 777 freighter aircraft, each with not been appointed. Lawrence Paratz, Lalith quo would be challenged The group revenue is cargo around the world by deploying special a capacity to transport about 100 tonnes of “SLT is largely operating Seneviratne, and Mohan if disruptions continue. derived from Dankotuwa facilities that keep these items in pristine cargo per flight and around 60 of its Boeing as an independent company. Weerakoon PC; and Non- Once again, this needs to be Porcelain PLC (DPL) and condition throughout the journey. “Keeping 777-300ER passenger aircraft as dedicated There was a need for a Independent Non-Executive tempered with the possible Royal Fernwood Porcelain supply chains and revenue flows going is cargo aircraft, with a 40-50 tonne belly hold leader to basically take Directors A.K. Seneviratne future order reductions Ltd. (RFPL) of which vital for exporters to retain customers and cargo capacity per flight. care of the companies and Ranjith Rubasinghe. as global effects on trade the latter accounts for markets in these times of disruption and Emirates SkyCargo has even started loading that come under the group Listed on the CSE, and economy take root,” approximately 40%. Overall, lockdown,” said Emirates Cargo Manager cargo in the overhead bins and seats of its and to establish synergy the company’s market Asirwatham noted. approximately 65% of group – Sri Lanka and the Maldives Kapila Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft in a among them,” Perera capitalisation as at 31 The company predicts revenue is through exports Santhapriya. “Emirates SkyCargo has the bid to further optimise cargo operations and stated. SLT’s subsidiaries December 2018 topped their first quarter revenue for and traditionally, the group scale, reach, and expertise to do just that, and capacity. This move has been made in response include Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd., Rs. 42.23 billion. The two this year to be challenging has enjoyed over a 45% even more importantly, the commitment to to the growing customer demand out of key SLT VisionCom (Pvt.) Ltd., main shareholders of SLT depending on the available share of the local tableware do so. We look forward to ramping up our markets. SLT Publications (Pvt.) as at end-2018 were the information and feedback market. services to Colombo as markets around the Emirates commenced flights to Colombo, Ltd., Sky Network (Pvt.) Government of Sri Lanka they have received from The two factories located world open and demand grows.” its fourth overseas destination, on 1 April Ltd., Sri Lanka Telecom which held a 49.5% stake in customers. However, they separately have distinct In the second half of April this year, 1986. Before its temporary suspension of (Services) Ltd. (SLTS), SLT SLT through the Secretary predict better revenue from products and clientele, Emirates SkyCargo helped Sri Lankan passenger flights in response to the threat of Human Capital Solutions to the Treasury and Global the second quarter onwards. catering to a wide choice. exporters of perishables such as fish, the Covid-19 pandemic, Emirates operated (Pvt.) Ltd., SLT Property Telecommunication Even though the company The group has a combined fruit, and vegetables export nearly 100 four flights a day to and from Colombo, Management (Pvt.) Ltd., Holdings (GTH) N.V. which stated that it is difficult to marketing team for better tonnes of produce to markets in Zurich, connecting Sri Lanka to a global network of Sri Lanka Technological owned a stake of 44.98%. predict a full recovery, the focus and business continuity. Paris, Frankfurt, London, Brussels, Dubai, 159 destinations on six continents. FLOWERS ON 10QS WITH BOTH EARS SAVITHRI »SEE PAGE 3 »SEE PAGE 8

Sunday, May 10, 2020 brunchBY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE Ella city on the morning of May 7 Just before Covid-19 was everyone’s biggest concern, Sri Lanka was recovering fast from the devastating effects of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and was on its way to Thank you reclaiming its throne as one of Asia’s most trending tourist destinations. At the forefront of it all was Ella.

The grateful tourists in Ella thanking the Ella community

Lankan hospitality coming Ellathrough for Ella tourists ith the gorgeous Nine Arches largely dependent upon the tourism trade, Bridge, Ella Rock, and the the city right now is unrecognisable. most scenic train ride you’ll While Ella may paint a familiar ever take in your life, Ella picture when looking at all the other tourist W was one of the destinations around the world, there’s one hottest travel thing that is setting the city apart from spots in the anywhere else – good old Sri Lankan island, hosting hospitality and kindness. an endless This is a world where stories of number of stranded tourists struggling to get home tourists and are reported everywhere; you’ve heard the local travellers BBC sharing unfortunate tales of tourists coming in stuck in India and Saudi Arabia due to the and out of the coronavirus lockdown and have been forced city, enjoying to live off instant noodles, rushing out to its mild and pleasant weather and mind- procure even that, hoping every day their blowing scenery. own countries would figure out a way to However, like everywhere else, Ella fly them back as soon as possible, or heard too has suffered greatly due to the effects that nearly 500 tourists stranded in the of the pandemic and Government-imposed Maldives are being given accommodation curfew. Business owners have no choice for discounted rates. But Sri Lanka has but to close down their establishments, gone above and beyond. particularly restaurants and hotels targeted at tourists, and considering that Ella was ││Contd. on page 2 Standing up against racism 360°VR style ‘Patriots of Humanity’: A first-of-its-kind creation The artistes lending their and transformed it to become talent in this production include incredible with a different Achala; veteran musicians touch, making it one of a kind.” Chitral Somapala, Ravibandu Abayaratne, widely Vidyapathi, and Rohitha and known as Mr. A Official in Rohan Jayalath of Jaya Sri; the industry, is the Director Shiraz (Rude Bwoy); Natasha and Co-owner of AAA Rated Rathnayake; Suresh De Silva Productions, the company that and Tennyson Napoleon of undertook this project. He is Stigmata; David Luchow; also a music producer, DJ, VFX Tamara St. John; Natalie artist, vocalist, radio presenter, Gooneratne; Sanjeev Niles; and the Assistant Production Hirushi Jayasena; Rap zilla Manager at Kiss FM Sri LKM; Sudarshan Arumugam; Lanka. He was a former radio Niranjani Shanmugaraja; presenter at Sun FM and TV Sachithra Madusanka; presenter at Channel Eye and Shanudrie Priyasad; Vidhu, began his career at HDPL after Kavi, and Yasal of November completing his education at Romeo; Lucky Lakmina Trinity College, Kandy. Agalawatte; Nick Leoz; Jesh The idea behind this song Arulrajah; Randy Chriz Perera; was generated by Abayaratne and Vidhu Thalwattegedara. himself – an attack against Speaking on the vibrant the keyboard heroes that have BY PUJANEE GALAPPATHTHI artistes that were part of his been ruling social media sites, project, Abayaratne said: “The implanting the imprudent idea On 30 April, Achala Abayaratne released Patriots of Humanity, a first-of- most memorable thing for me phenomenal. Also, the support and day out was incredible. I that a particular community was its-kind 360°VR music video in Sri Lanka, featuring the voices of a line-up is the love, energy, assistance, rendered to me by everyone felt that there was humanity responsible for the spread of of talented artistes of different ethnicities. It is an anthem against racism and encouragement extended by who made my subsistence easy in this world. Each musician coronavirus. and the injustices that come with it. veteran musicians to a humble in this curfew situation whilst infused their own colour, vibe, musician like me – it was working on this project day in energy, and style into the song ││Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning brunch PEOPLE/PLACES Sunday, May 10, 2020 Thank you Ella Contd. from page 1

In Ella city, tourists are facing a They have received far different experience. Tourists in holidays from their Ella are currently being well taken respective countries, and care of by the Ella community. Ella city is treating them as Speaking to some of the business owners in the area, it was most a part of the community; heartening to hear the reasoning to them, there could behind them stepping up to provide not have been a better for strangers from another country. scenario in such a bad Taking the lead is Café Chill. situation It is currently providing breakfast, and so has chosen to make as many lunch, and dinner for the 40 or contributions as he could. 50 tourists stranded in the city, We spoke to MozzarElla on top of having found them free Pizzeria Owner Chinthaka accommodation to wait out the Wickramasinghe, who also shared travel ban and curfew period. that Café Chill has taken it upon Café Chill Owner Dharshana themselves to help the community Ratnayake – the mastermind of and they’ve really stepped up, the entire operation – and General inspiring those who have the means Manager – and friend of the owner to do what they can as well. – Thanuja Hewage shared that they “We have all been forced to called in some favours and reached shut down our establishments, but out to some of their contacts around morale isn’t as low as one would the city asking for those who would assume,” Chinthaka said, adding be willing to house a few foreigners. that most of the tourists stranded in He said they also have a hotel called Ella, according to the four or five “Chill Ville” with rooms where they tourists he has spoken to, had shared have housed some foreigners. Sharing why they chose to step up and go out of their way to help out, they said: “The reason why we are able to wait out this curfew and the reason why Ella is where it is now is because whatever income we gained was from tourists, so we have a duty to take care of them now that they are helpless. They are One could only hope in a strange land, have no friends, that we are able to can’t see their families, and don’t overcome this pandemic know the language – they need our and emerge unscathed help.” on the other side. Until they are hopeful that all of the good Dharshana has not only allowed then, it is truly inspiring to their community has done, along a comfortable and worry-free see communities coming with the hope and positive energy transition for stranded tourists, but together, showcasing they collectively share, could is also providing donations from his humankind’s greatest possibly give them a boost when it own private income for distributors assets of empathy and comes to readjusting and rebuilding and suppliers associated with his kindness once the pandemic is under control establishment in and around the Ella and over. city limits. He has set up a collective One could only hope that we beach a little bit, which was part of fund where he would make a are able to overcome this pandemic their original plan when they came deposit, which would then be and emerge unscathed on the other down, before they are allowed to transferred to a thousand accounts side. Until then, it is truly inspiring go back to their own countries. He specified to the bank, providing to see communities coming said they are all extremely grateful somewhat of an allowance for those together, showcasing humankind’s and that our hospitality is likely not who may need it at this time. greatest assets of empathy and going to be soon forgotten. “We are responsible for our kindness. from their respective countries, and Chinthaka said that many Both Jade Café Owner Sujatha communities, and we have a duty to If you’re looking for positivity that to them it feels like an extended Ella city is treating them as a part of foreigners have said they are Jayasuriya and City Café General take care of each other,” Dharshana and inspiration and you happen to vacation in a beautiful tropical the community; to them, there could looking forward to heading over to Manager Sanjeewa Bandara shared said, adding that he is someone be in Sri Lanka, you needn’t look country. not have been a better scenario in Arugam Bay as soon as the curfew that while they have been made to who truly believes in this message too far away. They have received holidays such a bad situation. is lifted, so that they can enjoy the temporarily halt their operations, Standing up... Contd. from page 1 our own limits to explore vistas that were After deciding to preach his lesson written by Sakunthala Dissanayake. The unheard of. through music, Abayaratne contacted rest of the musicians wrote their own lyrics “This entire piece of work – both audio Lakmina; urging his support for the cause, and adapted their individual melodies to the and video – was done using 24 voices he readily agreed after which several demo. Those who had a home recording recorded on mobile phones and produced on other artistes too were contacted, who all studio used it, but the majority recorded a single laptop. It is a nudge to each one of agreed to lend their voices. The list just their parts on their phones and forwarded us that the limits we set are our own, self- kept growing like a snowball gathering them to Abayaratne. imposed boundaries, and if we are ready to momentum. And the final count of artistes Once each artiste’s piece was sent to cross borders with whatever tools we have, was 24. Abayaratne, he mixed it, plugging in each possibilities are infinite. Hence, Covid-19 We asked Abayaratne what the core part onto the track according to its genre so or not, we should constantly strive to break message of the song was, to which he that it blended with a flow that was smooth boundaries and push our limits. Only then do we reach our fullest potential,” he said: “The ballad of life may cease to exist and melodic. He also introduced percussion, Achala Abayaratne abruptly, regardless of religion, race, colour, synth, and acoustic sounds so that it all shared. or creed. This is signified by the flat line came together as a whole. Genres like trap, Finally, Abayaratne took this at the end of the video that unexpectedly rap, opera, rock, classical, soul, and ragga opportunity to thank November ends the song at its crescendo. In this drum and bass were all infused to create it. Romeo who has been with global pandemic, not riches, not material Abayaratne managed to put together the him since school, his belongings, not high-flying jobs, nor pride first-of-its-kind 360° VR video in Sri Lanka, music teacher at Trinity matters. Nothing does, except life. Life using the modest hardware that his company College in Kandy Ms. belongs to everyone. Not just a single race owned. It was Abayaratne’s blood, sweat, Chryshanthi Cabral or colour. The virus does not discriminate. and tears along with his persistence and Surendrakumar So why should we? Doesn’t humanity cure dedication of nearly a month of sleepless for believing all ills? This is our message to the world.” nights that made this vision a success. in him and He added that the thinking behind the Speaking of the challenges faced during pushing name was built around the idea that a patriot production, Abayaratne explained that him to be is a person who vigorously supports their while coming from humble beginnings, the best country and is prepared to defend it against they were not deterred by the state of their version of enemies or detractors and that he wanted to hardware. “I did it all on a laptop from himself, transcend beyond this definition and engage 2012 with the aid of Ableton and Adobe’s his parents each person of this country and the world to After Effects, Premier, and Photoshop. The for raising be defenders of humanity. “Fundamentally, final renderings took more than 28 hours him to be aren’t we all humans above everything else? in total and there were bugs to fix. But the who he is today, What use is life without humanity? Thus, journey continued,” he said, adding that his loving children the name ‘Patriots of Humanity’ was born,” this experience taught him that nothing is Shenaya and Joshua, fellow he added. impossible if we set our hearts and minds Director and Co-founder of AAA Rated Working with the challenges of social/ to it. Productions Anoushka Fernando for the physical distancing and curfew, we were Asked if he believed that Covid-19 enduring support in liaising with artistes told that the base melody and demo track has pushed the boundaries of virtual art, throughout the entire project, and all the were composed by Abayaratne and sent to Abayaratne said that art has no boundaries wonderful humans who have faith in the artistes with the eight bars allocated to and that this moment is a harsh eye-opener humanity. each artist. The lyrics of Chitral Somapala for everyone on the limitless possibilities You can find Patriots of Humanity and Rohitha and Rohan Jayalath were available. The current pandemic has pushed on YouTube.

the sunday morning brunch editorial [email protected] 011 5200900 the sunday morning brunch 3 Sunday, May 10, 2020 MUSIC/CAUSE

BY CHENELLE FERNANDO studying and nourishing yourself with others, otherwise you can fall into the trap “Flowers on Both Ears” is the new of spiritual tourism and just dabbling”. kid on the block, comprising Shafni Intriguingly, Shafni averred that and Isaac who have so far been the intersection of language, eroticism, and the sacred is most evident in Islamic performing individually around love poetry, stating: “The sensuous and Colombo for several years now. numinous coincide in its imagery and Their work is a contrast to the lyricism. Many Sufi poets adopted forms mundane, given their ability to such the Mathnawi, Ghazal, or Nasib (an draw inspiration from a worldview Arabic literary form, usually an erotic based on their Islamic faith. or amatory prelude to a long form poem Shafni is a writer, poet, and rapper called a Qaṣīdah) as a medium. Our from Colombo and is currently working on connection with poetic forms such as a reforestation project in Haputale. the Nasib is mostly in terms of themes, Isaac, based in New Zealand, is a imagery, and content rather than strict professional jazz musician who has spent adherence to form.” a majority of the past decade here in Sri Needless to say, this form of music is Lanka working on numerous music projects indeed rare in our country. As indicated by including Colombo Chamber Music the duo, the reason for this is attributed to Society, Colombo Kinesthetics 00200, and the Islamic spirit being largely overlooked notably the initiation of the experimental Flowers on Both Ears by modern Muslims, and thus aesthetic music night Big Ears. contributions by modern Muslims to the While it remains clear that the duo world are lacking. When inquired into the flower on your ear (left or right) could tradition and forms of Islamic love poetry, duo’s reason for testing these waters, they stems from two different genres, with signify a bunch of different things including making love songs a concept for the Shafni being a rapper and Isaac working answered that it was to satisfy the need to relationship status. We also like the visual project. The current EP, written for UMA, make art and music that contributes to and around jazz and experimental music, their resonance between flowers and ears and is based on Galle and the southern hills of collective work is suggestive of soulful establishes a conversation with traditions some new research suggests flowers might Sri Lanka. and aesthetics-based Islamic spirituality. pop informed by their love for God, nature, function like ears in plants as well. More Delving deeper into its meaning, and spiritual learnings. The duo released “I wouldn’t describe our work as than anything else, we like the sonic and Shafni stated: “Our songs would be an Islamic or as spiritual per se (even though their debut EP in March and featured other semantic feel of the phrase.” example of Ishq-e Majāzi. Although our artists in the region, including Paloma, we primarily draw from the Islamic The band’s music is reflective of songs ache for the sacred, they are still tradition; to a lesser degree, we also draw (India/Sri Lanka), Moumita (Bangladesh), an attempt to thematically connect with entangled in the profane, but our lyrics and Sarani (guitarist from The Soul in Sri and are influenced by the Hindu [Advaita attempt to subvert binaries such as the and Tantric traditions as well]). Lanka). sacred and profane though recourse Considering the unfortunate events “Nor are we saying that our work can to an Islamically grounded creation- even remotely compare to the traditions around the time the EP was released, Shafni spirituality.” stated: “We made the album available for and works of giants we have mentioned, Shafni said that while he and whom our work is to some degree inspired free as a gesture to show solidarity. And Isaac are great admirers of all great people have time during the lockdown by,” explained Shafni, and averred that the collaboratively since 2010 on numerous spiritual traditions inclusive of (curfew) to checkout music and art, so duo attempts to incorporate Islamic views projects such as Amoral Compass and Shafni Hinduism and Buddhism and he our EP is a tiny raindrop in the torrential and ideas into the content of secular idioms Tomcat and Magnum, to name a couple. personally is inclined towards that downpour of online releases happening though which they operate. “I don’t know It goes without saying that the band’s of perennial philosophy, “we see right now.” how successful we have been so far, to name is hard to miss. When inquired, ourselves primarily situated in As indicated by Shafni, Flowers On use profound and cliched metaphor; it’s a Shafni indicated: “In various cultures, a the spiritual universe of Islam. journey for sure.” Both Ears is their most recent project I think it’s important to really which was initiated in the second half of delve into and follow a single 2018, although the duo has been playing tradition sincerely while

Isaac

The EP is available for free download on Bandcamp and Soundcloud: www.flowersonbothears.bandcamp.com/releases | www.soundcloud.com/lau-ze-bunnis/sets/flowers-on-both-ears-uma Reproductive and sexual health mustn’t be an oversight BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE number of unintended pregnancies in the coming months.

In countries, such as ours, belonging “Before the pandemic, the government to the developing world, women’s services ensured that they would go door Before the pandemic, the The pandemic is deepening reproductive health mostly depends on to door providing contraceptives and other government services ensured inequalities, and millions government policies and programmes family planning advice,” said Sonali, providing access to contraceptive methods. adding that officers would provide extensive that they would go door to more women and girls now While Sri Lankans do not expressly talk knowledge on family planning, especially to door providing contraceptives risk losing the ability to plan about sexual and reproductive health and those women who have had a child already, often shy away from it, our health system while providing advice on how to heal and and other family planning their families and protect has made it so that resources are available rest up one’s body before they are able to advice their bodies and their health not only to those who seek it out, but also to have another child. Family Planning Association (FPA) UNFPA Executive Director those who need it. Women are unable to access family Speaking to Family Planning planning and will be facing unintended Director of Public Affairs, Policy, and Dr. Natalia Kanem Association (FPA) Director of Public pregnancies, and according to the data Advocacy Sonali Gunasekera Affairs, Policy, and Advocacy Sonali released by the report, she said that the Gunasekera, she shared that the number of women who will experience most popular non-permanent contraceptive UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Government, that is the Ministry of Health, PHOTO CHARLES DELUVIO ON UNSPLASH these issues will skyrocket in the months method (used by 11% of married women), Kanem, in reference to the global statistics has taken the initiative together with non- (CPR) is 65%. ahead. and of all women obtaining these released by the UNFPA, said: “This new profit organisations to provide for the sexual Considering the global pandemic Some of the major concerns would be contraceptive methods, most of them obtain data shows the catastrophic impact that and reproductive health of women and girls however, the status quo has changed quite a health systems becoming overloaded, which their services from government sector Covid-19 could soon have on women and of reproductive age. The Family Health bit and the new United Nations Population will then result in many women foregoing institutions. She stressed that in the current girls globally. The pandemic is deepening Bureau (FHB), which is the focal point for Fund (UNFPA) projections predict a serious important medical checkups for reasons situation, they will all be left stranded. inequalities, and millions more women Maternal and Child Health (MCH) in Sri impact on women’s health as Covid-19 such as fear of contracting the virus, but also She said that particularly, concerning and girls now risk losing the ability to plan Lanka, is also heavily involved in providing continues. While the circular shared by the due to difficulty of access. implants and injections, if they do not their families and protect their bodies and resources and care. UNFPA are global statistics, Sonali said that Global supply chain disruptions reinsert or get a shot within the prescribed their health.” She also added: “Women’s Sonali shared that in Sri Lanka, almost it is reflective of what women will and are may also lead to significant shortages of time period, such as the three-month reproductive health and rights must be all married women of reproductive age have currently experiencing in the island as well. contraceptives. On this topic, Sonali said requirement for the contraception shot, safeguarded at all costs. The services must heard about family planning methods. The The UNFPA circular provided that that in Sri Lanka, while female sterilisation then we are most likely to see either an continue, the supplies must be delivered, national-level contraceptive prevalence rate millions of women will be losing access to is the most commonly used contraceptive unprecedented amount of births or a lot of and the vulnerable must be protected and contraception, which will lead to a large method, an IUD (intrauterine device) is the abortions. supported.” 4 the sunday morning brunch CAUSE Sunday, May 10, 2020

BY SHANELLE BANDARA She also revealed that certain workers use pieces of cloth as an alternative to “Petition: Protect Sri Lankan Tea masks, which means the companies have Workers Working Long Hours not issued masks. Furthermore, Kandsasmy During Pandemic with Little to No also believes that a proper monitoring system needs to be in place in order to see if the Protection” read the 6 May headline safety measures are heeded. These workers on One Green Planet, a platform for TEA are also faced with financial problems (due the growing compassionate and to the curfew), resulting in more domestic eco-conscious generation. abuse cases as well. Many economies have come to a “When there is a problem, there is a standstill as Covid-19 reigns its tyranny. mechanism we follow to solve workers’ The curfew was imposed in Sri Lanka issues. Due to the curfew, there are no in order to maintain the safety of the mechanisms functioning (no courts people. On 20 March, in a caveat, the WORKERS functioning). Therefore, there is a high risk Government informed that “paddy farming of companies taking advantage of their and plantation, including work on tea workers. In order to combat these issues, the smallholdings and fishing activities, are union planned a local mechanism where in permitted in any district”. every region they have an office, in which Tea, a common aromatic beverage the staff communicate with the ‘worker often consumed by us Sri Lankans, has leaders’ and raise awareness and update on been allowed to be produced during this the situation. In addition to this, the union IN A sent letters to the Government requesting period. As such, we probed as to how the safety standards are being maintained and the workers be paid for 25 days’ work for whether they are actually being followed by the months of March and April, despite the the workers. In order to unravel this topic number of days they would have actually in depth, The Sunday Morning Brunch worked. spoke to Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) Assistant Secretary and Plantation Human Determined to survive Development Trust (PHDT) Chairman PANDEMIC We were also curious as to how certain Barath Arullsamy. plantations were managing the situation. Have they been on the ball or have they been Trying times call for dire measures falling short? Answering our questions was “At the inception of Covid-19, we How are the conditions? Browns Capital PLC – Plantation Sector were rather concerned about the plantation Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) sector as the people within this sector Kamal Punchihewa. tend to live in communities and congested spaces,” Arullsamy noted. Due to the living conditions of these individuals, if even one I have to mention that even before individual was to contract the disease, it Covid-19 came into the picture, we had would be unstoppable. so many issues...When Covid-19 hit Hence, to prevent this precarious the country, the situation blew out of situation from escalating, with the guidance proportion. We were dealing with policy- of Minister of Community Empowerment level issues, worker-level issues, and now and Estate Infrastructure Arumugam Covid-19 is the major issue Thondaman, they had taken measures Ceylon Workers’ Red Flag Union General to prevent the disease spreading in the Secretary Menaha Kandasamy plantations. Arullsamy went on to explain that they identified youths working in high-risk areas such as Colombo and other “Maturata Plantations Ltd. is one districts, after which they had created a of the 22 regional plantation companies database of these individuals and tracked incorporated in 1992, currently owned by their movements, as to when they would Browns Investments PLC, a part of the leave the high-risk areas to return home. LOLC Group. We manage 10 estates in the Once they returned home, they were Nuwara Eliya region, five in Deniyaya, and required to self-quarantine. three in Akuressa,” shared Punchihewa. Furthermore, with the support of With regard to the steps taken to ensure the medical officers of health, they had the safety of the workers, Punchihewa said provided the estate workers hand sanitiser, that firstly, relating to the factory workers, soap, and face masks and had even sprayed their regional heads, estate managers, and disinfectant chemicals to the workplaces staff have been advised to take the required and worker quarters. They also went on to precautions as per the Government’s emphasise estate management in taking the guidelines. “Our Environmental, Health, necessary precautions at their workplaces. and Safety (EHS) Manager, who resides “After the Government decided to make in the region, overlooks the progress of the the tea industry an essential service, we as implementation of precautionary measures an organisation needed to ensure the safety independently, and reports to office,” he of the people. On the other hand, from stated. the trade union’s perspective representing They have also issued infrared the plantation workers in Sri Lanka, we, thermometers to all factories as well as basic together with Minister Thondaman, ensured facilities such as foot baths and facilities for that in each region our regional officers washing hands. In addition to this, social and committees ensure that these safety had issued safety guidelines distancing is maintained. Furthermore, measures are being practised. Because of the people in hopes but what is happening in this satisfactory levels of ventilation are managed the precautions taken, thankfully we do not of preventing them particular sector is that there are in the factories and they also display posters have any Covid-19 cases,” Arullsamy said, congregating in urban insufficient resources for the sector in Tamil and Sinhala, which is done by the also stressing the importance of not only areas and towns. to properly follow these guidelines. EHS teams. In order to see these measures providing the necessary materials to the Of course, there are Another problem is the sector through, public health inspectors (PHIs) also people, but also of educating the people. problems arising when being a community of people make surprise visits. conducting such who work together and eat Punchihewa then moved on from the programmes together. Basically, it is a very factories to the fields. Tea pickers maintain too. Arullsamy tight-knit community. Hence, “social distancing at plucking fields as well We, together with Minister Thondaman, mentioned that some they are not used to as weighing points. Pickers and weighing ensured that in each region our regional of the workers disregard the maintaining a staff are required to wear face masks”. officers and committees ensure that these safety measures implemented. distance and Moreover, awareness programmes were safety measures are being practised. From the trade union’s this is a problem conducted and coriander drinks were Because of the precautions taken, standpoint, however, there in maintaining social/ provided for workers at weighing points, thankfully we do not have any are other issues. For one, this physical distance. In addition to while they too were provided with hand Covid-19 cases period happens to be the dry this, some workplaces do not have washing facilities. According to Puchihewa, CWC Assistant Secretary and PHDT season which results in a low soap and water for cleansing, she said. even in crèches social distancing is Chairman Barath Arullsamy harvest. Generally, a worker “I remember one company gave one maintained as much as possible. However, it gets paid if they collect 18 kg of pickings, Futile attempts or glimmer of hope? bar of soap to the field workers and asked is a tad difficult with the children. With regard to educating the public but as we are faced with the dry season, they To explore the problems of the safety them to use it. They of course refused this, Further, they had organised the on the pandemic, Arullsamy informed cannot collect that same amount and so may measures and to see if they were working as we made them understand that every provision of food to workers’ doorsteps us that several awareness programmes end up with 10 kg. or not, we contacted Ceylon Workers’ Red person using the same bar of soap was only in order to avoid people going into towns, were conducted for the workers. “As an Due to this, they are only paid half by Flag Union General Secretary Menaha going to worsen the situation. Even before and environmental medical assistants organisation, we convinced the estate the estate management, which is a huge loss Kandasamy to understand her take on the the Covid-19 situation, these problems (EMAs) were requested to obtain medicinal management to take due precautions. for the workers. Therefore, a suggestion issue. Kandasamy explained that basically persisted. There were no toilets or hand requirements of the estate population Accordingly, they conducted awareness was made to the plantation companies and what the union does is handle day-to-day washing facilities, and they used to eat in and arrange delivery of these medicines programmes,” he said. management to discuss with the estate worker issues in the plantation sector and ‘filthy places’. Now this problem is a greater where possible. Concluding his statement, Furthermore, there are seven regional working committee and decide upon a new as such, the Covid-19 pandemic has raised issue to us as maintaining hygiene is key Punchihewa added that the PHDT is officers in each region – a health manager, amount for plucking. Some estates were major concerns for these individuals. in preventing the spread of this disease,” working very closely with the estate’s a social mobiliser, an estate welfare officer, rather reasonable and brought down their “I have to mention that even before Kandasamy stressed. management to improve housing and health and an estate medical officer (if available) norm to 8-10 kg. Unfortunately, not all Covid-19 came into the picture, we had so “It is dangerous for workers who are conditions of the estate population. They who, along with government medical the estates were the same and some were many issues. Not maintaining the plantation working in the extreme heat, and wearing had in fact contributed food packs worth Rs. staff, went to each estate and conducted reluctant to bring it down. Nevertheless, sector properly and workers losing their jobs a mask doesn’t make it easy. Besides, a lot 3,000 each to estate workers in the Nuwara awareness programmes. In addition to these after a lot of negotiations, some of them fell are a couple of them. When Covid-19 hit the of workers have a habit of chewing bulath Eliya region. measures, they also provide dry rations to in line. country, the situation blew out of proportion. (betel) and keep removing their masks to spit There is no denying that there are We were dealing with policy-level issues, out. Hence, it is pointless. Also, it increases definite problems in the tea industry in worker-level issues, and now Covid-19 is the risk of workers touching their faces more these trying times and even prior to it. Are the major issue,” Kandsasmy explained. often as they sweat profusely, thanks to the authorities trying their level best to ensure She went on to say that the Government mask,” she added. the safety of the workers? the sunday morning brunch 5 Sunday, May 10, 2020 HEALTH The way forward Experience from Hong Kong BY DR. DINESHANI HETTIARACHCHI SIRISENA the virus has now spread globally, even if you stamp out infection in one country, it Since the first reported case of is likely to return via international travel in December sooner or later. 2019, several parallels have been Long-term control of this disease will only come when enough people (at least drawn to other types of respiratory 50-60%) have sufficient immunity against viruses that belong to the genus it, through natural infection or vaccination. beta such as severe Unfortunately, a vaccine is well over acute respiratory syndrome one year away. Allowing the infection to (SARS) and Middle East respiratory spread through the community to infect syndrome (MERS). Both of these more than 50% of the population will lead originated from bats and made to unacceptable mortality and overload the their way to an intermediate host hospital system. Thus, the way forward is (civet cat and camel, respectively) Dr. Dinu Guruge carrying out testing in Colombo Staff carrying out community testing in Colombo Community testing being carried out in Colombo to first bring the outbreak under control before making the jump to the By March, with the large outbreaks will not be wasted. He emphasised that using a combination of case detection as Community participation well as community (social distancing) and human host and later propagating in Europe and the US, Hong Kong decentralisation of testing was critical to In this regard, Prof. Peiris pointed experienced a larger wave of introductions reduce turnaround time for results. travel-based measures. towards human-to-human out the attitude of the community is Once control has been achieved, transmission. Many countries arising from returnees from Europe and the Because it is now known that a fundamental for curbing the spread US, similar to Sri Lanka. Social distancing substantial proportion of transmission one may gradually relax selected control worldwide are now struggling to of the virus. This goes hand in hand measures to allow economic activity to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. measures, testing, tracing and quarantine takes place before the patient develops with their commitment to adhering to measures, and border restrictions were symptoms, contact tracing is the only re-commence, while maintaining intensive In light of this, Prof. Malik Peiris, social distancing norms set out by the surveillance to detect evidence of re- enhanced and now local transmission has way by which the chain of transmission Government. The practice of personal a professor of at the School of effectively been halted. can be broken. This requires rapid tracing emergence of the disease. Public Health at the Faculty of protective behaviours, including the use of The early signs of re-emergence of contacts and quarantining of close face masks, and maintaining hand hygiene Medicine of the University of Measures used in Hong contacts. Detection of patients by itself, will trigger re-imposition of the Hong Kong, spoke at the Asia measures by most people in Hong Kong control measures. This requires strong Kong and learnings from while important, is not sufficient to break may also have played an important role Pacific Academic Consortium the chain of transmission because of the surveillance, diagnostic testing, contact for Public Health (APACPH) their experience in controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 tracing, and a strong quarantine system to possibility of transmission before the (Covid-19) in the region. Virtual Conference on Covid-19 patient presents to healthcare, he said. be in place for the longer term. We need organised by the Sri Lanka Case-based interventions Hong Kong’s experience of the 2003 to accept that “back to normal” is not an Medical Association (SLMA) on Case-based RT-PCR SARS epidemic may explain both the option in the medium term. We can resume the experience of Hong Kong. (reverse transcription polymerase Government’s and residents’ enhanced economic activity while still maintaining a He was most notably the first chain reaction) testing was public health preparedness and willingness to degree of social distancing. For example, person to isolate the SARS virus rapidly expanded in Hong Kong, respond quickly in the face of the Covid-19 avoid mass gatherings and non-essential in 2003. As we now begin a initially focused on suspected threat. Other countries may learn from Hong travel, and implement a strong hand Professor of Virology Kong’s aggressive containment approach. phased-out approach to bringing Malik Peiris cases and contacts including hygiene culture. Public transport is clearly our lives back to normalcy, those detected at the borders by On community screening efforts in Sri the major challenge; staggered working there is a lot to learn from countries and surveillance followed by the quarantining Lanka, Epidemiology and Statistics Unit hours may be one option to consider. of positive cases. The testing was then Head and Acting Regional Epidemiologist territories such as Hong Kong that have Hong Kong_s epidemilogy curve for Covid-19 successfully mitigated the pandemic. extended to include all community- for the City of Colombo Dr. Dinu Guruge Take-home message Hong Kong is a special administrative acquired pneumonia (e.g. severe acute said community testing in Colombo Prof. Peiris commended the strong region of the People’s Republic of China respiratory infections, designated as SARI) Community-based interventions started since the detection of the cluster control measures implemented by Sri Lanka at Bandaranayake Mawatha. Extensive and is located in Southern China, sharing and then also to “influenza-like illnesses” In Hong Kong, strict social distancing so far and the novel strategy of involving the community testing is currently being a border with Mainland China. With a (i.e. patients with fever and respiratory measures were carried out. A two- tri-forces in contributing to the command carried out. When a positive case is population of more than 7.45 million, it is a symptoms). metre distance between individuals structure, contact tracing, and quarantine detected, all first contacts of these patients regional travel hub, with the eighth busiest Such testing was provided through in the community was recommended. measures. He also noted the role of local are quarantined and tested with the RT- airport in the world through which more the hospitals as well as out-patient Hand hygiene was strongly encouraged. technology in responding to challenges, e.g. PCR test, Dr. Guruge shared. than 70 million travellers pass each year. departments (OPDs). Extending the Working from home was encouraged or developing local capacity for manufacturing Notably, they have experienced local testing to potentially community-acquired flexible working hours were given for Travel-related measures swabs for sample collection which have and imported cases in January – earlier infections is important because it provides become scarce in the global market. those whose work was essential. Avoiding non-essential travel – both than us – hence some of their experience a surveillance baseline for community It will be important for Sri Lanka to Schools were closed and large local and international – was strongly may be relevant to Sri Lanka’s response. transmission, if any is taking place. Testing innovate further in the months ahead to gatherings were banned, gatherings for encouraged. Later, entry into Hong Kong Hong Kong has managed to keep was also extended to all inbound travellers contain this disease until proven treatments religious events discouraged, and venues was restricted to Hong Kong residents infections and deaths low without resorting at the airports. and vaccines become available. He such as bars were closed. But restaurants and was linked to testing and 14 days of to extreme lockdowns but rather relying on Prof. Peiris commented that investment emphasised that meeting the challenge were kept open, initially for takeaway home isolation for everyone returning from aggressive social distancing measures with in enhancing and decentralising RT-PCR of Covid-19 requires a strong degree of meals, and then for eating in, though with overseas. the support of a disciplined and motivated testing capacity would be valuable in Sri minimal distance enforced between tables. community participation – that indeed has population. This was achieved even while Lanka because this is a technology that is In March, with the increased numbers of The future with Covid-19 been the strongest message from Hong Kong. applicable for many communicable as well the large numbers of people travelled imported cases, public gatherings of more This disease is unlikely to go away, as non-communicable diseases (NCDs). About the writer to and from Mainland China (where the than four people were banned, except stated Prof. Peiris as he compared this to He said such infrastructure development The writer, outbreak started) during the Chinese New when using public transport, etc. a marathon rather than a sprint. Given that Year holidays. Dr. Dineshani Early in the pandemic, it was feared Hettiarachchi that this movement of people would Sirisena, is a family lead to a catastrophic outcome in regard physician with a to Covid-19. While there were cases special interest in rare introduced from travellers to Mainland genetic diseases and China and some local transmission regenerative medicine from such returnees, by early February currently working the consequences of the spillover from as a lecturer at the Department of Mainland China appeared to be under Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University control. of Colombo, Sri Lanka. People cue up to be tested for Covid-19 in Colombo

ÄÄ Dear Mayo Clinic, I am Complications are in my 60s and active. uncommon. After about 10 days Over the years, I have When of rest or restricted weight- had plantar fasciitis bearing, it’s usually possible to off and on, but the return to your regular activities. However, physical therapy still most recent episode may be needed, and it usually has lasted longer than takes longer to get back to more usual, and physical strenuous activities. therapy hasn’t helped self-care Another treatment is needle much. What are my fasciotomy with platelet-rich plasma options for treatment at (PRP) injection. Using ultrasound this point? imaging and a thin probe, holes are Most people with plantar and physical therapy poked in damaged and degenerated fasciitis improve with basic plantar fascia tissue. This is often care steps or physical therapy. followed by an injection of platelet- However, healing can be slow haven’t improved rich plasma into the fascia. Platelet- and require perseverance. Newer, rich plasma is obtained from your nonsurgical therapy options are own blood. Anti-inflammatory helping with hard-to-treat cases. plantar fasciitis factors in platelet-rich plasma The plantar fascia is a fibrous temporary inflammatory reaction to standing a lot while on vacation. may help stimulate pain relief and healing in the area. band of tissue on the bottom of the the injury, but the true problem is Going barefoot or wearing shoes enough, and finding a solution debridement, a technology Talk with your healthcare foot. It connects the heel to the toes degeneration of the fascia – not the with minimal support, particularly to the chronic pain and loss of developed in part by Mayo Clinic provider to see if either of these and supports the arch of your foot, inflammation. on hard surfaces, or routinely function due to plantar fasciitis doctors, uses ultrasound imaging treatments would be a good option acting as a shock absorber when you The risk of plantar fasciitis wearing high-heeled shoes also can be frustrating. Open surgery to identify degenerated tissues for your situation. put pressure on your foot. Plantar is increased by factors that put increases risk of injury. to remove the damaged tissue is and guide the entire procedure. Arthur De Luigi, D.O., fasciitis discomfort occurs at the extra strain on the feet, such as To treat plantar fasciitis, the an option, but recovery often is Through a tiny incision, a needle- M.H.A., Physical Medicine and bottom of your foot, typically near obesity; high-impact activities extra stress on the plantar fascia prolonged, and recurring pain is like surgical probe is inserted into Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, the heel bone. It can range from such as running or dance aerobics; must be relieved, so that the common. the degenerated tissues. When Scottsdale, Ariz. a dull sensation to piercing pain. and certain faulty foot mechanics tears can heal. For most people, If plantar fasciitis pain activated, the probe tip vibrates © 2020 MAYO Often, it comes on gradually and such as flat feet, high arches, or an these small tears can be treated is disrupting your life and a rapidly, using ultrasonic energy FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL affects only one foot, though it can abnormal walking pattern. Having a successfully with physical therapy thorough plan of care isn’t leading to break up the damaged tissues, EDUCATION AND RESEARCH. start suddenly and affect both feet. tight Achilles tendon or tight ankle and special equipment that gives to improvement after several which are then suctioned away. DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE Plantar fasciitis occurs when muscles is also a risk factor. Risk the foot extra support. A cortisone months, newer, minimally invasive The procedure usually takes only CONTENT AGENCY, LLC. ALL stress and strain cause microscopic rises if you suddenly increase your injection also may be considered. interventions can be effective. a few minutes and the incision is RIGHTS RESERVED. tears in the fascia. There may be a activity level, such as walking and But for some, this isn’t Ultrasonic fasciotomy and closed with surgical tape. 6 the sunday morning brunch CAUSE Sunday, May 10, 2020

home, who goes to work, who is kind to herself, who learns from her kids and teaches her kids to be a better person, who negotiates her way to getting results, who laughs and hugs and makes a safe place for her kids to fall – you are the mighty heroes who make the next generation better than the last. It’s the hardest and most rewarding job. You sustain the family through this challenging In pictures time. You are the stability, safety, and comfort for every child. Like the frontline workers, you are the champions. Happy Mother’s Day Mount Lavinia from the dream team and to the entrepreneurial mothers in the dream team. Beach...now! There are many of us together a collage of pictures for anxiously waiting to visit Mount you to see how the sand filling Beach to see the transformation project has affected the beach after the completion of the sand stretch. filling project. This is part of a If you remember the big larger coast conservation project rock at the beach, these images valued at Rs. 890 million, which will give you an idea of the was passed by the Government extent to which the beach has and Cabinet based on an expert been filled up. The project was report submitted by the Coast completed within the last month, Thinking of Sri Lanka’s Conservation Department. and the effects of it are yet to be With the help of a resident observed and experienced. As near the beach who frequently with anything else, we can only exceptional moms this dives in the area, we put wait and see. (JG)

Alma Flores – Owner of Sabores, a taste of Mexico To all the mothers on this day, you are amazingly strong! Don’t give up, there is someone following your footsteps… Thank you for all your love, patience, and kindness, for all the Mother’s advice and all the unconditional love. Day Happy Mother’s Day!

Aysha Asad – Owner of A A new species Drop of Treacle Being a mum is a 24/7 job BY BERNADINE RODRIGO managed to put the kids into two while they were escaping, her and for every mum out there, the of orchids in schools, believing their education husband was shot dead, and she struggle is real, the balance is real, There are some mothers is of utmost importance so that at too while protecting her son was the tears and frustration are real. who manage to raise their least someday, the two of them shot. Yes, some may have given up might be able to find some comfort The bullet hit her arm and their dream and aspiration to bring our rainforests kids amidst the most in this world. she lost it forever, but she kept at unimaginable and greatest up tiny little humans, but always She said her job is tedious and it and protected her son as best as remember that you’re doing an difficulties. Many of their she is awfully underpaid. However, she could until the war was over. amazing job by educating and stories show how unfair she cannot ask for an increment Afterwards, she went to live with moulding the next generation into and cruel society can be because she is unable to go to work her parents in Vaharai (or Vakarai) amazing global citizens. in a nation where mothers everyday as she needs to stay back in Batticaloa. Trying to find some Thanking all the mums out are said to be so greatly with her kids sometimes. way of coping with the loss of there and wishing them a very respected and adored. Mayuri feels that she could her husband, she learnt how to happy Mother’s Day! ride a bicycle with a single hand. This Mother’s Day, which take better care of her children if As her son was growing up, she falls on 10 May, perhaps we could she could at least find a small safe discovered that she had a passion learn to appreciate and honour our house to raise them in. She has for sports. Inspiring her son to mothers and continue to do so even gone to many politicians asking never give up, she now takes part after this day passes. for aid but they always say they in sporting events at regional, Six years ago, while Mayuri would give her things if she works the inner wall of the perianth provincial, and national levels and BY JITHENDRI GOMES was pregnant with twins and she for their party. Even still, at the tube and the free part of never fails to obtain a place. and her husband were eagerly end of the day, they leave her with the perianth tube reflexed Last year, she came in at Amidst these times of waiting for their birth, she had to nothing. She’s even had to face backwards. However, the second place in long jump at uncertainty, it gives us great face a terribly unfortunate event court charges for loitering around researchers have identified the National Games. She has joy to bring forth this good that changed her life forever. with two children. different characteristics of this also formed a group within news. A new species of One day, her husband suddenly She told them that if she was new species. her community consisting of orchids has been found in our disappeared. to be thrown into prison, to have “These two species can those with disabilities and is rainforests in Sri Lanka in the Mayuri’s husband was a her thrown in along with her kids be very well differentiated on also considered a leader in her UNESCO-declared heritage simple owner of a fruit shop which because she can’t bear to be away the basis of spathulate to linear community. She has managed to lowland Sinharaja Rainforest. he had to rent since he and Mayuri from them. Mayuri also argued that petals which are shorter than get her son the rightful education A new paper published in the could not afford to buy a place of there were so many drug dealers sepals, fused only at the base he needs and will continue to journal Biotaxa identifies the their own as they lived with their and rapists out there who run and present inside the perianth inspire not only her son, but also Yashodara Pathanjali new discovery as Gastrodia family. Sometimes, in order to around committing crime but go tube; labellum elongate-elliptic many other mothers with her The idea that we should gunatillekeorum. When naming make some extra money, he would unpunished. “Why did they have and column broadest in the ability to find herself once again by celebrate mums because “they the species, the researchers work as a driver for a minister to target an innocent woman like middle part in G. spatulata, doing what she loves. give 1,000% in 24/7 balancing, have dedicated it to two whom Mayuri refers to as “Bertie”. me?” she asked rhetorically. whereas petals as long as sepals Just at 38 years of age, Mayuri juggling, sacrificing” is so ecologists, Nimal Gunatilleke Mayuri was beginning to get Public’s thoughts fundamentally wrong. No person and Savitri Gunatilleke from with apical one-third part free alienated by those around her. “I has severe nervous illnesses (rest fused with sepals) and and diabetes. Despite having Here are a few messages from in any role should have that the , was shunned and condemned by some mothers of Sri Lanka: expectation or that pressure. A in recognition of their decades- reflexed backwards, labellum family and friends, especially my beauty, she showed how her rhomboid in shape, column thick black hair has now begun mum is a woman. A woman with long contribution to science. husband’s family,” she recalled. her own life, dreams, ambitions, The paper, titled “A broadest towards the apex in G. Portraying another example to fall as a result of the Rs. 3,000 gunatillekeorum.” rupee medication she has to take loves, and hobbies – all things new species from a lowland of a mother’s love, it was only that need to be fulfilled by her rainforest of Sri Lanka”, is The paper elaborates the Mayuri’s mother who continued regularly. She thanks NGOs and descriptions in the paper to other charitable individuals for and those around her. She simply written by Champika Bandara, to support her. Sometime after cannot give life to her children till Theja Priyankara, Anusha further establish the difference, the twins were born – a boy and a helping her get her medicine making it an endemic species to and keep her children fed, and she has a life to give. We are not Attanagoda, Tithira Lakkana, girl – Mayuri ached to find answers mothers because we give birth, Sisira Ediriweera, and Pankaj Sri Lanka. about her husband’s disappearance. especially thanks her own dear With the species being mother for always spending her cook, clean, and taxi our kids Kumar and was published this “I didn’t know what Colombo was, around. We are mothers because year. found in the Sinharaja lowland but I got on a train and came here pension on her. rainforest, the new orchid Puwanalojini is another we lead from the front, we show The paper elaborates more with my babies. He is my love, the our sons and daughters what a about the finding of the species is limited to three small father of these two children, and exceptional lady who helped in populations and is considered the projects conducted by World woman can be, what a woman can Gastrodia gunatillekeorum, I could not simply forget about do, and that even the sky isn’t a a new species in the family endangered. Even within him.” Vision Lanka. In 2009, she Sinharaja, this particular protected her baby from war itself. limit. Orchidaceae, which is Now she lives in Let’s celebrate this Mother’s described and illustrated from species has been identified in Meethotamulla after getting a job Being from the North, she gave three different locations: Near birth to her son in the midst of Sri Farizeh Delgoda – Founder Day by finding ways to support a tropical lowland rainforest of at the general hospital. However, of Colombo Couture Cakes, every mother we know to be free Sri Lanka. It is morphologically Deniyaya in the Matara District, when she first arrived in Colombo, Lanka’s gruesome civil war. Not close to the Ratnapura District, wanting her son to grow up this Glitterbug Jewellery, and from dated harmful stereotypes, close to G. spatulata which is she had to live on the streets Convertible Tuk and support every woman to be the endemic to Indonesia, owing and the western region of with her children. Somehow she way, she and her husband planned Sinharaja. Therefore, a special to flee their location. Gravely, To every mother who stays at most she wants to be. to the white flower front with a yellowish-orange colour on conservation effort is required. the sunday morning brunch 7 Sunday, May 10, 2020 GAMES/TOONS

15 Puts in more film 71 Equal SOLUTION FOR 26 APRIL 16 French satellite launcher 72 Historic Icelandic work 17 Grabbed for a chat 75 “__ for Innocent”: Crossword 18 “Of course” Grafton novel CROSSWORD CLUES 57 Ancient assembly areas 108 Film buff’s channel 19 Prefix with pit 77 Sex educator Hite 58 Opinion surveys on text 111 Typical hole-in-one, e.g. 24 At one time, at one time 79 So far Across changes? 113 Triage ctrs. 29 Apple browser 81 2008 TARP beneficiary 1 Noble, unselfish sort 60 Extend People 114 Piggies’ protector 32 Japanese soup renamed Ally Financial 8 Copy 62 Santa feature 117 “... __ saw Elba” 36 Sufferer healed by Jesus 82 Simple radio antenna 14 Language of the Quran 64 Kids’ song refrain 118 White rat, e.g. 38 Super, slangily 84 Eye opener? 20 Magnetite, e.g. 65 Some QB protectors 120 Pupil with a phonetic 39 Like some artifacts, 86 Like garage parking 21 Port N of Pittsburgh 68 Alpine peasant dress beginning that hints thanks to radiocarbon 22 Examine in detail 87 Modicum 70 Sealed at what the circled letters 40 Clear 88 Reply to a ques. 23 This year’s hatchlings? 73 Animal house comprise 41 French vineyard 25 Influential groups 91 Bus. card info 74 Skateboarding move 123 Beach locales 42 “As if” 92 Stat start 26 Quelques-__: a few, in 76 Peak 124 Bread maker 43 Border __ French 94 Is indignant about 78 Lover of Silvio in 125 Heartfelt 44 Inventor of an early stock 98 Carousel traveler 27 One in a shell “Pagliacci” 126 Most massive ticker 28 ER workers 99 Funny brothers 80 Time to honor an aircraft 127 Heavy hammer 45 Discreetly send a dupe 100 Programming language 30 “Bellefleur” author manufacturer? 128 High houses email to 31 Half a tuba sound 83 Jeered named for a Down 46 “Vive le __!” 32 Scrips 85 Buckwheat noodle 51 Eastern royal mathematician 33 Acapulco aunt 89 U.K. honors 1 Generate 101 Bone: Pref. 2 Place to play 52 New __ 34 Mayo is found in it 90 Faller of 2001 53 Limo service vehicle 102 Sounds 35 Quarterback Manning 91 Shark’s interim 3 Become discouraged 107 Bristlelike parts 4 Queen’s offspring 54 Extend 37 Chopin virtuoso’s self appendage? 55 “... or __ thought” 109 Perfume, as at High Mass assurance? 93 Bug 5 Monopolize 110 Hands, in slang 6 Mountain ridge 58 Coastal flier 45 Highland hillsides 94 Knock 59 Await judgment 111 Apiece 47 Attorney general after 95 Q.E.D. word 7 Strip of vegetation 112 Baseball brother 8 Chipper 61 Sistine Chapel mural Sessions 96 Hoists setting 114 Boston or Chicago 48 Tummy muscles 97 Ripening of a 9 Seriously shrunken sea 115 Blood type, briefly 10 Baptism, for one 63 Quaint coin-op eatery 49 Coal carrier Mediterranean fruit? 65 Surname in a 1983 Styx 116 Shrek, for one 50 Greek cross in a company 103 UFO crew, in theory 11 Outdoor gear brand 117 “Giant” author Ferber 12 Portugal’s second-largest hit logo? 104 “One Mic” rapper 66 Worldwide 119 East, in Essen 54 Exist 105 Anaheim MLB team, in city 121 Charlemagne’s domain: 13 Astringent in red wine 67 Item of camping gear 55 Diva deliveries crawl lines 69 Arid Abbr. 56 Formally commend 106 Meh 14 “Tarzan” critter 122 Coffee hour vessel NOTICE Please note that the e-paper editions are not going to have winners. We will resume selecting winners once the paper is printed again.

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ashion as we know it is under pressure and making them lose gone, but transforming relevance. I hope designers can now and reinventing has always capture the emotions of society and create 10 Qs for been its way of survival. based on that to find relevance. Colombo Fashion Week 5 What is the worst eventuality you F(CFW) Founder and Managing Director Ajai Vir Singh has always would have predicted for fashion at believed in ethical fashion, or another time? Ajai Vir Singh “good fashion”, and was on the The tiger would have become a cusp of unveiling CFW 2020 under monster and eaten all! the theme “Responsibility in A few years ago, fashion was the Fashion” just before Covid-19 hit. second most polluting industry in the world, after oil. Oil is inherently polluting, But that hasn’t stopped Ajai from but the fact that something we place on whirring those wheels in his head. our bodies can pollute like that is doubly In our 10 Qs, he spells out where the shocking. If not corrected, can you industry is headed, what needs to be done, imagine how far it can go? and how fashion must understand the context and recalibrate solutions to make 6 How did you feel when you had to the solution relevant. postpone CFW this year? express ourselves. Around the world, the Given that we promote “Responsible 1 You made the analogy that fashion is volume of sales being driven senselessly Fashion”, we can’t act irresponsibly with like riding a tiger. Why? has made it lose its soul, putting designers CFW. Even though we have gone through Yes, because globally, fashion is on a various attacks in the past, this step had to self-destructive path. As the numbers are be taken. huge, none of the big stakeholders want to upset the apple cart. I feel that most know 7 What is the biggest lesson you it’s going wrong, but they don’t want to be learned in the last two months? the first to spoil the ride. I have learned and understood the value of being “slow”, because by 2 Is fashion really a priority at this time? slowing down, I can extract much more I approach fashion from the basic from a day. Each moment has value. I human need of food, clothing, and shelter. also realise how much that fast pace took Designers need to approach it that way away from me. because then every creation emerges as a solution. Solutions are always in 8 What is the biggest regret you have? need. Clothing is a need, and fashion or That word is not in my vocabulary; fashioning of the garment just makes it instead, I use the phrase “lessons relevant. So “relevance” is the key word. and information”. It’s a matter of perspective. You need to have the right 3 Has isolation caused us to bid one. goodbye to fashion as we know it? I really hope so. I wish fast fashion 9 What would you say is the new giants who stimulate the artificial need normal in the fashion industry? to buy clothes, stop, take stock, and re- I have been doing a lot of writing think fashion based on creative connect and assessing. I feel compassion and and not just on high-value discounts. personalisation will be the action words Hyperconsumption has got the world to drive the industry, as these action trapped in it and we must escape from words will find a connection with fashion that. consumers in the new environment. 4 With fashion being a route of self- 10 …And to life as we know it? expression, how do you see design Being conscious of going slow; expression panning out? extracting value while giving it Fashion is like a second skin; back and knowing you are part of an while it protects, it also helps us important ecosystem.

As most Sri Lankans stay home with the hope Payments can be made via direct bank transfers, of flattening the curve, over 50,000 of our doctors mobile wallets, and credit/debit cards. Australia supports Sri Lanka and nurses have responded to the call of duty, With the closure of almost all retail putting themselves and their loved ones at risk MAZE OF LOVE businesses in the island, small businesses of contracting the Covid-19. While the virus has and retailers are undergoing severe losses. to fight Covid-19 claimed the lives of over 160 healthcare workers You can give back to those who give Through these donations, in addition to giving worldwide, the unwavering determination of our Speaking on why they decided to launch this back to the healthcare workers, donors will healthcare workers still prevails. initiative, Maze Founder Prabath Seneviratne said: also be helping to sustain local businesses Maze would like to show their gratitude “When we initially contacted the IDH to see if and manufacturers, thereby rebuilding the Sri towards the healthcare sector by launching the there was a way we could help, we were informed Lankan economy. “Maze of Love” campaign to provide socks to our that it is mandatory for the medical staff to wear Maze is a rising local brand of high-quality nurses and doctors operating on the frontlines. socks, bringing the best of comfort and design socks while at work, which meant they have to our gratitude through action by purchasing Socks are a mandatory part of the attire for all together to make cool and comfortable socks. wash and keep recycling the pairs given to them one, two, or three sets of socks for medical healthcare workers, as it helps reduce the stress Each purchase of Maze socks on their site or or they would have to use their own money to teams fighting to keep us safe through this on their feet while protecting them from germs their retail store sees a donation, which, in less purchase additional pairs. pandemic.” and blisters. Maze of Love works by allowing than a year, has raised over Rs. 120,000 towards “We saw the perfect opportunity to give Maze has enabled multiple donation DFAT, World Health Organisation, and Ministry of Health officials witnessing the handing you to donate a pack of three socks priced at Rs. the upkeep of Prithipura Communities, a charity back to our medical teams in a small way for platforms, mainly through their website (www. over of medical equipment 550, made by Maze to comply with the National providing loving homes for people living with their tireless efforts. With every set, Maze will socks.lk/donate), where you can purchase Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) uniform. disabilities in Sri Lanka. The strong friendship between response to Covid-19. Since 5 March, be absorbing part of the cost of the socks so packs of three pairs of socks in any quantity Maze plans to donate 1,000 pairs initially in order For more information, visit www. Australia and Sri Lanka goes Australia has been quick to respond that doctors and nurses, both male and female, you prefer. You can also buy these by messaging to make the lives of healthcare workers a little getmazeted.com or contact them through back more than 70 years. In to the Sri Lankan Government’s can receive additional pairs. We hope everyone Maze on WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram. the unprecedented global crisis requests for support and to the needs more convenient and brighter. will join in on spreading some love and showing their social media platforms. unfolding as a result of the Covid-19 of communities. They have partnered pandemic, it’s more important than with United Nations (UN) agencies ever that friends continue to support and local partners to identify priorities each other. Australia assisted Sri and co-ordinate their response. Lanka after the 2004 tsunami, floods Australia’s assistance has in 2015 to 2019, and the 2019 Easter provided health equipment Quantum Fitness promotes healthy living Sunday attacks, and their support and support to the Sri Lankan will continue into the future. Government, as well as crucial food Pioneering fitness equipment While the man who chooses unhealthy change, adding several programmes to Australia wants to keep the and hygiene items to Sri Lankan provider Quantum Fitness launched its practices finally suffers from illness and a uplift the lives of Sri Lankans through region safe, stable, prosperous, and communities, including: latest television commercial promoting deteriorating life at old age, the one who awareness and providing physical fitness healthy lifestyles among all Sri Lankans. chooses to exercise, eat right and carry equipment at affordable rates. Plans are resilient. The Covid-19 pandemic yy Medical equipment to strengthen Released in all three languages first a positive outlook on life is shown to be also underway to expand the company’s represents a significant challenge national laboratories and case on social media and then on electronic living life to the fullest even during the reach through new branches and a for governments and communities management media, the TVC features veteran and twilight years of his life. The narrative distributor network island wide. globally – including Australia. yy Personal protective equipment much-loved screen and stage actor also brings in the element of family and Australia has committed AUD Douglas Ranasinghe. the negative and positive impacts a Quantum Fitness currently operates (PPE) for frontline workers 1.5 million to support Sri Lanka’s Speaking on the direction of the TVC healthy lifestyle can have on your loved six branches island wide while several yy IT equipment to be used by Chairman of Quantum Fitness Nomal ones. are due to be opened this year. The officials to gather data for case Wijeyaratne said, “The idea behind the “We chose to first release the TVC on current product portfolio includes management commercial is not to simply promote social media as we felt the reach for the exercise equipment for Cardio, Strength Quantum Fitness itself, but to look at a message was wider online and thereafter Training, and abdominal training, Power yy A risk communications campaign broader picture of promoting wellness went on to electronic, print and even Plate and also fitness clothing and including key prevention messages and healthy living among all Sri Lankans. BTL mediums. You will see hoardings accessories. The commercial was produced in depicting various scenes from the TVC For more information please yy Hygiene and sanitation items for Sinhalese and English languages which around the island as well as reminders contact Quantum Fitness on women and families in lockdown features a familiar face that is loved and to all Sri Lankans to live healthy”, added areas respected by many Sri Lankans.” Quantum’s Chief Executive Officer Australian Deputy High Commissioner The commercial depicts two Chandima Udabage. 011 5964964 Victoria Coakley handing over laptops to yy Dry food rations to 3,000 families scenarios where the same individual As the pioneering fitness equipment Dr. Hemantha Herath of the Ministry of in Batticaloa Health and Indigenous Medical Services leads a healthy and unhealthy life and provider in Sri Lanka Quantum Fitness the repercussions of each life choice. has earmarked 2020 as a year of WWW.QUANTUM.LK

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