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COVID-19 CASES IN

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07RECOVERED

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THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 6.00 P.M. ON 16 APRIL 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU

SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) insisted that before the Government takes any decision on resuming economic activities in the country, the testing of first contacts that are traced through Covid-19-positive patients must be completed.

Speaking to The Morning, GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Naveen de Zoysa said that a decision to resume economic activities couldn’t be taken

without evaluating the countrywide situation of the spread of Covid-19.

“To evaluate the situation, the Government should at least complete

the testing of first contacts and then should decide the outcome of the test results; whether it needs to go for second and third contacts likewise,” he added.

During a special meeting held on Wednesday (15), President Gotabaya Rajapaksa instructed the Provincial Directors of Health Services to make necessary recommendations required to maintain normal activities in the industrial, agricultural, and business

sectors through the Director General of Health Services.

The President also stated that the decision to relax current restrictions will be taken only after considerations of the health situation at each provincial level, adding that the prevailing situation also provides an opportunity to assess the current situation as well as to pay attention to the steps that should be taken to improve the strategy.

RECOMMENCING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN THE COUNTRY

Govt. urged to test first contacts

Sealed off due to Covid-19 outbreak

Nagalagam Street in Grandpass in Colombo was sealed off yesterday (16) and placed under isolation due to the Covid-19 outbreak. The announcement was made by Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva.

NAGALAGAM STREET

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader and former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was summoned yesterday (16) to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to record a statement in connection to a probe on a land deal in Mannar.

Bathiudeen grilled for four hours

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith while expressing gladness over the Government’s commitment to continue with the investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, also urged the Government to act against those who knew about the attack beforehand and failed to warn the people.

2019 EASTER ATTACKS

Action also sought against neglect

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader and former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, yesterday (16), claimed that his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen’s arrest over the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings was a brazen act of political victimisation.

RIYAJ’S ARREST

Bathiudeen claims political victimisation

Considering the existing rainy conditions, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) on Wednesday (15), issued a general early warning on landslide, cut slope, and rockfall failures.

Landslide warning for four districts

Western Province Governor Roshan Goonetileke and Western Province Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon distributing dry rations at the Bambalapitiya Police Force Headquarters to the people who were unable to return to their villages due to the curfew

PHOTO LALITH PERERA

Beyond the call of duty

The rice shortage in the market during the New Year holidays has been addressed, said the Ministry of Agriculture while assuring that there wouldn’t be any disruption to the rice supply in the days ahead.

The Ministry further urged the public not to panic.

Contd. on page 2

RICE SHORTAGE IN THE MARKET

Stocks available, don’t panic: Agri Ministry

BY SARAH HANNAN

Strong winds coupled with ice rain experienced in the Puttalam District on Wednesday (15) evening damaged over 1,000 houses situated in six divisional secretariat (DS) divisions in the district, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported.

The number of houses damaged that was accounted for on 15 April stood at 245. However, when The Morning contacted the Puttalam District Disaster Management

Centre, an officer informed that the total number of houses damaged by the adverse weather condition had increased to 1,083.

The damaged houses were situated in the DS divisions of Karuwalagaswewa, Nawaga t t egama , Anamaduwa , Puttalam, Wanathawilluwa, and Mahakumbukkadawala.

Entire roofing structures had been blown out of about 37 houses and once the damages are evaluated, the families are to be given disaster relief funds to repair

and rebuild the houses.“We experienced very strong winds and

along with it there was ice rain; the entire roof including the ceiling sheets were detached from the house and got blown away to the garden,” one of the villagers narrated.

The strong winds had also caused damages to the power lines in the area with trees being completely uprooted and falling over them, disconnecting the power supply to the affected areas and adjacent villages.

Contd. on page 2

STRONG WINDS AND ICE RAIN

Over 1,000 houses damaged

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called on authorities to consider the professional rights of lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah during their investigations and to inform the association of the reasons for his arrest.

BASL President Kalinga Indatissa PC, in a letter to the

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), has noted that the arrest had been made based on functions attended by Hizbullah in his capacity as a member of the Bar.

Indatissa goes on to say that the BASL was concerned for the wellbeing of Hizbullah.

Contd. on page 2

BASL WRITES TO ACTING IGP

Seeks reason for lawyer’s arrest

BY AGRA RANASINGHE

Farmers in some areas of the country have complained about the shortage of seeds required for cultivation although they have prepped their fields to commence agricultural work in a bid to overcome a possible food shortage.

Ministry of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation, and Rural Development Secretary Neel Bandara Hapuhinne

said that at the moment the agriculture authorities have calculated the seed requirement in the country and with the commencement of the Yala season, the seeds will be distributed continuously.

Meanwhile, All Ceylon Farmers' Federation Convener Namal Karunaratne said that the responsibility of setting the mechanism of providing the seeds lies with the Government.

Contd. on page 2

Farmers complain of seed shortage

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) have taken several steps to provide resources to expatriates including making the Workers’ Welfare Fund to all Sri Lankans in the Middle East.

“It was decided to make the Workers’ Welfare Fund – usually a facility availed only to those registered with the bureau – available to all Sri Lankans working in the Middle East region,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Dinesh Gunawardena told The Morning.

Contd. on page 2

SRI LANKANS STRANDED OVERSEAS

Govt. to provide resources

BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcom Ranjith yesterday (16) urged the Government not to hold elections at this point due to the volatility of the coronavirus outbreak.

Addressing the media yesterday on the commemoration event of the anniversary of the Easter Sunday attacks, Cardinal Ranjith said that the Covid-19

situation in Sri Lanka was still not under control.

“I don’t think this is an appropriate time to hold elections. As of this morning, there were 238 Covid-19-infected persons and there are thousands more under quarantine in detention centres across the country. It is clear we have not been able to contain the situation,” the Cardinal said.

Contd. on page 2

COVID-19 PANDEMIC

‘Elections not a priority’

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith PHOTO KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM

While commending the Government’s decision to use the railways to transport vegetables, the farmers’ unions are calling on authorities to co-ordinate the farming industry for a better and more efficient distribution network across the country.

“Now the Government has

taken a decision to transport vegetables and other crops using the railway lines. This is something we have been proposing for years and they have taken the decision after the horses have bolted,” All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation Convener Namal Karunaratne told The Morning.

Contd. on page 2

Better co-ordination needed: Farmers

USE OF TRAINS FOR FOOD TRANSPORTATION

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www.themorning.lkwww.aruna.lk

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www.themorning.lkwww.aruna.lk

‘Elections...He said that the reports of new cases must

cease before things could be considered as under control. “When there has been a prolonged period of time without any reports of new Covid-19 cases, then we can say that things are better and the situation is under control. Therefore, I don’t think we should have elections at this point in time,” Cardinal Ranjith said, adding that elections are not and should not be the priority.

Better...He said that the farmers were being cheated

by traders and that the Government must address this issue through proper co-ordination of the farming industry, including the private sector. “There are four officials for each grama niladari division. Of the 1.4 million government employees, only 1.2 million are working; the remaining employees are at home by no fault of their own. There are many government departments and divisions that are currently idling with many vehicles and equipment that could be utilised. The private sector traders and sellers too have much to offer in this time of need. The Government must co-ordinate these resources and ensure the farmers are given a fair deal and are not victimised,” he said. Despite several attempts, the Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture refused to comment on the matter.

– Skandha Gunasekara

Stocks...Responding to the issue of an impending

rice shortage due to government price controls, Ministry of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation, and Rural Development Secretary Neel Bandara Hapuhinne told The Morning that there was a temporary shortage in the market during the New Year holidays, but now it had returned

to normalcy as there were ample rice stocks in state and privately owned storages.

“There is no shortage of rice and the maximum retail prices (MRPs) imposed on several rice varieties would be strictly implemented and therefore the public can purchase rice at lower prices,” Hapuhinne said.

Accordingly, the MRP prices of rice varieties including keeri samba, white/red samba, white/red raw samba, steamed/boiled white/red nadu, and steamed/boiled white/red raw rice are Rs. 125, 90, 90, 90, and 85 respectively.

However, when The Morning contacted All Ceylon Farmers’ Federation (ACFF) Convener Namal Karunaratne, he stressed that the Government should take strict measures against those mill owners who would not comply with government regulations and those who try to hide stocks to create an artificial shortage.

The majority of stocks are available with private mill owners, and the Government including the stocks at Army have only around 50,000 MT of paddy at present, Karunaratne said adding that therefore it was important to control the large-scale private mill owners by implementing the regulations strictly.

Speaking to The Morning, Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) Director Asela Bandara stressed that strict legal action would be taken against those who sell rice above the MRP.

– Maheesha Mudugamuwa

Govt. to...Furthermore, the Foreign Ministry had also

sought additional funding from the Treasury to meet the needs of Sri Lankans abroad, who have been stranded due to the Covid-19 pandemic, such as the distribution of dry rations and supplies.

“The Treasury has agreed to provide extra funding to help the Government’s efforts to address the issues of Sri Lankans still stuck in other countries. We are taking all possible steps in this regard,” he said.

With regards to repatriating students to Sri Lanka, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Media Spokesperson Ruwanthi Delpitiya said that at present there were no plans to do so due to the coronavirus containment measures taken by the Government.

“Right now the Government has closed all incoming flights so it will be difficult to bring back the students at this point. Once the travel restrictions are lifted we will look into it,” she said.

– Skandha Gunasekara

Seeks...“According to information that we have

received, the reasons for his arrest have been made known up to now. We have been informed that the arrest is based on certain functions attended to by Mr. Hizbullah in his professional capacity as a member of the Bar. While the BASL has no intention of disturbing any pending investigation that is being conducted lawfully by the authorities, naturally, the BASL is concerned about the wellbeing of Mr. Hizbullah,” he stated.

Thereafter, the BASL requested the IGP to inform the BASL of the reasons and the basis of Hizbullah’s arrest.

Hizbullah, along with Riyad Bathiudeen, brother of former Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen, were among six individuals who were arrested on Tuesday (14) by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with last year’s 21 April Easter Sunday terror attacks.

– Skandha Gunasekara

Farmers...He said the Agriculture Department should

certify the seeds and provide them to the farmers immediately because the whole country is in need of overcoming the food shortage.

Mainly, farmers in the Mawathagama area have complained that their fields, which were prepped, are being destroyed by weeds due to the delay of seeds that should be supplied to them.

Over 1,000...The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) stated

that the power supply for about 7,000 houses was disrupted in the Puttalam District following the strong winds.

Meanwhile, 13 houses were damaged in Norwood earlier this week due to heavy rain and strong winds.

Action also...Cardinal Ranjith made these observations

during a press conference held yesterday (16).He said that those who had provided funds

and logistic support to bombers involved in the Easter Sunday attack should also be brought to book.

“We have seen that some have been arrested in connection with the attack. However, we cannot comment on it as investigations are still continuing,” Cardinal Ranjith said.

According to Cardinal Ranjith, the first anniversary of the attacks will be commemorated

as a low-key affair due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country.

Cardinal Ranjith has also appealed to all Sri Lankans to observe a two-minute silence at 8.45 a.m. on 21 April in remembrance of those who were killed in the terrorist carnage on Easter Sunday last year.

He has requested the public to observe the two-minute silence at their respective homes, without holding any gatherings.

“We are happy that the present Government is carrying out investigations on the Easter Sunday attack continuously. However, we urge the Government to bring to book those who knew about the attack beforehand and failed to warn the people,” he further said.

Cardinal Ranjith added that those who neglected prior warnings and failed to prevent the terror attacks last year should also be identified and brought to book.

Bathiudeen...Riyaj Bathiudeen was arrested on Tuesday

(14) in Puttalam over alleged links to the Easter Sunday bombings.

The Police on Wednesday (15) claimed that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had uncovered that Riyaj Bathiudeen had met one Easter Sunday suicide bomber at a luxury hotel in Colombo and that he had maintained connections with another suicide bomber as well. Issuing a statement yesterday, Rishad Bathiudeen said that during the Easter Sunday attacks last year, many politicians and mainstream and social media started their racial campaigns against him saying he was behind the attacks.

“I affirm that neither I nor any of my family members are involved with these terrorist attacks.”

The following is Bathiudeen’s full statement:“My brother Riyaj Bathiudeen was arrested

by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID)while he was at his house in Puttalam on 14 April 2020 stating that he had a connection with a suicide bomber with respect to the Easter Sunday attacks. Until now, none of his family members nor his lawyer were allowed to speak to him. Although around seven persons were arrested along with him, only his name, stating that he was my brother, was published in all media with many false allegations.

I affirm that neither I nor any of my family members are involved with these terrorist attacks. Also, I wish to state that we were and will always be against terrorism since we also belong to a community that was forcibly evicted by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) in 1990.

This arrest is clearly political victimisation and the only reason for his arrest was that he is a brother of mine. During the Easter Sunday attacks last year, many politicians and mainstream and social media started their racial campaigns against me saying that I was behind this attack. But finally, it was proved and even the Acting IGP (Inspector General of Police) informed the Parliamentary Secretary General that Rishad Bathiudeen has had no connection with this attack or any other terrorist activity following his investigations made by a special police committee to investigate those false allegations. Now the arrow has been pointed at my brother to tarnish my image.

Finally, I wish to state that I and my family, including my brother, will provide the fullest support to the investigations conducted by the Police and CID with regard to these attacks, and I request these racial media and other extremists to stop publicising fake news which is a disruption for the investigations. Think wisely and act with humanity!

Rishad BathiudeenLeader – All Ceylon Makkal Congress”.

Bathiudeen grilled...Bathiudeen arrived at the CID last morning

and provided a four-hour-long statement to the investigators over the Mannar land issue.

A case is currently ongoing against Bathiudeen’s brother Rifkan Bathiudeen for allegedly preparing false land deeds and selling two plots of land in Talaimannar which belonged to another person.

Sealed off...Lt. Gen. Silva said the decision was taken

following the detection of several people suspected to have contracted Covid-19 and in order to prevent the virus from spreading further.

Landslide warning...The early warning was issued to locations that the

NBRO had previously identified to be susceptible to landslides.

The warning stands for seven divisional secretariat (DS) divisions in four districts. According to the NBRO, residents of these DS divisions are requested to pay special attention to mountainous areas, manmade cut slopes, and roads within the relevant DS divisions.

Residents of Kolonna, Godakawela, and Weligepola DS divisions in the Rathnapura District; Bulathsinhala DS division in the Kalutara District; Pasgoda and Kotapola DS divisions in the Matara District; and Yatiyanthota DS division in the Kegalle District are requested to be vigilant of any signs of a landslide.

In addition, residents from the Nuwara Eliya and Kandy districts too are requested to be vigilant about slope instability and cut slope failures, while road users are too requested to be vigilant about cut slope failures while travelling through landslide-prone areas.

During this landslide early warning period, the public is requested to pay attention to the following:

y Development of cracks on the ground, deepened cracks, and ground subsidence

y Slanting of trees, electrical posts, fences, and telephone posts

y Cracks in the floors and walls of buildings which are built at slopes

y Sudden appearance of springs, emerging muddy water, and blockage or disappearance of existing springs

People are required to move immediately away from the areas where they notice the above pre-landslide signs.

Furthermore, people living in landslide-susceptible areas should be extra vigilant and should be ready to move quickly to safe places if heavy rain continues.

Communities are advised to follow the instructions given by the NBRO and the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

the morningFriday, April 17, 2020

2

NEWS

Cartoon of the day

The Governmental Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has been insisting on the two strategies “aggressive testing” and “test, test, test” for two weeks as a means of controlling the Covid-19 outbreak and to proceed to a “lockout” strategy to restore normalcy.

The following is the letter sent by the GMOA explaining the above mentioned strategies, how Covid-19 testing is conducted, and the tests available in Sri Lanka to test Covid-19:

The objective of this paper is to briefly elaborate on the concept and the basic principles of our proposed strategy.

Why aggressive testing?As the number of cases is rising and the

situation is rapidly evolving, there is an urgent need to scale up aggressive measures.

It is the concept of testing all suspected cases and symptomatic contacts of probable and confirmed cases.

Why test, test, test?1. Quickly identify who has the disease and

arrange the necessary care needed.2. Isolate known cases, preventing them

from coming into contact with others and hence, slowing the rate of transmission.

3. Allow government and health authorities to accurately understand the disease burden (i.e. how prevalent the disease is) and how it is evolving.

4. Detect and track patients who are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms to help authorities to make evidence-based decisions to slow the spread of the disease.

5. Identify who has already been exposed to the disease and subsequently develop immunity against the virus.This is essential to re-establish the normal

lifestyle of people, based on a scientific manner, and for people to return to work as

quickly and safely as possible in order to kick-start our businesses and industry, mitigating the significant economic damage already sustained due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Testing for Covid-19 – being in the category of cluster-based transmission of the SARS CoV-2 infection – needs to be increased as a strategy to prevent cluster-based transmission converting into a community-wide transmission. Therefore, it essential to optimise the use of limited resources on focused testing strategies at this stage of the Covid-19 infection in the country, in the background of the current global crisis related to Covid-19 pandemic.

What do we test for? 1. Direct measure: Viral particles or its

components

Molecular tests (just like antigen tests) measure viral particles/material directly. Therefore, molecular tests such as RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) will yield positive results when the viral particles are present in the sample being tested. This is seen very early in viral illnesses, typically one or two days prior to developing symptoms to several days after developing symptoms (varies according to each virus).2. Indirect measure: Antibodies produced

in response to the viral infection

Serological testing measures the body’s response to the virus in the 310 of antibodies; immunoglobulin-M (IgM – early response) and immunoglobulin-G (IgG – subsequent response).

Serological testing is useful to see who has been exposed to the disease in the past (recent or remote past). Serological testing can also be used as a surrogate marker of immunity against the virus if reinfection is not possible.

What are the tests available?There are virological and serological

tests:1. Real-time PCR2. Serological tests

When do we use or combine these tests?

As explained before, different tests become useful at different times to detect the active disease or to detect people who are exposed and have antibodies for the virus. To understand the use of these tests, it is useful to understand the above graph. It shows:

y The progression of the disease from the time the virus gets into the body of a healthy individual until disease resolution. It takes about 2-14 days for the virus to multiply within the body before the disease becomes apparent

y During this time, the amount of viral particles in the body goes up and then the amount of virus particles will go down over time. While this is happening, the body starts developing antibodies against the virus which become detectable after 7-12 days

1. PCR testReal-time PCR assays can identify and

amplify viral genetic material (DNA or RNA) to sufficient quantities to aid the diagnosis. In the case of RNA viruses such as the coronavirus, the reverse transcriptase real-time PCR technique is used. Several RT-PCR protocols have been developed by several authentic institutions in the world to detect SARS CoV-2 RNA by using at least two detection targets in the viral genome.

Covid-19 RT-PCR is the recommended test for the identification of patients during an early infectious period enabling the implementation of effective infection control measures and individual patient management. Early detection of acute Covid-19 infection is essential to practice patient isolation, contact tracing, and the quarantining process at this stage of cluster-based transmission in the country. This strategy will be helpful to prevent clusters of infection from converting into a wide community spread.

In addition to molecular laboratory-based PCR assays, point of care PCR test kits are also being developed in the world to detect

SARS CoV-2 infection with a reduction of processing time. After verification of sensitivity and specificity, such assays might be useful to generate useful, although of relatively low sensitivity, results in resource-limited settings.

2. Serological (IgM/IgG) testThese tests would detect the antibodies

(IgM/IgG) in the blood produced in response to the viral infection. Therefore, in the very early stages of the disease where our immune system has not developed antibodies yet, such serological testing may be negative.

Serological testing becomes useful when we need to detect those who are exposed to SARS CoV-2 for surveillance purposes. This will provide the authorities with a true estimate of the spread of the disease and help in predicting the spread in the future.

Further, IgM serological assays can be used to detect recent infections but not necessarily acute infections. Covid-19 serological assays, which are cross-reactive, with antibodies developed against other human coronaviruses in the community, might provide misleading information. Therefore, the use of these assays can be recommended only after a proper laboratory verification process for their sensitivity and specificity is conducted.

3. Covid-19 antigen rapid test.Covid-19 rapid antigen test kits also might

be available in the future to supplement the PCR-based acute diagnosis of SARS CoV-2 infection. However, recommendations for the use of such assays should come through a local laboratory verification process as there could be sensitivity and specificity issues in these different assays.

Based on the scientific evidence and the feasibility, expert bodies should conclude the most suitable test methods and strategies that

can be used in Sri Lanka in view of controlling Covid-19 (epidemiological purposes) and

clinically managing individual patients.

Testing for Covid-19 in Sri Lanka

Contd. from page 1

Considering the challenges faced by listed companies in complying with the rules regarding the submission of annual reports and interim financial statements as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) announced that it has extended financial report submission and enforcement action deadlines applicable to Sri Lankan listed companies as a temporary relief measure. These extensions have been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC).

Specific regulatory flexibility offered to Sri Lankan listed companies comes in the form of the following:

Timelines for submission of financial statements

Listed companies with a 31

December financial year-end were required to submit 2019 annual reports on or before 31 May 2020 and its first quarter interim financial statements for the year 2020 on or before 15 May 2020. The annual report timelines have been extended for a period of two months plus the number of days the market has been closed from 20 March 2020 up to the date of recommencement of trading in the future. The deadline for interim financial submission has been extended for a period of one month plus the number of days the market has remained closed from 20 March 2020 up to the date of recommencement of trading in the future.

A company with a 31 March financial year-end was required to submit 2019/2020 annual reports on or before 31 August 2020 and the final quarter interim financial statements on or before 31 May 2020. The annual report timelines have been extended for such companies for a period of two months plus the number of days the market has been closed from 20 March 2020 up to the date of recommencement of trading in the future. The deadline for the final quarter interim submission has also been extended for a period of 45 days plus the number of days the market has remained closed from

20 March 2020 up to the date of recommencement of trading in the future.

However, the listed companies which are unable to submit the annual reports or interim financial statements on the due dates currently set out in the CSE Listing Rules, will be required to submit a market disclosure, setting out the reasons for the delay in submitting the annual report or the interim financial statement. The disclosure must include the following:

y The turnover or a note if the company is unable to ascertain the value

y A brief of future outlook relating to the operation and brief of applicability of government reliefs and restrictions to the operation

y Message to investors who wish to trade in the absence of financials/until the release of next applicable financials

y Whether the listed company has informed its directors, key management personnel, and other related parties who have access to unpublished price-sensitive information to take additional precautions in the event such parties intend to trade during the delayed period of information submission

Extension of enforcement actions1. Modified audit opinion:

As per the current rules, if the audited financial statements of a listed company contains a modified audit opinion, trading in the securities of the company will be suspended within six months from transfer to the CSE Watch List, unless a deferment is granted by the SEC, and a delisting will be sought upon the expiry of 12 months from the suspension.

This enforcement action timeline has been extended, and trading in such company securities will not be suspended upon the lapse of six months, unless the listed company fails to resolve the modification by the next year’s audited financial statement’s release due date and will be delisted 12 months after the

suspension. 2. Non-compliance with corporate

governance requirementsThe transfer of a company’s

securities on to the Watch List due to non-compliance with corporate governance requirements has been deferred by a period of one month. This extension will be granted only to companies which become non-compliant with the corporate governance requirements up to 30 June 2020.

Trading suspension and delisting of companies which are currently on the Watch List due to non-compliance with corporate governance requirements will be withheld until 30 June 2020. 3. Non-compliance of minimum public

holdingEnforcement action on failure to

comply with CSE’s minimum public holding requirements has also been extended by three months. Therefore, a company that fails to comply with this requirement will be transferred to the Watch List after nine months and not six months.

Other extensions/waivers for CSE Listing Rules1. Delivery of financial statement to

shareholdersThe CSE will not take enforcement

action against listed companies which are unable to post/deliver the annual reports to the shareholders due to prevailing conditions, provided the listed company has submitted the annual report to the CSE on the due date for publication on the CSE website. This shall only be applicable until the postal services are restored.2. Computation of XD dates

The XD (ex-dividend) date of the interim dividend which was previously the seventh market day, excluding the date of the announcement, will now be computed as the third market day, excluding the date of announcement. The date of payment of the dividend is to be within seven market days from the XD date. This would also apply to all dividends which do not require the approval of the shareholders and would only be applicable for announcements made/to be made up to 30 April 2020.

The Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) yesterday (16) announced that RPC operations immediately gathered momentum following the Government declaration of the plantations sector as an essential service on 24 March.

Since then, the sector has been functioning amidst stringent new measures to protect workers and the wider estate community against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Expressing gratitude to all industry stakeholders and government authorities for successfully enabling the plantation sector to resume critical operations, PA Chairman Sunil Poholiyadde stated: “While work on the estates was halted by 13 March as soon as the Covid-19 pandemic worsened, most RPCs were able to resume work only after four days (of) interruption. This was due to the remarkable initiative taken by the RPCs with the assistance of health authorities to institute stringent health and safety protocols, while ensuring all workers and the wider estate community had their essential needs met.

“The challenges surrounding Covid-19 add to the already pressing difficulties of tea producers who have been facing an unprecedented drought for the past three months, which is estimated to have caused as much as a 40% reduction in estate production. The loss in crops had already created an increase in the cost of production (COP).”

Moving forward, he reiterated the total and continuing commitment of all RPCs to ensure that all possible precautions are taken to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among workers and the estate community, in compliance with the guidelines issued by health authorities.

Poholiyadde also commended on the success of each RPC in ensuring

the employees are provided with food parcels and advances for food and other essentials, as well as special measures are taken in partnership with government authorities. Through such partnerships, rations were delivered directly to the estates in order to avoid situations where community members would have otherwise been forced to stand in long queues.

At present, the RPC tea sector maintains a workforce of approximately 135,000 and is also responsible for the welfare of a

wider estate community with an approximate population of a million since most migrant workers have also returned to the estates.

“Having safely commenced work on plantations, the next hurdle was the sale of produce at the Colombo Auction. After a lapse of two weeks, all stakeholders were able to agree and establish an electronic platform for the auction – this was an advancement which was on the cards for several years, but had not materialised. Hence, we are grateful to all stakeholders for banding

together and changing a system which is over a century old.

“In this manner, every aspect of the plantation supply chain – from production to transport, sale, and export – has now been restarted, under the strict oversight of Government. This is a remarkable achievement. Moving forward, we will continue to work in partnership with the Government to monitor the situation and follow its directives, while making every effort to support the State with vital export earnings at this critical

juncture,” Poholiyadde added.Given the unprecedented global

supply chain disruptions unfolding as a result of the pandemic, Sri Lankan tea attracted significantly improved prices by the close of the very first tea e-auction which took place on 3 April 2020. Higher prices were primarily a result of lower production where weekly auction volumes were approximately 40% lower than in a normal cropping month along with sharp currency depreciation.

However, Poholiyadde warned that while improved prices would be useful in a crisis situation, currency depreciation also posed a serious challenge for the industry when considering its impact on increasing input costs, which together with lower production volumes would negatively impact an already high cost of production.

In the case of the rubber sector, six auctions were delayed for a period of three weeks owing to the pandemic, despite increased production driven by favourable weather conditions in rubber-growing regions. Poholiyadde noted that the interruption in auctions had caused acute difficulties for RPC cash flows.

“The resumption of auctions has been an extremely welcome development for the rubber sector as well. Prices have remained at relatively similar levels to before

the Covid-19 outbreak. However, we will need to pay careful attention here, given the sharp declines which were seen in global oil prices,” he stated.

Moving forward, the PA stated that its membership would continue to maintain protocols to ensure systematic hand sanitation, strict hygiene practices, and social distancing while all workers are issued protective equipment. Meanwhile, all staff and worker dwellings as well as factory premises will continue to be disinfected on a regular basis.

“RPC managers and staff are also on the frontlines in order to ensure all estate communities are safeguarded and supported through this unprecedented global pandemic. All of this is being done at a time when upcountry estates are experiencing an unprecedented and severe drought, meaning there is low cropping.

“Despite the challenges, RPCs are fully committed to ensuring the health and safety of its employees. The PA and its members will also be carefully monitoring the situation as it develops and will be ready to implement any further directives issued by the Government and health authorities on an urgent and immediate basis,” PA Media Spokesperson Dr. Roshan Rajadurai stated.

CSE extends reporting and enforcement action deadlines

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka on Wednesday (15) decided to allow the bank rate to automatically adjust in line with the Standing Lending Facility Rate (SLFR), with a margin of +300 basis points.

This decision was made by the Monetary Board of the Central Bank at its meeting held on Wednesday, after having observed the cumulative reduction of the key policy interest

rates of the Central Bank, namely the Standing Deposit Facility Rate (SDFR) and the SLFR by 200 basis points each since 31 May 2019.

Accordingly, with effect from yesterday (16), the bank rate, which is an administratively determined rate that could be used in periods of emergency, has been effectively reduced by 500 basis points from 15% to 10%.

The Pathfinder Foundation has set up a study group chaired by Pathfinder Senior Fellow and former Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy to prepare a set of action-oriented recommendations aimed at steering the Sri Lankan economy into the post-Covid-19 era.

Dr. Sisira Pinnawala of the Department of Sociology at the University of Peradeniya and Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute Executive Director Dr. Ganeshan Wignaraja will serve as principal authors for this initiative. The report is expected to be presented to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa before the end of April.

Other members of the study group, which will consist of 20 leaders from academia, research, and the private sector, include Prof. Sirimal Abeyratne, Prof. Saroj Jayasinghe, Prof. Rohan Samarajiva, Prof. Muttukrishna Sarvanthan,

Ashroff Omar, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Krishan Balendra, and Mohamed Muhsin.

Recently, the Pathfinder Foundation was responsible for preparing 1. National

Security Strategy for Sri Lanka 2020 and 2. Study on Managing Foreign Policy and Relations with the UN System, both of which were presented to President Rajapaksa.

Plantation sector presses on as ‘essential service’ despite safety, drought concerns

Central Bank reduces bank rate

Pathfinder panel led by Dr. Coomaraswamy to develop economic strategy

the morningFriday, April 17, 2020 3

Pathfinder Senior Fellow and former Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy

PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE

business

the morningFriday, April 17, 2020

4

Dr. Dineshani Hettiarachchi MBBS, MSc Regenerative Medicine, MCGP, SEDA (UK). Dr. Hettiarachchi is a family physician and a lecturer at the Department of Anatomy and Human Genetics Unit, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo. Email Dr. Hettiarachchi on dineshani@anat.cmb.ac.lk if you have any more questions you’d like answered here.

ANSWERED BY

aASKa doctor

Should I wear a face mask when I go out even if I’m not sick?

Yes, you should. There is increasing evidence that the virus can be spread by presymptomatic and asymptomatic carriers. While there is still much to be learned about the

novel coronavirus, it appears that many people who are infected are shedding the virus either through coughs, sneezes, and other respiratory droplets at least for about 48 hours before they start feeling sick.

Some who have the virus (up to 25%) may never feel sick, but may still play a role in transmitting it. If you cough or sneeze, the mask can catch those respiratory droplets so they don’t land on other people or surfaces. Hence, you should cover your mouth and nose with a face mask or a homemade cloth face cover when you are around others. This is mainly meant to protect other people in case you are infected.

However, it should be emphasised that wearing a mask is not a substitution for physical distancing and you should maintain a minimum distance of six feet between yourself and others. Having said this, surgical masks (thin blue masks), N95 respirators, and FFP2 masks should be reserved for healthcare staff where they are fiercely needed.

There are videos by the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on their websites on the proper use and disposal of these masks. It’s wise to watch the videos and educate yourselves on the correct use of the masks. If they are improperly worn and disposed, you might do more harm than good.

Q

A

PHOTO ESHAN DASANAYAKA

BY BERNADINE RODRIGO

Yasodhara Pathanjali is well known in Sri Lanka for being

an incredibly creative artist and designer, blessing us with wonderful creations upon which our eyes and

minds can feast. A fact that might be a little less known

about her, however, is that she is also a life coach

specialising in creativity coaching, coaching parents,

and therapeutic art to help reduce anxiety and stress.

Yasodhara uses therapeutic art activities especially designed by her in order to bring focus, productivity, and peace to clients, both corporate and private, particularly in times of high stress. She combines facets of meditation, breathing exercises, and visual affirmation to help people battle feelings of helplessness, being lost, and being overwhelmed.

As islandwide curfew was imposed in Sri Lanka, Yasodhara received an overwhelming number of messages from people struggling to cope with being stuck at home with limited resources, surrounded by uncertainty. So she devised a plan to help as many people as she could, giving birth to an online seven-day therapeutic art programme.

This programme is run through direct messaging on her instagram (@yasodhara_pathanjali ). So far in the two weeks she has run these programmes, she has helped more than 50 individuals from different age groups, countries, and creative abilities. Each morning, she gives them a list of activities with direct and clear instructions on what they should do, with guidance on the

therapeutic aspects to focus on and assurance that she is available for further support.

The activities generally fall into one of two categories. The first category is meditation and breathing-focused, exploring brush strokes or pencil strokes and one’s movement to create relaxation and inner peace. This is done as an alternate method to

the traditional meditation which

can be very difficult for some people including Yasodhara herself. Rather, focusing on the movement and the strokes can help someone let go of their troubles more easily than simply closing your eyes and giving space for the mind to wonder.

The second type of activity focuses on positive affirmation and building futures that bring happiness. This is achieved through creating visual representations of what life, self, and future can be; materialising it; and therefore allowing you to imagine, visualise, and action for

a better future in a

more real and tangible

way.“Humans

respond better to visual

representation anyway,” she said. She

explained that although

someone might try to tell

oneself that he or she is okay,

actually capturing the emotions or feelings graphically

has much more impact.Yasodhara very consciously

works to make sure these therapeutic art programmes are not just for those who know how to draw, but for anyone even if they don’t think they can draw. She makes sure everyone involved is comfortable doing so and can do so with any materials they have – be it children’s crayons or coloured pens.

In this way, Yasodhara is truly providing us an opportunity to engage ourselves in something that helps in this time of crisis. She has more groups starting all the time, so if you would like to participate, do drop her a message on Instagram. Surely, it’s an opportunity not to be missed.

Therapeutic art programme by Yasodhara Pathanjali

Yasodhara Pathanjali

A new initiative to reduce anxiety and stress during curfew

BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE

Mindful (Pvt.) Ltd., which is a tech start-up with their primary goal of building a community, is currently conducting online group activities, in keeping with their goals of maintaining the community. And at a time when the community is most important to persons living in isolation, the organisation has done wonders in creating a space for people to interact while social distancing.

Before the pandemic hit and the curfew was imposed, most of the group activities conducted via Mindful happened offline and in person. However, of course, they’ve had to put a pause on that.

We spoke to Amar Riyaz, one of the founders of Mindful, who shared that since the pandemic has made it so that they cannot host activities in person, he said: “This really got us thinking about what we do at Mindful and what our values are. We realised that we can still help people find things to do, and people to do them with – this time, online.” He shared that they tested it out by launching online groups to connect people with similar interests and goals; from fitness and sketching to cooking and virtual games.

We spoke to some of the online community who shared that they have found solace in interacting with those persons on these WhatsApp groups that have been created where they now “hang out” or have “house parties” on Zoom. While there are events that hosts from Mindful would conduct, the communities have come to grow organically and they’ve also gone on to organise amongst themselves.

At this point, the Mindful online community has grown in leaps and bounds; people are now interacting with each other online, making new friends, sharing activities, and

keeping each other motivated. This has opened up new and exciting avenues for Mindful, and Amar shared that they will be creating many

more online groups focused on learning, contributing, and living in the moment. He

said that they are also introducing a variety of features in the coming months that they are very excited to test. “We would love to get some feedback when we launch them,” said Amar.

Speaking a little about Mindful’s ethos, Amar shared that it helps you find things to do and people to do them with. According to him, the reason they are called Mindful is because they work with environmentally conscious hosts who offer activities that encourage you to learn through experience, contribute to those in need, and live in the present. Amara said: “People use Mindful to learn how to travel more sustainably, book unique experiences, volunteer to causes they believe in, join group activities to make new friends, and find like-minded people to join them in the activities they are interested in.”

Mindful goes online

Amar Riyaz

brunch

the morningFriday, April 17, 2020

Cricket Australia becomes poorAmidst the Covid-19 pandemic, a vast majority of Cricket Australia’s staff will be stood down on drastically reduced pay, which will be an 80% pay cut or equivalent that is to be in effect possibly from 27 April until July.

30 June deadline for PLPremier League clubs in England will discuss the option of scheduling a 30 June deadline on the 2019/20 season at a meeting to be held today (17). They believe a resumption of the season in May is unlikely amidst the fearful coronavirus outbreak.

Current NFL player tests positiveBrian Allen, 24, a centre for the Los Angeles Rams, has tested positive for Covid-19 and became the first active National Football League (NFL) player to publicly disclose his positive test for Covid-19.

BY REVATHA S. SILVA

Could Sri Lanka be the best alternative if India is unable to get the Indian Premier League (IPL) underway this time due to the Covid-19 pandemic? Yes. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) headed by its President Shammi Silva is ready to come up with a spectacular proposal for the IPL organisers, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) if – only if – the virus outbreak here in Sri Lanka comes under full control; hopefully sooner rather than later.

“We are ready to propose to India that we can hold this year’s IPL if they are unable to hold it in their country due to the (Covid-19) pandemic. But first, we are looking at how Sri Lanka is going to come out of this situation. If things are going to reach normalcy here in the coming month or so, then we can have it here and we have already informed the honourable Sports Minister (Dullas Alahapperuma) about it,” Silva revealed to The Morning yesterday (16).

“I’m pretty confident that Sri Lanka will be able to get things

under control soon,” he added.Yesterday, the BCCI suspended

the 2020 IPL until further notice in the wake of a government announcement of an extension of the countrywide lockdown until 3 May. The BCCI has not

set alternative dates yet for the tournament, which was to be originally held between 29 March and 24 May 2020.

“If India can’t hold it, Sri Lanka could be the

best alternative. In the past there were

instances where the tournament had to be shifted to South Africa

too, due to various reasons.

If things get settled here soon, our proposal could be very handy for the BCCI,” Silva remarked.

Last month, just before the Narendra Modi-led Government put the country in a three-week lockdown, the BCCI had pushed the start of the tournament to 15 April. As of yesterday, over 12,000 people have tested positive in India with the death toll passing the 400 mark. The organisers are to incur huge financial losses if the event is to be cancelled. If the pandemic is to last longer in India, finding a fresh window for the event could be extremely difficult as the T20 World Cup too, organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), is slated for October in Australia, where the outbreak is gradually showing signs of slowing down.

“All will depend on the next two weeks. First we need to complete our domestic tournament as soon as possible. If the BCCI is to play it (the IPL) this year in the current situation, they will look at Sri Lanka quite positively, I believe. I’m positive that we can recover faster than any other country (from the pandemic),” Silva added.

Sri Lanka to hold IPL 2020?z SLC to express to India its readiness to hold the mega tournament

if situation improves here in the coming weeks

Shammi Silva

Some said Percy IS a disaster! But the world-renowned one-man cheer squad of international cricket for over four decades (who started cheering the Sri Lankan team with the national flag in hand since the 1979 ICC World Cup in England) has seen cricket since Sir Don Bradman batted at The Oval in 1947. The 83-year-old, born in 1936 in Boossa, Down South, is often misread as a man

loving booze. He is not, and in fact, he is one rare personality who has been an eyewitness to all local as well as global disasters, epidemics, upheavals, wars, and insurgencies like the present coronavirus pandemic through the last eight decades! Here is how Percy – now idling in his daughter Nadeesha’s house in Ratmalana watching old cricket matches on satellite television – relived some of those life-shattering moments in his life and, sometimes, with cricket in the midst.

1 The World War II (1939-45)We were living at the principal’s quarters of the

Piyatissa Maha Vidyalaya at Kalegana in Galle. My father was the principal and my mother was the head mistress. I remember we were hiding inside temporarily made trenches in our compound fearing that the Japanese might bomb us at any time.

2 First JVP leftist insurrection (1971)I was married then and working at AMW (Associated

Motorways Pvt. Ltd.). We were living in Kalutara, near the AMW factory owned by Sir Cyril de Zoysa. There was not much international cricket then during Mrs. Bandaranaike’s coalition government. I was the number one cheerleader of the Bloomfield Cricket Club. The country was at a standstill for many days. A number of youths died and we were restricted to our houses, as we are today due to the continuous curfew.

3 Black July (1983)The next day the riots sparked, killing thousands of

Tamils around the country. I was to drop Sir Gary Sobers to the airport in a car. He was the Sri Lankan coach at the time. The mob stopped us at Peliyagoda. Our driver couldn’t respond to them and they started to pour petrol over the car and we were minutes away from burning alive! Luckily one of them recognised me. Sir Sobers was shivering in the backseat of the car.

4 Eelam War (1983-2009)In 1982 in Tamil Nadu, when Sri Lanka played India

for the first time in a Test, I received death threats over the phone at the hotel I was staying in, for carrying the lion flag at the stadium. All my friends deserted me for fear. I went to the venue, the Chepauk Stadium, alone and luckily, nothing serious happened. Since then, until the end of the war, cricket was heavily affected. The 1980s in particular, there were hardly any series at home due to bomb blasts in Colombo.

5 Indian Ocean Day Tsunami (2004)It was totally unexpected, but our country encountered

the situation united. For five years since then, I was able to join Kushil Gunasekera’s Foundation of Goodness wholeheartedly, in their earnest effort to help the Tsunami victims, especially the kids. I was waving the national flag in Jaffna when they organised the Murali Cup in aid of those poor kids.

6 Covid-19 Pandemic (2020)Whoever thought this could happen to the world. For

me, without cricket, it’s like there is no life – that’s the worst part. But I thank our Government, the medical staff, the health officials, the tri-forces, the Police, and everyone who risk their lives to keep us safe. We will stand up stronger like we did during the 1996 World Cup. I wish and pray for the swift recovery of the whole world!

PERCY AND THE DISASTERS

BY INDRANIL MAJUMDAR IN CALCUTTA, THE TELEGRAPH

The prospect of a substantial loss, impending pressure from the players and franchises, and of course insurance issues have forced the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to indefinitely postpone the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Till Wednesday night, there was no official announcement from the BCCI but all eight franchises were informed of the decision by IPL’s chief operating officer Hemang Amin by noon.

That the BCCI was looking at a postponement and not cancellation of the money-spinning league was reported by The Telegraph on April 10. This follows a teleconference between BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah, IPL chairman Brijesh Patel and treasurer Arun Dhumal on Tuesday evening.

Though it was a given that IPL couldn’t be held this summer because of the coronavirus pandemic, the BCCI waited for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to

announce an extension of the lockdown till May 3.

It was learnt that in case the IPL isn’t held this year, the Star-BCCI deal may have to be extended by another edition beyond the five-season period. Ditto for title sponsor Vivo. That will mean no extra revenue for a year.

The five-edition deal with Star was back-loaded with BCCI having already received around Rs. 4,500 crore from the broadcasters. The title sponsor has a commitment of around Rs. 440 crore every year.

Sources revealed that the BCCI stands to lose substantially since its insurance policy does not cover pandemic or lockdown clauses though it has provisions for disruptive elements like war, terror attack and water shortage.

However, the terms do have a clause for “forced measures” but whether that includes a pandemic is not clear.

“We don’t know if all such clauses will be covered by the insurance policy. It is a very complicated matter and we are not sure,” said someone in the know of things.

z The BCCI has thus been forced to look for an alternate window to host the tournament

BCCI counts losses over IPL no-show

sports