TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2020Maintain Distance, Stay Safe

SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2

The 11th death from the Covid-19 virus was recorded yesterday (1), the Ministry of Health said.

The deceased was said to be a 45-year-old male who had arrived in the country from Kuwait.

SL records 11th Covid-19 death

The Ministry of Transport Services Management this week issued directives to the Sri Lanka Railways (SLR) and Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to increase the number of trains and buses to facilitate travel for people returning to work and are accessing essential services.

Trains and buses increased

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PROTECT YOURSELF FROM

COVID-19Suwasariya Ambulance

Service 1990

� Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 � Hotline 0113456200-4

� Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 � Email ptf@pmoffice.gov.lk

PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES

COVID-19 CASES IN

THE WORLD

TOTAL CASES

6,310,891DEATHS

374,732RECOVERD

2,870,911

CASES DEATHSUSA 1,841,698 106,281 BRAZIL 514,992 29,341 RUSSIA 414,878 4,855 SPAIN 286,509 27,127 UK 274,762 38,489821

DEATHS

11RECOVERED

811

ACTIVE CASESTOTAL CASES

1,643 � Quarantine Unit

0112 112 705

� Epidemiology Unit 0112 695 112

� Govt. coronavirus hotline 0113071073

Health Promotion

Bureau 1999

For verified information on the coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any of the following authorities

THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 11.30 P.M. ON 1 JUNE 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU

Former Minister Ajith Mannaperuma along with parliamentarians S.M. Marikkar and Hirunika Premachandra visited the Mount Lavinia beach to inspect the washing away of sand which was allegedly caused due to improper steps taken to fill the coast

PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE

Seas the day!

LOCUSTS INVADE FARMS IN KURUNEGALA

ANOTHER EXPLOSIVE REVELATION BY NISSANKA

CCCRM DENIES ALLEGATIONS

The Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management (CCCRM) denied the allegations levelled against the controversial million-rupee-worth beach nourishment programme claiming that only the beach phase of Mount Lavinia had

been washed away.As told to the media by CCCRM

Director General B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi, the cost of the Mount Lavinia beach stretch was around Rs. 110 million, and the total cost of the project was Rs. 890 million.

Defending the beach nourishment programme, the CCCRM denied the allegations of failure of the entire project, also claiming that the Government fund spent for the Mount beach stretch has not gone to waste.

Contd. on page 2

‘Only beach phase washed away’

BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA

No quarantine procedures will be followed for tourists arriving in the country, but rigorous PCR testing is to be carried out before and after their arrival.

Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Siripala Hettiarchchi said that a

negative PCR test was a prerequisite for tourists to be allowed into the country, but that they would not have to endure a quarantine process.

“A negative PCR test when applying for a visa is a must. Once they arrive, they have to take another PCR test here as well.

Contd. on page 2

No quarantine, only PCR tests

REOPENING TOURISM INDUSTRY

Sri Lanka is to reopen international tourism by initially allowing small tour groups to travel the country by August, The Morning learnt.

Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation Siripala Hettiarachchi told The Morning that it had been decided to allow only small tour groups to enter the country for tourism at the beginning.

Contd. on page 2

Small tour groups expected in August

The formulation of health guidelines for the upcoming general election are to be finalised in the next two weeks, The Morning learnt.

Ministry of Health Environment,

Occupational Health, and Food Safety Unit Deputy Director General Dr. Lakshman Gamlath said that the final draft was currently being amended.

Contd. on page 2

Health guidelines to be finalised

With the southwest monsoon condition gradually spreading over the country, the Department of Meteorology forecasts showers in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Western, and Southern provinces.

Rain in seven provinceszRough seas towards

the northwest

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was yesterday (1) sworn into the ministerial portfolio of Livestock and Rural Community Development which was formerly held by late Arumugam Thondaman.

Rajapaksa was sworn in as the Cabinet Minister of Social Empowerment and Estate Infrastructure Development before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday.

Contd. on page 2

PM sworn into late Thondaman’s portfolio

The Supreme Court (SC) at 3 p.m. today (2) is to announce whether it will grant leave for the fundamental rights (FR) petitions filed challenging the date set by the Election Commission (EC) for the general election, it is learnt.

Seven parties including Attorney-

at-Law Charitha Gunaratne, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), journalist Victor Ivan, and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) filed FR petitions challenging the date for the general election set by the EC.

Contd. on page 2

SC order on proceeding today

CHAMPIKA ACCIDENT CASE IN 2016

The Attorney General (AG) has instructed the Director of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to obtain a warrant and arrest the former Officer in Charge (OIC) of the Welikada Police Station on charges of fabricating false evidence in the case filed over the accident

involving former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, which took place in 2016.

Ranawaka, who was a minister at the time, was involved in an accident in Rajagiriya where a motorcyclist was critically injured.

Contd. on page 2

AG instructs CCD to arrest former Police OIC

BY SARAH HANNAN

Private buses are yet to resume operations as bus owners are burdened with gathering funds to repair their buses.

Lanka Private Bus Owners’

Association (LPBOA) President Gemunu Wijeratne, speaking to The Morning, said that since the buses were left stationary for over two months, it would result in dead batteries and corroded engine parts.

Contd. on page 2

Pvt. bus owners seek assistancezLPBOA requests compensation/loan to repair

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA

As swarms of locusts raided a farm in Mawathagama, Kurunegala, panic gripped farmers urged the Government to take immediate steps to control the pest attack as they claimed it could be worse than the “sena” caterpillar.

Speaking to The Morning, All Island Farmers Federation (AIFF) National Organiser Namal Karunaratne warned the Government to control the pest attack before it spread around

the country.“This can be even worse than the

sena caterpillar and this is similar to the Indian locust,” he noted.

However, there was no crop damage reported as yet, according

to the AIFF, and the locust attack was only reported from Mawathagama in Kurunegala.

Meanwhile, Department of Agriculture Director General M.W. Weerakoon said measures have already been taken to contain the spread of locusts.

However, he noted that the locust found in Mawathagama is endemic and not the desert locust which is already destroying cultivations across India and Pakistan.

Outbreaks have been reported from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Last week, the Delhi Government issued an advisory to farmers to spray pesticides and keep a possible attack at bay.

Meanwhile, experts have warned of huge crop losses if the swarms are not stopped by June when the monsoons will lead to a new season of sowing rice, sugarcane, cotton, and other crops.

Govt. urged to prevent spreadz Pest attack feared to

be worst than ‘sena’z Farm in Kurunegala

raided by locustsz Endemic species,

under control: Govt.

It was revealed at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing political victimisation during the former Government that a former Navy Chief had attempted to assassinate the Avant-Garde Chairman in addition to more evidence coming to light.

Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt.) Ltd. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Major (Retd.) Nissanka

Senadhipathi told the PCoI that former Navy Commander Admiral Ravindra Wijegunawardana had sent naval officers to carry out a hit on him.

“On 31 December, he sent two of his naval security officers with a 9 mm gun each to my residence in Kotte. Fortunately, my personal bodyguards, who are also former military personnel, were armed with weapons legally given by the

State and were able to scare off the assailants,” he told the Commission.

He said this assassination attempt had been carried out due to his opposition and activities against the moves to dismantle his maritime security operations by state actors as well as his objections to the seizing of the floating armory M.V. Mahanuwara by the Navy.

Contd. on page 2

Assassination plot revealedz Digital evidence submitted to

commission backing allegationsz Former Navy Chief Ravindra

Gunawardena accused

Avant Garde Maritime Services (Pvt.) Ltd. CEO Major (Retd.) Nissanka Senadhipathi

PHOTO LALITH PERERA

DILAPIDATED BUSES

FR PETITIONS ON ELECTION

GENERAL ELECTION

WHEN TOURISTS ARRIVE IN THE COUNTRY

the morningTuesday, June 2, 2020

2

OPINION/NEWS

Contd. from page 1

Cartoon of the day

BY COL R. HARIHARAN

Even as nations are in the midst of fighting Covid-19, Indian and Chinese troops have been locked in an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation in eastern Ladakh for nearly three weeks. This seems to be the biggest standoff after the 73-day Doklam standoff on the Sikkim border in August 2017.

Since April 2020, Chinese troop concentrations close to the border had been noticed. However, the confrontation was triggered when they physically tried to prevent Indian troops patrolling the Pangong Tso Lake on 5 May. In the fisticuffs that followed, troops used iron rods and sticks, in which 100 were reported injured.

Though local commanders from both sides met and agreed to disengage the next day, the standoff has now spread to Pangong Tso, Galwan Valley, Demchok, and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO). Both sides have massed troops, with the potential to explode into an armed conflict.

Indian troops clashed in these places during the 1962 war with China. This underlines their strategic importance to our national security, particularly after China and Pakistan stepped up their strategic co-operation during the last decade.

Estimates of troops on both sides vary, from 2,000-5,000. But the difficult terrain and high altitude makes the deployment of even 500 troops at a time tough, according to some generals with hands-on experience in the region. Another clash took place between Chinese and Indian troops on 9 May at Naku La in north Sikkim; 10 soldiers were reported injured. The clash occurred even though there was no major dispute between the two about the international border in Sikkim. This would indicate that the Chinese are reminding India about its vulnerability.

On 18 May, China accused India of “trespassing and illegally building defence facilities” in Galwan Valley. Chinese Communist Party tabloid Global Times mentioned that China had enhanced control measures throughout the border in Ladakh. It quoted Hu Zhiyong, a research

fellow at the Institute of International Relations of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, as saying that Galwan Valley was not like Doklam because it was in the Aksai Chin region of southern Xinjiang. So, if India escalates friction, its military could pay a heavy price.

So far, parleys between the military commanders in Ladakh have not yielded results. However, diplomatic efforts are on to defuse the situation. After making standard comments to buttress their territorial claims, the Chinese have given tentative signals of a thaw. This was evident from Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong’s conciliatory statement on 26 May.

From past experience of such confrontation, followed by conciliation, it is going to be a long haul before the troops stand down in Ladakh and return to normal activity. However, given the complexity of India-China relations at all levels, our country is unlikely to lower its guard any time soon.

After the 1962 conflict, it took nearly three decades for India-China relations to move from confrontation to cordiality. An agreement on the Maintenance of Peace and Tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the border areas was signed on 7 September 1993. During President Jiang Zemin’s visit to India in November 1996, India and China signed an agreement on confidence-building measures along the LAC. It provided for border security and confidence measures between the two countries. It called for military disclosure when they undertake border exercises and for the reduction of troop levels in the border areas. It also allowed them to observe and inspect troop movements in each other’s territory upon invitation. This agreement built mutual trust, though border incidents continued. However, both sides handled them away from media glare.

During Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India in April 2005, the two sides signed an agreement on political settlement of the boundary issue, setting guidelines and principles to the boundary issue through equal and friendly negotiations.

An important milestone in these relations was the signing of the Border Defence Co-operation Agreement (BDCA) on 24 October 2013 during PM Manmohan Singh’s visit to China. It put no restrictions on India developing border infrastructure or enhancing military capabilities there.

Against this background, 2019 may be considered a very constructive one. It saw interaction between the two countries at various levels starting with the Mamallapuram informal summit in October 2019 where PM Narendra Modi met President Xi Jinping. Evidently, the two leaders were trying to build upon their constructive engagement at the Wuhan informal summit a year earlier. The positive vibes created at Wuhan managed to patch up, if not mend, the frayed relations after the standoff at Doklam at the Sikkim-Tibet-Bhutan tri-junction. But a month before Xi’s participation in the Mamallapuram Connect, Indian and Chinese troops were involved in a scuffle on the banks of Pangong Tso. Though it was defused after talks between the commanders from the two sides, it was a stronger reminder that no amount of bonhomie can wish away the border disputes acting as a drag on bilateral relations.

However, Xi did not raise or discuss the Kashmir issue, though Pakistan PM Imran Khan had made a number of visits to Beijing seeking China’s support to internationalise it after India abolished the special status of J&K (Jammu and Kashmir). After the Mamallapuram meeting, Xi said: “We will seek a fair and reasonable solution to the border issue that is acceptable to both sides in to both

sides in accordance with the agreement on political guiding principles.” He also suggested that both countries needed to improve levels of military and security exchanges and co-operation, which was followed up. Even Covid-19 did not halt interaction between the two countries. They went ahead with the “Hand in Hand 2019”, the eighth edition of the India-China joint military exercise on counterterrorism and disaster relief. The objective of it was to build and promote positive relations between the two armies. The PLA (People’s Liberations Army) contingent of 130 troops from the Tibet Military Command participated in the exercise.

In the same month, the 22nd round of talks between the special representatives, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and China’s State Councillor Wang Yi, was held in Delhi. They involved the most complex part of the negotiations – agreeing on a framework to resolve the dispute in all sectors. After that, the final step will be delineating and demarcating the boundary in maps and on the ground.

In spite of all the bonhomie, why does China create a military crisis in Ladakh when India is on the back foot fighting Covid-19? The answer lies in the importance of Ladakh for the strategic security of Xinjiang and Tibet, which form China’s longest land border with India. This is not the first time that Indian troops manning the border here have confronted Chinese troops transgressing the LAC because they do not accept its alignment. However, on the ground, Indian and Chinese troops have been maintaining patrolling limits

that generally pass for the LAC. This makes the present standoff in Ladakh strategically more important for both China and India than Doklam was.

India had deferred improvement of border road connectivity, particularly in unpopulated regions of Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, till 2011. The Chinese took full advantage of this to occupy more and more territory to buttress their claim. Shyam Saran, then NSA, was reported to have submitted a report to the PMO (Prime Minister’s Office) on Ladakh in which he said the PLA had “incrementally” occupied nearly 640 sq. km area at DBO, Chumar, and Pangong Tso Lake. Media reports alleged that he had stated that the entire Depsang Bulge was now inaccessible to India.

Chinese intrusions across the LAC came at critical moments. China’s muscular assertions in the Ladakh region have increased in frequency, particularly after India started 61 infrastructure projects to improve connectivity to the western, central, and eastern sectors from 2011 onwards.

In April 2013, when the Manmohan Singh Government was getting ready for a general election a year later, Chinese troops intruded into the Depsang Bulge, a table-top plateau, threatening to cut off 750 sq. km of northern Ladakh. After a 23-day standoff, they withdrew after Indian diplomatic efforts at the highest level.

This intrusion was strategically significant as it was just 35 km from the Karakoram Pass at the tri-junction of the India-Pakistan-China border and overlooks the Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge to the west and the Indian observation post at Chumar in the east. Equally significant was that the Chinese intrusion took place before China’s Premier Li Keqiang’s scheduled visit on 20 May 2013.

Even as PM Modi extended a red carpet welcome to Xi during his maiden visit to India in September 2014, the atmosphere was marred by confrontation with Chinese troops intruding across the LAC in Ladakh. Apparently irked

by such conduct, Modi did not mince words when he drew Xi’s attention to the incident in his statement at the end of the talks. And Xi took note of it.

Former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador to China Nirupama Rao summed up the present situation in her tweet on 25 May: “Given absence of line of separation and mutual distancing between sides, no jointly highlighted areas of difference of perception of LAC, we are bound to see more such incidents which now, additionally, have potential to turn into armed confrontation and conflict.”

India will have to take a serious look at China under Xi, which is more aggressive and ambitious. It is in a hurry to become a global power and create a new world order on its own terms. At the same time, Xi is under tremendous international pressure on many fronts after Covid played havoc with global trade and the economy. The US is spearheading a global campaign to hold China responsible for the spread of the virus due to its opaque public health practices.

China’s diplomats have become raucous in their response to them, earning the sobriquet of wolf warriors. China’s “one country-two systems” is under severe strain after Hong Kong’s quest for autonomy started getting out of hand. Taiwan has elected for a second time President Tsai whose party stands for independence and the US has announced it would resume arms sales to Taiwan. Tensions are at a new high in the South China Sea as China is trying to consolidate its control over the sea, brow-beating smaller neighbours like Malaysia, Philippines, and Vietnam from exploring offshore gas and oil resources.

These vulnerabilities of China could be turned into opportunities for India, with a mix of deft diplomacy, show of strength and imaginative trade and economic policy. That is the only option for India because it works better than empty rhetoric or muscle-flexing when the country is already under tremendous pressure from the pandemic.

(The writer is a military intelligence specialist on South

Asia, associated with the Chennai Centre for China Studies and the International Law and Strategic

Studies Institute)

Simmering standoff

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Pancha Rathas complex in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu in October 2019

No quarantine...There will be no quarantine. But

more random PCR tests will be done,” Hettiarachchi said.

Furthermore, he said the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) would be issuing Covid-19-free certificates to hotels.

“The SLTDA would be certifying hotels that have followed the health guidelines and are covid-free,” he said.

PM sworn...Thondaman, 56, passed away last

Tuesday (26 May) after he suffered a heart attack.

Small tour...“Small tour groups will be easier to

handle and keep track of. It will also be easier to plan tours and such for a group rather than have individual tourists going all over the country,” he said, noting the importance of following Covid-19 guidelines.

He said they hope to reopen the airports and thereby the country for tourism by 1 August. Hettiarachchi went on to say that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested that tourists be flown directly to Mattala (the Rajapaksa Hambantota Airport) and to promote non-traditional destinations as a measure to avoid high-risk areas.

“The President has requested that we look at new locations such as Arugam Bay and Trincomalee rather than the

traditional tourism hotspots. The plan is to bring them down straight to the Mattala Airport and then go along the coast or through the southern districts to the east coast. This way, we can touch Yala and Udawalawe Parks as well,” he said, pointing out that this enables tourists to enjoy the country while also keeping clear of densely populated areas and high-risk zones.

– Skandha Gunasekara

Assassination...Senadhipathi told the Commission that

former Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Seneratne had told the media the former Navy Commander had asserted that the operations of Avant-Garde Maritime Services were carried out illegally.

Further evidence was given to the effect that the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) had allegedly filed cases against Senadhipathi to extract false evidence against current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

“The first two officers of the CIABOC that interrogated me clearly told me after questioning me about my business that all my operations had been carried out legally. They are not in the employ of the CIABOC anymore. Thereafter, an officer named Pushpakuamara told me directly that he was told by the CIABOC Chief to get false evidence that could be used to prosecute the current President and in return I would be left alone allowed to continue businesses,” he said.

In addition, Senadhipathi also submitted

digital evidence of former CIABOC Chief Dilrukshi Wickremesinghe, allegedly confessing that the Yahapalana Government was taking political revenge on him and the Rajapaksas.

In the voice recording of a telephone conversation between Senadhipathi and the CIABOC Chief, the latter can be heard saying that had she known the legal cases filed by the CIABOC against Senadhipathi would affect his maritime security services business, she would not have gone ahead with filing such cases against him.

– Skandha Gunasekara

SL records...He was treated for the virus at the

Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Homagama Hospital where he had succumbed to the disease.

Rain in...Showers or thundershowers may occur

in several places in the Eastern and Uva Provinces and in the Polonnaruwa District after 2 p.m. as the wind speed increases up to 40 kmph, at times, over the island.

Showers or thundershowers could occur in several places in the deep and shallow sea areas extending from Mannar to Batticaloa via Puttalam, Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota.

Winds will be southwesterly and wind speed will beat 30-40 kmph in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed can increase up to 50-55 kmph at times in the deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Mullaitivu via Mannar and Kankasanturai, and sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota.

The deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota and Puttalam to Mullaitivu via Mannar and Kankesanturai can be rough at times. The other sea areas around the island can be fairly rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds up to 70-80 kmph and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

Trains and...The Ministry had also requested the

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA) to consider deploying buses to ensure passengers could travel whilst maintaining the health guidelines as well

as to reduce overcrowding on SLTB buses during peak times.

Accordingly, SLR increased the number of trains that will operate this week up to 37 yesterday (1), while 35 trains are to operate today (2) and tomorrow (3).

SLTB Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka noted that the number of buses will be increased to 5,000 from this week onwards in order to facilitate travel for passengers travelling to work.

According to the National Transport Commission (NTC), about 3,200 privately owned buses are expected to be added to facilitate inter-provincial travel. SLR General Manager Dilantha Fernando stated that the number of trains was increased with the Ministry of Transport permitting persons to use trains as a mode of transport to attend to essential services.

A total of 19,593 commuters had booked their seats for this week to travel to work, while commuters are also allowed to purchase tickets from the departure railway stations after necessary identifications are verified by the respective station masters.

A total of 14 trains are to operate on the main line with trains leaving from Kandy, Polgahawela, Rambukkana, Kurunegalam, Mirigama, Veyangoda, Gampaha, and Ragama to Colombo Fort. A total of 13 trains are to operate on the coastal line with trains leaving from Beliatta, Galle, Aluthgama, Kalutara South, Panadura, and Moratuwa to Maradana.

Six trains will operate on the Kelani-Valley line with trains leaving from Avissawella, Padukka, Kosgama, Maharagama, and Homagama to Colombo Fort, while one train on the northern line from Maho to Colombo Fort and three trains on the Puttalam line from Chilaw and Negombo will also operate.

‘Only beach...The Director General said there was

no truth to the allegation that Rs. 890 million worth of sand was washed away.

The million-rupee project came to light last week after images of the stretch of the Mount beach that was washed away to the sea began to circulate on social media.

According to the CCCRM, the purpose of the programme was to artificially nourish the stretch of the eroding beach extending from Mount Lavinia to Dehiwala.

As said by the CCCRM Director General, the Cabinet approval for the project was received on 8 May 2018 and the current Cabinet approved the awarding of the contract to the Danish company in January this year.

Meanwhile, CCCRM Senior Engineer of Coastal Design and Research Sujeewa Ranawaka said the project was planned and implemented by the CCCRM, which was under then Minister of Environment President Maithripala Sirisena.

“The Cabinet decision to go ahead with this project was taken on 22 January this year by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Government, and it was carried out in March through Rohde Nielsen. It was rushed through during the curfew because there would’ve been opposition from the local fishing community,” Ranawaka noted.

However, in January this year, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the awarding of a € 4.4 million contract for beach nourishment, based on a proposal submitted by the Minister of Environment and Wildlife Resources. It was planned to dredge sand from the deep sea to nourish a stretch of the beach spanning Angulana to Mount Lavinia as well as the Calido beach in Kalutara.

– Maheesha Mudugamuwa

AG instructs...He had allegedly fled the scene and

later produced his driver in court as the individual who had been driving the vehicle at the time of the accident.

The former Minister was arrested and remanded in December 2019 over the accident on the instructions of the AG, and was later granted bail.

Health...“We are having meetings with all the

relevant parties involved in the election process. Last week, we had discussions with the Police and are making amendments to the draft, following the observations,” he said.

He said the final draft would be completed as soon as possible.

“We hope that within the next two weeks we can conclude; maybe even before that. It all depends on how the meetings go and how the amendments need to be done,” he said.

He noted that some exercises such as a mock drill on the implementation of the guidelines may not be carried out

due to time constraints. Dr. Gamlath has been tasked with

formulating the Health Ministry guidelines for the parliamentary election, in consultation with the Election Commission (EC) and other connected groups.

– Skandha Gunasekara

SC order...The further hearing of the FR petitions

commenced for the 10th day last (1) morning.

The FR petitions are heard before a bench of five judges chaired by Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and comprising Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardena, and Vijith Malalgoda.

The Attorney General (AG) on behalf of the President, EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya, and EC Members N.J. Abeysekara, and Prof. S. Ratnajeevan Hoole have been named respondents of the petitions.

Pvt. bus...“Buses have two batteries and most

will need replacements that will cost closer to Rs. 100,000. Moreover, parts might need replacement as well, which are in short supply and have increased in price by 15% following the tax hike. It is bad enough that they (bus owners) lost their income for two months and are now faced with these additional maintenance costs before the bus can be put back to operate,” Wijeratne noted.

Furthermore, he stated that people are not willing to use public transport as the virus is still present, fearing they cannot adhere to health guidelines when using public transport. Even the few buses that are operating on certain routes do so as they need to earn a living, despite the journeys not turning a considerable income. The association has also requested their insurance agents to at least look at arranging a compensation payment for the loss of two months’ work. In addition to that, they have also informed the Government about their plight and requested it to consider at least soft loans, so that they could purchase the necessary spare parts and replace the batteries of the buses before they are put to use.

The LPBOA further stated that at least 4,000 such buses need to be repaired before they are used for public transport.

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) has categorically denied the alleged irregularities alluded to by Dr. Sanjiva Weerawarana in a blog post following his resignation from the ICTA Board on Saturday (30 May), calling them falsehoods for personal gain.

“The falsehoods of this story need to be exposed as they are nothing but a ploy of those seeking personal gain,” said ICTA Chairman Jayantha De Silva, adding that the agency is considering what actions it should take in this regard.

Technology evangelist and WSO2 Founder Dr. Weerawarana resigned from the Board (of ICTA), saying that he was not allowed to be “hands-on” as had been agreed

prior to his appointment, and was suddenly expected to be a typical board member.

De Silva termed the blog post a “deliberate move to mislead the media and public”, saying ICTA has acted purely as a technical advisor in the said two tenders and has taken no part at all in the tender processes.

“Dr. Weerawarana’s actions of deliberately trying to create doubt in the minds of the public on the digital governance plan for the nation is mala fide, inflammatory, and defamatory,” De Silva added.

The blog post hinted that ICTA had opted to carry out projects using outdated technology and incurring an unnecessarily high cost.

“I also helped review various projects that Cabinet directed towards ICTA and sometimes gave radical views on how to do them (or how not to do them). I don’t think

those views were always welcome, but I can’t watch multibillion-rupee tenders for driving licenses or for issuing train tickets go by without seeing how we can do them in the most modern way (and not just bringing 20-year-old foreign tech), how we can do them at a far lower cost, and how we can use them as an opportunity to create or build a local business,” Weerawarana said.

De Silva went on to say that Weerawarana’s resignation was inevitable. “We believe his leaving was inevitable, due to the positions taken by Dr. Weerawarana on how the Board should act and operate, rather than reaching common ground with others to ensure that ICTA functions in a cohesive manner as one team.”

He added that the Board’s vision is to build a sustainable and inclusive organisation which empowers

its employees, rather than “allowing one or more board members to exercise executive functions”, which would “create confusion” amongst staff and ICTA’s stakeholders and also “jeopardise the collective accountability” of the Board.

“What is even more disturbing is the manner in which Dr. Weerawarana handled his resignation, which smacks of an attempt to smear the good reputation of the ICTA Board. This has been done with the release of various reports to the media, which has been subjected to edits even after they were publicly posted, due to inaccuracies contained therein. His public statement is contrary to his letter of resignation handed over to the appointing authorities, in which he clearly states that he is resigning solely because of personal reasons,” the letter added.

ICTA fires back at Weerawarana zSpreading ‘falsehoods’ seeking ‘personal gain’: Jayantha De Silva

The John Keells Group, through its CSR entity John Keells Foundation (JKF) as well as different group companies, has supported multiple relief efforts including critical infrastructure development, strengthening the safety of those in frontline services, and provision of immediate relief to affected communities.

JKF in collaboration with South Asia Gateway Terminals, Deutsche Bank, and Melstacorp PLC supported the establishment of a Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) towards meeting the urgent need of the time to increase the testing capacity of Sri Lanka following the Covid-19 outbreak. This collaboration enabled a temporary lab facility to be operational at IDH from 29 March 2020 while the permanent facility, which was declared open on 28 April 2020, further enhanced IDH’s testing capacity and turnaround time.

The foundation also assisted

government hospitals with the donation of personal protection equipment (PPE) to strengthen the safety of the frontliners battling the pandemic and to minimise their exposure to the virus. PPE donations were made to IDH and the Teaching Hospital at the Kotelawala Defense University (KDU), the Homagama Base Hospital with the support of Ceylon Cold Stores (Elephant House), and Base Hospitals in Neluwa and Hiniduma in collaboration with Tea Smallholder Factories (TSF). Keells supermarkets donated PPE to the District General Hospital in Gampaha and the public health inspectors (PHI) in the Colombo District.

JKF, with the support of TSF, also donated PPE among PHIs in Neluwa and Hiniduma. Elephant House and Keells Food Products donated PPE to medical officers of health (MOH) in Pannala, Ja-Ela, and Avissawella; hospitals in Sandalankawa, Seeduwa, and Nawagamuwa; and police stations in Pannala,

Ja-Ela, Nawagamuwa, and Avissawella. The PPE requirement for PHI of Peliyagoda, Mabole, Mahabage, Sedawatta, Seeduwa, Enderamulla, and Avissawella was met by John Keells Logistics. Furthermore, Elephant House together with John Keells Office Automation supported the donation of a photocopy machine to the MOH office in Kaduwela. TSF assisted in disinfecting the Neluwa Hospital and public areas of the Neluwa town.

Many low-income families were severely affected in the immediate aftermath of the lockdown in Sri Lanka. JKF, with the support of Elephant House and Keells supermarkets, distributed 10,000 packs of essential provisions free of charge to families identified by the District Secretary/Government Agent of Colombo among communities in Slave Island, Thimbirigasyaya, Mattakkuliya, and Kolonnawa. Union Assurance, with the assistance of the Colombo District Secretariat,

Asia Pacific Alliance for Disaster Management (A-PAD), and its staff, distributed over 2,000 packs of essential goods to needy families in Mattakkuliya, Kolonnawa, Thimbirigasyaya, Kirulapone, and Narahenpita and another 649 packs in Matara, Chilaw, Maho, Marawila, Kurunegala, and Thanamalwila in collaboration with the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA). Keells supermarkets with the support of the Sooriyaweva Divisional Secretariat also donated 300 packs of essential goods among community members in Sooriyawewa, which included long-term suppliers of fruits and vegetables to Keells supermarkets.

JKF, Elephant House, Keells supermarkets, Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, and Cinnamon Red Colombo also donated essential food provisions and hydration aid for IDH staff, armed forces, and other social service organisations in the immediate aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

John Keells Group supports Sri Lanka’s battle against Covid-19

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), as the national body for marketing, initiated “Restart Sri Lanka” recently under the auspices of the Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the patronage of parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa to provide the impetus for Sri Lankan businesses to reinvigorate the economy following the the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

SLIM volunteered to support and shoulder the national responsibility of mentoring the local businesses and SMEs and take proactive measures to counter the coronavirus threat to become more resilient against future shocks and disruptions. The attempt and accomplishment through the new initiative is to reinvent and re-engineer multiple segments of the economy to sustain their operations with the help of the “Restart Sri Lanka”.

“People and businesses, including SMEs, are welcome to harness the support extended through ‘Restart Sri Lanka’ in discovering the ‘new normal’ and devising winning strategies to prosper. SLIM hopes and looks forward to connecting the local businesses with the assistance of leading experts in the business and marketing fraternity to guide, mentor, network,

and empower the sectors to never give up and never let go,” SLIM said in a press release.

SLIM President Roshan Fernando stated: “Challenges are part of our lives. Creating opportunities out of challenges is the

way that you should look at life. Let’s all rise to face the challenges and find a new way to sustain a bright future in one spirit, as one nation and one country. ‘Restart Sri Lanka’ provides a platform to create a positive mindset as well as to reinvent and re-engineer SMEs and Sri Lankan businesses. Being the national body for marketing, SLIM always understood the current need of the country and addressed it through a national initiative with value-added programmes by building a positive outlook among people, and this time under the direction of the Prime Minister’s Office to overcome the pandemic crisis. Let’s usher in a fresh innovative world with positivity and courage!”

SLIM launches ‘Restart Sri Lanka’, national initiative to re-engineer businesses

SLIM President Roshan Fernando

Restart SL logo

The National Development Bank PLC recently announced a reduction of lending rates across the board in line with the downward trend of interest rates in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, NDB has reduced its interest rates across the range of lending products by over 1.50%.

Hence, customers in some of the critical growth segments may avail of better rates to accelerate their growth. The Bank also continues to provide support to the customers who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through debt moratoriums and facilitating new funding.

Group CEO, Dimantha Seneviratne noted, that in order for the country to recover from the current economic slowdown

resulting from the COVID 19 pandemic, it is necessary to provide businesses with access to funds at affordable rates. He further noted that the bank has already implemented the directions of the central bank in lowering the overdraft rates of SME clients to 13% and new pawning rates to 12%.

The SME segment, which forms the backbone of the Sri Lankan economy, is the segment which will be impacted the most in an economic down turn. Hence it is imperative that the banks support this segment by making funds available at concessionary rates. Accordingly, while the overdraft rate has been reduced by 2%, NDB also offers a number of concessions on the fees,

interest rates and all other applicable charges of loans to all sectors of the SME segment.

Additionally, the interest rates on personal loans, Home Loans and NDB’s special offering of the pensioner’s loan – Aachara Loan have also been reduced.

Meanwhile, NDB Credit Card customers can also enjoy a rate of 15% for local transactions up to Rs. 50,000 as opposed to the normal rate of 28%.

In addition, the Bank is also extending a moratorium on loan repayments to eligible clients so that cash generated in the business can go towards stabilizing and growing the business in the short term rather than using that cash to repay bank loans.

NDB Reduces Lending Rates and disburses Saubhagya Loans

Dialog Axiata PLC, in less than a month, concluded the immediate civil reconstruction and provision of equipment to establish a fully functional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Negombo District General Hospital. This concludes the first step taken in the pledged Rs. 200 million towards the urgently required ICU capacity development in hospitals selected by the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The civil reconstruction and critical ICU development funded entirely by Dialog Axiata established a fully functional ICU complex with a Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and a Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) to accommodate 10 new beds complete with state-of-the-art ICU equipment advancing the hospital’s capability to admit more patients. This ICU development by Dialog Axiata will further enable a higher chance of survival for admitted critical patients in the long run, lessen the pressure on medical staff treating patients with acute illnesses, and add greater value to the training of doctors in intensive care whilst also further acting as a catalyst to improve healthcare systems in the district.

Commenting on this occasion, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi stated:

“Dialog Axiata took great efforts to provide a fully functional ICU to the hospital. This marks a monumental moment in history where the development of a fully functional ICU complex was completed in less than 30 days. On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, I would like to state my sincere gratitude to Dialog. Much like the lifesaving efforts practised

during the Covid-19 pandemic, we have a responsibility to save the public from common acute illnesses such as dengue fever, now a long-term possibility with the completion of the fully functional ICU complex. Thus, we extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the unwavering efforts of Dialog Axiata and everyone who was involved in this dedicated service to

the hospital in this crucial time of need.”Secretary to the Ministry of Health

Dr. S.H. Munasinghe further stated: “An individual’s health is their greatest wealth. Dialog’s colossal efforts show us a company’s ability to greatly contribute to public welfare and as a result create greater prosperity in their long-term health. Dialog is abundantly blessed in the goodwill it has

accumulated for facilitating this district’s hospital with a fully functional ICU complex in this current time of need and for long-term direct lifesaving activities.”

Also commenting, Dialog Axiata PLC Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe said: “We are pleased to have concluded the critical ICU development at the Negombo District General Hospital in less than a month, in our efforts to further support healthcare providers with their direct lifesaving activities. The completion of this project, which is part of the larger mission of the Rs. 200 million pledged by Dialog to support and expand the country’s healthcare systems, significantly increased accessibility to intensive care to the general public, enabling not only the treatment of Covid-19 patients in a time of crisis, but also continues to support all other patients in need of critical care, in the long term.”

Additionally, Dialog Axiata is also in the midst of completing the second stage of the pledged Rs. 200 million to establish a fully functional ICU at the Homagama Base Hospital. These efforts are integral milestones achieved in Dialog’s mission of expanding the country’s healthcare systems to provide critical care services and accessibility to intensive care for patients.

Dialog hands over fully functional ICU to Negombo Hospital

Revealing the plaque during the inauguration ceremony of the fully functional ICU complex at the Negombo District Hospital. From left: Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. S.H. Munasinghe, Private Secretary to the Minister of Health Kanchana Jayaratne, Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Dialog Axiata Group Chief Executive Supun Weerasinghe, and Axiata Group Berhad Chief Executive of Telecommunications Business and Executive Vice President Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya

Explanations underway of the functionality of the fully functional ICU. From left: Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Supun Weerasinghe, Ministry of Health Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Amal Harsha De Silva, Kanchana Jayaratne, Negombo District General Hospital Director Dr. Nihal Weerasuriya, and Additional Secretary (Medical Services) to the Ministry of Health Dr. Sunil de Alwis

businessthe morningTuesday, June 2, 2020 3

the morningTuesday, June 2, 2020

4 OPINION

On the afternoon of 29 May, while out feeding the dogs at Viharamahadevi Park, Anusha David, an animal welfare activist for the last 40 years, noticed a significant decrease – almost 99% – in their numbers. On inquiring as to why this was so from park officials, she was told that they had been taken away by the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC). On further inquiring the purpose of taking away the dogs, they had replied saying they did not know.

David then proceeded to do four rounds of the park and much to her dismay discovered that only three adult dogs and three pups were left in the entire park. A minimum of eight to 10 adult dogs whom she was familiar with were no longer there. She then immediately contacted a senior official at the CMC, whose name could be divulged if required, who told her the Mayor had ordered that the dogs be taken. However, he too was not aware of the purpose behind it. David then contacted Prasanga, who also feeds the Park dogs. Prasanga too contacted a CMC official who again said this had been done at the Mayor’s request. The official had gone on to say that they at the CMC disliked incarcerating innocent animals but had no choice but to comply with orders.

Then proceeding to send the Mayor a WhatsApp message pertaining to this on a WhatsApp group that both the Mayor and David were on, she pleading with her to explain why this had been done and why when Mayor Senanayake is very well acquainted with both herself and Otara Gunewardene they had not been consulted by her or the Mayor’s office in this regard. In fact, Ven. Sobitha Thera too tried contacting the Mayor with no response. When there was no response, David contacted Lakshika De Silva, who is a close friend of the Mayor, and asked her to inquire as to why this had taken place. The Mayor had then told De Silva who in turn conveyed her message to David, saying that the dogs indeed had been taken to the dog pound and were well taken care of, adding that Thisakya Senanayake was personally supervising the feeding rounds for the pound.

Gunewardene stated that upon contacting the Mayor on the night of the 29 May, the latter had blatantly denied issuing the order and had claimed that the Police had taken the dogs to the pound on their own accord. Gunewardene had expressed her scepticism as the Police had actively supported the animal welfare activists during curfew and had assisted in swiftly gaining curfew passes to continue the feeding rounds. She had further declared that Mayor Senanayake had known about the dogs being rounded up and

revealed intentions of the implementation being spread to other locations.

The Mayor’s responseThe Mayor, however, resorted to

delaying her statement until the situation came to light. Late morning/early afternoon of 30 May, she addressed the claims in a letter issued by the Mayor’s Office.

Below are excerpts of the letter:“This statement is a response to the

various false allegations being made on social media that all stray dogs including all those in and around the Vihara Maha Devi Park are being rounded up by the CMC and will be put down.

“Let us explain what the actual situation is. During the curfew time due to the non-availability of food, many stray dogs were congregating at around the Vihara Maha Devi Park and were being fed by the CMC and the Mayor herself. Due to the lack of food during those times, there was a large congregation of dogs at the park in addition to the dogs which were resident around that area from before (sic).

“There have been mounting complaints to the park administration from park users, the general public, and from the park workers themselves that some of these dogs are aggressive and have chased after both walkers, cyclists, and even children. Also, eight ducks who were resident in the park have also been attacked and killed by dogs.

“Due to this, the Veterinary Department took measures to identify the more aggressive dogs resident at the park and relocate them temporarily until a more permanent solution can be found. As a matter of information, two dogs were removed, as they were identified as being aggressive. All other dogs remain in the area. Therefore, the stories floating around that all dogs from Vihara Maha Devi Park have been removed and to be eventually put down is false and that orders have gone out to remove all street dogs is also false. Anyone who care to visit the park today or even did so yesterday would have observed that there still are dogs in and around the park (sic).

“For your further information, there are presently four dogs in the CMC facilities, of which three are for sterilisation, four for observation as they have bitten people on the street, and one extremely aggressive

dog which cannot be released due its nature. Also, the CMC has not put down any stray dogs in the last few years and will not be doing so in the future. This is a fact well known by all animal welfare groups.

“What we hope to do is develop our halfway house facilities which will be a holding place for stray dogs until foster homes can be found for them. We have invited animal welfare activists to discuss steps we like to take in this regard and also obtain their valuable input and assitance to better manage these facilities (sic).

“We trust that this has shed light on what has actually happened and will put things in perspective.

“The Mayor will also be making a inspection visit of the facilities presently housing the dogs today and will give the necessary instructions to upgrade the facilities if required (sic).”

Animal welfare activists raise their voicesAnusha David

From time immemorial, there have been dogs at the park which animal welfare activists have fed, sterilised, and rehomed. As of today, 98% of these dogs are missing since 29 May.

The dogs are so timid that they will not even eat the food I put down for them until we have moved well away by which time the crows have eaten most of it. Yes, they do bark, but even my dogs at home bark when they see me and run after me. As for the dogs eating the ducks, I’m afraid anyone with any sense will not rear ducks in a public place where they are prey to humans, dogs, and other animals. As for aggression, in my 30-plus years of feeding dogs at the park, I have not witnessed this. Aggression is the last resort people stoop to when they have nothing else to say. If a dog is aggressive, it is mainly due to fear and this aspect can be dealt with by those with the experience to do so. Carting them off to the Dog Pound is not the solution. In fact, dog pounds are obsolete, but then Sri Lanka does not even have an Animal Welfare Bill.

Sharmini RatnayakeOtara and Shilpa Samaratunge revealed

that a meeting was held between the Mayor and several activists regarding the welfare of Sri Lanka’s community

animals last year. Here, a proposal for sterilisation programmes to be executed by the Government was suggested. Furthermore, the meeting adjourned on the agreement that if any problems arose in relation to stray dogs in Colombo, a few of the activists present would be informed. Ultimately, the proposal was not followed up and the agreement amounted to nothing as none of the activists were notified despite the Mayor’s assurances. Shilpa denies that the activists in the community group had been invited to assist with the halfway houses and fostering programme, or even informed prior to the incident.

Otara proceeded to reveal Rosy’s sudden urgency to relocate the dogs and find them foster homes, despite proper solutions being proposed during the meeting last year. Panchali Panapitiya stated that CNVR (catch-neuter-vaccinate-release) programmes is the only humane solution to regaining control over the population of stray dogs and that it is, in fact, the agreed-upon method between the Government and animal welfare organisations. Otara announced that drastic actions such as this are hurtful to the animals and as a compassionate nation, this act opposes the expectations of Sri Lanka’s concerned citizens.

The issuing of this order has caused citizens to recall the 2018 incident involving Rosy calling for dog catchers. Shilpa stated that Rosy had also claimed that she’ll be visiting the pound in 2018, only to go back on her word.

A week after she took office, Ira de Silva, Lalani de Silva, Lorraine Bibile, and myself went to meet her in order to appraise her of the community animals in Colombo. She wanted us to give a proposal to humanely manage them. She also appointed one person from her team to liaise with us. The second meeting included Otara, Shiona, and Iromi from the AWPA (Animal Welfare and Protection Society) and Dr. Dharmwardane and his team from the CMC. At the meeting, Dr. Dharmwardane assured us that all the unsterilised dogs in Colombo will be systematically operated and that he does not need any help from the AWPS for this purpose. We offered our support. After a few months, we realised that the situation was not getting any better because of the numerous calls all of us were getting about abandoned mums and puppies.

We informed the Mayor and another meeting was called, this time with the Council members as well. Some of the complaints were about the park in Crows Island and another in Mutwal (Modara). Otara and myself made an appointment and went with Dr. Dharmwardane to check out the actual situation in both places. The dogs in Crows Island were very few; there was a pack of about eight dogs with the security, vaccinated and sterilised and very friendly, but they told us that they turned guards after the park was vacated

at night and the neighbourhood around the park also informed us that they bark and were very active around 1 a.m. to 3 a.m. They and the residents bordering the park seemed to think that there were nefarious activities such as drug pedalling going on and having the dogs there acted as a deterrent to such activities. In fact, they informed us that with the dogs around, they felt safe. However, Otara organised and sterilised over 30 dogs in and around the park.

Our next visit was the children’s park in the Mutwal area. When the security guards realised we had come to check on the dogs, they actually became hostile and informed us that they had four dogs that were vaccinated and sterilised and that they are no problem to any one and guard the park after 10 p.m., once it’s closed, from druggies who would jump in. We assured them that we had no intention of taking them anywhere, and when we walked around, we saw the dogs being fed by visitors too. All this happened in 2018 when the dialogue basically broke down as we saw nothing was happening on the part of the Mayor’s Office and the CMC, and we continued to do our best to keep the population under control and ensure the animals were fed and safe.

Visakha TillekeratneOn 30 May 2020 afternoon, activists

and citizens gathered before Town Hall to protest for the release of the dogs. Proper health instructions were followed by all protesters who diligently wore masks and gloves and responsibly practised social distancing.

Madam Mayor, what are you doing about the real problems that beset this country such as: (i) Filthy municipal markets including Manning Market, which is abominable, (ii) lack of street lighting (despite being a woman and street lighting being so important, what are you doing to make women safer, especially when travelling at night?) (iii) bad roads, (iv) pen cesspits, (v) blocked storm drains, (vi) lack of proper street cleaning except in Colombo 7, and (vii) corrupt officials?

Why are you targeting innocent animals? Have you been to the dog pound? Do you know the meaning of a pound? Have you any knowledge of what we welfarists have faced in this pound? Where were you then? Do you know the trauma these animals go through when they are being caught? Who were the posh damsels who were walking and then asked you to remove these innocent beings? Please be accountable for suffering. Please release these dogs immediately.

Where are the missing dogs?“At the time of writing this article at

12.30 p.m. on Sunday, 31 May, 98% of park dogs are still missing despite claims that they have been brought back. I know each and every one of these dogs and I can easily identify them,” said David.

David has also contacted Manekha Gandhi, the world-renowned animal welfare activist, as well as Dr Chinny Krishna, the Founder of the Blue Cross of India which has animal shelters across India, who until recently was a Board Member of WSPCA, to assist in this matter.

(This article was sent by Rescue Animals Sri Lanka Trustee

Anusha David)

Animal activists question Mayor over missing dogs

REMOVAL OF COMMUNITY DOGS FROM VIHARAMAHADEVI

From time immemorial, there have

been dogs at the park which animal welfare activists have fed, sterilised, and rehomed. As of today, 98% of these dogs are missing since 29 May

Anusha David

Why are you targeting innocent

animals? Have you been to the dog pound? Do you know the meaning of a pound? Have you any knowledge of what we welfarists have faced in this pound? Where were you then? Do you

know the trauma these animals go through when they are being caught?

Visakha Tillekeratne

A peaceful demonstration was held outside the Colombo Mayor’s residence on 29 May, requesting the release of the dogs removed from the Viharamahadevi Park

the morningTuesday, June 2, 2020

5

brunch

Keells Super has taken an additional step, along with their efforts in safety standards in-store for customers and team members, to also ensure the safety of the Colombo public health inspectors (PHIs) by donating 100 personal protective equipment (PPE) kits and face shields. In collaboration with the John Keells Foundation, Keells made this timely donation to the Colombo PHIs who are playing a very important role in the front lines by maintaining public safety during this Covid-19 pandemic period.

In the months of March and April, Keells supported many community efforts where the supermarket chain donated 20 tonnes of vegetables to the armed forces, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH), and also charity organisations just before the lockdown. A request from the Gampaha District Hospital for

face masks was also fulfilled by providing the hospital with 500 KN95 masks, identifying the importance of the safety of essential service workers. Keells also distributed 300 packs of essentials to farmers and families facing lockdown in Sooriyawewa, a location that Keells has been sourcing fresh produce from for eight years.

Keells donates safety gear to

Colombo PHIs

BY NAVEED ROZAIS

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) hosted a live conversation with phenomenal content creators Gehan Blok and Dino Corera on Sunday (31 May), discussing the journey of “Blok & Dino” and what it takes to produce engaging, high-quality content in the Sri Lankan market.

Blok and Corera have become household names through their YouTube platform Blok & Dino as well as their experience in theatre and media. As highly sought-after content creators working with a diverse range of brands, Gehan and Dino discussed the challenges of digital marketing and content creation.

Creating content post Covid-19The Covid-19 pandemic

has shown the importance of digital content, with an increase in demand for all forms of digital content from YouTube to streaming services. This also gives good content a chance to shine, despite shifts in how people will be creating content in the interim.

In the case of professional digital content creators like Gehan and Dino, who work with large companies and large production crews, the pandemic is going to mean a shift in the way they do things.

Crews, for example, will be cut down drastically in number for the time being. The latest Blok & Dino video (which comes out next week) was made with a production crew of only five people including Gehan and Dino as opposed to crews of 16 people or more.

Sri Lanka’s content creation landscape

When asked about the biggest challenges they face as content creators, Gehan and Dino explained that the majority of their content is brand endorsement content, adding that while this gives them an edge in the quality of their production, it can sometimes be a challenge in keeping true to their own brand identity while also meeting the objectives of their partners.

Another challenge facing the content creation market in Sri Lanka is the lack of quality digital content, although they are very hopeful that local content will improve in the future given that making content is becoming easier with more accessible and affordable technology. The Sri Lankan audience is also becoming more discerning; as passionate film enthusiasts, the duo hopes that this will mean good things for local cinema as well.

The beauty of content creation is that good content will never stay hidden. Regardless of boosting and promoting posts, truly good content will always make an impact and go viral, and even though it may take some time to happen organically, a good content creator’s work will always speak for itself.

What aspiring content creators can do

Both Gehan and Dino urged aspiring content creators to work to their strengths – to try everything, but also to be aware of limitations and work with someone who has the strengths they don’t. Collaborating with other creators is very important, regardless of field.

Another key piece of advice to aspiring creators was to focus on the quality of content and make sure the story works to its best potential. Build memorable characters and stories and keep content timeless

so that it can engage with viewers longer, they noted.

Experimenting is also vital to a creator’s success. Accordingly, if some things work and some things won’t, creators should be willing to take risks and find out what works for them. There will be bad days and failures, but it’s important to persist.

Furthermore, small businesses shouldn’t underestimate the importance of digital marketing either; knowing how it works and which platforms work best for you is crucial in building and driving businesses.

Be fearlessThe power of good content is in

its story and how it comes together. Sometimes the most offhand idea can end up becoming a truly strong piece of content. It’s all about being willing to take that risk and see where it takes you.

Chatting live with BLOK AND DINOOn the importance of creating quality content

Dr. Dineshani Hettiarachchi MBBS, MSc Regenerative Medicine, MCGP, SEDA (UK). Dr. Hettiarachchi is a family physician and a lecturer at the Department of Anato-my and Human Genetics

Unit, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo. Email Dr. Hettiarachchi on dineshani@anat.cmb.ac.lk if you have any more questions you’d like answered here.

ANSWERED BY

Can diabetes affect your kidneys? Yes, it can. There are multiple ways in which it can affect your kidneys. It can harm the

filtering units of your kidneys. The filtering units of the kidneys are called glomeruli. Each kidney has around 1.2 million such units. Prolonged high levels of blood sugar can cause damage to these filtering units, leading to the appearance of albumin (a type of protein) in the urine where it should not be. It can also damage the blood vessels carrying blood to the kidney by making them narrow and clogged. Without enough blood, the kidneys become damaged.

Diabetes can also cause damage to the nervous system that sends signals from your brain to all other parts of your body, including your bladder. The nerves let your brain know when your bladder is full. But if the nerves of the bladder are damaged, you may not be able to feel it when your bladder is full. The pressure from a full bladder can damage your kidneys. If urine stays in your bladder for a long time, you may get a urinary tract infection (UTI). This is because of bacteria, which grows rapidly in urine with high sugar levels. Most often, these infections affect the bladder, but they can sometimes spread to the kidneys.

A

Q

a doctorASK

BY NAVEED ROZAIS

The lockdown has been a stressful time all around, but for some, if not many, it has also been a chance to take a step back, breathe, and reflect. With work and school schedules suspended, many have been able to work from home and spend more time with their families.

Now that life is slowly starting to get back to normal, it is likely that many of us are apprehensive about the coming weeks, and adjusting back to the daily grind.

The Morning Brunch spoke to Clinical Psychologist Dr. Suhaila Shafeek Irshard, to get her thoughts on how to make the easiest transition back to daily life.

“There has been a rise in reports of anxiety over the last few months, with roughly three peaks. The first was at the start of the lockdown amidst all the uncertainty at that time, the second was at the one-month mark of the curfew with people very worried, and the third and last one is what is happening at present, now that the curfew is lifted and life is resuming,” Dr. Irshard said.

This rise of anxiety is not unexpected, as we are going through a time of great change

coupled with fear for our health and wellbeing.

Back at the office: What will it be like?

After months of relative calmness, going back to the office, with all its people, sights, sounds, and pressure, can end up being overstimulating, particularly considering that both employers and staff are already stressed by the pandemic.

To overcome any anxiety of returning to work, Dr. Irshard recommends simple exercises like mentally rehearsing possible

workplace scenarios. These may not be accurate but will create a sense of what to expect.

Do not expect to run at 100% immediately; this is a time of change and adjustment, and self-compassion will be more important than ever.

Letting go of preconceived notions is also very important. Posts on social media may state that lockdown is a time to have achieved X, Y, or Z, but perfection is an ideal that is very hard to live up to. While it is more than okay to have specific goals, focusing on what is truly

important and being otherwise flexible is a powerful way to keep your mental balance.

Other tips are reaching out to colleagues and friends and seeing how they are feeling and what they are anticipating. Many people are anxious and connecting meaningfully can help everyone.

For those with strong anxiety, see if your workplace can offer a way for you to ease back into a physical work schedule like a mix of physical and remote work.

Self-care is key In times of turmoil, always

practise self-care. Looking after yourself and doing things like eating healthy and getting some exercise can work wonders for your mental state. Self-care also means self-compassion. Give yourself a break and take things at your own pace.

The risk of infection is still real, so make sure to follow health and community guidelines; they’re in place for a reason, even if they may seem ridiculous. They are in place for your safety and those around you.

Be kind, be responsible During this time, many

people will feel a sense of unrealness and shock. Remember that this is temporary, and in the meantime, be kind, to others and yourself.

‘Do not expect to run at 100% immediately’What’s getting back to the grind going to look like?

Clinical psychologist Dr. Suhaila Shafeek Irshard

sportsthe morning

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Colin Kaepernick knelt. He didn’t kill anyone. He was protesting. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback sat down in the third preseason game of the 2016 season when the US national anthem was being played. He explained: “I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of colour…There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

What was it all about? For those who didn’t know or didn’t want to know, knowledge came in September that year. Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott were shot dead by the Police. Kaepernick stated: “This is a perfect example of what this is about.” He would kneel during the anthem prior to every 49ers game that season.

Amadou Diallo incident in 1999If you are black in the US, you are twice

as more likely to be killed by the Police. And black people make just 13% of the US population. If anyone dares say that there’s no institutionalised and brutal racism in the US, that person is not doing the math.

I remember a man named Amadou Diallo. On 4 February 1999, this 23-year-old Guinean immigrant was shot and killed by four New

York City Police Department plain-clothed officers – Sean Carroll, Richard Murphy, Edward McMellon, and Kenneth Boss. It was a case of mistaken identity, apparently. When Diallo reached to get out some identification, these decorated officers (no less!) put 44 bullets

into him. He did not carry a gun. A jury in Albany, NY acquitted them of all charges.

US history is one of theftIt didn’t begin in 1999, though. The history

of the US is one of theft (land from the native

peoples, the first nations who were slaughtered) and violence (the nation was built by the labour of enslaved people and for those who don’t know history, Abe Lincoln wasn’t against slavery, he wanted to shift labour from the cotton fields to factories). There was systemic racist violence before Lincoln. It was there with the Ku Klux Klan. It was there in 1999. It was there in 2006. And it was there on 25 May 2020.

George Floyd, 46. He died in Minneapolis police custody. An officer was caught on video kneeling on the handcuffed man’s neck, even after he pleaded that he could not breathe and stopped moving. Protests erupted all over the US. The Police responded. Violently. In one instance, a cop car ploughed through protestors.

Making a stand against something

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James posted a photo of the officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck along with one of Kaepernick kneeling during the anthem. Here’s the caption for the Instagram post: ‘This... Is Why.” And he asked: “Do you understand NOW!!??!!?? Or is it still blurred to you?? #StayWoke.”

Kaepernick and Bron are iconic for multiple reasons. They are both sportsmen. Personalities. Kaepernick knelt. He was in fact standing for something. He was also making a stand against something. The police officer knelt. He was standing for something that many police officers and the entire American system stands for. Racism. Brutality. It’s a sport. Well, it could be called a sport.

Do we understand now?Consider the inset picture here. There’s the

one of Floyd, who is alleged to have written a bad cheque. There’s one of a white man who kidnapped one and killed two. Says it all, doesn’t it?

Sport. Winners. Losers. Is it as simple as that, though? No. It’s brutal. It’s racist. We are talking of two men. They both knelt. One stood for something and the other stood opposing that something. George Floyd is dead. He is not breathing.

Do we understand now? Do we? Do we? Or is it still blurred?

The writer can be reached at: malindasenevi@gmail.com or www.

malindawords.blogspot.com

INTERCEPTIONby Malinda Seneviratne

Those who kneel are actually standing

ATP apologisesThe Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) yesterday (1) apologised after their official Twitter shared a video which included a homophobic slur – “why tennis players so extra”, adding “the moaner”, “the grunter”, and “the sissy” – considered a derogatory term for any effeminate person. “Such language has no

place in the inclusive environment we strive for in our sport,” ATP said.

Hamilton standing alone“I see those of you who are staying silent, some of you the biggest of stars yet you stay silent in the midst of injustice. Not a sign from anybody in my industry which of course is a white-dominated sport.” Who said so? Six-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, a proud, responsible son of a Black British (pictured), who has been moved by the anti-establishment protests now in the US.

Orange cards but no chock-tacklesWorld Rugby has approved 10 optional law trials designed to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission when the sport fully returns. The laws, mainly aimed at recreational rugby, include the possible introduction of orange cards, reducing the number of scrums during a game and removing the choke-tackle.

BY HAFIZ MARIKAR IN KANDY

The Young Men’s Christians Association (YMCA) World Challenge Chess 2020 is set to go digital in Kandy on 6 June.

This will be to commemorate the 176th anniversary of the Kandy YMCA, which also runs the oldest active chess club in Sri Lanka.

The series of tournaments begins on 4 June at 7 p.m.

This series of online chess tournaments will be conducted as a concept of Kandy YWCA President Rev. Fr. Saman Perera and Ishan Wiratunga, one of its board members who

has been a member of Kandy YMCA chess team since the 1990s.

For further details, our readers can contact Shiraz

Liaquath on 071 6837716 or Amara Sankajana on 071 6051899, and follow the Facebook page of the Kandy YMCA.

Kandy YMCA chess this week

Sports joins ‘George Floyd protest’Bundesliga striker of proud Black origin takes a knee yesterday (1) in protest of the ruthless murder of George Floyd in the US, which was a disgrace to humanity in itself

BY GAYASHAN WITHANARACHCHI

Plans are now underway at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to organise the Lankan Premier League (LPL) from 15 August to 4 September, SLC sources revealed yesterday (1).

The five-team (or franchises) tournament will allow each single side to have six overseas players. The total number of players in each franchise could be 16.

The coaching staff can go up to 10, including the two main coaches who need to have prior international experience and worked in an international league before.

Matches, venues, and umpiresThe LPL will consist of a total of 23

matches. The first round will be conducted in the league format. The matches are to be held at four venues: R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Rangiri

Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy, and Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Sooriyawewa.

Six umpires from the International Cricket Council (ICC) panel will join four local umpires for officiating in the 23 matches.

Media rights and player auctions

SLC CEO Ashley de Silva said yesterday they will look into the possibility of having participation of some spectators at the event, after observing the situation at the time of the tournament while following the guidelines provided by the health authorities of the country.

“We will start the auction of the foreign players after finalising on the media right sale of the tournament,” de Silva explained.

The television rights of the LPL are not included in the SLC’s ongoing selling of broadcasting rights for the next three years

period, sources had revealed earlier.

Arnold the Tournament Director?

The Sri Lankan version of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was initially named the Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL), was first held in 2012 with the participation of seven franchises. Uva Next under Thilina Kandamby won the first title. But the event became defunct thereafter owing to various reasons, making Sri Lanka the only major Test playing country sans any local T20 franchise league. When ideas were afloat last year to revive the SLPL under the stewardship of SLC’s current President Shammi Silva, former national player and present television anchor Russel Arnold was earmarked as the Tournament Director.

“We will appoint a Tournament Director for this August’s tournament. But we are yet to finalise as to whom we are to appoint,” de Silva added.

SLPL in August!z SL team on-ground practices begin today as SLC plans to have its

franchise league 11 weeks from now

Uva Next's Jacob Oram celebrates a wicket with his teammates at the inaugural SLPL tournament in August 2012