MP exposes bid to sell 25

acres of Hanthana land

at Rs 33 a perch
By Saman IndrajIth

SJB Colombo District

Parliamentarian S. M.
Marikkar yesterday
demanded to know on
what grounds the govern-
ment would justify sell-
Vol. 42 No. 173 Wednesday 7th June 2023, 12 pages Rs. 70 Registered in Sri Lanka as a Newspaper ing a 25-acre
Marikkar

SC: Certain sections of Anti-Corruption Bill

inconsistent with Constitution
By Saman IndrajIth

Speaker Mahinda Yapa
Abeywardana informed
Parliament yesterday that the
Supreme Court had deter-
mined that certain sections of
the Anti-Corruption Bill were
inconsistent with the
Constitution.
At the commencement of
business of the House, the
Speaker announced that he
had received the
Supreme Court
Determination of the Supreme
Court in respect of the Bill,
titled “ANTI–CORRUPTION,”
which was challenged in the
Supreme Court in terms of
Article 121(1) of the
Constitution.
The determination of the
Supreme Court on the consti-
tutionality of the Bill, titled
“ANTI–CORRUPTION,” is as
follows: Clauses 1, 2(1)(f), 2(2),
3(2), 4(1)(a), 4(1)(b), 4(3), 17(1),
21, 31(2), 163(2)(h), 40, 48(3),
49(1)(f), 50(1)(a), 53(1), 62(1), 65,
67(5), 71(6) & (8), 80, 93, 99, 101,
112, 149 and 162 of the Bill are
inconsistent with the
Constitution.
However, these inconsisten-
cies will cease if the amend-
ments as set out in the
Determination of
The Navy has deployed boats in the Kalutara District to
the Supreme Court
assist people affected by flash floods caused by heavy
rains. The Navy transporting a group of schoolchildren

March 12 Movement, MP Rajakaruna

affected by floods. (Pic courtesy Navy Media)

CA judgment in case against State

ask Prez to sack gold-smuggling MP

Minister Gamage postponed
The Court of Appeal yes-
terday (06) said that it would
deliver, on 25 July, its judg-
ment on a writ petition filed
By ShamIndra FerdInando seeking an order declaring

PSC appointed to probe D

eclaring that Muslim State Tourism Minister
National Alliance Diana Gamage is not quali-
(MNA) MP Ali Sabri fied to be a Member of

New Diamond and Raheem couldn’t continue

X-Press Pearl disasters
By Saman IndrajIth
Speaker Mahinda Yapa
yesterday announced in the
House changes to be effected
to the composition of several
parliamentary com-
mittees with immedi-
ate effect.
The Speaker said
that the following
MPs under the
to be an MP after being
fined for an abortive
attempt to smuggle in Rs
78.2 mn worth of gold and
Gamage, Prof. G. L. Peiris, smartphones, the March 12
Rauff Hakeem, Vijitha Movement has appealed to
Herath, Sarath Weerasekera,
the executive, legislature
Niroshan Perera, Ajith
and the judiciary to sack
Mannapperuma, Nimal
the MP, who, they say, has
Lanza, Thushara Indunil
brought Parliament into dis-
Amarasena, Dr.
Kavinda Heshan repute.
Jayawardena, Akila Civil society activist Rohana
Hettiarachchi, on behalf of the
Ellawala, Nalaka
Bandara Kottegoda, March 12 Movement, told The Island
and Madhura that MP Raheem should be dealt
Parliament on the basis of
her being a British citizen.
Diana Gamage
The judgment was to be
delivered yesterday.
The Court of Appeal's
Social activist Oshala
Herath filed the petition
two-judge-bench, compris- seeking an order in the
ing its President Justice nature of a Writ of Quo
Nissanka Bandula Warranto, claiming that
Karunaratne and Justice Diana Gamage was not
M.A.R. Marikkar, put off qualified to be a Member of
Rohana Hettiarachchi Harshana Rajakaruna
the judgment. Parliament.
Parliament for failing to take tangi-
ble measures in that regard. The All
Andra Pradesh police foil bid to smuggle
Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC),
which fielded Raheem from the

240 kg of cannabis to Sri Lanka

Chairmanship of Dr.
Ramesh Pathirana
had been appointed
to serve on the
“Select Committee of
Mahinda Yapa
Parliament to investi-
gate into and to make
suitable recommendations
relating to the disasters
caused by New Diamond and
X-Press Pearl vessels in the
Maritime Zone of Sri Lanka”:
Dr. Suren Raghavan, Diana
Withanage.
The Speaker also
said that the follow-
ing Members had
also been nominated
by the Committee of
Selection to serve on
each Sectoral Oversight
Committee, in terms of the
provisions of Standing Order
111 of the Parliament and the
motion agreed to
by Parliament on
with the way the late President J.R.
Jayewardene had handled the case of mentary election (2020), couldn’t
Kandy District UNP MP Anura
Daniel. Jayewardene had removed
MP Daniel, who was nabbed for a
similar smuggling offence,
Hettiarachchi said, urging President
Ranil Wickremesinghe to take the
initiative.
Pointing out that Customs had
fined MP Raheem Rs 7.4 mn over two Executive Director of PAFFREL
weeks back, Hettiarachchi found
fault with the President and
Puttalam District at the last parlia-
absolve itself of the responsibility
for the MP’s despicable action,
Hettiarachchi said.
Vanni District MP Rishad
Bathiudeen, who entered Parliament
on the SJB ticket, is the leader of
ACMC.
Hettiarachchi, who is also the
(People’s Action for Free and Fair
Elections), said that
Andhra Pradesh police
have arrested eight persons
from Tamil Nadu for planning
to smuggle 240 kg of cannabis
to Sri Lanka. They were
arrested at Sullurupeta in the
Tirupati district of Andhra
Pradesh, Indian media report-
ed
"All the accused are identi-
fied as persons belonging to
the state of Tamil Nadu. The
cannabis was seized during
vehicle checks at Sullurpet
while it was being illegally
transported from Anakapalli
to Sri Lanka," ANI quoted
Tirupati Superintendent of
Police (SP) Parameshwar
Reddy as having said.
A truck, car, and five cell
phones were also taken into
custody from the suspects. The
cannabis was found placed
beneath the vegeta-
bles in the truck,

Ukraine calls for urgent UN Security Controversy over top cop’s

= SDIG Ajith Rohana is opposing his
transfer, which he calls unfair.
= Karmic forces at work. Didn’t he,
as Police Spokesman, try to justify
the unjustifiable?
Council meeting over dam blast
Moscow points finger at Ukraine
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has
called for “an urgent meeting” at
the United Nations Security
Council to discuss, what it called,
a “Russian terrorist attack” on the
Kakhovka dam in southern
Ukraine, foreign news agencies
reported.
In a statement, the Ministry
also told the UN’s International
Atomic Agency’s board of gover-
transfer: SDIG awaits
conclusion of inquiry
nors to discuss the dam blast and by Ukraine. Transfer of Senior after SDIG Rohana
demanded new international sanc- Peskov added that Russian DIG, Southern refused to accept a
tions on Russia, and, in particular, President Vladimir Putin had been Province Ajith Rohana transfer as directed
the Russian missile industry and briefed on the situation and said to the Eastern by Police
nuclear sector. that “Russia strongly denies alle- province has been sus- Headquarters.
News agencies quoted Kremlin gations of involvement in the pended pending an Well-informed
spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as attack.”
having said that the destruction of Peskov also said that Kyiv car-
inquiry by SLAS sources said that the
Officer Rohana former Police
the Nova Kakhovka dam, in the ried out the attack since it did not Rajapaksa. The Spokesman had been
Russian-controlled Kherson achieve its “counteroffensive National Police transferred to Police
region, was “deliberate” sabotage goals.” Commission has
called for an inquiry Ajith Rohana
 2 Wednesday 7th June, 2023 The Island News
Ukraine...
FAO to support Health Ministry
Frpm page 1
“One of the goals of Ukraine’s sabo-
tage at the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric
power station is to deprive Crimea of
water,” he said and added that “Russia
has already taken action before the
to enhance food safety policy
through EU-funded project
canal was put into operation, so there is
a degree of safety.”
Top officials from different countries
are reacting to the destruction of the
Nova Kakhovka dam in the Russian-con- The Food and Agriculture
trolled Kherson province of southern Organization of the United Nations
Ukraine. (FAO) through the European Union
The United Kingdom’s Foreign (EU)-funded BESPA-FOOD (Best
Minister, James Cleverly, called the Standardized Practices for the Agri-
destruction of the dam “an abhorrent Food Sector) project will support the
act” in a statement on Twitter. He added government to establish a well-coordi-
that “intentionally attacking exclusively On the request of Charter President/Club President Lion Ayesh De Silva, Lions Club of Colombo nated food safety system in the coun-
civilian infrastructure is a war crime.” Ceylon Excellence Honorary Member Lion Prof. Kshanika Hirimburegama, Deputy Treasurer Lion try. Through the 6.5 million Euro proj-
The President of the European Victoria Jayasinghe, Director Lion Roshan Raja financially sponsored and donated Rs. 350,000 worth ect, FAO will work closely with the
Council, Charles Michel, expressed a essential medical equipment to Cardiology Unit of National Hospital of Colombo on 30th May 2023 at Ministry of Health to implement insti-
similar sentiment and said he was the Hospital Director General's office. The Director General of National Hospital, Lions Vice Presidents tutional revisions in the country’s food
shocked by the incident. In a tweet, he Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe, Dr. Nayomi Welagedara, Director Lion Keshan Dhanuddara, Deputy safety policy and regulatory frame-
also said that Russia and its “proxies” Secretary Lion Kamal Abeysinghe were present. work towards adopting preventive,
will be held “accountable.” risk-based measures across the supply
chain. tion. At FAO, we remain committed to
March 12... Frpm page 1 The current food safety regulatory working closely with our partners to
MP exposes... Frpm page 1 the government conveniently forgot to tion.
policies in Sri Lanka focuses largely achieve a food-secure and safe Sri
Lanka,” FAO Representative for Sri
on end-product checks and regula-
land in the Hanthana mountain investigate whether MP Raheem smug- Recalling how MP Raheem voted for Lanka and the Maldives Vimlendra
tions. Governed by a regulatory frame-
range in Kandy at the rate of Rs 33 a gled in gold, smartphones or any other the 21 Amendment to the Constitution in Sharan said.
work established in 1980, the chal-
perch. items on earlier occasions, since he October 2020, MP Rajakaruna said that BESPA-FOOD, which is jointly
Addressing the House, the MP said entered Parliament. Since 01 March this the MP also voted for Ranil lenges facing Sri Lanka’s food safety
sector include weak regulatory and implemented by FAO and UNIDO, and
that he had information about an year MP Raheem had gone abroad (to Wickremesinghe at the House vote to elect funded by the EU, recognizes that cur-
attempt to sell 25 acres of land in Dubai) on five occasions before he was an MP to complete the remainder of oust- institutional frameworks that have led
to vulnerabilities in supply chains, rent levels of poor food safety stan-
Hanthana Mountain to a private compa- caught, Hettiarachchi said, finding fault ed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five-
and infrastructure as well as an dards not only impacts public health
ny. with Parliament for not going the whole year term.
approach that does not consider every but also hampers Sri Lanka’s potential
The commercial value of the land hog. MP Raheem voting with the
aspect of the food supply chain from in international trade, particularly
was Rs 17,600 million, the MP said, There should have been no holds Opposition on the motion to remove
adding that agreements to sell this land barred investigation, Hettiarachchi point- Janaka Ratnayake as the Chairman of the farm-to-table. when trading with regions where mar-
had been signed in July 2020 and he had ed out and said Customs owed an explana- Public Utilities Commission hadn’t To respond to these gaps, FAO will kets are highly regulated.
in his possession all the documents per- tion why a maximum fine was not changed the relationship between the two also work with the Ministries related Strengthening the food safety sector
taining to the deal. imposed on the gold smuggling MP. parties (the government and the MNA), to agriculture, livestock development, will not only alleviate the high cost of
Asking the government to inform Instead, the MP was fined Rs 7.4 mn and MP Rajakaruna said. According to him, and fisheries sectors, as well as other healthcare services but also create a
Parliament who the persons behind this allowed to proceed to Parliament where those responsible turned a blind eye to agri and food sector stakeholders resilient and competitive food industry
deal, the MP said another plot of 10 acres he voted against a government motion. the incident. including private enterprises, SMEs, in both domestic and international
of land had been earmarked for sale. Hettiarachchi said that the Customs Civil society member Hettiarachchi and consumers to achieve a complete markets, and combat the issue of food
Marikkar said that a 25-acre plot of response to the detection should be exam- said that they sought information relat- loss and waste, thereby contributing to
transformation of food safety stan-
land belonging to the Land Reform ined taking into consideration Customs ing to MP Raheem’s case from Customs in overall food security in the country.
dards in the country via institutional
Commission at Imbulwadiya in Katana (Amendment) Act (No 83 of 1988). terms of the RTI (Right to Information) A recent study by UNIDO revealed
as well as attitudinal shifts.
was now being alienated and among the Responding to another query, Act as the crux of the matter is the impo- that an improvement in food safety
beneficiaries were some ministers. Hettiarachchi said that in spite of leaders sition of a lower fine regardless of the “Food safety requires a collabora-
tive effort. That is why in Sri Lanka practices in Sri Lanka through a 30
of several political parties requesting the provision to declare harshest fine in million USD investment and an annual
we work together with the United
SC: Certain... Frpm page 1
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena to terms of Customs law. net budgetary commitment of 9 mil-
take up this issue, the Speaker seemed to Hettiarachchi raised the possibility of Nations Industrial Development
Organization (UNIDO), FAO and local lion could prevent at least 113 deaths
be determined not to get involved. the government interfering with MP
are made to the Bill. partners to promote a transition to a annually and significantly boost annu-
SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna yester- Raheem’s case as there couldn’t be any
In addition to the said amendments, sustainable and fair food system that al export values, projected to increase
day told The Island that though ACMC other reason for Customs to impose a rel-
the Supreme Court has held that the by 24% over a decade.
nominee Raheem entered Parliament on atively lower fine. can provide sufficient and safe food for
learned Additional Solicitor General has On this World Food Safety Day, the
the MNA ticket, only President Ranil MP Raheem is on record as having all,” Chargé d'affaires, Delegation of
informed the Court that amendments to EU, UNIDO and FAO reaffirms com-
Wickremesinghe could compel the offend- claimed that Customs fined him Rs 7.4 mn the European Union in Sri Lanka Lars
Clauses 8(3), 136, 141, 142, and 156 of the mitment to enhancing food safety in
ing MP to quit Parliament. “That is the whereas a close associate of him who Bredal said.
Bill as set out in the Determination will Sri Lanka through the BESPA-FOOD
reality,” the Gampaha District MP said, smuggled the undisclosed gold and smart- “Ensuring safe food for all Sri
be made to address several concerns project. This collaborative effort aims
pointing out that MP Raheem served the phones was fined just Rs 100,000. Lankans is not only a public health
raised by the Petitioners. to create a safer, more resilient, and
Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa administra- priority but also an economic necessi-
ty. We must continue to strengthen our economically vibrant food sector,
Sale under section 9 of the Recovery of Loans by Banks (Special Provi-
sions) Act No. 4 of 1990
AUCTION SALE BY DFCC BANK PLC
NOTICE
NOTICE is here given in terms of section 9 of the Companies Act,
capacity for food safety, invest in
research and innovation, and priori-
ensuring the well-being and sustain-
able development of the country and
tize consumer awareness and educa- its people.
By Virtue of Authority Granted to Me By The Board Of Directors Of DFCC Bank No. Of 2007.
PLC To Sell By Public Auction The Property Mortgaged to DFCC Bank PLC
( Successor To DFCC Vardana Bank PLC ) By Bond Nos. 3298 dated 28th Name : MY FIRST VOTE
March 2019, No. 3034 dated 22nd March 2017, 3032 dated 22nd March 2017
Date : 02.06.2023
and 3152 dated 09th March 2018 all attested by E. M. S. De Saram, Notary
Public all in favor of DFCC Bank PLC (Successor To DFCC Vardana Bank PLC Registered Address : 466/1A3, WELIPARA, PSC... Frpm page 1
) for the facilities granted to KARUNARATHNALAGE JANAKA JITHENDRA THALAWATHUGODA,
KARUNARATHNE of Narammala as the Obligor. 21st November 2022: Kokila by Parliament on 10th February 2023.
postcode: 10116 Gunawardene has been appointed for the Milan Jayathilake had been nominat-
I SHALL SELL BY PUBLIC AUCTION THE PROPERTY DE- Objectives :
SCRIBED HERETO Sectoral Oversight Committee on ed by the Committee of Selection to serve
st
i. Promoting good governance and transparent, responsible, Religious Affairs and Co-Existence, in the Committee on Banking and
1 Sale -
accountable, and participatory governance and also respect for Marjan Faleel for the Sectoral Oversight Financial Services, in terms of the pro-
ON 25TH JULY 2023 AT 10.00 AM AT THE SPOT
human dignity, the rule of law, functions in other government Committee on Reconciliation and visions of Standing Order 122 of the
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY
institutions. National Unity, Johnston Fernando for Parliament and the motion agreed to by
VALUABLE PROPERTY NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE IN THE DISTRICT
OF KURUNEGALA WITHIN THE MAWATHAGAMA DIVISIONAL SECRETARI- ii. Promoting youth for their responsibility in participating, voting, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Parliament on Feb 10 2023, the speaker
AT DIVISION AND PRADESHIYA SABHA LIMITS OF MAWATHAGAMA IN THE electing and establishing a good governance in local, regional and National Security, Madhura Withanage said.
GRAMA NILADHARI DIVISION OF PILLESSA IHALAGAMA SITUATED AT PIL- national level and raise awareness among youth about common for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on The Speaker said that notwithstand-
LASSA ALL THAT DIVIDED AND DEFINED PORTION OF LAND MARKED AS values and fundamental rights and contribute to the development of International Relations, Sarath ing the provisions of the Standing Order
LOT 1 IN PLAN NO. 4450 DATED 03.07.2011 MADE BY D. M. P. B. RAMBUK-
the country. Weerasekera for the Sectoral Oversight 118 of the Parliament and the motion
WELLA, LICENSED SURVEYOR OUT OF THE LAND CALLED “ WARATHAN-
NEHENA, DANGAHAMULA HENA, BATHALA WATTE PILLAWA alias WAR- iii. To promote transformative leadership through active and reciprocal Committee on Alleviating the Impact of adopted by Parliament on 10th February
AWATTE HENA ” TOGETHER WITH THE BUILDINGS, TREES, PLANTATIONS participation of youths as members of constituencies and promote the Economic Crisis, A. L. M. Athaullah 2023, the following Members have also
AND EVERYTHING ELSE STANDING THEREON IN EXTENT - 01 ROOD, 39 youth leadership at the local and national levels for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on been nominated by the Committee of
PERCHES iv. To enhance the understanding, contribution of and benefits for rural Energy & Transport, C. B. Rathnayake Selection to serve in the Committee on
Access to Property:- From Mawathagma Bus Stand Proceed Along Kurunegala communities, in particular youth in nation building process as a for the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Ethics and Privileges, as per the motion
Road for about 4.4 km,Then turn left on to Access Gravel Road Which Branches
off Just Passing The Culvert No. 30/5 and travel further about 100 meters to method to further promote the process of transformative leadership Food Security & Agriculture, Jayantha adopted by Parliament on 26th May 2023:
Reach The Subject Property At The End of The Road. Fronting to Same. and citizenship. Ketagoda for the Sectoral Oversight Johnston Fernando, R. M. Ranjith
2nd Sale - v. To contribute to government planning, programming, policy Committee on Environment, Natural Madduma Bandara and Thalatha
ON 25TH JULY 2023 AT 10.30 AM AT THE SPOT development and budget allocation that is based on and responds Resources & Sustainable Development, Athukorala have been nominated to
DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY to the socio-economic situation, needs and rights of rural youth and Gamini Lokuge for the Sectoral serve in the Committee on Ethics and
VALUABLE PROPERTY NORTH WESTERN PROVINCE IN THE DISTRICT bring together young people and decision makers at local, regional, Oversight Committee on Foreign Privileges.
OF KURUNEGALA WITHIN THE MAWATHAGAMA DIVISIONAL SECRETARI- and national level. Employment & Labour, Muditha
AT DIVISION AND PRADESHIYA SABHA LIMITS OF MAWATHAGAMA IN THE Prishanthi for the Sectoral Oversight
vi. Promote supports activities outside formal education and training
GRAMA NILADHARI DIVISION OF PILLESSA IHALAGAMA SITUATED AT PI-
LASSA ALL THAT DIVIDED AND DEFINED PORTION OF LAND MARKED AS that encourage, foster and facilitate young people’s participation in Committee on Health, S. M. M.
Muszhaaraff for the Sectoral Oversight
Controversy... Frpm page 1
LOT 2 IN PLAN NO. 4450 DATED 03.07.2011 MADE BY D. M. P. B. RAMBUK- democratic life at local, regional, national level and youth-driven
Committee on Children, Women and
WELLA, LICENSED SURVEYOR OUT OF THE LAND CALLED “ WARATHAN- local, national, transnational and international participation projects Headquarters until the conclusion of
NEHENA, DANGAHAMULA HENA, BATHALA WATTE PILLAWA alias WAR- Gender, Thisakutti Arachchi for the
run by informal groups of young people and/or youth organisations the inquiry.
AWATTE HENA ” TOGETHER WITH THE BUILDINGS, TREES, PLANTATIONS Sectoral Oversight Committee on Media, The SDIG was among seven senior
AND EVERYTHING ELSE STANDING THEREON IN EXTENT - 01 ROOD, 04
encouraging youth participation in county’s democratic life.
Youth, Heritage and New Citizen, officers whose transfers were announced
PERCHES vii. Provide young people with opportunities to engage and learn to
Jayantha Weerasinghe for the Sectoral on 25 April.
Access to Property: From Mawathagma Bus Stand Proceed Along Kurunegala participate in civic society, by offering pathways of engagement for Oversight Committee on An Open & In a letter to the then Chairman of
Road for about 4.4 km,Then turn left on to Access Gravel Road Which Branches young people in their daily lives but also in democratic life, aiming Accountable Government . the National Police Commission, retired
off Just Passing The Culvert No. 30/5 and travel further about 75 meters to Reach for a meaningful civic, economic, social and cultural participation of
The Subject Property On The Right Side Fronting to Same. Speaker Abeywardena announced IGP Chandra Fernando, the SDIG
young people from all backgrounds, with special focus on those with that A. L. M. Athaullah had also been requested him not to approve what he
For notice of Resolution refer the Government Gazettes dated 29/10/2020,
27/01/2023 fewer opportunities and develop young people’s digital competences nominated by the Committee of called malicious, unreasonable and
Divaina ,The Island dated and Thinakkural dated 20/10/2020 & 21/12/2022 and media literacy (in particular critical thinking and the ability to Selection to serve in the Committee on unjustifiable transfers by the Public
Mode of payment: The successful purchaser will have to pay the following assess and work with information) with a view to increasing young Parliamentary Business, in terms of the Security Ministry. (SF)
amounts in cash at the fall of the hammer. people’s resilience to 4 disinformation, fake news and propaganda, provisions of the Standing Order 115 of
1. 10% (Ten percent) of the purchased price as well as their capacity to participate in democratic life; the Parliament and the motion agreed to
2.
3.
01% (one percent) out of the sales as Taxes payable to the local Authority
Auctioneer Commission of 2 ½% (two and a Half percent) and taxes on
viii. Promoting and facilitating through working with multiple
stakeholders, like youth’s organizations, governments, and the
OBITUARY
4.
same
Total Costs of advertising incurred on the sale. private sector, to bring more youth into government, train youth Andra Pradesh... REV. Dr. G J CLAREANTON -
5. Clerk & Crier wages Rs. 3000/= leaders, and boost youth’s skills to actively participate in elections as Rest in Peace. Remains
6. Notary fees for attestation of Conditions of sale Rs. 3000/=. candidates and voters. Frpm page 1 will lie at Living Light
The balance 90%of the purchase price together with any other statutory levies, ix. Pre-electoral training of youth candidates in 25 districts. Training said the police. 120 packets of ganja Assembly Church,
duties, taxes or charges whenever applicable and imposed by the Government of focused on the concepts and principles of transformative leadership No.57/5,
Sri Lanka or any other Authority to be payable within 30 days from date of sale. were recovered from the vehicle.
in order to prepare youth for official duties and, if unelected, as Police said the kingpin of this illegal Thimbirigasyaya
For further details contact: Rehabilitation and Recoveries Dept; DFCC
Bank PLC
active citizens within their local communities. trade is one Khader Basha in Sri Lanka Road, Hendala,
No. 73, W.A.D.Ramanayake Mawatha, Colombo 02. x. Conduct a public seminar on youth’s participation and voter and the main actors in India are Ananda (Opposite BOC -
Telephone 011-2371371 education workshops at the village level including train youth Velu, Balakishan and Tirumala. Elakanda Branch).
candidates in campaigning skills along with mobilize a media Cases have been registered against The Funeral service
N. U. JAYASURIYA campaign encouraging youth’s participation and camping for a these people in Andhra Pradesh and starts from 06th June
“Jayasuriya and Jayasuriya Auctioneers (Pvt) Ltd.” minimum per cent quota of youth in local, regional and national Tamil Nadu, police added. 06:00 am to 07th June 03:00
Auctioneer / Court Commissioner level and company does not engage primary & secondary education. Parameshwar Reddy said that steps pm. The Burial will take place at Borella
No. 369/1, Dutugemunu Mawatha, Mawilmada, Kandy. Secretary : Centra Management Consultant (Private) Limited have been taken to arrest Khader Basha General Cemetery at 04:00 pm. Contact:
T.P. / Fax : 081-2210595, Mobile : 077-3067360, 076 - 1375993 SEC/(2)2013/329 with the help of Interpol. Denver (Son) 0775212725.

First Chennai-Sri Lanka cruise vessel MV Empress flagged off
Chennai (NDTV): The maiden
voyage of the international cruise
vessel, sailing between Chennai and
Sri Lanka, "MV Empress" was formal-
ly flagged off by the Union Minister of
Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Sarbananda Sonowal here on Monday.
The occasion also marked the inau-
guration of an international cruise
tourism terminal, set up at a cost of ₹
17.21 crore at the Chennai Port. The
facility spread across 2,880 square
metres would be able to host 3,000 pas-
sengers.
The launch of the cruise service
comes in the backdrop of the memo-
randum of understanding signed
between Chennai Port and Waterways
Leisure Tourism for domestic and
international cruise service at the
Incredible India International Cruise
Conference in 2022.
"With our rich heritage and culture
around our coastal region, the poten-
tial of cruise tourism in India is
Prices reduced on 60 drugs from June 15
By RathindRa KuRuwita
Retail prices of 60 medicines reg-
istered with the National Medicines
Regulatory Authority (NMRA) would
be reduced by 16 percent from June
15, cabinet spokesman
Bandula Gunawardena
told reporters on
Tuesday.
The Cabinet of
ministers had
approved this propos-
al by the Health
Minister, he said.
The NMRA approved a
price increase for medicines in 2022
following the rapid devaluation of the
Sri Lankan rupee.
Gunawardena said the Ministry of
Health had allowed drug companies
Revised National Policy and Strategic Framework
for Prevention and Control of Chronic NCDs ready
The Cabinet of ministers has
approved a proposal to gazette and imple-
ment the revised National Policy and
Strategic Framework for the Prevention
and Control of Chronic Non-communica-
ble Diseases (NCDs), Cabinet Spokesman
Bandula Gunawardena told the post-cabi-
net press conference yesterday.
Gunawardena said that NCDs includ-
ing heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic
respiratory diseases and diabetes were
the major causes of death in Sri Lanka.
Annually, these diseases are responsible
for approximately 120,000 fatalities.
The main contributing factors to
these conditions were tobacco consump-
India fast tracks
construction of sanitation
units in Batticaloa
USD 600 mn grants among USD 5 bn development assistance
I
ndia has launched a grant project to
provide over 1,000 sanitation units/toi-
lets for the people of the Batticaloa
district. The Batticaloa project is among
over 20 grant projects that are at various
stages of implementation.
The Indian High Commission
spokesperson in Colombo said that a
Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting
on construction of sanitation units/toilets
in the Batticaloa District was convened on
Monday (5) under the co-chairmanship of
Deputy High Commissioner Vinod K.
Jacob and Gunadasa Samarasinghe,
Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture.
The meeting was held in hybrid format
with participation of District Secretariat,
Batticaloa and other relevant stakehold-
ers.
The official said: “Construction of san-
itation units in Batticaloa is being under-
taken as a grant project by Government of
SC approves PC Elections (Amendment) Bill subject to deletion of Clause 04 and amendment of Clause 03
Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana
informed the House yesterday
that the Supreme Court had
determined that the Provincial
Councils Elections
(Amendment) Bill could be
The Island News
Cruise vessel being flagged off
to increase the maximum retail price
of medicines up to 97 percent in 2022
in view of the depreciation of the
rupee.
The Sri Lankan rupee had been
appreciating against the US dollar
and other major currencies in
recent months, he
said.
The decision
had been taken to
pass the benefit of
the appreciation of
the Sri Lankan
rupee on to the gen-
eral public,
Gunawardena said.
Sri Lanka relies heavily on the
import of medicines, as about 533
million US dollars were spent on the
import of medical and pharmaceuti-
cal products in 2022.
tion, drinking, obesity, high blood pres-
sure, high blood sugar, and high blood
cholesterol, he said, adding the first
national policy for NCD prevention had
been published in 2009. After evaluating
and reviewing this policy, a revised ver-
sion had been drafted through consulta-
tions with all relevant parties, he said.
The Minister of Health proposed the
publication and implementation of the
revised National Policy and Strategic
Framework for the Prevention and
Control of Chronic Non-communicable
Diseases in Sri Lanka, which has now
been approved by the Cabinet of
Ministers. (RK)
India. The PSC meeting focused on the
revision of modalities for fast-tracking
the construction of over a thousand sani-
tation units in Batticaloa District to
enhance the public health conditions of
the people in the region. This project is a
reflection of India’s continued commit-
ment to carry out human-centric projects
in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.
The official added: “India’s overall
development assistance to Sri Lanka
stands at more than USD 5 billion with
nearly USD 600 million being grants. Close
to 65 grant projects have already been car-
ried out across the 25 districts of the
country. Currently, over 20 grant projects
are at various stages of implementation.
Indian Housing Project and 1990
Suwaseriya ambulance service are among
the flagship grant projects implemented
by India in Sri Lanka.”
passed with amendments. (Amendment)” which was chal-
The Speaker said he had lenged in the Supreme Court in
received the determination of terms of Article 121(1) of the
the Supreme Court in respect of Constitution.
the Bill titled “Provincial Subject to the proposed
Councils Elections amendment to Clause 3 and dele-
Wednesday 7th June, 2023
3
immense. Today, as we launch the new international cruise terminals
maiden cruise service between are likely to be completed and become
Chennai and Sri Lanka, it has ushered operational by 2024. We expect that the
a new chapter in the cruise tourism volume of cruise ships will increase
sector in the country," Sonowal was from 208 in 2023 to 500 in 2030 and up
quoted as saying in a PIB release. to 1,100 by 2047," he said.
As the affordability and access to Following this, the number of pas-
world-class cruise services become a sengers availing cruise services was
reality, people can enjoy and relish lux- also expected to rise from 9.50 lakh in
urious amenities, entertainment and 2030 to 45 lakh in 2047, he said.
breathtaking views, he said. "Plans are afoot to develop new
The newly-launched cruise service cruise tourism terminals in
would sail to three ports - Hambantota, Andamans, Puducherry and
Trincomalee and Kankesanturai in Sri Lakshadweep circuits. We are also
Lanka. Sonowal said three new inter- studying the feasibility of developing
national cruise terminals were expect- ferry circuits across India, Sri Lanka,
ed to become operational by 2024. Thailand and Myanmar," he said.
As more and more people are likely The Ministry was also working on
to experience cruise tourism in the rolling out pilgrimage tours in
near future, the government remains Gujarat, cultural and scenic tours and
deeply committed to developing world- ayurveda wellness tourism and her-
class infrastructure to support and itage tourism to boost demand for
enable the growth of cruise tourism cruise services in the western, south-
and maritime trade, he said. ern and eastern coasts of the country,
"I am happy to share that three he said.
Cabinet decides to abolish NOTICE
Notice is hereby given in
SVAT and large number
terms of Section 9(2) of
PUBLIC NOTICE the Companies Act No.07
OF REDUCTION OF of 2007, that the name
STATED CAPITAL OF of the under mentioned
A LIMITED LIABILITY Association has been
changed.
COMPANY
Former Name of the
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN
Company:
in terms of Section 59(2) of
of VAT exemptions
Carbon Lock
the Companies Act No. 07
Revolution (Guarantee)
of 2007
Limited
Name of Company: Company Number:
S.F.L Services (Pvt) Ltd G L 00270386
Company Reg. No.: Registered Office
PV 1463 Address:
Stated Capital: No. 599/1/A, Akuregoda
Rs.17,760,000,000/- Road, Pelawatte,
consisting of 1,776,000,000 Buttaramulla.
shares New Name of the
Stated Capital after the company:
By RathindRa KuRuwita reduction: Ocean Advocates
Rs.16,275,000,000/- (Guarantee) Limited
consisting of 1,627,500,000 Date of Name Change:
T
he cabinet of ministers had approved a proposal by
President Ranil Wickremesinghe to draft a bill to
shares 11th May, 2023.
Secretary Livik Corporate Eye
cancel the existing Simplified Value Added Tax S.F.L. SERVICES (PVT) LTD (Private) Limited
(SVAT) methodology from January 5th June 2023 Company Secretary
01, 2024, and to remove a large num-
ber of VAT exemptions, cabinet
spokesman Bandula Gunawardena
told reporters on Tuesday.
Addressing the post-cabinet
press conference, Gunawardena
said Sri Lanka must introduce two
major revisions to the Value Added
Tax (VAT) as per the agreement
with the International Monetary
Bandula Fund.
Sri Lanka had a number of goods
and services exempt from VAT and one IMF condition
was that most of these exemptions be removed, he said.
Gunawardena also said that the SVAT system must
also be cancelled, as per IMF agreement.
The President had proposed to revoke most of the
VAT exemptions while keeping those given to educa-
tion, health, and agricultural sectors as well as meas-
ures taken to ease the burden on the poor and to protect
vital state interests, the minister said.
Patali calls for
LG polls
Having handed
over the manifesto of
the Eksath Janaraja
Peramuna to Election
Commission
Chairman Nimal
Punchihewa, yester-
day (06) at the Election
Secretariat,
Rajagiriya, its leader
MP Patali Champika
Ranawaka said that
the Local Government
polls couldn’t be post-
poned any further on
the false declaration
that the incumbent Leader of the Eksath Janaraja
administration lacked Peramuna, Patali Champika
funds. Ranawaka, handing over the mani-
The former festo of his newly established party
Minister said that the
expenditure on gov-
and the list of its office-bearers to
ernment events in the Election Commission Chairman Nimal
recent past showed Punchihewa yesterday (06)
that the money was electoral registers or call
no longer an issue. fresh nominations if the
Pointing out that the election was to be held
electoral registers would be after July.
updated in July this year, Lawmaker Ranawaka
lawmaker Ranawaka said
said that they were strong-
that conducting Local
ly opposed to a controver-
Government polls in terms
sial move to appoint former
of the old electoral regis- heads of Local Government
ters was a matter for con-
authorities to supervise
cern. The MP urged the
them instead of conducting
government to conduct LG the election (SF)
polls before the revision of
tion of Clause 4 of the Bill, the
Supreme Court has determined
that the Bill or any of its provi-
sions is not inconsistent with
the Constitution, the speaker
said.
 4 Wednesday 7th June, 2023
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Wednesday 7th June, 2023
An indictment of
SLPP leaders
T
he easiest task in Sri Lanka is perhaps to distract
the public. In ancient Rome, the patricians used
bread and circuses to take the plebeians for a ride,
but there is no need for bread to hoodwink the masses in
this country, where a mere political circus can make
them forget even the pangs of hunger. In fact, not even
circuses as such are necessary here to divert public
attention from the many burning issues that the gov-
ernment has failed, or not cared, to solve; only a propa-
ganda gimmick will do the trick. A stand-up comedi-
enne, who is far from outstanding, a self-styled prophet,
and a cantankerous Buddhist monk have found them-
selves up a creek for having failed to exercise control
over their tongues, and the SLPP-UNP government has
undertaken to protect Buddhism for political reasons.
Besides, everybody is now talking about the next presi-
dential election, which cannot be advanced without a
constitutional amendment; the much-delayed local gov-
ernment and Provincial Council polls have apparently
been forgotten. The SJB has already named its presi-
dential candidate, and the SLPP remains indecisive
with a section of its MPs offering to throw in their lot
with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, the UNP
has said, will run for President.
State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe has, in
a television interview, declared that President
Wickremesinghe is the best leader around and deserves
to be popularly elected at the end of his current term.
Politicians know which side their bread is buttered, and
never miss an opportunity to ingratiate themselves
with the powers that be. So, it is only natural that
Semasinghe is fawning over the President, but his state-
ment at issue is proof that the SLPP has become so polit-
ically bankrupt that it considers none of its own leaders
fit to be the next President! His statement therefore
serves as an indictment of the SLPP leadership.
We don’t intend to discuss the possibility or otherwise
of a snap presidential election, but Semasinghe’s state-
ment is of interest and much political significance.
What it signifies is that the SLPP stalwarts have had to
hitch their wagons to Wickremesinghe, whom they con-
demned vehemently until mid-2022, and even had gone
all out to oust as the Prime Minister in 2018, albeit in
vain. The claim that the UNP-led Yahapalana govern-
ment had compromised national security and ruined
the country became the SLPP’s rallying cry at the last
presidential and parliamentary elections. The SLPP
leaders vilified Wickremesinghe and condemned his
policies as being detrimental to the country’s interests,
and the popular mandate they are flaunting at present
to legitimise their hold on power despite their many
failures was obtained to ‘save the country from the
UNP’. The SLPP has made a mockery of its mandate by
elevating the person it used as a foil to promote its lead-
ers as capable patriots, to the highest position in the
country. More importantly, it is doing the very obverse
of what it undertook to do in its election manifestos.
Inveighing against the Yahapalana regime for the sale
of state assets, the SLPP leaders declared that never
would they resort to the divestiture of public enterpris-
es, which they promised to protect and develop. Today,
the SLPP has made a volte-face and is going hell for
leather to sell state ventures and other public assets at
fire-sale prices.
By making Wickremesinghe the President and help-
ing him carry out his economic policies, the SLPP has
unwittingly caused the people to conclude that the UNP-
led Yahapalana government would have done what the
current dispensation is doing and therefore should not
have been voted out. It has thus forfeited its raison d'e-
tre, delegitimised itself well and truly, and lent much
weight and credibility to the Opposition’s call for an
early general election. In fact, it lost its right to wield
power, the day it declared the country bankrupt and
began inflicting unprecedented suffering on the people,
especially those who had reposed their trust in it,
expecting a better future for their children. Efforts
being made to straighten up the ailing economy with
the help of the very politicians who bankrupted it are as
futile and stupid as enlisting Lalith Kotelawala’s sup-
port to revive Golden Key and grant relief to its deposi-
tors crying out for justice!
Whether Semasinghe has rendered any noteworthy
service to the public, as the State Minister of Finance,
may be debatable, but he certainly deserves praise for
his indictment of the SLPP leadership, unintended as it
may be.
World Financial System:
Is disintegration imminent?
By ArindAm BAnik And
munim kumAr BArAi
M
uch like 1944, the raging Russia-
Ukraine War has put humanity in
deep trouble. A massive decline
threatens the whole European economy.
Around 80 million people around the world
are fast sinking below the poverty line.
Many governments are facing collapse, as
the cases of Sri Lanka and Pakistan show.
The Ukraine war has almost ensured the
rise of China as a global power and competi-
tor of the US.
The gold standard of the exchange rate
came into force in 1876 and was suspended
in 1914 when European countries started the
First World War. The world saw a period of
uncertainty owing to the exchange rate
mechanism, along with the disruption of all
usual ways of functioning during this time.
So, in 1944, when it became apparent that
the Axis forces were losing the war, repre-
sentatives of 44 countries assembled in
Bretton Woods in New Hampshire to ham-
mer out a new financial system for the
world. Even though the USSR was an ally, it
chose not to participate in the Bretton
Woods agreement.
Two international financial bodies, the
World Bank (WB) and the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), were created in the
Bretton Woods. The dollar became the de
facto reserve currency for the world by
replacing gold (as the dollar itself was
linked to gold). In a sense, Bretton Woods
created a golden moment for the US in many
ways. It put a firm hold on the European
economy through the World Bank and world
trade through the IMF. The dollar has fur-
thered its overall command of the world
order as a global "fiat."
It deserves mentioning that though the
world accepted a floating exchange rate in
1973, the US dollar remained the world's de
facto reserve currency. According to Yahoo
Finance, the greenback accounted for about
two-thirds of total global reserves in 2003, 55
percent by 2021, and 47 percent last year. The
rest are gold and Euro. The gold's recent
surge in demand is justified because
investors, including Central Banks, are
interested in investing in inflation-proof
metals such as gold. Following various
sources, although miniscule, the Chinese
renminbi's share may rise from two to seven
percent in the next three to four years.
Though the greenback's share has been
declining, it is believed that the United
States can pay its debts and keep the dollar
as the most redeemable currency for world
trade.
Does the dollar – the global reserve cur-
rency – offer the United States an unfair
advantage? Historically, the world benefited
from a solid and stable dollar, and the United
States prospered from the favourable
exchange rate on its currency. Interestingly,
at a later stage, the foreign governments
could not fully realise that although gold
reserves backed their currency reserves, the
United States could continue to print dollars
backed by its debt held as US Treasuries.
The gold backing behind the dollars dimin-
ished as the United States printed more
money to finance its spending. Foreign coun-
tries' currency reserves decreased because
the number of dollars in circulation grew
faster than gold reserves.
For a long time, the US has remained a
budget and trade deficit country. Its budget
deficit reflects that the government's expen-
diture exceeds its income. But the US has to
finance its spending through external bor-
rowing because the country needs to save
more. Instead, its domestic savings must be
more sufficient to finance these deficits. The
Federal Reserve Bank's excessive reliance on
foreign central banks, especially those in
Asian countries, to purchase US Treasury
securities has made America extremely vul-
nerable to sudden changes in expectations
and economic sentiments. These external
borrowings to finance the deficits could have
made any currency in the world highly
volatile and prone to depreciation. For the
US dollar that is just not happening.
Moreover, for a trade deficit country, a high-
er value of the domestic currency ensures
buying more foreign goods at a lower cost.
The US derived this benefit in 1975 when it
last had a trade surplus.
Some numbers could be interesting to
see here. The US' current-account deficit,
which reflects the combined balances of
trade in goods and services and income
flows between US residents and other coun-
tries, widened by $97.4 billion, or 11.5 per-
cent, to $943.8 billion in 2022. The widening
primarily reflected expanded deficits on
goods and secondary income that were part-
ly offset by an expanded surplus on primary
income. The 2022 deficit was 3.7 percent of
the current-dollar gross domestic product,
up from 3.6 percent in 2021. On the cumula-
tive deficit front, the federal government ran
a deficit of $723 billion in February 2023.
The deficit in February 2023 was $262 bil-
lion, a $45 billion change from the obligation
of $217 recorded in February 2022. Japan
held $1.08 trillion in treasury securities as of
November 2022, beating out China as the
largest holder of US debt. The low and nega-
tive yield market in Japan makes holding US
debt attractive. Japan has 14.87 percent of
foreign-owned US debt. On the other hand,
China takes the second spot behind Japan
among foreign holders of US debt, with $870
billion in treasury holdings as of November
2022. The country currently holds almost
11.96 percent of US foreign debt.
Look at the current Fed's spree of
increases in interest rates. Following the
Obama administration's bailout package
after the financial crisis of 2007-08, the pres-
ent Biden administration announced a $1.8
trillion stimulus package for US households
in 2021 without considering the inflationary
effect. This was on the wall as Covid-19 still
disrupts the global supply chain. The sever-
est sanctions on Russia after its invasion of
Ukraine have added fuel to the inflationary
fire in the world. As a response, the Fed has
aggressively increased its interest rates.
This increase is making US assets attractive
due to higher yield-seeking investors. This
ensures a worldwide domino effect on most
currencies as they lose their exchange val-
ues. It seems that the US is under recession
through contractionary monetary policy.
This has reduced aggregate demand in the
US and the world as well. And has exacerbat-
ed problems around the world such as unem-
ployment and poverty. The US interest meas-
ures may reduce its domestic inflationary
pressure but against the backdrop of Covid-
19 and economic sanctions on Russia they
are bound to increase inflation and affect
small and big economies all over.
The financial system under the US and
European leadership has revealed utter dis-
regard for other countries' well-being.
Ironically, in the name of economic and
financial globalisation, the US-led world
order encouraged other countries to join and
integrate their economic and financial sys-
tems with the rest of the "capitalist" world.
We then find the system's first use as a
weapon in 2012 when the central bank of
Iran was barred from the international
SWIFT system. The war in Ukraine has
opened a floodgate of economic and finan-
cial sanctions on Russia. Its central bank,
and commercial banks have faced a blanket
SWIFT ban. Other countries face threats of
secondary sanctions if they trade with
Russia, one of the world's biggest commodi-
ty and food suppliers. This has created a
panic, particularly among the developing
countries, about future punitive actions of
the US and its Western allies on various
grounds to punish them.
This impious design of the collective
West has forced many investors to invest in
commodities such as gold and crude. In addi-
tion, the world's largest countries with more
significant economies are moving away from
payments in US dollars and increasingly
using local currencies for trade. They may
dump dollar bonds too. Countries like
China, India, Russia, Brazil, South Africa,
Saudi Arabia, UAE, etc., are increasingly
reluctant to accept such hegemony in eco-
nomic affairs. In this division, most emerg-
ing countries support at least a new finan-
cial order, which will result in innovation.
The above challenges call for a substan-
tial international and financial framework
rethink. Without this, the Bretton Woods
institutions and the global economic system
will continue to disintegrate, which may
lead to a collapse of the system.
Arindam Banik is ACC Chair Professor in
Economics at the International management
Institute, New Delhi, India. Dr Banik has
contributed numerous articles to journals,
edited volumes and is co-author of 'Foreign
Direct Investment in India'. He is currently
engaged in research on trade and investment
in South Asia.
Munim Kumar Barai is a Professor of
Finance at the Graduate School of
Management, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific
University (APU), Japan. He is also the
Associate Dean of APU's International
Cooperation and Research Division.
 The Island Opinion Wednesday 7th June, 2023
5
Rogues have no right to
eat while masses starve!

Celebrating what went

well or denouncing what
went wrong?
By Chani imBulgoda
for us to make our soup adding back to where we started. No
right mix of past, present and doubt we learn lessons from the

“W
e suffer today,
because leaders in
the past have failed
to govern this country properly”.
Oh, the predecessor has not done
things well, they all have let the
place go haywire”. Familiar
excuses… When one takes over
the leadership be it the country,
be it an organisation, or be it a
new position. We, naturally,
incline to blame the past, criti-
cize the leadership and highlight
what went wrong. We start new
reforms, new policies, new prac-
tices… condemning the past. We
have a tendency to look back
through the rearview mirror…
only to criticise what went
wrong, and start everything all
over. Why don’t we give some
credit to the past and celebrate
what went well, as well?
It is said that those who can-
not remember the past are con-
demned to repeat it. While
Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’, I won-
dered how much similarity we
can evidence today. Tolstoy
describes how the war was
waged in early 1800, and how
Russia suffered. After two cen-
turies, we witness how Russia
repeats it over Ukraine. No les-
sons learnt from the past. We
just passed a civil riot; strikes,
protests continue; and control-
ling and curbing protests are not
rare. As a country, have we for-
gotten our gloomy days in recent
past? Bombs, killing, destruc-
tions from northern point Pedro
to southern Dondra, youth insur-
rection, misdirection and all the
blood we witnessed… It seems
that we, rather than learning the
lessons unlearned it.
Bringing the beauty of learn-
ing from the past, American
author, Judith Glaser suggests
looking at the past, finding new
meaning from significant events,
following them and creating suc-
cessful behaviour patterns. Have
future to taste the soup.
Past is a repository of knowledge!
Reflect on the qualities and
competencies possessed by
today's youth with yesteryear’s
generation. Do we miss some-
thing in the new generation? A
state university officer once
lamented that those young offi-
cers joining the university did
not look at the overall picture
when making decisions … fair
enough, I have noticed a many
young staff, and even some old
hands think only about the frac-
tion of work they deemed
responsible … ignoring the
whole process involved. We
often pin the blame on the educa-
tion system. During the good old
days, school curricula consisted
of lessons on morals and ethics,
lessons on history. More impor-
tantly, formal education kept
space for youngsters to think,
there were no tuition classes,
and no online assignments to
complete. There was time for
friends … time to play; time to
enjoy nature, and time to talk
with parents. Those days young-
sters were a part of the real
world, nature and ancestors who
educate the wholeness of life.
Aren’t we missing something in
our education system? It is time
to look back and look ahead, and
look across. Finland, known to
be one of the best countries for
education in the world, avail
time for students to engage with
nature; no tough competitive
exams, they learn being humane,
they learn to be balanced
humans. There was a propagan-
da “Nearest School is the Best
School”. In the present context
where everything has become
expensive, exercise books to
transport fees. Safety and secu-
rity of both male, female chil-
dren are at stake. Much concerns
over drugs, and sex, it is time to
revisit and refresh this propa-
past, but we can never create the
past again. If you drive con-
stantly looking back from the
rearview mirror, you would not
proceed much far! Buddha has
said that "you can't have a better
tomorrow if you think about yes-
terday all the time". One of the
key accusations during recent
public agitations, and the rebel
was that youth do not get oppor-
tunities. The anxiety developed
over rejection or blocking paths
for youth, to be hatred towards
old. We often miss fresh blood in
decision making bodies, especial-
ly when it comes to public sector
institutions, owing to too much
credit being given to the past.
Long number of years in service
overshadows competence. When
recruiting people for positions,
we look at the conduct and expe-
rience of the applicant in the
past, and make our decision;
sometimes a decision to show the
door would completely sabotage
the future of the applicant. We
come across people who wag
their past records when they
make important decisions for the
future. People like to boast about
their glorious past and want to
create yesterday in tomorrow. I
recall an incident that took place
at a staff meeting where I work.
When the senior officers cele-
brating past glory, a few newcom-
ers openly challenged and
declared they get demotivated in
effect. If we cling too much to
the past, we will end up spoiling
both our present and future.
Change is inescapable.
Everything gets changed, con-
text, requirements, and mind-
sets. History cannot be restored
as it was, only lessons and prac-
tices can be brought and tried
after careful analysis. We nor-
mally cling to one of the two
paradoxes; one school of thought
is glued to the history, experi-
ence, and the way things hap-
A
li (Raheem) Baba and 225 rogues have no abrogated its right to govern. Getting rid of this
right to eat while the people they are sup- government is legal, and, in fact, it is the right
posed to protect, nourish and maintain go and the civic duty of the people of this country.
hungry. It is this government that robbed the country
A poor widow with a school going child called to bankruptcy, ruined the agriculture and the
me from Elpitiya and told me that they had not economy and destroyed law and order in the
eaten anything yet. The time was 11 AM. The country. Now, it blames Aragalaya for that. They
child had refused to go to school with an empty pretend to be the victims! The effect has become
stomach. But the mother had coaxed him to go to the cause; they turn everything upside down!
school promising him to keep lunch ready when Everything they are doing now is some des-
he returns. She had not perate measure or other
found anything to cook to keep marking time as
by 11 AM and desper- The scoundrels in the Parliament long as possible to rob
ately called me. This and rob and empty the
was just one of such are accused and even found guilty national coffers before
calls I get regularly. by courts, of every crime under the getting out of govern-
I lost my shirt; I ment and the country.
scolded her and told her Sun. They cheat, swindle and rob The scoundrels in the
that she had elected Ali openly and unceasingly. This is a Parliament are accused
(Sabri Raheem) Baba and even found guilty by
and 225 scoundrels and curse on the country and its peo- courts, of every crime
that she should go to ple. We are paying for our stupidity under the Sun. They
them and ask for food. I cheat, swindle and rob
instructed her to do and gullibility. We are a people openly and unceasingly.
this. Collect as many immersed in superstition and irra- This is a curse on the
widows like her as pos- country and its people.
sible and go to the tional beliefs. There are no better We are paying for our
house of their MP (GK) ways to learn life’s lessons than stupidity and gullibility.
and remind her that We are a people
they had fed her all hunger and deprivation. immersed in superstition
these years and now and irrational beliefs.
they were hungry and she must feed them. Sit There are no better ways to learn life’s lessons
down in the house and do not leave till your than hunger and deprivation. Aragalaya was a
problem is solved. While you go hungry that great eye-opener and a teacher of the difference
woman has no right to eat. In fact, the scoundrels between myth and truth, between objective reali-
of Diyawannawa have no right to gobble down ty and the narrow chauvinism of race and reli-
subsidised food in the canteen of the den of gion; the last refuge of the scoundrel. I hope the
thieves called the parliament of Sri Lanka. 6.9 million have at least by now learnt the lesson.
Another widow called me and told me that My dear co-citizens of Sri Lanka, it is time to
she and her children lived in the dark. They have act. It is pathetic and depressing to see our small
electricity but they could not afford to use it. The children becoming stunted, weak and malnour-
family lives in total darkness, every night. The ished. They cannot wait to grow up till things get
government which could not maintain an unin- better constitutionally and decently. The powers
terrupted power supply at least during the A/L that are do not behave constitutionally or decent-
examinations is not a failed administration but a ly. They are not gentlemen. They are certainly
heartless criminal regime. The rogue govern- not ‘Honorable’ Members of Parliament. They
ment which deprived the people of power has no have become fascists and tyrants, dictators and
right to use power in their den for light, sound underworld god-fathers. Regardless of the cost,
and air conditioning. we must free ourselves from their murderous
And the rogue government has no right to grip on us and on the country. It is time to act.
govern at all. It has deprived the people of their For the sake of generations of our children, it is
right to vote and choose representatives they time to act.
desire. It has cancelled the provincial council Fr J.C. Pieris,
elections and the local government elections. By Galle
depriving the people of their right to vote it has

we forgotten our glorious past
where this country was recog-
nised as the jade of the Indian
Ocean? This was known as a
prosperous country during the
reigns of ancient kingdoms.
ganda tagline. There is a short-
age of papers, there was a short-
age of fuel and electricity, we
never know what is in stock for
us in the coming months. We
cannot afford to have marker
Why do we vote?
pened. They hardly see goodness
in novelty. On the other extreme,
the school of thought is forward-
looking they ignore the past, con-
demn the history and embrace
novelty. In a car, we have a larger

Once the granary of the East,
and even before that, crowned as
the Kingdom of mighty by king
Ravana, who deemed to be the
first to fly an aircraft. I recall my
friend in university days who
used to say that “there is no
future without past”. As
Santayana, Glazer and my friend
say "we need to look back and
learn from our past in moving
forward. In the early 19th centu-
ry, we submitted our sovereignty
to colonial masters by conspiring
against our own breed. We made
Sinhala only policy in 1956 and
pens and whiteboards in schools
now. Time to think about the
rock slate which we could use
several times and learn well and
hard way. I believe more the hard
work put in tiring both the hand
and head, higher the productivi-
ty. Considering the wellbeing of
individuals, rising cost and
scarcity of essentials and med-
ical drugs, and sustainability of
our environment, time has come
to think of our past styles of
commuting, cycling. Cycling
reduces air pollution; cycling
makes you fitter. In effect, we
I
n his article in Sunday Island, Maj Gen A M U citizens. Otherwise, how could every riff-raff who
windscreen, two side glasses and Seneviratne (Rtd) said “We vote and elect our had not done anything worthwhile for the people
a tiny rearview mirror. Why? representatives to represent us in parliament and are notable for corruption and frauds be
When we are moving, we need to and other governing bodies and we expect them to voted, election after election? Haven't we seen
look at the future with a much respect us and work for the uplift of the country how their supporters gather around them (and
broader view, assess the present, and its citizens”. cheer) when they come out after Court hearings
and from time to time look back I totally disagree – We, the majority, elect them in which they were accused of various crimes?
and ensure we are alright. just for their sake, not to uplift the country or its K Siriweera
Past is always a scapegoat for
those who don't want to strive to
achieve success. We as a nation
today suffer a lot and I believe in
owing up to the blame game we
Every puff on a cigarette pushes
play with the past and egoistic
attitude and our unwillingness
to learn from the past. I always
a smoker towards his death!
advocate seeing what went well

we opened the economy in 1977,
letting our strengths blown out
by foreign winds. Lots of lessons
are on the stake, if we really
want to take. An upcoming book
“What Went Wrong” by a bureau-
crat, Mr. Chandrasena
Maliyadde, a former Secretary to
Government Ministries discuss-
es how Sri Lanka failed in many
aspects, including public service
and University education. There
are books on historic accounts,
newspapers and media that
bring present contexts, and
futuristic projections…it is left
will not be compelled to depend
on many vehicles imported and
perhaps medicine too. We have
reached the point where we have
to bridge the past with the
future. We need to learn from the
past and blend it with the future,
appropriately without forgetting
the present and its context.
learn from the past, but don’t
stick to it.
When we see a roadblock, a
cavity on the road or a commo-
tion or congestion, we naturally
turn to the rearview mirror. But
we do not turn the car and go
in the past, success stories teach
us lessons, where failures are
more appealing to worry and
enjoy at the same time.
(The writer is a holder of a
senior position in a state
University with international
experience and exposure and an
MBA from Postgraduate
Institute of Management (PIM),
Sri Lanka and currently reading
for her PhD related to reasons of
reform failures at PIM. She can
be reached at
cv5imbulgoda@gmail.com)
T
his is with reference to the article ‘If you
have a heart, say no to tobacco!’ by Dr.
Gotabhya Ranasinghe (The Island
2nd June 2023) I fully agree with the learned doc-
tor since deaths due to smoking are usually not
reported in the press and smokers don’t realise
the gravity of this habit.
Globally, tobacco use killed 100 million people
in the 20th century. It is supposed to be more
than the combined casualties in the two World
Wars. Everyone born in this world is bound to
die one day or the other. It is only the causes of
death that vary but the health issues a smoker
has to face are unbearable. Tobacco related
deaths, it is expected, will reach the one billion
mark in the 21st century if the current smoking
patterns continue.
Famous American television personality and
renowned cardiologist Dr. Oz once said ‘I don’t
operate on smokers. I tell cigarette smokers I can
operate on you. I get paid the same. And you
might even do well. But it’s the wrong thing to
do. So, I refuse to operate on you until you stop
smoking.’
The famous Russian-American film actor, Yul
Brynner, who died of lung cancer caused due to
smoking in 1985, made a video message from his
deathbed. In that video he said ‘Now that I am
gone, I tell you don’t smoke whatever you do!’ I
wonder how many smokers did take this mes-
sage seriously? Smoking is a silent killer or
another form of suicide.
S. H. Moulana
 Page 6
Unlocking New Possibilities:
The impact of deep fake
technology on brand storytelling
By Kavi RajapaKsha
B
y now, marketers know that they
need to work hand in hand with
artificial intelligence (AI) to be
successful in this era driven by techno-
logical advancements. According to the
most recent data, more than 650 mil-
lion unique branded content pieces are
posted every day but 87% of them fail
in achieving any significant engage-
ment. So brands continually search for
innovative ways to engage audiences
and captivate their attention.
One such technological marvel that
has emerged in recent years is deep
fake technology. This cutting-edge AI-
driven technique, with its ability to
manipulate and recreate images and
videos, is revolutionizing brand story-
telling. As we explore the potential of
deep fake technology, we uncover a
new dimension of creativity and nar-
rative possibilities for brands to pro-
duce more emotionally captivating and
relevant content.
Breaking the boundaries of imagination
Deep fake technology has the power
to blur the lines between fiction and
reality, allowing brands to push the
boundaries of imagination. By seam-
lessly blending the real and the surre-
al, brands can transport audiences into
immersive storytelling experiences
that captivate and leave a lasting
impact. Whether it's bringing histori-
cal figures back to life, resurrecting
beloved characters, or merging multi-
ple personalities, deep fake technology
unlocks a world of limitless possibili-
ties.
With the introduction of ChatGPT,
Canva and various other AI platforms
that has transformed how the creative
industry does things, many have start-
Business News/ Advertorial
ed to ques-
tion if AI
can indeed
replace mar-
keters and
creatives. AI
can auto-
mate basic
and repeti-
tive tasks
and work
efficiently to
find the best,
Kavi Rajapaksha published
information
available. However, whether or not Ai
can be programmed to emulate human
emotions and think like a human is an
answer only the future holds. But, the
one thing that holds true is that all
brands must adapt right now to stay
ahead of the curve.
Also, deep fake technology disrupts
conventional notions of authenticity
and challenges the way we perceive
truth in storytelling. With the power to
recreate personalities, brands are now
faced with the responsibility of navi-
gating the ethical landscape surround-
ing this technology. Transparency and
clear communication are crucial to
ensure audiences understand the cre-
ative intent and the boundaries
between reality and fiction. As brands
venture into this realm, it becomes
essential to strike a delicate balance
between the captivating allure of deep
fake technology and the need for hon-
esty and integrity in brand story-
telling.
Empowering creativity and collaboration
The most common jokes in the
industry are revolved around how
small the client budgets are versus the
very inspiring briefs that are received.
Often, marketers and creative teams
come up with great ideas that require
a lot in terms of the budgets which
prevents them from executing them. In
a way, its fair to say that the strength
of the ideas is parallel and even better
than some of those in the world right
now, but not many organizations can
afford to spend the required amount to
make those a reality. But now with AI,
many of those boundaries can be easi-
ly crossed and a lot of video and static
content can be created within seconds.
Now is the time to leave hygiene
content to AI and focus on really
breaking the clutter with unimagin-
able things that collaborations
between human intelligence and cre-
ativity can achieve in partnership
with AI.
In conclusion
Deep fake technology is transform-
ing brand storytelling by unlocking
new realms of creativity and narrative
possibilities. It empowers brands to
establish emotional connections, chal-
lenge the status quo, and collaborate
with technology experts to create cap-
tivating campaigns. However, as
brands explore this innovative tech-
nology, they must prioritize trans-
parency, ethics, and authenticity to
maintain the trust of their audiences.
Ai is unlocking the possibility of pur-
suing larger than life campaigns that
previously was not a possibility due to
budgetary restrictions and now more
than ever, marketers need to really
adapt and work hand in hand with Ai
and all forms of technology to stay rel-
evant.
(The writer is the Senior Vice
President/Chief Marketing Officer at
Softlogic Life Insurance PLC)
Wednesday 7th June, 2023
IronOne Technologies appoints former
Sri Lankan ambassador Manori Unambuwe
as vice president to drive global expansion
IronOne
Technologies is
pleased to announce
the appointment of
Manori as Vice
President of Strategy
and International
Markets. In this role,
Manori will lead
IronOne's global strat-
egy, overseeing the
company's expansion
into new markets and
driving growth in
existing ones. She will Left to right: Manori Unambuwe - Vice President of Strategy and
also be responsible for
International Markets at IronOne Technologies, Lakmini
Wijesundera - Founder and Executive Director at IronOne
IronOne's business
Technologies and BoardPAC, Buddhika Abeygooneratne - Head
development efforts, of Operations at BoardPAC.
identifying new oppor-
expand its global business presence.
tunities to bring innovative IT solu-
Manori said, "I am excited to join
tions to clients worldwide.
IronOne Technologies and to work
Manori brings to IronOne over 20
with the talented team to drive the
years of experience in Information
company's growth and success. I look
Technology, having held senior leader-
forward to contributing to the compa-
ship positions in three global technolo-
ny's vision of bringing innovative IT
gy giants. Prior to her appointment as
solutions to clients worldwide."
Ambassador, she served as the Sri
IronOne Technologies is an IT solu-
Lankan Ambassador Extraordinary
tions provider to many clients world-
and Plenipotentiary to the Federal
wide, including some listed in the
Republic of Germany with concurrent
Fortune 500. Its AI labs division, con-
accreditation to Switzerland, Croatia,
sisting of a highly skilled team of AI
North Macedonia, and Montenegro.
engineers with experience in Data
She has also served on the Boards of
Science and Machine Learning, can
the Information and Communication
Technology Agency of Sri Lanka deliver state-of-the-art solutions to var-
ious industries. Atrad, a multi-discipli-
(ICTA) and the Sri Lanka Computer
Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT). nary financial trading platform with
"We are delighted to welcome over 80% of the market share in Sri
Manori to the IronOne team," said Lanka, and the Mobile web solutions,
Lakmini Wijesundera, Co-founder and with unique apps provided to
Executive Director of IronOne renowned global brands, are the other
Technologies. "Her extensive experi- business solutions the company pro-
ence in information technology and vides.
her track record of success in business Manori currently serves as an
development and market expansion Ambassador for AsiaBerlin Forum, an
will be invaluable as we continue to initiative by the Berlin Senate to sup-
grow and expand our global reach." port Asian tech startups to access the
The appointment plays a crucial German market. Her experience and
role in IronOne's strategic vision to knowledge will be instrumental in
position the company as the foremost guiding IronOne Technologies' strate-
IT solution provider in the field of gic decisions and expanding its global
artificial intelligence across Asia and footprint.
 Wednesday 7th June, 2023 7

Bourse characterized by volatility; indices dip

by hiran h Senewiratne
CSE activities were highly volatile
yesterday and couldn't maintain the
previous day’s sentiment due to nega-
tive speculation among investors on
debt restructuring delays, market ana-
lysts said.
Amid those developments both
indices showed a downward trend. The
All- Share Price Index went down by
16.25 points and S and P SL 20 declined Chevron Lubricants Rs 26.8 million IOC, Capital Alliance and First Capital
by 12.01 points. Turnover stood at Rs (308,000 shares traded), Hela Apparel Rs Holding, while retail investors were
482 million with no crossings. 19.4 million (3.2 million shares traded) interested in Browns Investments,
In the retail market, top seven com- and Royal Ceramic Rs 18.4 million LOLC Finance and Access
panies that mainly contributed to the (708,000 shares traded). During the day Engineering.
turnover were, JKH Rs 96.03 million 25.1 million share volumes changed The capital goods sector was the top
(686,000 shares traded), Expolanka hands in 7500 transactions. contributor for the turnover, which
Holdings Rs 31.5 million (238,000 shares It is said that high net worth and was JKH.
traded), Capital Alliance Rs 29.7 million institutional investor participation was Yesterday the Central Bank’s US
(914,000 shares traded), Seylan Bank Rs noted in certain entries, such as JKH. dollar buying rate was Rs 284.84 and
28 million (one million shares traded), Mixed interest was noted in Lanka the selling rate Rs 297.94.

ADB partners academia to leverage Sri Lanka’s first 3D music

video ‘Tharunai Thaama’
Environmental Finance for Sri Lanka Redefining the
horizons in the

‘Bio-diversity prospecting is a very risky area, and therefore, it has to be done right’
music industry, SLT-
MOBITEL together
with Marians and
‘Many good consultations needed before Sri Lanka can go for climate bonds’ 360 Productions
Group (Pvt) Ltd,
launched Sri
Forum aims at combining profitability with ecosystem conservation and regeneration Lanka’s first 3D
music video
by Sanath nanayakkare ‘Tharunai Thaama’,
synergizing music,

B
ringing together a collection of
global good practices in investing technology, and cut-
in natural capital, the Asian ting-edge production
Development Bank (ADB) recently held in celebration of
its Serendipity Knowledge Program Marian’s 35th
Anniversary. Thaama’ provides an immersive 3D
(SKOP) at the University of Peradeniya
The creation of Marians ‘Tharunai viewing experience along with intricate
on a hybrid platform.
Thaama’ depicts the excellence of tech- scenes and mind-boggling visual effects
Several high-profile officials and aca-
nology prowess coupled with state-of- in crystal clear 4K resolution.
demics from around the world and pan-
the-art VFX music and rendering. This Audiences can now immerse themselves
elists and participants at the physical
Guidance, Blue Bond Reference Papers in this respect because together we have groundbreaking project, which spanned in music in a way that surpasses tradi-
forum with specialized knowledge in
and International Finance Corporation to undertake bio-prospecting in an over 3 months has pushed the bound- tional norms, where sight and sound
Bio-Diversity and the Natural Capital
(IFC) Guidelines for Blue Finance.” organized, controlled and a regulated aries of creativity and technical inte- converge harmoniously. ‘Tharunai
Asset Class shared their insights on the
Andreas made a presentation of ADB way. There is a lack of perception about gration, introducing Sri Lanka to a Thaama’ testifies that with the right
topic in a no-holds-barred full-day ses-
Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and the role the private sector can play in whole new dimension of visual story- blend of imagination, technical expert-
sion on May 31, at the picturesque gar-
Sustainable Blue Economy covering pol- bio-prospecting. So, it is important to telling. ise, and a pioneering spirit, even the
den university.
lution control, sustainable coastal and make sure that bio-prospecting is done By embracing the wonders of 3D most audacious dreams can be turned
The forum held a lot of relevance to
marine development, ecosystem and nat- right- that means that it is sustainable, stereoscopic technology, ‘Tharunai into reality.
the local audience as Sri Lanka is fac-
ing a significant challenge in managing ural resource management and ocean ethical, and results in benefits for the
its natural assets not only because of and climate finance. country and the local people. It emerged

CSE signs MOU with

the growing demand for natural He explained ADB’s frameworks for during our discussion that in terms of
resources and the environment’s ability supporting governments to issue blue environmental financing, there would
to restore these resources, but also the bonds and supporting the corporate sec- have to be certain legal provisions that

country’s limited public funds to invest
in its natural capital for a sustainable
future.
Andreas Thermann, Environmental
Finance and Partnerships Specialist at
ADB addressing the forum said,” We
decided to contribute our expertise and
experience by designing natural capital
investment strategies for institutional
investors, aiming at combining prof-
itability and ecosystem conservation
and regeneration. There is increasing
interest for blue bonds from investors
and potential issuers. However, the lack
of universal standards creates risks and
slows blue economy growth. In this con-
text, a Global Blue Bond Guidance is to
be published in June 2023. This new col-
laboration is building on: ICMA Green,
Social, and Sustainability-Linked Bond
Principles, UNEP FI Sustainable Blue
Economy Finance Principles and
Guidance, ADB Green and Blue Bond
Framework, UN Global Compact
Sustainable Ocean Principles/Practical
tor to do same, providing them with
training, outreach events, technical
services and financial services.
Sanath Ranawana, Water Resources
Specialist, South Asia Department ADB
said,” There are opportunities for invest-
ment in Sri Lanka’s environmental
resources. These investments may come
from the public sector as well as the pri-
vate sector. In order for these invest-
ments to really take place, there is a
need for more in-depth assessments.
There needs to be monitoring of our
basic benchmarks; what Natural Capital
do we have at the moment, what is their
current status etc. Along with advocacy
we need additional monitoring and
assessments. As we are all aware, it is
very relevant to this topic how the pri-
vate sector can invest in Natural
Capital. There is a general belief that
bio-diversity prospecting for commercial
purpose is a very risky area, and there-
fore, it has to be done right. There is a
responsibility for the government side
allow the government to make eco-sys-
tem services payable or not. Such valid
concerns may present policy barriers
that require policy action. So, engaging
relevant stakeholders, in-depth assess-
ments, establishing bond frameworks,
arranging independent external reviews
etc., will lead to the final desirable objec-
tive of climate investment action.”
In addition to ADB, the following
global institutes pledged support to pro-
vide global guidance to Sri Lanka’s jour-
ney in assessing and monitoring its nat-
ural capital with the objective of raising
long-term environmental financing: The
Research Centre for Eco- Environmental
Sciences - Chinese Academy of Sciences,
People’s Republic of China, Stanford
University USA, Sovereign Debt
Department Office of the Ministry of
Economy and Finance Uruguay and the
Government of Belize.
ADB established this new knowledge
program in 2021 in line with its vision
as a knowledge solutions bank.
Eastern University
“The signing of the MoU is a value
addition to the service provided by the
Eastern University, Sri Lanka, and I
hope that, the Colombo Stock
Exchange will also be able to enhance
the quality of its service to the society
while working with the Eastern
University, Sri Lanka.”– Vice
Chancellor, Eastern University, Sri
Lanka.
“It is crucial to promote financial
literacy among Sri Lankans, especially
among undergraduates, who are a key
segment of the population equipped to
contribute to a stable economy in the
future.” - CEO, CSE
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE)
signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) recently
(31.05.2023), with the Eastern
University, Sri Lanka, to formalize col-
laborative efforts to improve financial
undergraduates, by working together
on a number of mutually beneficial
strategic initiatives. Accordingly, the
initiative would offer practical educa-
tional training and internship oppor-
tunities for students of the Eastern
University, Sri Lanka, who are
engaged in accountancy and finance,
business management, and econom-
ics-related degree programmes with
the CSE.
Furthermore, under the terms of
the MoU, the CSE will grant an award
to the student who obtains the high-
est value in the Grade Point Average
(“GPA”) in the Bachelor of Commerce
Honours of the University.
The Eastern University, Sri Lanka,
will also collaborate with the ongo-
ing educational initiatives of the
CSE, including the Advanced
Diploma in Financial Markets

ACL Cables partners Institute of literacy among undergraduates in Sri

Lanka.
The collaboration proposes to pro-
(ADFM), as well as in future educa-
tional and research activities, by pro-
viding the required expertise and

Technology, University of Moratuwa mote capital market education among resource persons.

Varun Wijewardane appointed

(From left to right) Sandun Wajira Kumara - Senior Finance Business
Partner, Dr Geethani Galagoda - Head of Laboratories, Nimal Ratnayake -
business head, Uber Eats
Chief Marketing Officer, Deepthi Lokuarachchi - Group Chief Executive Uber Eats, the leading where he spent time manag-
Officer, Naheed Zainudeen - Head of Commercial - Daraz Financial food delivery app ing teams on the ground in
Services, Shakthi Bhanuka - Merchant Success Executive, KOKO, Feroz announced the appointment Australia, Papua New
In a dedicated effort to delivered by Palitha
of Varun Wijewardane as Guinea, and Fiji.
Amjah - Executive - Business Development, Badrajith Siriwardana - Group enrich students' knowledge Ethulgama, Deputy General
the General Manager of Commenting on the
Chief Financial Officer. and understanding, ACL Manager, Sales and
Uber Eats, Sri Lanka. In his appointment Saskia de
Cables PLC, Sri Lanka's No. Marketing, ACL Cables PLC.
Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics 1 cable company partnered
the Institute of Technology
Deputy General
Manager, ACL Cables,
role as the head of business,
he will oversee the opera-
tions of the Uber Eats plat-
Jongh, Vice President,
Delivery APAC said, “Varun
is the perfect choice to lead

and Koko collaborate

University of Moratuwa
(ITUM), the centre of excel-
lence in Technological
Lanka Hospitals Diagnostics (LHD) recently partnered with Education, to conduct a spe-
cial educational forum
the region’s largest ‘Buy Now - Pay Later’ (BNPL) App, Koko.
recently.
LHD is the first laboratory service to partner up with Koko
Organised in collabora-
whereby LHD clients are offered the convenience of making
tion with the Electrical,
payments in three interest-free instalments.
Electronics and
Koko, launched in 2020 is a venture by Sri Lanka’s largest e-
Telecommunication
commerce company Daraz. The service quickly gained popu- Technology Faculty of the
larity post-COVID-19 due to the convenience it offered to users University, ACL conducted
to pay in 3 equal instalments within 60 days at 0% interest. the special lecture on the
Koko’s focus on catering to both credit and debit cardholders theme ‘Basic awareness of
has resulted in outstanding growth within a short span of time, electrical cables.’ The ses-
sion was held for the 3rd
with the App counting over 500,000 users and 2000+ merchants
year undergraduates of the
across the island at present.
faculty. The lecture was
Palitha Ethulgama added,
form in the island nation. Uber Eats as it embarks on
“As the pioneer of the cable
With this appointment, the next phase of its growth
industry it is our pleasure to
Varun will return to his in Sri Lanka. During his
train and educate the next
home country Sri Lanka, time at Uber, he has shown
generation on the applica- Varun
where he was born and raised himself to be a hands-on
tion and practicality of the
before moving to Australia. leader and excellent collabora-
industry. We believe that
Varun joined Uber’s retail business in tor, with a track record of delighting
they will benefit from the
2021 and has most recently worked as customers and expanding the business.
knowledge gained from this
the Head of Commercial for At Uber, we are committed to providing
forum once they step into
Independent Retail bringing groceries opportunities for employees to grow
the industry as electrical
and alcohol on to the platform across their careers - Varun’s appointment is a
engineers. Therefore, it is
Australia and New Zealand. demonstration of that. I am very excit-
our duty and responsibility
Prior to Uber, he worked as a man- ed to see Varun return to his country of
to continuously support the
agement consultant with a focus on birth and lead Uber Eats as it contin-
education of these under-
commercial strategy and execution ues to give Sri Lankans access to
graduates to make them effi-
across the Australian retail industry. almost anything at the press of a but-
cient and effective profes-
He also worked at Newcrest Mining, ton.”
sionals.''
 8 The Island Wednesday 7th June, 2023
By Tissa JayaTilaka
T
he splendid career as well as the many glitter-
ing prizes won by Jayantha Dhanapala is
common knowledge and does not require reit-
eration here. Rather I wish to focus on the man him-
self in this tribute to an exceptional person whom I
had the privilege of getting to know personally at
the tail end of the 1980s. I had of course heard of
Jayantha and his many accomplishments long
before our first meeting. Having read a newspaper
review of North-South Perspectives, an internation-
al affairs journal that I edited, which focused on the
promotion of greater understanding between the
'developed' and the 'developing' world, Jayantha tele-
phoned me to ask if we could meet. I readily agreed
and thus began a friendship that lasted until his
death a few days ago.
Although I had not known at the time of that
first meeting of ours, I soon learnt that encouraging
those of the younger generation to contribute their
mite to the betterment of Sri Lanka and the world
outside of her shores was a priority for Jayantha. In
the process, he enabled those of us who came into
contact with him to better ourselves in order to con-
tinue to give of our best. In his appreciation of
Jayantha 's life and career, former diplomat A.L.A.
Azeez (who joined the Sri Lanka foreign service in
1992) talks at length of the marvellous role of guide
and mentor of younger colleagues, including him-
self, that Jayantha played throughout his days in
the foreign service. In the same spirit, after his
retirement from the UN and upon his return to Sri
Lanka, he served as a Trustee and member of the
Board of Advisers of Sri Lanka Unites, mentoring a
local youth movement dedicated to the transforma-
tion of Sri Lanka to a land free of religious and eth-
nic strife. He was involved from the inception in the
establishment of the Friday Forum, an informal
and self- financed group of older citizens dedicated
to democracy, good governance, human rights and
the rule of law.
Our friendship grew over the years, I happen to
think, because we shared much in common. We
both schooled and spent our formative years in
Kandy-- he at Trinity in the 1950s and I at
Kingswood in the 1960s. Later he and I both entered
the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya at different
times, given that he was a decade older, where we
both read for the Special Degree in English. His
extra-curricular activities at Peradeniya, like mine,
included sports-- rugger in his case and cricket in
mine-- and theatre. We both took part in plays, held
office and were participants in the diverse activities
of the University Drama Society (DramSoc).
Jayantha and I also shared a fondness for the
spoken and written word and, not infrequently, com-
bined our resources in this area. We jointly edited A
Garland for Ashley: Glimpses of a life celebrating
the life of Ashley Halpe and His 50 Years of
University Teaching (2008). He was instrumental in
making me the editor of SIRIMAVO - Honouring the
world's first woman prime minister (2010) for which
publication he wrote an excellent essay on The
Foreign Policy of Sirimavo Bandaranaike. He con-
It’s been over four decades,
Forty-Year Since the torching and gutting,
Of the Jaffna Public Library,
That venerable Beacon of Light,
For Asia and the world at large,
Millstone
And the shame continues to well,
In the hearts of the righteous,
Over the fascist-inspired tragedy,
But it’s not too late, it’s plain,
tributed a chapter titled, A City Upon a Hill for
Excursions and Explorations Cultural Encounters
Between Sri Lanka and the United States that I put
together in 2002. He reviewed Peradeniya: Memories
of a University (1997) that I jointly edited with K.M.
de Silva. Jayantha served as keynote speaker while
I introduced the publication at the launch of the
late Tissa Abeysekera's collection of essays on cul-
ture and the arts titled, Roots, Reflections and
Reminiscences (2007). A couple of years ago,
Jayantha and I teamed up one more time to write an
essay titled, A Study in 'Creative Compassion’ for
The Fourth Lion - Essays for Gopalkrishna GAND-
HI (2021) edited by Venu Madhav Govindu and
Srinath Raghavan.
In the 1990s, when our friendship had matured to
an extent that I could ask the Dhanapalas for a per-
sonal favour, I would on certain of my regular visits
to the United States, stay with Maureen and
Jayantha whenever they were free of pressing offi-
cial commitments. I stayed with them in
Washington while he was our ambassador (1995-
1997) and later in New York when he was serving as
Under-Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs
(1998-2003). In New York, they would book tickets in
advance for plays on Broadway to make my visits
even more enjoyable. Their friendship and warm
hospitality knew no bounds. I also recall a visit to
the UN with my wife Lilani and our daughter Lara
when Jayantha hosted us to lunch at a restaurant in
the premises of the UN headquarters.
No account of Jayantha would be complete with-
out a reference to the solid and sensitive supporting
role played by Maureen in his life and career. She
By Lynn Ockersz
To put things right fully,
By offering a hand of humanity,
To the people thus savaged,
And telling them that never again,
Will bigotry be allowed to reign,
In this isle of a plural identity….
And this is no formidable task,
For nation-builders genuine,
Who must stand up and be counted.
was a superb fellow-traveller who had known
Jayantha from a very young age and were fellow
undergraduates at Peradeniya as well. If marriages,
as we are told, are indeed made in heaven, then
theirs undoubtedly would be one of them. They
were an extremely compatible and congenial pair to
the very end. After their return to Sri Lanka, we
had the opportunity to meet Jayantha and Maureen
in more relaxed settings over food and drink, either
at our home or theirs or in the homes of common
friends.
Lilani and I went up to Kandy to spend a long-
promised weekend with our senior colleagues and
intimate friends Gananath and Ranjini Obeyesekere
at April's end. Knowing of our strong desire to meet
Jayantha and Maureen during our visit and, as all
of us were close mutual friends, our kind and
thoughtful hosts invited the Dhanapalas to lunch at
their lovely home. It was when we sat to lunch that
it struck me that all six of us around the table,
belonging to different eras, had been through
the Department of English and read for the
Special Degree in English at the University of
Ceylon, Peradeniya which later became the
University of Peradeniya. Little did we know that
one of us would be gone in less than a month and
not be around for another meeting over lunch!
Impermanence is all.
My one-time teacher (he taught Lilani too, in
later years), senior colleague in Peradeniya's
Department of English and close friend, Professor
Thiru Kandiah, and his wife Indranee, have shared
a friendship of much longer standing with the
Dhanapalas. Thiru was a year senior to Jayantha at
Peradeniya while Indranee and Maureen, who had
been schoolmates and close friends at Girl's High
School, Kandy, resumed their friendship at a later
date at Peradeniya. Their fathers had been members
of the Trinity College staff, very close friends and
neighbours. Trinity’s Lemuel House was founded
when Jayantha was a student at the school with
Indranee’s father, the illustrious teacher and Head
Master Mr. R.L Kannangara in charge. Jayantha
was one of the most outstanding students of
Lemuel and Indranee’s father soon came to respect
and, also like him very much.
The Kandiahs now live in Perth, Australia and
realising that they may be unaware of Jayantha's
passing, I wrote to inform them of the sad event.
Soon there was a flurry of emails exchanged
amongst the three of us and I found myself in total
agreement with their assessment of the
Dhanapalas.
Here is Thiru on Jayantha:
Jayantha was held in especially high esteem and
regard by absolutely everybody. This was not least
for the obvious brilliance of his mind. But closely
allied with that, there was in addition this very dis-
tinctive way in which he tended to come across to
people in his interactions with them- as of his very
nature a signally intellectual sort of person: always
impeccably reasoned, and very definitely and firmly
so, if in an unostentatious and quietly unassertive,
also exemplarily courteous, manner that lent him
great dignity; with the unmistakable integrity of
the positions he adopted on matters and what he
stood for adding considerable power to the striking-
ly impressive impact he had on people.
Indranee’s pertinent observation is that
Maureen is as good natured as she is beautiful and
gentle and that the school, “could not have found a
better head prefect than her”. She goes on to say
that Maureen’s father was a very caring and helpful
person and her mother, a gentle and gracious lady.
These are sentiments that deserve to be widely
shared and hence my doing so.
All in all, Jayantha Dhanapala was a formidable
personality, though, never aggressive or unap-
proachable. He was friendly and unfailingly courte-
ous at all times. I wish to end this tribute with
another most appropriate quote from Thiru
Kandiah:
Much will, I am sure, be said and written of
Jayantha at this time of his leaving us. But the man
we were fortunate to know and whom we had such
affection and respect for will remain in our hearts
and minds as long as we are around.
 The Island Wednesday 7th June, 2023 9
helm of political power, lawmaker establish a Broadcasting Authority had-
By Shamindra Ferdinando Herath said that it could be used selec- n’t been successful.
tively against any media organization
that took a stand contrary to that of the Harsha takes a strong stand

T
he Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa
government, continuing to strug-
gle on the economic front, is keen
to consolidate its position, both in and
outside Parliament.
The media has emerged as the
major challenge to the government due
to the failure on the part of the
Opposition to adopt a cohesive political
strategy.
Both the government and the
Opposition seem to be in disarray and
unable to come to terms with the con-
tinuing political-economic and social
crisis, fuelled by external forces.
The move to introduce a controver-
sial Broadcasting Regulatory
Commission Act should be examined,
taking into consideration current polit-
ical and economic challenges faced by
the incumbent administration.
Did the Justice Ministry or the
Media Ministry, at least, informally
consult President Ranil
Wickremesinghe, who is also the
Minister of Defence, in addition to
being the Finance Minister and the
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed
Forces, on the proposed Broadcasting
Regulatory Commission Act, at least
after being so thoroughly educated by
the highest court in the land on the
‘Central Bank of Sri Lanka’ Bill? A sec-
tion of the Opposition believes the
government in respect of any issue -
ranging from national security to what
the architects of this destructive piece
of legislation called the national econo-
my. The operations of the offending
media could be either suspended or per-
manently closed down, the academic
said, urging the print and electronic
media to vigorously take up this issue.
MP Herath lambasted the govern-
ment for seeking to prohibit the media
taking up economic issues. Alleging
G.L. Pieris Sajith Premadasa Harsha de Silva that such provisions were political, the
lawmaker said that the issue is who
would interpret the term ‘national
economy’ in an economically ruined
country. Would it be President
Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the
Finance Minister, Governor of the
Central Bank Dr. Nandalal
Weerasinghe, State Finance Minister
Shehan Semasinghe or the
International Monetary Fund, he asked
Prof. Herath expressed serious con-
cern over the proposed committee con-
sisting of three persons headed by the
Director General, TRC, to investigate
complaints directed at radio and televi-
sion stations. Pointing out that there is
ambiguity pertaining to the appoint-
Pubudu Jayagoda Wijeyadasa Rajapakse ment of such a committee, the
Charitha Herath
MP questioned how two out of the
Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) front
liner Dr. Harsha de Silva is another MP
who came out strongly against the pro-
posed law. The former UNP non-Cabinet
minister flayed the government over
the move at a media briefing held at the
Opposition Leader’s Office on Sir
Marcus Fernando Mawatha.
The top SJB spokesman warned that
this legislation, touted as an effort to
advance the mass media, actually
would serve as a tool for the govern-
ment to crack down on and manipulate
the media to suit its own agenda.
According to Dr. de Silva, the pro-
posed Broadcasting Authority Bill con-
tained provisions that enabled the gov-
ernment to exert pressure on and con-
trol media outlets that do not align with
its ideology. Such measures, the econo-
mist argued were fundamentally incom-
patible with the principles of a demo-
cratic society.
“One of the cornerstones of a
democracy is the freedom to hold differ-
ing opinions. The media cannot be sub-
ject to the whims of a particular
authority that operated at the behest
of the government. The media should
enjoy the independence to express their
views”, Dr. de Silva asserted. “This
right to free expression is a fundamen-
tal tenet of any democratic society. The

Broadcasting
President hadn’t been aware of this proposed Broadcasting Authority Act
move. aims to stifle the media, and we will not
However, former External Affairs stand for it”.
Minister and SLPP rebel Prof. G. L. Dr. de Silva further cautioned that
Peiris and Frontline Socialist Party the government’s motives behind this
(FSP) spokesman Pubudu Jayagoda did- legislation mirror its previous attempts
n’t mince their words when they to suppress the media through the

Regulatory Commission
alleged the whole exercise was for the failed Anti-Terrorism Act. The MP
benefit of President Wickremesinghe. asserted that, having faced resistance to
Prof. Peiris has alleged that the their oppressive measures, the govern-
President intended to rein in media in ment is now seeking alternative
line with his overall political strategy avenues to fulfill its objective of muz-
to consolidate his power whereas zling critical voices, and the
Jayagoda explained how the Broadcasting Authority Act is their lat-

Act jolts Opposition

Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govern-
ment launched the project soon after
the UNP leader’s election as the
President in late July last year.
Jayagoda insists that the Cabinet has
cleared the Bill.
The Broadcasting Regulatory
Commission and the committee tasked
to investigate complaints against televi-
sion and radio stations would be domi-
nated by the President’s men to such an
extent, it couldn’t be expected to dis-
charge its responsibilities in an impar-
tial manner. Jayagoda pointed out how
two persons of the Regulatory
Commission could take far reaching
decisions regardless of the conse-
quences. In case any member failed to
carry out directives received from the
President, he or she faced the axe.
Jaygoda questioned the absurdity in
appointing the commission for a period
of five years in line with the five-year
presidential term. Both Prof. Peiris
and Jayagoda emphasized the grave
danger posed by the President exercis-
ing power over the media regardless of
some sections of the media pursuing
politically motivated agendas.
Against the backdrop of fierce criti-
cism of the proposed law, Justice
Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC,
on 02 June came up with the face sav-
ing reply that no final decision has
been taken in this regard.
The former President of the Bar
Association said that the issue at hand
was still under discussion and a set of
proposals, pertaining to the proposed
Broadcast Authority Act, were in the
public domain. The Minister insisted
that the relevant bill is yet to be pre-
pared.
The Colombo District lawmaker
said so in his capacity as the Chairman
of a Cabinet sub-committee tasked with
preparing a regulatory mechanism in
this regard. The Cabinet-sub-committee
consists of Media Minister Bandula
Gunawardena, Labour Minister
Manusha Nanayakkara, Health
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and
Ports and Shipping Minister Nimal
Siripala de Silva.
The media raised the proposed
Bill with Minister Rajapakse at a brief-
ing in the Justice Ministry especially
called to address issues pertaining to
the Office of the Missing Persons
(OMP) established in 2016
during the Yahapalana administration.
Dr. Rajapakse has assured that
media organizations would be given an
opportunity to make representations in
this regard.
The latest controversy over the pro-
posed Bill with a set of proposals out-
lining its possible content already in
the public domain, should be examined
against the backdrop of strong opposi-
tion to the proposed Anti-Terrorism
Bill and Bill titled ‘Central Bank of Sri
Lanka.’ In addition to those disputed
and much discussed Bills, a major
debate is likely over the proposed
Budget Office. The text of the Bill
meant to specify the powers, duties and
functions of the Budget Office is now in
the public domain. The government
certainly owed an explanation as to
why it cannot seek a consensus with
the Opposition at the relevant consulta-
tive committee/sectoral oversight com-
mittee in this regard. The country is in
such a desperate situation, it cannot
under any circumstances afford further
est attempt to do so.
The concerns raised by Dr. Harsha
de Silva who was once widely tipped to
be the Finance Minister of the
Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa govern-
ment, underscored the need for a robust
and independent media, one that could
act as a vital check on governmental
power and foster a thriving democratic
New laws contemplated by the government appears to have three-member committee could society. The MP stressed the pivotal
decide either to suspend or permanent-
caused much concern among Opposition political parties for ly close down operations of an ‘offend-
importance policymakers and citizens
alike closely examine the proposed leg-
obvious reasons. The constitutionality of the proposed ing’ broadcaster. islation and its potential implications
Broadcasting Authority Bill is expected to be challenged on press freedom, ensuring that any
in the Supreme Court. The whole process of law making raised Impact on Parliament changes made to media regulations
quite a stir in the wake of the recent shocking Supreme However, MP Herath didn’t discuss did not infringe upon the democratic
how the proposed new law could even principles that underpin our society.
Court determination that one-third of the Bill titled ‘Central hinder the coverage of parliamentary SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith
Bank of Sri Lanka’ is contrary to the Constitution and several proceedings as well as the reportage of Premadasa has alleged that the gov-
dozens of amendments are required to pave the way for its pas- shocking disclosures at parliamentary ernment’s latest bid was meant to cre-
sage with a simple majority. It also shows that our judges have a watchdog committees. Depending on ate an environment in which only
the stand taken by the government on a those who propagated the government
backbone and are not easily swayed by the incumbent all-power- particular issue, in terms of the line could operate.
ful Executive President, who is only there on a ‘contract’ to com- Broadcasting Authority Act, action can Lawmaker Premadasa has said that
plete the remainder of the previous President Gatabaya be initiated against a television station the move to throttle the media seemed
for its reportage on a matter even dis-
Rajapaksa’s term after he was ousted by violent protests insti- to be a critical part of the govern-
cussed in Parliament. ment’s overall strategy and should be
gated from outside. The UNP may use the new law to considered as an extremely danger-
suppress reportage and discussion on ous move against the backdrop of
Treasury bond scams perpetrated in indefinite postponement of Local
2015 and 2016 under its watch. The Government polls. MP
political turmoil. of the Ceylon Broadcasting SLPP may find the new law useful to Premadasa, like his opposition col-
Unfortunately, the government Corporation Act (No 37 of 1966) and the pressure the media over the reportage leagues Prof. Herath and Dr. de
appears to be hell-bent on bulldozing its Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Act of circumstances leading to the eco- Silva, alleged the licenses were to be
way through the legislature, regardless (No 06 of 1982), respectively. Herath also nomic ruin due to a spate of ill- advised issued on the basis of the media
of whatever consequences. explained how the Telecommunications decisions taken by President Gotabaya organizations’ loyalty to the govern-
The recent sacking of Janaka Act applied to broadcasting operations. Rajapaksa. ment.
Ratnayake, the outspoken and highly The MP said that no one could dis- The committee tasked with investi-
ambitious Chairman of the Public pute the need to introduce a new law to gating complaints against media organ-
Utilities Commission underscored the regulate radio and television stations. izations may find even the exposure of Censorship
government strategy. But the proposed Bill now in the public serious lapses on the part Several decades ago, Sri Lanka
Ratnayake is on record as having domain revealed the of the bureaucracy offensive. A case in exercised censorship to
said before a parliamentary watchdog government’s intention to suppress point is the shocking disclosures made control the media, at a time television
committee that he received the influen- those who would dare to challenge it on in the relevant parliamentary watchdog posed no real challenge.
tial position for serving the Rajapaksas. whatever issue, lawmaker Herath said, committees how the officialdom Having joined The Island in June
But, he was removed by the Rajapaksas’ warning the government of dire conse- addressed critical issues at hand. The 1987, the writer remembered how
SLPP at the behest of President Ranil quences if it pursued such a strategy. recent revelation that taxes, interest print media had to submit all
Wickremesinghe. Altogether 123 law- Asked to explain, MP Herath alleged and penalties amounting to Rs 904 bn 'copies' that dealt with security and
makers voted for the motion to remove that the proposed Act dealt with radio hasn’t been collected by the Inland political issues to the government cen-
Ratnayake whereas 77 opposed. and television stations in a manner that Revenue underscored the need to sor for approval. Successive govern-
Government member Ali Sabri Raheem they were yet to be established in Sri address this issue urgently. ments imposed censorship to cover up
voted against the motion to protest Lanka. The architects of the new law During the media briefing lawmak- military reversals in the Northern and
against the failure on the part of conveniently ignored the fact that radio er Herath explained how the media Eastern Provinces and part of the
President Wickremesinghe and Premier and television stations were in opera- could be targeted on the basis of overall strategy to deal with the sec-
Dinesh Gunawardena to intervene tion here for several decades and could- alleged abuses in the coverage of ond JVP-led insurgency 1987-89.
on his behalf after he was caught n’t be subjected to a new law the way it issues. In the absence of interpretation Successive governments harassed
with undeclared gold and smartphones dealt with a new entrant. of the term abuse of power, the com- the print media and attacks directed at
worth Rs 74 mn and Rs 4.2 mn, respec- “The bottom line is that the pro- mittee headed by the Director General, journalists and private media institu-
tively, while coming through the posed Broadcasting Authority Act com- TRC would be able to find fault with tions over the years were part of that
VIP/VVIP channel at the BIA, where pletely ignored Article 14 of the any broadcaster to appease his/her despicable strategy. Whatever the
such people are normally whisked Constitution that guaranteed the free- political master. It would be pertinent provocations, the assassinations of
through without any checks. dom of speech and expression, includ- to mention that just two out of a three- journalists cannot be condoned.
Rebel SLPP lawmaker Prof. ing publication. If the enactment of the member committee is authorized to
Perpetrators of such heinous crimes
Charitha Herath mounted a no holds proposed Broadcasting Authority Act decide on the fate of a media organiza-
had never been arrested. The assassi-
barred attack on the proposed takes place as it is, that will deliver a tion. Even the criticism of the contro-
nation of The Sunday Leader Editor
Broadcasting Authority Act. At his reg- deadly blow to democracy. We do not versial postponement of the much
Lasantha Wickremetunga on January
ular briefing at Nidahasa Jathika want a North Korea type situation delayed Local Government polls indefi-
08, 2009 is perhaps the case that
Sabhawa (NJS) office here.” nitely may attract the attention of the
Broadcasting Authority as the govern- attracted the most media coverage
at Nawala. The one-time Media Referring to the composition of the
ment propagated the myth that econom- though there were many other attacks.
Ministry Secretary explained how the commission, MP Herath questioned the
proposed law could be utilized against rationale in restricting the total num- ic recovery should be given priority, Keith Noyahr, Defence correspon-
television and radio stations which ber of members to five and the quorum therefore election process can wait. dent at the now defunct The Nation
refused to toe the government line. three. Pointing out that of the five Prof. Herath explained how mem- newspaper earned the wrath for his
The NJS comprises 13 MPs elected members of the proposed commission, bers of the commission can be removed critical weekly column titled ‘Military
and appointed on the SLPP two - a Secretary to a Ministry (most in case they didn’t toe the government Matters.’ His abduction and subse-
ticket/accommodated on its National probably Media Ministry) and the line. Instead of the very purpose a quent release in May 2008 exposed the
List. Director General of Broadcasting Authority is required to then government though the investiga-
Acknowledging the need and the Telecommunication Regulatory primarily have a level playing field, the tion was never brought to a successful
responsibility on the part of the gov- Commission were ex-officio, the law- one proposed can be a threat to media conclusion even after the defeat of
ernment to introduce the Broadcasting maker said the President would name freedom. In the hands of politicians that government in January 2015!
Authority Act, National List lawmaker three remaining members subject to who pursue destructive self-aggrandiz- The proposed Broadcasting
Herath questioned the intention of the approval of the Constitutional ing strategies regardless of conse- Authority Bill has taken the govern-
those behind what he called a despica- Council. quences, therefore the proposed ment’s battle (whichever party in
ble move. Alleging that this commission Broadcasting Authority can be a tool to power) to a new level. Now political
The country’s radio and television would be nothing but a highly danger- harm the free media. Prof. Herath strategy is aimed at closing down
stations are allowed to operate in terms ous tool in the hands of those at the regretted that the previous attempts to whole television or radio stations.
10 Wednesday 7th June, 2023
Sudoku No. 5406
Solution to No. 5405
KaKuro 4642
Solution 4641
How to play: Fill in the blank squares, using 1 to 9, without repeating
any number in any line. The lines must be filled in with numbers that
add up to the total in the shaded box at the top or beginning of each
line. A number in the bottom half of the shaded box is the down-
ward total; in the top half, it’s the horizontal total.
CNN Chairman Chris Licht apologizes to
staff as questions grow about his future
CNN Chairman Chris Licht is
trying to win back the support of
his troops following a disastrous
magazine piece about his first
year at the network.
Licht expressed regret
Monday to staffers about the
Atlantic profile by journalist Tim
Alberta, described by many
media industry longtimers as an
unusually damaging story about
a prominent media executive.
The piece comes after a
tumultuous period for CNN
under Licht’s tenure that has
been marked by cost-cutting pres-
sures, programming missteps
and declining audiences.
Executives and employees
throughout CNN and its Warner
No knowledge of arith-
metic is required to enjoy
this. All you need is a logi-
cal mind, a pencil and an
eraser. Try it. Suffer its tor-
ture. Discover its ecstasy.
It's a mind game you will
solve with reasoning and
logic. The rules are very
simple. Fill in the grid with
numbers so that every
row, every column and
every small 3x3 box con-
tains the numbers 1 to 9.
Each number has its allot-
ted place if you look hard
enough. No number
should be repeated in any
row, column or 3x3 box.
Here's an easy one to try -
See tomorrow's Island for
solution.
Former television producer Chris
Licht, shown here at an event in Los
Angeles in 2022, faces an uncertain
future as CNN Chairman.(Jordan
Strauss / Invision via AP)
Bros. Discovery were outraged by
the story, and the top conversa-
tion internally is how much
longer Licht can last in the job,
according to several insiders who
were not authorized to discuss
the matter publicly.
Date: 07-06-2023
Aries: You are likely to go on short trips in
connection with your kid’s academics.
You may be able to do difficult tasks, in an
easy way. You may spend on buying
some artefacts, or household stuff, which
will improve your lifestyle. You may also
spend on your friends and family members. Singles
may find a soul mate, while love birds may enjoy their
happy moments.
Andy Capp By Reg Henry Scargelli
Taurus: Some sort of negativity may be
noticed around you. It is advised to con-
trol your way of speaking, as harsh
speaking can create problems around
you. You may deny any suggestion
given by your well-wisher. However, by
late evening, things may be under con-
trol.
Gemini: You are likely to be more emo-
tional in family-related issues. You may
perform well at work, and you are likely
to complete your task on time, which
may boost your confidence. Your inner
self may help you to take difficult deci-
sions, in terms of business growth.
Wizard of Id By Parker and Hart
Cancer: You are likely to meet some
adviser or to get some direction, which
may help you to invest your savings into
better options, which may boost your
financial health. You may find yourself
more polite with others, which may
increase your respect among people
around you.
Leo: You may be confident. You may
enjoy your work, which may speed up
your current project. You may feel
healthy. Your desire may come true.
People around you will take help from
you to solve their problems, which may
increase your prestige in society.
Mother Goose & Grimm By Mike
Virgo: You may feel dull and may face
some health issues, which may affect
your daily routine. You are advised to
keep eyes open. You may be confused in
taking right decisions. It is advised that
you should not take any financial deci-
sions, related to your business. Keep
patience and avoid hurry.
Libra: You are likely to take the right
decision in making investments. Your
past investments may also give you prof-
it. You are likely to start working on a new
project which will give you benefits, in the
long term. You may increase your net-
work to improve your social status.
Scorpio: Today you may be busy at
work. Your focus towards your goal is
now clear, which may help you to com-
Mutt & Jeff plete your task, before the deadline,
and with perfection. You may also enjoy
your happy moments with the family.
Singles are likely to find their soul mate.
You may plan to renovate your house or
office, which may enhance your status.
Sagittarius: With the help of the
elder’s blessings, you may come out
of last week’s messy situation. You
may observe some progress in your
life. Your spiritual power may help you
to take right decisions. Your financial
status may improve.
Capricorn: Today you will be a victim
of negative thoughts. Impatient nature
and arrogance will push you back from
Pickles taking tough decisions. You will need
the blessing of your elders, which will
help you to grow into your work front.
Aquarius: You may expect to hear some
good news, in terms of your profession.
Domestic life may be in full swings of joy.
You are advised to avoid arguing on
worthless topics connected with family
issues. You can take important decisions
in making investments in assets.
Students may be focused in their studies.
Pisces: Today is good for your work, You
may perform well at work. Your seniors
may give you some responsibility in terms
of promotions.You may be in a winning
position in some litigation. You are likely to
meet an investment consultant connected
with your kids’ future.
Daily Island Crossword No. 4248
Across
07 Unjust (6)
16 Medicine that induces nausea
and vomiting (6)
08 Easily irritated or annoyed (6) 18 Tallow mixed with oil, used to make leather
09 Look furtively (4) soft and waterproof (6)
10 A single distinct event (8) 19 Mineral (5)
11 Promoting health; healthful (7) 22 Dim (4)
13 Small vascular growth on the surface of a
mucous membrane (5) Crossword No. 4247
15 Aromatic compound (5)
17 Arena (7)
20 Wedding hymn (8)
21 Foretell (4)
23 Petrify (6)
24 Dampen (6)
Down
01 (Poker) the initial contribution that each play-
er makes to the pot (4)
02 Of or relating to the wrist (6)
03 Cargo (7)
04 Bunch (5)
05 Artist’s workplace (6)
06 Expression of gratitude (5,3)
12 A writer of literary works (8)
14 Use (7)
 The Island SPORTS Wednesday 7th June, 2023
11
Hines, first man to break 10 seconds for 100m, dies Under 13 All Island
Legendary US sprinter Jim Hines,
the first man to break 10 seconds barri-
tie it.
At the 1968 US Championships in Inter Schools
Badminton
er in the 100 metres has died at the age Sacramento, Hines became the first
of 76, World Athletics announced in a man to officially break the 10-second
statement. barrier for 100m, doing so with 9.9 (and

Along with being the 1968 Olympic
100m champion, Hines is best known
for being the first man to break the 10-
second barrier for the 100m officially.
Hines was born in Dumas,
Arkansas, in September 1946, but
raised in Oakland, California. Baseball
was one of his early sporting interests,
but athletics coach Jim Coleman spot-
ted his running ability. By the time
Hines was 17, he already ranked among
the top 20 in the world over 100 yards.
Coached by 1956 triple Olympic
champion Bobby Morrow, Hines
achieved his first US Championships
podium finish in 1965, placing second
in the 200m. In 1966 he won the nation-
al 200m title, and one year later he won
his first national 100 yards title. Hines
also set his first ratified world records
in 1967, clocking 9.1 for 100 yards and
10.0 for 100m.
Jim Hines, right, breaks the tape to win the Men’s 100 metres gold medal in 9,9,seconds at Hines was the fifth man to claim a
the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images) share of the world 100m record with
that mark. Another five men went on to
an electronically timed 10.03, though it
wasn’t until 1977 that electronic times
were required for record ratification).
Having earned his spot on the US
team, Hines went to the Olympic
Games in Mexico City that year as the
marginal favourite. He lived up to
expectations and charged to victory in
9.9 (9.95 electronic), making him the
first man officially to break 10 seconds
with electronic timing.
Hines’ world record lasted 15 years –
the longest of any men’s 100m world
record in the fully automatic era –
before it was finally broken by Calvin
Smith in 1983 with 9.93.
Hines went on to add another
Olympic gold medal – and world record
– to his collection when he anchored
the USA to 4x100m victory in 38.24.
After retiring from athletics at the
end of 1968, Hines went on to play in
the NFL for the Miami Dolphins and
Kansas City Chiefs. He later worked
with inner-city youth in Houston.
from June 10
Under 13 All Island Inter Schools
Badminton Tournament 2023 conduct-
ed by Sri Lanka Schools Badminton
Association with the support of Sri
Chandananda Buddhist College Kandy
will be held from June 10 to 12 at
Municipal Indoor Stadium Kandy.
The championship will see ten
events for both girls and boys being
conducted in five Divisions namely, A,
B, C, D, and E.
According to Sri Lanka Schools
Badminton Association, hundred
school teams have confirmed their
participation in the event.
Further details of the champi-
onship can be obtained from Malika
Waduge (077-7494478), Secretary, Sri
Lanka Schools Badminton
Association.

World Test Championship Final

All right at the top for India?

Ashwin a left-field choice?
Australia will be looking
to add to their enviable collec-
tion of world titles as they
face off against India at the
Oval on June 7. India, on the
other hand, will be desperate
to break their barren run in
ICC events which has now
lasted for a decade. India have
dominated Australia in the
recent past winning each of
the four series between the
two teams by a similar 2-1
margin, though the latter
would take solace from the
fact that the record in the
first Test of these four rub-
bers is a more even 2-2. Here's
a look into some key factors
that could prove decisive in
the final showdown.
An atypical Kennington Oval
Test
The second oldest Test
ground in the world and a
ground that has hosted no less
than 104 Tests will be doing so
in the month of June for the
first time ever. In the last six
Tests at the Oval (since 2016),
the average team scores have
followed a peculiar pattern of
growth as the match progress-
es. The average first innings
score is 269 which increases
to 280 in the second innings
and then inflates to a highest
of 326 in the third innings. In
terms of day-wise averages,
batters average 28.26 on the
first day which increases to
31.70 on the second, and fur-
ther rises to 32.18 on the
third. It reads a more than
respectable 30.21 on the fourth
day further underlying how
batting gets easier as the
match progresses.
The numbers must be read
with caution given the timing
of the match - early June com-
pared to typical late summer
games hosted here typically.
The last four Tests at the Oval
have all been played in the
month of September, at the
backend of English summer
and in the last three decades
it has hosted a Test before
August only twice (2012 &
2017). In the three
Championship matches
played here in 2023, the home
team Surrey won all three
batting second. Across these
three games, pacers have
taken 90 wickets at 27.60 com-
pared to just a solitary one by
the spinners.
Australia dominates the batting
charts
Australia have dominated
the batting charts in the sec-
ond iteration of WTC with
their top six averaging 46.07,
comfortably two runs ahead
of next-placed Pakistan.
Usman Khawaja is WTC's
leading run-getter, scoring
1608 runs at 69.91, including
six three-figures knocks
spread across varied condi-
tions. Marnus Labuschagne,
Steven Smith and Travis Head
all sit among the top seven
having aggregated 1000+ runs
at 50+ average, and in the case
of Head, also striking at 80
runs per 100 balls.
India, meanwhile, sits way
down at sixth position averag-
ing 33.74 and none of their
batters breaching the 1000-run
mark. India began WTC 2
with their big three of Virat
Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and
Ajinkya Rahane all struggling
for runs in red ball cricket in
the previous 12 months. So
much has changed in the mid-
dle-order personnel for India
during the cycle yet so much
has remained the same as the
climax of the cycle is
Rohit and Dravid will have some hard choices to make. (cricbuzz)
approaching. Pujara and
Rahane were both given the
axe following the series defeat
in South Africa in 2021/22 but
as fate would have it, India's
top seven in WTC 2 final will
look identical man-to-man in
comparison to what they field-
ed two years ago in
Southampton, a forced change
in the absence of injured
Rishabh Pant the only diver-
gence.
Right vs left
When Australia blasted
India out for 36 in Adelaide,
one of the reasons cited for
the collapse in a heap was a
slew of right-handers slotted
in one after the other by
India. The resurgence of Pant
and Ravindra Jadeja in the
batting front has meant India
has had two southpaws to
break the glut of right-han-
ders but the unavailability of
the former will be a crucial
blow on not just robbing India
of their best batter on from in
WTC 2 as well as deprives
them of a left-handed batter
to break up the middle order
trio of Pujara, Kohli and
Rahane. Ishan Kishan is a
left-field choice available but
whether India will hand him
a debut in the summit clash
remains to be seen.
In Ashes 2019, Pat
Cummins was a nightmare for
English right-hand batters
picking 21 wickets at just 14
apiece with a wicket every six
overs. Cummins has an excep-
tional record against Pujara
and Kohli dismissing them
seven and five times each at
averages of 24.57 and 16.40
respectively. He has also got
the better of Gill thrice aver-
aging 19.67 and taming
Cummins will be of prime
importance for India putting
up a big first-innings total.
Josh Hazlewood, who was
Cummins' partner-in-crime
when they routed India for 36,
has been ruled out and his
spot is most likely to be taken
by Scott Boland whose 24 of
28 victims in his seven-Test
career have been right-han-
ders against whom he aver-
ages a barely believable 11.29.
On the other hand,
Australia's top order consists
of as many as four southpaws
and no side has bowled better
to left-handers than India in
the recent past. Mohammed
Siraj and R Ashwin have been
exceptional to left-handers in
the last two tours to England
averaging 18.86 and 14.85
respectively. Whom to leave
out between Ashwin, Umesh
Yadav, and Shardul Thakur
will be the biggest selection
headache as far as Indian
team management is con-
cerned. While the conditions
might point to picking four
seamers plus Jadeja and
strengthening their batting,
as India did throughout their
last tour to England, the fact
that Ashwin has had the wood
over Smith in the recent past
(five dismissals at 17.20 since
2020/21 series) tilt the scales
in Ashwin's favour. Smith will
undoubtedly be the biggest
roadblock for India given his
record against India, in Tests
in England and especially at
the Oval. Smith has dominat-
ed the Indian pace attack
averaging 137 against Shami,
66.75 against Umesh, and 44
against Siraj.
The challenge for India's bowl-
ing attack
The big challenge for India
with their depleted pace bowl-
ing stocks would be whether
change bowlers can bowl dry
for long spells - something
which they have failed to do
often in this cycle, especially
in away Tests in England and
South Africa. This has been
quite a far cry from the hey-
days of Kohli & Ravi Shastri
in charge where their fast
bowlers would often resort to
bowling longish dry spells to
keep batters honest and not
let the game drift away.
Take for instance the final
of WTC 1 at Southampton a
couple of years ago.
Defending a modest 217 in
their first innings, New
Zealand got off to a great
start reaching 100 for the loss
of a solitary wicket but
India's bowlers ensured it
took them 45 overs to get
there. In the next 35 overs
with the old ball, India gave
just about 50 runs picking
four wickets in the process.
This was the very quality
they seemed to lack in the
defeats in South Africa and
England in the last 18
months where they failed to
defend fourth innings targets
in three successive Tests con-
ceding at rates of 3.59, 3,34
and 4.93. In these three Test
defeats, the change pacers
went at 4.07 per over. India is
certain to miss the experi-
ence Ishant Sharma and the
defensive skills of Jasprit
Bumrah massively at the
Oval later this week and
would desperately want one
of their seamers to fill in the
shoes admirably. In WTC 2,
Australia's lower middle
order (5-7) averages nearly 39
and strikes at 62 and in
Head, Green and Carey,
Australia has an aggressive
lineup of lower middle order
batters who can take the
game away in a matter of
half a session.
The battle of two heavy-
weights promises to be a lip-
smacking contest and the
team that makes their oppo-
nent blink first could well
turn out to be the winner.
 Wednesday 7th June, 2023

Sri Lanka confident World Cup

qualifiers will go well Rex Clementine at
Suriyawewa

H
aving failed to qualify
automatically for the
World Cup later this
year, Sri Lanka will be flying
shortly to Zimbabwe to secure
one of the two remaining slots
for the sport’s showpiece
event. But before that they
have got to finish off the ODI
series against Afghanistan and
the former champions will be
hoping that they will be able to
clinch the series prior to flying
off to Harare.
After losing the first ODI
by six wickets, Sri Lanka
bounced back to square the
series with a 132-run win on
Sunday. That was a match
where they basically produced
the perfect game and ticked all
the boxes.
The top order gave a solid
start before the middle order
capitalized on it and the lower
middle order finished things
off in style scoring 109 runs
from the last ten overs. Sri
Lanka piled up 323 for six and
Afghanistan were never in the
hunt as they were shot out for
191.
“The last game was a per-
fect exhibition of our plans.
Everything was executed well.
Since we had wickets in hand
we could take risks. We could
double the score and that was
the plan. That’s what we want
to do,” Sri Lanka’s Batting
Coach Naveed Nawaz told jour-
nalists.
Prior to this series, we had
a free period and we worked a
lot on players’ fitness at the
High-Performance Center.
During this series we brought
in a dietician and planned our
food patterns. There is also a
psychologist around. This is
all done in a bid to establish
whatever we have lost in the
last few years,” Nawaz added.
While Sri Lanka are fret-
ting over World Cup qualifica-
tions, there’s no such trouble
for Afghanistan. Their captain
Hashmatullah Shahidi told
journalists that they will be
one of the dark horses during
the World Cup.
“Our ratings are improving
day by day and match by
match. We believe that we can
do something special in this
World Cup. We will be one of
the best teams in the World
Cup. We are the dark horses.
The Asian conditions will suit
our spin bowlers and we are
excited,” Hashmatullah
Shahidi said.
For today’s series decider
leg-spinner Rashid Khan is
expected to make a comeback
having missed the first two
ODIs due to a back injury.
“He is obviously our star
performer. We didn’t want to
take any risks with him as we
have the Asia Cup and the
World Cup. We will assess his
situation during training and
make a call whether he is
ready to feature in the final
game. It will mean a lot to us
to come here to Sri Lanka and
beat them in their own back-
yard,” the Afghan captain
said.

Angelo Mathews bats during training at Suriyawewa ahead of the

Asia Cup:
Sabalenka
third ODI against Afghanistan.

Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh

reject PCB's hybrid model?
Have Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Bangladesh for-
mally rejected the hybrid model proposed by
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the Asia Cup? That
seems to be the latest on the imbroglio that has led to
prolonged uncertainty over staging of the six-nation-
al continental championship. Sri Lanka is set to be
the host.
According to the news coming in from Pakistan,
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), Bangladesh Cricket Board
(BCB) and Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have
written to the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) formally
rejecting the host PCB's formula of conducting four
games in Pakistan and rest of the matches in the
UAE, thereby upholding the position of the BCCI
which has been opposed to the model.
The development was revealed by Rashid Latif.
"India and 3 countries, except Pakistan, rejected
Hybrid model for Asia cup, All agreed on one venue
due to logistics and financial issues. Might be a Zoom
meeting soon or a general meeting in Dubai in a few
days to finalise the matter (Sic)," the former Pakistan
through
captain said in a Twitter post. When contacted by
Cricbuzz, Latif confirmed the news and also guaran-
to semis
U
teed the authenticity of this update. kraine's Elina Svitolina's
"I have information from independent sources dream run at the French
that four countries have rejected the model and it is Open ended as Belarusian
now a formality that the Asia Cup will be moved out second seed Aryna Sabalenka kept
of Pakistan," Latif, a highly respected former cap- focus to reach the semi-finals.
tain, told cricbuzz on Tuesday morning. Asked if
Svitolina, playing in her first
Pakistan would participate in the tournament, he
said it should. "I feel Pakistan should and will." Grand Slam since giving birth in
However, there was no official clarity on the topic October, lost 6-4 6-4 on the Paris
until late in the evening yesterday. clay.
Previously cricbuzz had reported, quoting an SLC There was a tense atmosphere
official, that Sri Lanka were prepared to host the between two women whose
championship if allotted by the ACC. nations are on opposing sides of
The six-team Asia Cup, tentatively scheduled to Russia's war in Ukraine.
start in the second week of September, is seen as a Sabalenka underlined why she
significant precursor to the World Cup in October- is one of the favourites for the
November. India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
title and will play Karolina
Afghanistan and Nepal are to take part in the 17-
game championship. Muchova in the last four.

Karolina Muchova reaches her first French

Open semi-final
K
arolina Muchova
reached her first
French Open semi-
final with a straight-set vic-
tory over former finalist
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
The Czech won 7-5 6-2 to
book only her second
Grand Slam last-four
appearance.
She edged a tense, hour-
long opening set that fea-
tured five breaks of serve
before winning the second
comfortably.
Muchova will face the
winner of Tuesday's second
quarter-final in Paris
between Elina Svitolina
and world number two
Aryna Sabalenka.
Pavyluchenkova, who
has dropped to 333 in the
world after a serious knee
injury last year, reached
the final at Roland Garros
in 2021, losing to Barbora
Krejcikova.
Her hopes of repeating
that run were ended by a
fine display from Muchova,
26, who broke the Russian's
serve five times.
"It's been an incredible
two weeks and I'm just glad
I'm still in the competi-
tion," Muchova said in her Karolina Muchova's only previous Grand Slam semi-final appearance came at the 2021
on-court interview. Australian Open, where she lost to Jennifer Brady.

Published by Upali Newspapers (Private) Limited, 223, Bloemendhal Road, Colombo 13 and Printed at 195/187, High Level Road, Homagama on Wednesday 7th June, 2023