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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 06, 2020

COVID-19

SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2

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

35,520,361DEATHS

1,043,417RECOVERD

26,718,867

CASES DEATHSUSA 7,646,516 214,707 INDIA 6,650,456 103,005 BRAZIL 4,918,022 146,417RUSSIA 1,225,889 21,475 COLOMBIA 855,052 26,712221

DEATHS

13RECOVERED

3,259

ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES

3,493 � 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 10.07 P.M. ON 05 OCTOBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU

The Government received compensation of Rs. 442 million from the owners of the MT New Diamond crude oil tanker for the actual expenses incurred by government stakeholders in controlling the fire on-board the ship.

However, this does not cover the costs pertaining to marine pollution caused as a result of the fire, Attorney General (AG)’s Co-ordinating Officer Nishara Jayaratne stated.

Contd. on Page 2

Visits by outsiders to all prisons will be prohibited temporarily until further notice, the Commissioner General of Prisons stated yesterday (5).

The Supreme Court (SC) concluded the consideration of petitions filed challenging the draft bill of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution

yesterday (5).It was announced that the decision

of the court will be sent to the President and Speaker of Parliament

in due course. Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya stated in open court that the secret decision of the SC regarding the constitutionality of the draft 20th

Amendment will be referred to the President and Speaker of Parliament.

During the hearing, Attorney General (AG) Dappula de Livera

stated that all the provisions contained in the draft 20th Amendment were in accordance with the Constitution.

Contd. on Page 2

Dilum Thusitha Kumara, former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka’s driver at the time of the alleged hit-and-run incident in 2016, was granted bail when he appeared before the Colombo High Court yesterday (5).

Contd. on Page 2

The World Health Organisation (WHO), in its latest survey, records that the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted or halted critical mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide while the demand for mental health is increasing.

The Government is yet to formulate an import policy for

beef if cattle slaughter is banned. Contd. on Page 2

BY SARAH HANNAN

The Environment Act of Sri Lanka is to undergo amendments to increase fines and terms of imprisonment against those who violate the Act, Minister of Environment Mahinda

Amaraweera revealed.“The fines and terms of

imprisonment will be increased by 10 times so as to curb the destruction that is caused to wildlife, forests, and the biodiversity of the country.

Contd. on Page 2

Former President Maithripala Sirisena left the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks last evening (5) after testifying for seven hours.

Contd. on Page 2

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa advised the relevant departments to increase the number of PCR tests carried out around Sri Lanka.

20TH AMENDMENT

SC concludes hearing petitions

Environment Act to be amended

COVID-19

Parliament to follow strict guidelines

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan, improving its commercial engagements, recently introduced two Sri Lankan companies to export sports products to the Jordanian market.

Contd. on Page 2

Back to square one?

With the re-emergence of Covid-19 among society, the Colombo Fort Railway station implemented procedures to check passengers’ temperatures and maintain social distancing yesterday (5)

PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA

Despite the source of the new Covid-19 cluster reported from Minuwangoda not being identified yet by the health authorities, Ministry of Health Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera yesterday (5) said there was no proof that there was social transmission of the coronavirus in Sri Lanka.

Speaking to the media, Dr. Samaraweera said: “We still don’t know the prevalence of this disease. We are still in the early stages of recognition. People

in the Gampaha District in particular are requested to restrict travel and stay in their homes.

Contd. on Page 2

Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi yesterday (5) instructed health officials to expedite the implementation of a planned programme focusing on the Gampaha District and to take the necessary steps to implement the PCR testing services currently carried out in the laboratories 24 hours a day.

Private bus owners said that passengers who do not wear face masks will not be allowed to enter buses.

Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association President Gemunu Wijeratne stated that bus drivers

and conductors were already informed of the decision. Speaking at a press conference yesterday (5), he said it was compulsory for passengers to wear the face mask before getting into the bus.

Contd. on Page 2

COVID-19

No proof of social transmission: Dr. Samaraweera

Dr. Sudath Samaraweera

Owners pay Rs. 442 m to SLChampika’s driver granted bail

BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA

Parliament will strictly adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines this week, The Morning learnt.

Contd. on Page 2

PCOI ON EASTER ATTACKS

Maithripala testifies for 7 hours

MT NEW DIAMOND

BAN ON CATTLE SLAUGHTER

No import policy yet: Govt.

The Road Development Authority (RDA) is conducting a survey to identify the number of incomplete road development projects due to construction delays, RDA Director General D.M. Dayaratne told The Morning.

He said the number of projects

delayed, the contractors to whom these projects were awarded, and the total loss incurred by the Government due to the delays in construction would be assessed and a report would be submitted to Highways Minister Johnston Fernando next week.

Contd. on Page 2

INCOMPLETE PROJECTS

RDA commences survey on delays

BUS TRANSPORTATIONCOVID-19 SPREAD

Passengers not allowed without masks

In total, 101 persons testes positive for Covid-19 as of ate last night (5).

Of them, two were treated at the Kurunegala Hospital before being transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Angoda.

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva confirmed that both patients are workers of the apparel factory.

Contd. on Page 2

The public was requested to suspend all nonessential travel and gatherings by the health authorities, owing to the present Covid-19 situation.

z Still in early stages of recognitionz Yet to identify how virus got to factory

More Covid-19 cases

A broad investigation should be conducted to determine how Covid-19-infected people emerged from society after a period of two months, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said yesterday (5).

He stated this during a meeting with the Covid-19 Task Force at the Presidential Secretariat.

Prisons closed for visitors

Disrupting mental health services: WHO

Prez. wants increase in PCR tests

Programme to control spread in Gampaha

Limit non-urgent travel and gatherings: Army Chief

SL-JORDAN COMMERCIAL ENGAGEMENTS

Opens export opportunity

Former President Maithripala Sirisena

NEW COVID-19 DETECTIONS

Total 101

* Stats updated as at 10 p.m. on 5 October

Divulapitiya – 2Minuwangoda – 87Monaragala – 1Jaffna – 1Kurunegala – 2Katana – 2Seeduwa – 1Mirigama – 3Ja Ela – 1Mahara – 1

President calls for probe

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

the morningTuesday, October 06, 2020

2

NEWS

Cartoon of the day

Contd. from page 1

Opens...Ambassador Shanika

Dissanayake introduced the fitness products of Textrip (Pvt.) Ltd. and the Elasto Group to a well-known Jordanian fitness and wellness studio entrepreneur so as to secure a foothold for value-added sports products made out of 100% Sri Lankan natural latex rubber.

The introduction was made over a virtual meeting which was conducted by the Embassy and Elasto Group’s Textrip (Pvt.) Ltd. Manager – International Sales Thakshila Gamage.

Gamage, introducing the products via Zoom, showcased how a total mobile workout could be done in the safety of one’s home, navigating a post-Covid scenario without having to visit a physical gym.

“The products were very well received by the Jordanian side, which expressed interest in using the fitness products and resistance bands for their Pilates, barre dance, and aqua fitness activities,” Dissanayake stated.

The Embassy is looking to conduct online meetings with Sri Lankan exporters to support them to connect and build productive relationships with reputed Jordanian importers.

The Embassy also conducted a virtual B2B (business-to-business) meeting between a reputed Jordanian health and wellness beverage company and Ranfers (Pvt.) Ltd. in order to introduce their organic branded range of Ceylon Ayurveda teas into the Jordanian market.

As part of the Embassy’s commercial and economic diplomacy initiatives, it will be conducting further virtual B2B meetings to give market insights and to ensure and facilitate the entry of Sri Lankan products into the Jordanian market.

– Sarah Hannan

Limit non-urgent...

Task Force of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva stated that the request was made following the detection of a new Covid-19 cluster in the country.

As early last evening (5), 71 out of 150 workers of a leading private garment factory in Minuwangoda tested positive for Covid-19, after a female supervisor was first detected with the virus over the weekend in Divulapitiya. This is in addition to the female supervisor and her daughter.

Following this detection, health authorities urged the public to curtail nonessential travel.

Lt. Gen. Silva advised the public to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health.

Subsequently, late into last night, more Covid-19-positive cases were detected, bringing the total number of new detections to 101.

Programme...This was stated at a special

discussion held at the Health Ministry to outline the further steps to control the Covid-19 spread and strengthen the treatment of the virus in the Gampaha District.

Several decisions were taken to control the spread of the virus within the Gampaha District, detailed below.

Utilisation of the Minuwangoda Hospital and Iranawila Covid-19 Treatment Centre to provide treatment services to infected persons in the Gampaha District

Utilisation of the Gampaha Hospital to admit and test patients suspected to be infected with Covid-19

Taking action to carry out PCR testing of nearly 2,000 employees of the Divulapitiya garment factory in the Gampaha District and their close associates as well as schoolchildren yesterday

PCR testing of the staff of the factories located in the Gampaha District

Taking steps to deploy a special team of officials from the Ministry of Health to monitor and strengthen the Covid-19 treatment services in hospitals in the Gampaha District

Increasing the number of PCR tests performed daily and providing the required safety clothing and equipment to the medical staff who perform such operations without any shortage

The Minister of Health also pointed out that if a person shows any symptoms such as fever or cold, they can contact the 24-hour active “Suwaseriya” 1999 Health Advice Service for medical advice. In addition, the 1990 “Suwaseriya” ambulance service was operational 24 hours a day.

Ministry of Health Secretary Maj. Gen. Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Health Services Acting Director General Dr. S. Sridharan, Public Health Services Additional Secretary Dr. Lakshmi Somatunga, Development Additional Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta, and many other officials of the Ministry were also present at the discussion.

Prez. wants...The President gave this order at

a meeting with the Covid-19 Task Force at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (5).

He also instructed that random PCR tests be carried out in all districts and organisations with a large number of employees.

Disrupting...The survey of 130 countries

provides the first global data showing the devastating impact of Covid-19 on access to mental health services, and underscores the urgent need for increased funding.

The survey was published ahead of WHO’s global online advocacy event on 10 October that will bring together world leaders, celebrities, and advocates to call for increased mental health investments in the wake of Covid-19.

The WHO previously highlighted the chronic underfunding of mental health, stating that prior to the pandemic, countries were spending less than 2% of their national health budgets on mental health and struggling to meet their populations’ needs. It also stated that the pandemic is increasing demand for mental health services.

Bereavement, isolation, loss of income, and fear are triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones. Many people may be facing increased levels of alcohol and drug use, insomnia, and anxiety.

Meanwhile, Covid-19 itself can lead to neurological and mental complications, such as delirium, agitation, and stroke. People with pre-existing mental, neurological, or substance use disorders are also more vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 infection – they may face a higher risk of severe outcomes and even death.

– Sarah Hannan

Prisons...This measure was taken with

regard to the discovery of a cluster of Covid-19-positive patients in the Divulapitiya area.

Owners...The owners and salvors of

the crude oil tanker last month agreed to settle the claim for costs incurred by the Sri Lankan Government for assistance rendered to the ship and other related matters during and after the fire.

Accordingly, the ship owners and salvors agreed to immediately fully settle the government stakeholders’ claim of Rs. 442 million.

On Friday (2), the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) in Colombo granted permission to the owners of MT New Diamond to tow the vessel away from the Sri Lankan maritime border; permission was given subject to payment of compensation and cost incurred by government institutions.

The owners of MT New Diamond are in the process of towing the vessel away from Sri Lankan waters, and it is likely to sail towards the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where its oil

cargo would be transferred to another ship for further supplies to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.

In the meantime, two navy ships had shadowed the tanker until it left Sri Lanka’s 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

On 3 September, at around 8.30 a.m., MT New Diamond, which was sailing 38 nautical miles off Sangamankanda Point, east of Sri Lankan waters, transporting 270,000 metric tonnes (MT) of crude oil from the Port of Mina Al Ahmadi in Kuwait to the Paradip Port in India, caught a fire following an explosion of a boiler in the main engine room.

The vessel was subsequently towed to safe waters after the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG), Indian Defence Force, and the Indian Coast Guard doused the fire in a joint operation.

Champika’s...He is the second defendant

of the case filed over the alleged hit-and-run incident that occurred on 28 February 2016, where the vehicle in which the former Megapolis and Western Province Development Minister was travelling collided with a motorcycle in Rajagiriya, causing life-threatening injuries to its rider.

When the case was taken up for hearing on 29 September, Kumara failed to appear before the court. Accordingly, the Colombo High Court issued an arrest warrant on the suspect.

Subsequently, Kumara surrendered to the court through a motion and the High Court Judge yesterday recalled the arrest warrant issued on him.

The Judge further ordered the suspect to be released on an additional bond of Rs. 400,000.

Passengers...Wijeratne further said that

loading or unloading passengers in areas where police curfew is imposed was banned.

No import...Government Spokesman

Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said they were in the process of coming up with a mechanism on the same.

“We are working it out right now. That is why we are taking time to bring in this new legislation.”

He said that two other laws needed to be revoked before the ban on cattle slaughter could be passed, adding: “One is a municipal act and the other is the existing legislation on cattle slaughter.”

He went on to say that the Government was confident that the importation of beef would take place after the ban.

“The Prime Minister is of the view that businessmen would jump at the opportunity to begin importing beef when the ban comes into effect,” he said.

– Skandha Gunasekara

RDA...The survey, however, began

following Minister Fernando’s request last week to look into the delayed projects and possibilities of taking legal action against those who have wilfully delayed

the projects, The Morning learnt.Last week, addressing the

progress review meeting of the Priority Roads Project (i-Road Programme) implemented by the RDA, Minister Fernando said the road projects would be taken over by the RDA if construction is delayed and the road isn’t completed on time.

The Minister further stated that the contractors who are postponing the construction will not be involved in future projects of the Ministry.

The Minister also instructed Highways Ministry Secretary R.W.R. Pemasiri to submit a report on the companies that are delaying the construction of roads, especially where the construction work was not completed on time.

The construction of some roads scheduled to be completed in 2018 was not yet completed, the Minister said.

– Maheesha Mudugamuwa

Environment...We are looking to draft

amendments to the existing Environment Act and hopefully, we will be able to propose it to the Cabinet of Ministers for approval, after which it would be sent to the Attorney General for approval and enactment,” Amaraweera stated.

He further reiterated that speculation on social media about the amount of deforestation around the country within forest reserves was unfounded, and only about four such protected areas were subject to encroachment-related destruction.

“Some social media outlets are spreading false propaganda that large-scale environmental damage is being done with the connivance of the Government, which is unfounded. In the past, politicians and powerful people were wronged and freed, but now the common people are being caught and punished for a small mistake. There is no room for that,” Amaraweera elaborated.

He added that the law is to be enforced against the perpetrators regardless of their political affiliation or social position, similar to when a politician’s brother was arrested over the destruction that took place in the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary.

Maithripala...He appeared before the PCoI last

morning to testify in connection to the tragic event that took place in April last year.

Sirisena gave evidence for nearly seven hours at the PCoI.

The PCoI issued summons on him to appear at the Commission again on 12 October.

Parliament...Secretary General of Parliament

Dhammika Dasanayake said all safety measures would be followed.

“All steps will be taken to fully follow all health guidelines issued by the health services.”

Furthermore, he said it was at the Speaker’s discretion that additional measures would be implemented.

“There’s always a possibility that the Speaker will call for a party leaders’ meeting and bring in additional health and safety steps.”

Parliamentary sittings for October begin today (6).

SC...Pointing out that the President

is bound to ensure free and fair

elections in accordance with the Constitution, the AG stated that the proposed 20th Amendment Bill had expanded that responsibility while providing the Election Commission (EC) with a strong legal basis for free and fair elections.

The AG pointed out that the 20th Amendment proposes to reinstate the President’s immunity lost under the 19th Amendment, which will enable the President to exercise his executive powers vested in him by the Constitution without hindrance.

He further emphasised that there was no need for a referendum to approve any of the provisions contained in the draft. In conclusion, AG de Livera stressed in court that the draft could easily be passed by a two-thirds majority in Parliament without a referendum.

In addition, AG de Livera refused to give a copy of his written submissions to counsel for the petitioners, when said counsel made an application for it to enable them to respond.

Chief Justice Jayasuriya asked the AG whether he could make it available for them even as a soft copy, to which the AG declined to do so. The AG informed Chief Justice Jayasuriya that he would be giving the soft copy to the court today (6).

Ultimately, the court made one of its copies available for the petitioners’ counsel.

Subsequently, the court directed the parties involved in the case to submit their written submissions, if any, before 3 p.m. today (6).

Consideration of the petitions commenced for the fourth day last morning before the five-member judge bench chaired by Chief Justice Jayasuriya. The bench consists of SC Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Sisira de Abrew, Priyantha Jayawardena, and Vijith Malalgoda.

Thirty-nine petitions in total were filed against the draft bill of the 20th Amendment, citing the AG as the respondent.

The petitions were put forward by EC member Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene, SJB Youth Wing Chairman Mayantha Dissanayake, Attorney-at-Law P. Liyanaarachchi of the Sirilaka Janatha Peramuna, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), former Governor and Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) Executive Director Ranjith Keerthi Tennakoon, human rights activist Abdul Zanoon, and many others.

Meanwhile, Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Gamini Lokuge, and Prof. G.L. Peiris filed interlocutory petitions seeking permission to present cross-submissions pertaining to the petitions challenging the 20th

Amendment draft bill.In addition, MPs Sagara

Kariyawasam, Ven. Omare Kassapa Thera, M. Dayaratne, W.A. Weerathilake, and P.G.B. Abeyratne also filed interlocutory petitions.

More Covid-19...

In addition, another female apparel factory worker in Minuwangoda tested positive for Covid-19 at the Monaragala Hospital and is being transferred to IDH, Army Commander Silva said.

Late into the night, it was reported that the total number of new Covid-19 cases was 101 persons, who were spread across the areas of Minuwangoda, Divulapitiya, Monaragala, Jaffna, Kurunegala, Katana, Seeduwa, Mirigama, Ja Ela, and Mahara.

A 39-year-old woman, employed at a leading apparel factory in Minuwangoda, tested positive for Covid-19 over the weekend and was transferred from the Gampaha Hospital to IDH.

Subsequently, 400 of the apparel factory worker’s contacts at the factory were directed for self-quarantine.

Meanwhile, the process of conducting PCR tests for over 1,400 employees of the apparel factory commenced last morning (5) at the factory premises.

No proof...We have already imposed

quarantine and curfew in three police areas.

“Another question is whether Covid-19 has been socialised. The socialisation of the disease means that patients are reported from each location whilst connections are not identified and they are spreading it unknowingly. According to the available evidence, there is no reason to say so,” he added.

“We identified a group of 71 persons. We still don’t know how the virus got to this factory. We are still investigating this. Here, the risk of spread among society is high. So we have to be alert,” he stressed.

Furthermore, Dr. Samaraweera said the newly identified positive cases are from a cluster associated with the Brandix factory, and clarified that whether we can say it is socialised will depend on the evidence obtained from future PCR tests and the contribution made by the public towards preventing the spread of the virus.

“On average, of 100 people tested at this factory, 69 were confirmed to be infected,” he continued, adding that including the first patient and her daughter, there were 71 patients.

Elaborating further, the Chief Epidemiologist noted that the identification of the 69 new positive patients will lead to their associates also being identified.

“They also have to be quarantined and undergo PCR tests. It is with that in mind that we have to decide how to expand (testing) in the future,” he added.

businessthe morningTuesday , October 06, 2020

3

HatchX, Sri Lanka’s first fintech startup accelerator programme, recently concluded its demo day with its first cohort of seven promising local fintech startups graduating from the programme and getting connected with several industry stakeholders. The goal of HatchX is to help local fintech startups find success by offering them the necessary support to grow and expand their businesses beyond Sri Lanka. The seven startups accepted were DirectPay, Smart Insure, Fipbox, Helios P2P, iLoan Lanka, Algoredge, and OGO Pay.

An initiative by Hatch, in partnership with the Lankan Angel Network and funded by the Ford Foundation, HatchX was the first virtual startup accelerator programme in South Asia and was launched in April 2020, during the lockdown period.

The startups were selected based on their business maturity, positive traction, and each of their abilities to be a viable business both commercially and as a potential investment. HatchX offered an intensive four-month curriculum geared towards three primary components of business support, education, and investor-readiness through a programme structure, curriculum, and advisory platform specifically designed by HatchX Programme Nio Liyanage. Alongside this, the programme offered access to banks, financial institutions, and networks. These efforts supported the startups in developing their businesses in a short span of time, versus over many years if they had done so traditionally without having access to these opportunities, Hatch said.

Reflecting on the success of HatchX, Liyanage said: “A programme like this had never been conducted before. We expected many challenges in the early days. But we were able to quickly adapt the programme

to operate in a virtual environment utilising digital platforms like Zoom. Furthermore, there was a strong buy-in from the enthusiastic founders accepted, who clearly saw the value of HatchX. With their support and of industry stakeholders, we were able to successfully conduct South Asia’s first virtual accelerator.”

At the formal conclusion of Demo Day, the seven startups showcased their potential in front of the investors and industry stakeholders. It also offered the startups accepted a chance to network with stakeholders and form connections that could create new opportunities to collaborate. It makes financial services more accessible and improves the quality of life for unbanked and underbanked populations of Sri Lanka and across the region. Hatch continues to offer

support and guidance to the seven promising fintech startups. Describing how Hatch would continue to support these startups, Programme Manager Sanchitha Silva said: “While the formal programme has ended, the seven startups accepted into the HatchX programme are also members of the wider Hatch community. Currently, we’ve offered them long-term mentoring support from industry experts to help them scale. As they grow, we’ll assist them in obtaining capital and connect with stakeholders that can help with their long-term plans to expand their footprints beyond Sri Lanka. Hatch will support them in every possible way to help them grow their businesses.”

Hatch is a platform that empowers the transformation of ideas into commercially viable companies.

Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT) and Mobitel partnered with “Manusath Derana” to help transform 25 decommissioned Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses into modern and fully equipped libraries.

“These library buses will contain reading facilities, WiFi connectivity, and other such support systems ready to enable children to connect with the information world. These libraries will act as learning centres that will provide equal opportunities for students with accessible educational resources and to help inculcate the crucial habit of reading,” SLT said.

This initiative was carried out in partnership with the National Library of Sri Lanka and SLTB, with the SLT Group focusing on this national CSR (corporate social responsibility) project to convert these decommissioned buses in order to empower 25 rural schools across the country.

To mark the handing over of the first five buses, a launching ceremony was held recently at the Presidential Secretariat. The event was graced by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and other dignitaries from SLT, Mobitel, SLTB, and the National Library. SLT Group Chairman Rohan Fernando, SLT Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lalith Seneviratne, SLT CEO Kiththi Perera, Mobitel CEO Nalin Perera, SLT Chief Operating Officer (COO) Priyantha Fernandez, SLT Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Prabhath Dahanayake, Mobitel CMO Shashika Senarath, and several other officers from SLT and Mobitel were present at the event.

SLT, as the national information and communications technology provider

and leading broadband and backbone infrastructure service provider in Sri Lanka, and Mobitel as their mobile telecommunication subsidiary, said they have recognized the importance of school libraries and how they drastically help improve student literacy and learning outcomes in Sri Lanka. Particularly in this day and age, where libraries have become slightly overlooked, SLT has ensured that this invaluable tool is there for those who need it, in a way that is also up to date in terms of digitisation.

The SLT Group said it identifies education as one of the most important investments that can be made, as this investment is placed on the youth as the future of this country. Thus, the SLT Group said it is committed to supporting the educational landscape by providing access to reading materials through e-learning (electronic learning) and m-learning (mobile learning) platforms, thus empowering thousands of students, graduates, and other knowledge-seekers across the country to come together and share in their love of books, learning, and technology.

The National LankaQR Initiative “Rata Puraama LankaQR” was launched yesterday (5) at the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to popularise LankaQR, which was introduced by the CBSL together with licensed financial institutions and LankaClear (Pvt.) Ltd. with the aim of moving towards a “less-cash” society while increasing financial inclusion in Sri Lanka.

Minister of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardana launched the initiative as the Chief Guest in the presence of State Minister of Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard Cabraal; State Minister of Co-operative Services, Marketing Development, and Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna; State Minister of Samurdhi, Household Economy, Microfinance, Self-Employment, Business Development, and Underutilised State Resources Development Shehan Semasinghe; CBSL Governor Prof. W.D. Lakshman; and members of

the Monetary Board including Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle. Heads of several government departments, financial institutions, as well as leaders of the retail, health, and media industries and representatives from chambers of commerce were also present.

LankaQR enables customers to make payments directly from their bank accounts to accounts of merchants or service providers, using payment apps of LankaQR-certified financial institutions. LankaQR is a low-cost digital payment solution which targets small and medium enterprises especially. Customers will not be charged for using LankaQR-based payments. Merchants are provided with the LankaQR-printed sticker free of charge by the member institutions of LankaQR to be displayed at their places of business. The maximum Merchant Discount Rate (MDR – fees paid by merchants to the bank that issues the LankaQR code) will be 0.5% during 2020. In addition, all payments for government services through LankaQR have been mandated to be free of charge

during 2020. Given the numerous benefits to the economy and the public, the CBSL and financial institutions aim to increase the availability of LankaQR in Sri Lanka to one million merchants by the end of 2020.

CBSL Deputy Governor K.M.M. Siriwardana, welcoming the audience, stated that this initiative would increase financial inclusion in the country, strengthen trade, and lead the economy on the path to prosperity.

Dharmasri Kumaratunge highlighted the benefits of LankaQR and noted that it was the result of teamwork of Sri Lankans without any foreign assistance, saving the country millions of rupees.

CBSL Governor Prof. Lakshman stated that this is a historic moment where all financial institutions came together energetically to promote a payment system that has immense benefits to the public. State Minister Nivard Cabraal emphasised the importance of adopting new technologies for trade and economic development. Furthermore, recognising the importance of efficient and secure payments

and settlement systems for a country, he noted that the CBSL has been modernising Sri Lanka’s payments and settlements systems since the early 2000s and praised the continued adoption of new technologies that provided Sri Lankans with more opportunities for trade and commerce.

Chief Guest Minister of Trade Dr. Gunawardana congratulated the CBSL and financial institutions for introducing LankaQR and encouraged all businesses and government services to adopt LankaQR so that the general public can enjoy the benefits of digital payments at a very low cost. The Minister also requested financial institutions to waive off charges for LankaQR transactions below Rs. 100, and requested state media and other media organisations, as well as all businesses to extend their fullest support to this national initiative. To mark the launch of the “rg

mqrdu LankaQR” initiative, the Minister made a donation to the “Itukama” Covid fund using a LankaQR-based mobile app.

The national campaign of “rg mqrdu LankaQR” will be held on Saturday,

10 October 2020, where all LankaQR-certified banks, finance companies, and e-money service providers will open branches islandwide to onboard new merchants. The public and merchants are invited to participate in the islandwide campaign and begin using LankaQR to make payments.

LankaQR-compliant QR codes are currently issued by the Bank of Ceylon, Cargills Bank Ltd., Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC, DFCC Bank PLC, Hatton National Bank PLC, National Development Bank PLC, National Savings Bank, Nations Trust Bank PLC, People’s Bank, Sampath Bank PLC, Sanasa Development Bank PLC, LB Finance PLC, LOLC Finance PLC, People’s Leasing and Finance PLC, Dialog Axiata PLC, and Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd. The LankaQR-enabled apps are BOC SmartPay, DirectPay, Onepay, OrelPay, ComBank Q+, Flash, DFCC Pay, FriMi, NDB NEOS, SOLO, WePay, UPay, CIM, iPay, Dialog eZ Cash, and Mobitel mCash.

National LankaQR initiative launched by Central Bank

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Australia’s Market Development Facility (MDF) joined hands to develop a research roadmap to facilitate Sri Lanka’s position as Asia’s foremost tourism destination. The roadmap will pave the way for better understanding of the visitors who come to Sri Lanka and assist the public and private sectors in making evidence-based decisions and investments in tourism. This is the first time a thorough analysis has been undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of the data collection efforts by the SLTDA and its usage, SLTDA said.

The SLTDA said identified the need for better quality data and research to improve the strategic direction of Sri Lanka’s tourism sector in line with the goals set in Sri Lanka’s Tourism Strategic Plan.

“SLTDA’s goal is to identify a diverse range of tourists, tourism services, and products that would make Sri Lanka a top tourism destination globally,” noted Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando. “As the primary agency for

the collection, analysis, and publishing of tourism-related data, our goal is to use this roadmap to upgrade SLTDA’s research capacities and practices to identify opportunities for new investments, promotions, and policy.”

Through support provided by the MDF, the flagship private sector development programme for the Australian Government, an international consultancy will work closely with the SLTDA to examine current research frameworks and practices and conduct a gap analysis. Based on this, a five-year roadmap focused on improving tourism data collection, analysis, and usage will be developed. The roadmap identifies a series of steps to be implemented over the next five years which would bring the capability of Sri Lanka Tourism to the standards adopted by leading tourism destinations globally.

Australia’s engagement in this study is part of its broader support to the Sri Lankan tourism industry, through the MDF, which is funded by the Australian Government and implemented by Palladium, in

partnership with Swisscontact. In the past, Australia has extended support to the SLTDA in increasing its research capability through facilitating a study tour for SLTDA staff with Tourism Research Australia (TRA).

“By harnessing data and research, decisions on promotion and investments can be based on evidence and the returns on investments and marketing can be tracked and measured, thus offering greater value to the public and private sectors,” stated MDF Sri Lanka Country Director Momina Saqib.

With the implementation of the five-year research roadmap, Sri Lanka Tourism and the tourism industry fraternity will be strategically benefitted with data-driven, informed decision making which will assist them with target marketing while enabling higher ROI (return on investment) for resources and investments. Furthermore, the initiative is expected to assist the national tourism organisation (NTO) and the industry stakeholders adapt effectively to the new normal of the global travel and tourism industry.

Sri Lanka Tourism and Australia’s MDF collaborate on tourism research

SLT, Mobitel, and ‘Manusath Derana’ convert buses into libraries

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sharing a moment with pupils in the library bus

To commemorate World Children’s Day, People's Bank introduced a special clay till as a gift to children having Isuru Udana and Sisu Udana accounts at a national event presided by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at the “Ape Gama” premises on 2 October 2020.

The bank said this gift was introduced to inculcate the saving habit in children and to support local industries in line with the Government's “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour" manifesto.

At this event that was held under the theme “Let’s Build Our Nation”, People's Bank Chairman Sujeewa Rajapakse joined Prime Minister Rajapaksa in presenting the special tills to the children.

Minister of Education Prof. G.L. Peiris; State Minister of Women and Child Development, Preschools and Primary Education, School Infrastructure, and Education Services Piyal Nishantha De Silva; People's Bank Senior DGM (Deputy General Manager) – Retail Banking K.B. Rajapakse; DGM – Process Management, Quality Assurance, and Retail Banking Renuka Jayasinghe; AGM (Assistant GM) – Retail Banking A. Jayasith, and Head of Marketing Nalaka Wijayawardana, together with a large gathering of government officials and children participated in the event.

Based on a request made by State

Minister for Clay, Cane, Brass, Furniture, and Rural Industries Prasanna Ranaweera, People's Bank decided to gift clay savings tills to the Isuru Udana and Sisu Udana accountholders to encourage the children’s saving habit. The significant feature of this especially designed clay savings till is that once it has served its purpose, it can be easily used as a bird's nest, thereby making it an environmentally friendly option, the bank said.

People's Bank recently unveiled the "Made in Sri Lanka" loans programme which aims to develop local industries, promote export-oriented industries, encourage import substitute industries, enhance the quality of local products, increase employment opportunities for locals, and drive regional development for all those involved in the agri, plantations, fisheries, clay, batik, brass, gem and jewellery, and other local industries.

People’s Bank distributes clay tills on Children’s Day

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa handing over a clay savings till to a child

7 startups graduate from Sri Lanka’s first virtual fintech accelerator

The Hatch Board of Directors

the morningTuesday , October 06, 2020

4

brunchBY NAVEED ROZAIS

A small gathering was held on 4 October to recognise and facilitate some of Sri Lanka’s tireless animal activists who work towards the betterment and upliftment of community, farm, and wild animals.

Held at Park Street Mews, the ceremony was jointly hosted by a group of animal welfare activists, Harpo’s Hotels, Cafes, and Restaurants Founder/CEO Harpo Gooneratne, and the team at Park Street Mews.

The gathering was held to honour various animal welfare activists and the people who support them at the ground level to look after and uplift animals in their communities, sometimes at risk of their jobs and personal safety. These kind animal lovers and carers come from all walks of life and all parts of the country, going above and beyond to support other animal welfare activists and community animals.

Construction sites tend to be places where dogs congregate, and the staff working at these sites like having these dogs around as the dogs are great companions for them, in addition to providing an element of security by sounding out intruders at night. However, the owners of these sites consider these dogs a nuisance, sometimes going so far as to threaten staff with the loss of their jobs if they’re caught feeding the dogs that congregate at these sites. Despite this, many of the staff at these sites help local animal welfare activists to feed these animals and help treat them when they fall sick, often forming genuine attachments with them.

This kind of support from ground staff proves invaluable to animal welfare activists looking to uplift the lives of animals in their communities. The initiative to honour these ground staff and other animals welfare activists was the brainchild of animal welfare activist Visakha Tillekeratne in order to recognise and celebrate not only animal welfare activists, but also those without whom animal welfare activists would be unable to do their work, from street cleaners, security guards, and building site supervisors to

three-wheel drivers and domestic helpers. Activists were presented with certificates of appreciation, mugs, and gift vouchers.

Activists honoured at the event included Pichchmuththu Paramanathan, Lechuman Jegatheeswaran, Suppiah Dayanidi, R.A. Swarnalatha Weerasekere, Austin Peiris, Desmond Kumara Peiris, Ravi de Silva, Hettiarachchige Seneviratne, Deepika Wanniarachchi, D.D. Chandrani,

Chandrika, Hema Kate Lily, N.K. Ruwan Pathirana, Wipulasena Wijenayake, Duniyasha Perera, Anjana Selvanayagam, Nadeeka Dharmaratne, Jonathan Solamon, Manoja Weerakkody, Madri Jayasekera, Manel Jayasekera, Renuka Nagodavithana, Debra Macan Markar, Otara Gunewardene, Anusha David, Abeeth Dangalle, Kumudini Saravanamuttu, Marie Perera, Sahana Ravishankar, Shilpa Samaratunga, Christine

Perera, Grero, Rosy Senn, Unee Pathirage, Mahesh Narandas, Shiona Weerasekera, Dominic Perera, Roshan Chitty, Nilmini Welivita, Panchali Panapitiya, Dinesh Gamage, Dr. Ishika Madushani, Dr. Nalinika Obeysekera, Hector and Krishanthi Rondon Fuentes, Surangani de Silva, Ira de Silva, and Lalani Perera.

“We have dedicated our lives every day of the year to improve (the lives of)

a lot of our four-legged friends. This year we thought it was only fitting that people islandwide who despite straightened circumstances and other impediments continue to do their best for animals and all creatures great and small,” Tillekeratne said.

A highlight of the proceedings was the tribute paid to two renowned animal welfare legends, Sagarika Rajakarunanayake and Deepal Wijeweera.

Rajakarunanyake has been instrumental in uplifting animal welfare in Sri Lanka, both through her animal welfare organisation Sathva Mithra Group, which she has worked on tirelessly since 1993, and through her personal lobbying to then President Mahinda Rajapakse on instituting the “No Kill Policy” regarding stray dogs in Sri Lanka. Rajakarunanayake brought to the President’s attention the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocol of controlling rabies through catch, neuter, vaccinate, and release, inspiring the President to order the No Kill Policy into effect.

Rajakarunanayake addressed the gathering, sharing how satisfying it has been for her to devote her life to working towards animal welfare, and how encouraging it was for her to see how the strength of animal welfare activists and the power of their voice have grown from her initial days working in the field. Rajakaruananayake also shared that as animal welfare activists, we have a duty to lend our voice to the environmentalists and ask what big changes are being made and when.

Wijeweera, another tireless animal welfare activist, was also honoured at the ceremony. Wijeweera has become a familiar sight around Colombo over the years, feeding community dogs every day without fail, despite ill health and personal difficulties. Wijeweera was, unfortunately, unable to attend the ceremony due to ill health.

Sri Lankan Brand Ambassador for World Animal Day and Embark Founder Otara Gunewardene also spoke on the occasion, speaking on Rajakarunanyake’s invaluable contribution to local animal welfare.

The ceremony concluded with a performance by animal welfare activist Nilmini Welivita.

PHOTOS SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA

Commemorating Sri Lanka’s animal welfare activists

World Animal Day

The Signature brand, established in 1989, has grown in its reputation under the retail giant Hameedia. With over 30 years of expertise, the brand has reached out to its ever-growing clientele in the fashion industry of Sri Lanka, also achieving fame for being a brand that exceeds the expectations of gentlemen who value high-quality products.

In keeping with its innovative concepts, Signature recently launched its brand new MTM (made to measure) and MTO (made to order) options under the theme “Customised/Custom-made by You”.

This service is currently available at the Signature Groom’s Store at Duplication

Road, Bambalapitiya and the Signature Studio in Matara, with plans underway to introduce this tailoring system to other signature showrooms in the near future.

In celebration of this launch, Signature has also introduced a special promotion titled “Stitch three shirts or trousers and get one free”. This offer is valid until 31

October 2020 at the Signature Groom’s Store. Customers can avail themselves of getting their clothes stitched according to personalised specifications and their own choice of fabrics with value for money.

MTO is extremely consumer-friendly as customers have the freedom to choose from a versatile range of fabrics and have them cut and designed according to their own requirements. MTM is similar to MTO, with customers having the choice of choosing any ready-made item and getting the collar, cuff, and length altered according to their fit. Customers can also use this MTM option for suits, blazers, trousers, and shirts.

Signature launches ‘Customised/Custom-made by You’

In what comes as a pleasant surprise for everyday photography enthusiasts, Vivo V20’s major specs have been leaked, revealing industry-leading camera features and top-notch ultra-sleek AG glass technology.

With V20, Vivo is expected to introduce a new dimension of camera and design innovations to impress the selfie lovers and photography enthusiasts across the country. Vivo V20 is rumoured to arrive in the market with a bounty of innovative camera capabilities and debut an all-new “eye autofocus” feature to inspire the shutterbugs.

The intelligent eye autofocus feature can track users’ eyes no matter where they go or what emotion they carry. It will enable users to capture highly crisp photos or videos, from even a greater distance, with the richness of colour and depth.

Usually, the regular smartphones have fixed focus features, but Vivo’s intelligent eye autofocus feature unlocks a whole new world of possibilities in photography. With the powerful and intelligent eye autofocus feature, V20 is rumored to redefine the front and rear photography gambit for young content creators and professionals, and give them a chance to “be the focus”.

Vivo has a history of delivering on its promise of introducing smartphones to empower the youth on the go. Staying true to

its promise, Vivo V20 is rumored to have a splendid AG glass technology with ultra-slim design and fashionable appearance, adding up to the overall aesthetics of the phone.

The iconic AG glass technology polishes the surface with its scratch-resistance capabilities and adds a more refined touch to this robust smartphone. The back cover increases the style quotient by bringing sophistication to the premium-looking V20 phone body. It also ensures a smooth grip and prevents any fingerprint smudges. The AG matte glass is further complemented by a stunning camera matrix that will be an oomph factor to the smartphone’s aesthetics.

The V20 also houses a sensational dual tone step camera design that adds a unique layer to the overall appearance of the smartphone, complementing its sleek design and impressive looks.

Vivo V20 to hit the market with new feature and design

The world’s biggest book sale, the Big Bad Wolf, will be extended beyond the scheduled closure date to 11.59 p.m. on 8 October. This update comes as a result of the considerable number of fans and book buffs requesting for more order time due to the unprecedented number of users browsing their desired collections. The Big Bad Wolf team has taken the decision to extend the book sale by four more days, providing its loyal fans an improved shopping experience.

Commenting on the sales extension, Big Bad Wolf Books Co-Founder Jacqueline Ng said: “We experienced an overwhelming response on the first three days of the sale and we want to treat our fans for their enthusiasm and passion extended towards us. We really appreciate and value all the feedback given. We have managed to resolve and cater to all queries plus requests made together with the support of our technical and customer support teams who have being working tirelessly around the clock. The extension gives our fans more time and opportunity to further explore the variety of books available this year through the reader’s portal.”

Customers are advised that once the cart checkout is clicked, the website will be redirected to the respective payment gateway pages which are powered by PayHere and Sampath Bank. The team requests customers to click “view cart” in order to finalise an order and proceed to checkout once the customer is ready to make the payment through their preferred mode of payment by their respective banks. Non-Sampath Bank customers are also encouraged to speak to their respective card centres

in order to enable the online payment facility, ensuring a hassle-free transaction process, as some debit cards by default do not have this facility activated.

For all online transactions made by Sampath Bank cards, customers will receive a one-time password (OTP) via SMS, enabling a more secure transaction. Assurance for the transactions can be obtained through an acknowledgement receipt/invoice and through your respective credit/debit card financial institution. Book enthusiasts are also requested to enable SMS notifications on their mobile phone in order to receive the OTP message. It is also advised that the customers ensure and double check if the order numbers are the same at an event if one receives an order cancellation message from the respective financial institution. The order duplication message may occur as a result of refreshing one’s cart details.

“Once you are in the payment page, it is advised to refrain from refreshing or exiting the page. If you do so, the order placed will be automatically cancelled. You will need to login one more time to your respective account and retrieve the already cancelled order or to reorder your favourite selections. In an event of you receiving a ‘payment failure’ or ‘cancelled order’ message,

it is advised to contact your respective bank and financial institution via their card’s call centre in order to understand the prerequisites required for you to complete your purchase, which is not limited to 3DS authentication failure and card permission that would determine and grant you a hassle-free shopping experience,” the technical team further explained.

Team Big Bad Wolf is now even better equipped to serve and cater to the growing demand of its online book sale which has given all Sri Lankans a new online shopping experience. For support, customers are requested to either direct message the Big Bad Wolf Books Facebook page or message through the online Support Help Centre which will be immediately attended to.

As the considerable number of orders from the first days of the sale are being processed, the team at Big Bad Wolf is making preparations to now send out the first shipment of books in the next few days. Further ensuring customer satisfaction, the books being shipped from Malaysia are not subjected to any international shipping charges, and domestic courier charges for books being delivered to the doorsteps are at surprisingly low rates. In addition, customers will not need to pay domestic courier charges for any order above Rs. 8,000 in a single receipt.

Book lovers are invited to browse through the book collection on sale at www.bigbadwolfbooks.lk and can tune in for the latest book sale updates through Facebook (@bbwbookssrilanka) and Instagram (@bigbadwolfbooks_lk).

Big Bad Wolf online book sale to continue until 8 OctoberEnsures a smoother experience through essential technical advisory

The first batch to be shipped

The team attending to online orders

sportsthe morningTuesday, October 06, 2020

5

Mahut in spitting controversyFrance’s Nicolas Mahut found himself in a bizarre spitting controversy during a French Open third round men’s doubles tennis match on Sunday (4). He was

warned by the chair umpire for spitting on court thrice during the match, which Mahut and his partner lost. “Every time I play on clay, I have something in my throat and I have to spit on the court,” he argued. But the umpire had said: “It’s a new pandemic rule.”

Bryant memorabilia sold at hefty sumA piece of the basketball court floor signed by the late Kobe Bryant after his last match in the National Basketball Association

(NBA) in 2016 was sold for $ 631,200 (Rs. 116 million) at an auction last week. The unique piece of memorabilia was cut from the Staples Centre floor with Bryant’s first basketball number, eight, in the 13 April 2016 game.

Amit Mishra out of IPLIndia leg-spinner Amit Mishra was ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a finger injury, dealing a significant blow to the team, Delhi Capitals (DC). Mishra, DC’s third-highest wicket-taker this time, sustained the injury in his bowling hand while attempting a return catch in their last match against the Kolkata Knight Riders on 3 October.

There is a song released on 13 January 1964. The lyrics obviously were composed before that. Sanju Samson was born 30 years later. And 26 years after that, he played an innings which was akin to offering proof of a prediction embedded in the song.

The song: The times they are a-changing. The lyricist and singer: Bob Dylan. The line: “The slow one now will later be fast.”

Well, times have changed since 1964 as far as cricket is concerned. No ODIs, no World Cups, no T20s, no Dilscoops or switch-hits, no third umpires or match referees.

Now we’ve seen amazing performances with bat and ball over the past 56 years. Standout performances. All-time “greats” if you will. Amazing turnarounds such as Kusal Janith Perera’s innings-of-a-century 153* against South Africa in the Durban Test, January 2019. We have seen one-gem wonders too. Nevertheless, the gems do shine and their lustre fades slowly.

And so we have Samson. The ninth match of the current IPL (Indian Premier League). Kings XI Punjab had amassed 226/6 on the back of a 183-run opening stand between K.L. Rahul (69) and M.A. Agarwal (106). A stiff target

for the Rajasthan Royals, but gettable given the short boundaries. They were 100/2 after

nine overs. Skipper Steve Smith had just got out for 50 but Samson was on 43 off 22 balls.

Then came the slump. Between overs nine and 15, Samson, facing 21 of the 36 balls, just manages a paltry 15 runs. The required run rate had soared from 11.27/over to 16.80/over!

Samson then carted Glenn Maxwell for 21 runs inclusive of three sixers. Over number 16 turned everything upside down, or it seemed that way, but he’s out the first ball of the next over and it is heart-breaking, obviously, for the Rajasthan Royals. Despite two boundaries by Robin Uthappa in the last two deliveries, the asking rate had climbed back to 17.00/over.

At this time, Rahul Tewatia had scored just 17 off 23. A slow one a la Bob Dylan.

Over number 18. Tewatia clobbers Sheldon Cottrell for 30 inclusive of five sixers! The “slow one” had gotten “fast”. The asking rate was now a highly manageable 10.53/over. The Rajasthan Royals made it with three balls to spare, Tewatia finishing with 53 off 31.

The “how” of it is of course a question that lends itself to multiple answers. Maybe they were “slowly” getting a measure of the bowlers and the wicket. Maybe they were pinned down by good bowling one over and allowed to vent by wayward stuff in the next. Maybe Samson (and later Tewatia) went mad or, put another way, Maxwell (and later Cottrell) lost their minds.

Whatever it is, this much can be said: Tewatia and Samson put up quite a show. Not one that deserves the tag “one for the ages”, for these kinds of fireworks can be seen at least a couple of times in any IPL tournament.

What’s important, perhaps, is the “it is possible” element in all this. The “never give up”, and, as far as the other side is concerned, “never be complacent”, viz the old adage “it’s never over until it is over”.

At some level there has to be self-belief. At some level there has to be something in the team at the receiving end that makes it possible to stem the tide. There are resources that players themselves are unaware they are endowed with. Until they “go mad”.

Crazy. Crazy cricket. Crazy sports. Unbelievable. For all the downs of commercialisation, the sourness of performance-enhancing drugs, and match-fixing, we have the occasional Samson and Tewatia. We feel good. As spectators. For aspiring cricketers and indeed aspiring sportsmen and sportswomen, there’s a lesson here.

It’s a single-word lesson. Possible.(The writer can be reached at

malindasenevi@gmail.com. www.malindawords.blogspot.com)

INTERCEPTIONby Malinda Seneviratne

‘Possible’: The single-word lesson

Sanju Samson during his amazing match-winning knock for Rajasthan Royals in the ninth match of the current IPL, played against Kings XI Punjab

BY REVATHA S. SILVA

The newly appointed five-member National Sports Selection Committee (NSSC) will have a monumental task. The all-important sports selections in the country, with regard to both the selection panels of the respective sports associations as well as the sports squads and teams, are left to the NSSC that Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa appointed on Friday (2). Will it hamper the already existing system of national sports selection? So asked some of the persons whom The Morning Sports talked to yesterday (5).

The new NSSC is headed by Army Commander, Chief of Defence Staff, National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak Head, and National Sports Council member Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.

Its other members are National Olympic Committee (NOC) President Suresh Subramaniam; NOC General Secretary Maxwell de Silva; former Sri Lanka tennis champion

and Davis Cup stalwart Arjun Fernando; and former rugby stalwart/former State Intelligence Service Acting Director, Deputy Inspector General of Police (IGP) Hafeez Marso.

Extraordinary Gazette of 23 September

The new NSSC has central powers with regard to national sports selection as mentioned

in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2194/54 issued on 23 September.

Such powers include making recommendations in respect of appointing the selection committees of all national sports associations/federations, making recommendations on the particulars about dates, venues, and selection criteria of the selection trials to the athletes, and approving selection criteria of all national sports associations/federations.

The NSSC is vested with the power to conduct inquiries and investigations and to make recommendations with reference to all appeals or complaints received by the national selection committee at the end of the selection trials of all national sports associations.

Other powers vested with NSSC Also, a database on the details of the athletes

of all national pools should be prepared, updated, and maintained by the NSSC. In that regard, the above Gazette says the particulars of the talents and biodata of all athletes in the pools of national sports associations should be referred to the NSSC. Information on the inclusion/removal of athletes after naming the national pools should be provided to the NSSC.

The above Gazette also adds that nomination should not be given for any international tournament prior to obtaining the approval of the NSSC and an appropriate method should be followed in recommending coaches, managers, trainers, and masseurs for such international tournaments, and the NSSC’s agreement should be obtained thereto.

Unrealistically long process In addition to the above, the Sports Minster

earlier explained that all national sports selection should have the final ratification of his National Sports Council (NSC), appointed on 20 August

and headed by Mahela Jayawardene.Now sports associations/federations will have

to send the names of their selection committees much earlier for ministry approval because it has to go through the NSSC and then the NSC. They might have to send in the names at least a month earlier to get the final ratification. Will that be practical in sports like cricket and athletics? Within weeks, situations change in sports, so the selections will have to adapt to those changes in situations rapidly.

“I don’t think it is practical in cricket. The selectors might have to send the names of the final squad about one month before a series. It won’t be practical,” one of the former cricket selectors who is privy to the ongoing changes told us yesterday.

Lack of any cricketing repThe workload for the NSSC will be so

heavy that such busy professionals like the Army Commander will have their work cut out. Item 6 (1) of the 23 September Gazette (“a database on the details of the athletes of all national pools should be prepared, updated, and maintained by the National Sport Selection Committee”) alone is a complex task for which the NSSC will have to do a lot of delegation.

“The three out of five gentlemen of the NSSC are from a tennis background. What we have in Sri Lanka is more a strong cricket and athletics culture. Therefore, how they are taking quick decisions on both those key sports will be an interesting prospect. You cannot have reps from all sports there (in the NSSC) but someone who knew cricket would have been a must,” another sports veteran said.

Selection perplexity imminent!z Can the new sports selection procedure work smoothly?

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa (left) and Arjun Fernando (right) look on as Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva elaborates a point at the meeting where the National Sports Selection Committee was appointed by the new Minister on Friday (2) in Colombo

LOCALTHE REVISED SEMI-FINAL SCHEDULE OF SRI LANKA CRICKET (SLC)-ORGANISED MAJOR CLUB YOUTH (UNDER-23) TOURNAMENT ISSUED YESTERDAY (5):Wednesday, 7 October – Badureliya CC (Group A winner) vs. SSC (Group D winner) at CCC Grounds

Wednesday, 7 October – Lankan CC (Group B winner) vs. Colts CC (Group C winner) at NCC Grounds Final: Sunday, 11 October at SSC

Hatton National Bank (HNB) “A” emerged Mercantile Knockout Hockey Champions 2020 beating Sampath Bank in the final, on 3 October at the Astroturf, Colombo. HNB and Sampath, studded with ex Sri Lanka players, displayed a fantastic game of hockey, witnessed by a large number of spectators, including officials of the Mercantile Hockey Association.

INTERNATIONALTransfer Deadline Day for summer was yesterday (5) as clubs around Europe scrambled to get their final bits of business done. The window closed at 11 p.m. local time

for Premier League clubs, although deals with European Football League (EFL) clubs will be permitted until 16 October. The Bundesliga window closed at 5 p.m., Serie A at 7 p.m., and Ligue 1 and La Liga at 11 p.m.

In Brief

Sampath Bank became runner-up at the Mercantile Hockey K/O

HNB “A”, which won the 2020 Mercantile Hockey K/O on Saturday (3) in Colombo

the morningTuesday , October 06, 2020

6

education

In 2017, Sysco LABS partnered with the Educate Lanka Foundation (ELF) to launch a mentorship programme that serves as a blueprint for structuring career guidance for young people in Sri Lanka. Through the ELF and skills development programme, three mentors from Sysco LABS were matched with young mentees chosen by ELF, and the results stand testament to the importance of a structured programme to guide promising youth in Sri Lanka.

Take Supun Muthutantrige and his mentee Solomon Jayasena, for example. Supun is a Senior Software Engineer at Sysco LABS while Solomon was a student. Over a period of 10 months and with the help of a structured programme developed by ELM, Supun guided his mentee to become a successful entrepreneur. As a result, Solomon started his own business and has secured key clients from the US.

He says it was a turning point in his life. “ELF introduced me to a great mentor and programme. It has been so impactful that I try to share my story by visiting as many schools with less privileged students as I can, encouraging them to find mentors of their own.”

For his part, Supun says he has a lot of confidence in Solomon. “The Educate Lanka mentoring programme allowed me

to work with some of the brightest minds in university. I strongly believe that Solomon will become a very successful entrepreneur in the future.”

They are just two of the participants in the mentorship and skills development programme developed by ELF and Sysco LABS. This unique social-private partnership model is aimed at supporting the incoming generation of professionals beyond financial intervention. The programme aims to further empower these students by pairing them with professionals in their chosen industries and taking them through a 10-unit course to develop their personal and professional skills.

Appreciating the efforts of ELF and its programme structure, Sampath Ganegala’s mentor Stefhan Sebastian said: “The ELM programme speaks to the depth and care with which ELF is run. The programme was very rewarding for me personally. It provided an opportunity for me to examine my life in a structured way and to then pass on as much as I could to someone else. It covered areas of knowledge in personal and professional development that is currently unavailable in our national education system. I would highly recommend this programme to anyone considering being a mentee or a mentor.”

Pubudu Dodangoda, who mentored Dulip

Chandana, echoed similar sentiments, saying: “The programme provided the resources and guidelines necessary whilst also giving us the flexibility to bring our own experiences to the mentoring sessions in order to make the interactions more genuine, authentic, and interesting.”

Speaking on the partnership with Sysco LABS and the success of these

three mentors, ELF Founding Executive Director Manjula Dissanayake said: “Our partnership with Sysco LABS has been an ideal example of how social-private partnerships can advance a country’s development by producing educated citizens and economic actors who embrace their role and responsibility to each other as well as the larger society as global citizens. We look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership with Sysco LABS while joining with other likeminded corporate partners as we strive to unearth Sri Lanka’s fullest potential.”

ELF is a global peer-to-peer micro-scholarship programme which matches sponsors with socioeconomically disadvantaged youths in Sri Lanka, enabling them to complete their higher education. Initially established to prevent student dropouts, ELF empowers disadvantaged youth by increasing access to education, mentorship, and employment opportunities and providing them with essential tools and skills. To date, it has sponsored over 4,500 years of education of 1,200 students through nearly Rs. 70 million in micro-scholarships, of which over 500 have completed their higher education and gained employment.

To learn more about the programme and the association behind it, contact ELF Sri Lanka Country Director Dhanu Amarasinghe at dhanu@educatelanka.org or ELF Mentorship Programme Manager Seevali Ratnakara at seevali@educatelanka.org.

Sysco LABS, Educate Lanka announce successful partnership on mentoring programme

Supun Muthutantrige with his mentee Solomon Jayasena

Pubudu Dodangoda with his mentee Dulip Chandana

Stefhan Sebastian with his mentee Sampath Ganegala

The annual convocation ceremony of CINEC Campus was held on a grand scale in two sessions at the Main Conference Hall of BMICH on 15 September, with the participation of over 1,800 individuals.

A record number of 600 graduates received their postgraduate and undergraduate degrees as well as advanced diplomas and diplomas in the fields of Maritime Science, Maritime Engineering, Marine Electrical Engineering, Engineering and Technology, IT, Management and Social Sciences, Logistics and Transport, Aviation, and English Language and Teaching courses conducted at CINEC Campus in Malabe and Metro Campus in Nugegoda.

Secretary to the Ministry of Education Prof. Kapila Perera graced the occasion as the special Guest of Honour. CINEC Campus Chairman/President Capt. Ajith Peiris conferred degrees and higher diplomas, whilst chancellor, vice chancellors, and presidents from affiliated universities from the UK and China joined the ceremony online. Special awards for outstanding students were given away by Prof. Perera and special invitees.

In accomplishing its noble educational service to the nation, CINEC has partnered with prestigious and recognised institutions such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Port and Shipping, the Civil Aviation Authority, the University of Wolverhampton (UK), Dalian Maritime University (China), the University of Bedfordshire (UK), the University of Solent (UK), Pearson Qualification International (UK), and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) in conducting their training course curricula, employing highly qualified and experienced academic staff from Sri Lanka.

This unpreceded achievement is attributed to the vision of CINEC and its leadership to provide the best knowledge, professionalism, and competence to its students in laying a solid foundation to their chosen field. Maintaining 100% employability is a clear reflection of the work-ready graduates who step out from CINEC.

The distinguished participants to recognise CINEC included Merchant Shipping Director General Ajith Senaviratne, Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman Gen. Daya Ratnayake, Ceylon Shipping Corporation Chairman W.S. Weeraman, Colombo Dockyard PLC CEO D.V. Abeysinghe, Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka CEO Eng. Neil Abeysekara, CILT Sri Lanka President Channaka De

Alwis, Ministry of Higher Education Director of Interest Free Loan Scheme Division and Acting Director of Non-State Higher Education Division Chandima Janaki, and Pearson Qualifications International Regional Director of Asia Premila Paulraj, along with the senior management of the Ceyline Group.

Prof. Perera, addressing the audience, referred to the CINEC song, its vision, and values and stressed how well CINEC has coined wisdom to society for over 30 years with diversity and uniqueness, sailing through the storm and marching with wind to reach the skies with competence – a philosophy true to all walks of life.

Capt. Peiris, who has given visionary leadership to CINEC since its inception, welcoming the invitees, hailed both academic and support staff of CINEC in moulding and guiding the graduands to reach their goals. He also thanked the parents with gratitude for the confidence placed on CINEC. He did not fail to pay tribute to all those who have played a part in the 30 years of CINEC’s long journey, and emphasised to the students to make use of the opportunities provided at CINEC to derive best benefits of both academic and soft skills to become leaders of the future.

Also gracing the occasion from CINEC were Co-Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake; Joint Managing Director Nilanthi Sivapragasam; Senior Consultant Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe; Consultant – Academic Affairs and Research Prof. Veranja Karunarathne; Assistant Vice President – Finance, Planning, Projects, and Administration Tharanga Gamage; Assistant Vice President – International Co-operation, Foreign Projects, and Local Branches Capt. Peshala Medagama, Consultant Ranjana Punchihewa, Dean of the Faculty of Marine Engineering Charith Senavirathne, Dean of the Faculty of Maritime Sciences Capt. Krishan Perera, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology Dr. Janaka Liyanagama, Dean of the Faculty of Management and Social Sciences Prof. Lalith Edirisinghe, Dean of the Faculty of Health Science Prof. Menik Hettihewa, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology/ Head of CINEC Metro Campus Chandima De Silva, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education Lasantha Basnayake, Registrar Duminda Gunasekara, Head of the Department of Marine Electrical Engineering Ranjith Goonawardena, Head of the Department of Aviation Cdr. V.C. Munindradasa, and all other staff members.

CINEC Campus holds 2020 convocation for 600 graduates

BY MARUTHAI RAVINDHIRAN

Our children are the greatest assets we could possess during our lifetime, but they face many challenges in this ever-changing world. So I am glad to pen down my thoughts and advice to equip them to meet life’s challenges successfully and seize opportunities that may arise from those challenges. The prerequisite to be a successful, dynamic, effective, and efficient leader is to be courageous and an excellent communicator. If you can communicate well, you can lead.

A “LEADER” has to lead by examples of enthustiastic, achiever, decisive, encouraging team members, and ready to learn and teach. In order to carry out these functions, he or she needs to be an effective communicator. A leader has to be bold, charismatic, self-confident, caring and sharing, empathetic, transparent in dealings, considerate to his or her fellow members, a team player, and has to manage time wisely. Some are born leaders and others are made as leaders.

A leader should focus on success and view failure as unfinished success, and must implement contingency plans and succeed in his or her endeavours. Should success follow the endeavours, it has to be considered as a “win”, and if not, it has to be considered as a “gain”. In other words, the latter should be taken as a lesson learnt and experience gained for future success.

Your motto in life has to be “be prepared, and think and act now”. Your policy in life is to have a “growth mindset”. You should always focus on “continuous improvement and self-development”. You have to follow the cardinal rules during your childhood: Responsibility, respect, and obedience, which are considered as the triangle of student duties. Your prime objective has to be learning and growing. After all, the great Tamil poet and philosopher Auvvaiyar has adviced us to “be focused on learning even at the 100th year”.

Time management is both vital and detrimental for your success and future. Never say you do not have sufficient time. Let me prove that you have sufficient time. We may expect that on an average one could live up to a minimum of 70-75 years. If you are 15 years old, then you have 1,892,160,000 seconds of time ahead of you (75-15 = 60 years × 365 days × 24 hours × 60 minutes × 60 seconds).

Now tell me, do you have sufficient time or not? My other question is: What are you going to do during that time period? Well, I strongly recommend you to have a “vision

and mission statement” for your life.Your parents, elders, principals, mentors,

and teachers could guide you to build such a statement. Ask yourself the following questions right now: Where am I in life now? Where do I want to go in life? How do I get there? What time period should I take to reach that particular position? What resources do I need? Who could help me? What are the contingency plans? What will I do after reaching that desired position? You should have a vibrant plan coupled with goals and objectives. Most importantly, planning is vital for your success, because, as the saying goes, “plans are nothing and planning is everything”.

In marching towards victory as a leader, you need to have implicit faith in you, your god, and your destiny. Always love our Almighty God for who he is and not for what he can do. Do not pray for power, possessions, authority, and wealth – rather, pray for wisdom, tranquility, and peace. At home, make it a habit to pray with your family members. It is also important to love thyself, family, friends, neighbours, relatives, community, society, and country.

You may have to face the problems such as stress, anxiety, and depression. You will have to overcome your limitations and failures. Thus, stress too has to be overcome. People today talk about managing stress; there are numerous lectures, seminars, and workshops conducted on stress management. Stress is not that bad for you; rather, it will propel you to act. However, too much of it is not good for your mind and body.

In my humble opinion, you need to endeavour to successfully overcome stress and not merely manage it. Do not worry if you are too tall, too short, too fat, too thin, and white or black in complexion. None of that is needed to be a leader. Always “feel good” about your body, mind, and spirit. For instance, if you take the animal kingdom, the cheetah is the fastest, blue whale is the heaviest, chimpanzee is the smartest, owl is the wisest, peacock is the prettiest, giraffe is the tallest, and elephant is the most majestic, but none of them is the king of the animal kingdom. The lion, which does not have any of these qualities, is considered the king.

So focus not on what you do not possess, but on your abilities and capabilities. Then you too could become a leader. For this, seek the support of your mentor to be guided and advised during tough times. Changes are inevitable in your life. Do not resist change. Accept changes and embrace it. If you do not see any changes,

then create the changes, because change is not equivalent to pain – in fact, change is equivalent to growth and prosperity. In order to be the No. 1, you need to be creative and innovative. As a leader, you should create, implement, evaluate, and manage changes.

During my seminars, I used to ask my students the question of their ambitions in life. Some want to be doctors, engineers, managers, IT specialists, a few want to be space travellers, most of them want to be teachers, and the list goes on. But none of them want to be the happiest or most joyful person throughout their life. Happiness and joyfulness are not the same. Happiness is transient, which comes from getting tangible things externally, such as having a hearty meal. You will be generally tempted to have more and more, and by doing so, you may end up with stomach ailments and the happiness eludes you.

Joy is an internal affair, such as getting good marks and rewards, being appreciated for your efforts, kind words and deeds, and having a good understanding and relationship with your elders, teachers, parents, etc. Doing charity work and social work, helping others, reading books, gardening, engaging in sports, listening to music, and praying and spending quality time with your family and friendsalso bring joy. So focus on being joyful and be contented with what you have.

I hope I have opened your eyes to meaningful and vibrant living. By following the above, you will not only be benefitted, but you will also have a productive and prosperous life.

You are the future of our motherland and the leaders who are born to do yeomen service to our nation as well as this universe. Finally, let me wish all children in our motherland and all over the world a Happy Children’s Day! I also kindly request the next generation to bring glory to your family, school, and motherland and make your parents, principals, teachers, elders, mentors, siblings, relatives, and friends delighted and proud of you for your achievements and continuous growth.

May Almighty God bless you, your families, and work!

(The writer is a professional marketer, a specialist in professional communication

skills and positive thinking, an inspirational lecturer, and life education

and life management coach. As a service to the community, he is available for coaching

and counselling the needy children at schools, upon request)

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S DAY

Become a dynamic leaderz Children are the treasure trove of our nation