COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lanka has reversed plans to end its virus lockdown on Monday (April 27), extending it for another week after a spike in coronavirus infections including at a naval base.
Health officials said there had been a jump in cases, including in a densely populated area in the capital Colombo where 81 people tested positive.
There has also been an increase in the number of sailors found to be infected with the coronavirus at the Welisara naval base to 65, the officials said.
The entire naval base in the Colombo suburb of Welisara where 4,000 sailors and their families live was placed into quarantine late last week after 30 sailors tested positive.
One officer at the camp died late on Saturday night, but the cause of death was leptospirosis or “rat fever”, said navy spokesman Isuru Suriyabandara.
His body was still immediately cremated under the quarantine rules for coronavirus victims.
The island nation on Sunday reported 460 positive cases in total with seven deaths.
The ongoing island-wide curfew will be in force tomorrow (27) to facilitate the Tri-forces personnel on leave to return to their respective camps, says the President’s Media Division (PMD).
Accordingly, the curfew in all districts, except for Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha and Puttalam, will be lifted at 5.00 am on Tuesday (28) and re-imposed at 8.00 pm on the same day.
Curfew in these districts was scheduled to be lifted at 5.00 am on Monday (27), however, the government revised the decision after leave of all Tri-forces personnel was cancelled today.
The calls to reconvene
Parliament come from the
same coterie of people who orchestrated regime change in 2015 capitalizing on a
Presidential Election victory to bring to power a minority UNP government and
place Ranil as PM without removing the sitting PM. A hurriedly cobbled
‘national government’ was created to dish out various roles to their co-partners
who were made Opposition Leader and Chief Government Whip. Little needs to be
said of the Speaker’s role in the drama that unfolded. These actors used every
trick in the book to delay elections and prevent holding of elections for 3
years. The Election Commission showed little teeth in upholding the people’s
right for elections throughout and when the former Speaker now declares I am
bound to uphold judiciary’s decision’ that’s like the cat popping out of the
bag before schedule! The spilling of intent warrants the government to be alert
to all avenues this bandwagon is likely to take and the influences they are
likely to make tapping their powerful friends overseas. The drawback this time
may be the difficulty in handpicking some for overseas jaunts in view of
covid-19. Is a constitutional coup
brewing to reconvene Parliament? Are those that filed cases against Oct2018
dissolution of Parliament about to do a repeat performance!
When
you see a pattern in the chorus demanding reconvening of Parliament, it is
important to wonder, why! The calls to declare null & void the President’s
dissolution of Parliament and reconvene Parliament is certainly not to do any
favors to the People. We saw that when the same parties objected to the former
President dissolving Parliament, declaring elections and allowing the People to
vote who they wanted. The one’s that objected to that decision and dashed to
file against the dissolution are the very same objecting to the dissolution by
the current president. In both cases the reason for their knee-jerk reactions
was to somehow ensure their boys and girls remained in power and inside
Parliament. By their actions they impeded the people’s right to exercise their
vote and decide who they wanted to elect and return to Parliament.
In
October 2018, the shock came when the then President suddenly removed the PM.
But the ‘democracy upholding’ PM refused to vacate and was encouraged not to do
so by foreign envoys regularly visiting him to provide free international advice.
The
irony & hilarious aspect was that among the 10 petitioners demanding
re-instating the Govt of Ranil as PM was the country’s Opposition (TNA) and the
Chief Govt Whip’s Party (JVP), SLMC, ACMC, TPA as well as the supposedly
unbiased civil society entities CPA and even the election commission member
Hoole.
The
constitutional crisis in Oct2018 came about following the complications,
contradictions and confusions by those that drafted the 19a.
Hailed as the world’s best constitutional amendment
the 19a clipped powers of the President to summon, prorogue, dissolve
Parliament by setting a limit of 4 ½ via amendment to Article 70(1) but then
felt sorry for him and added new Article 33(2) C giving him the same powers in
faded format! 19a was an attempt to slyly turn the title of President to a
ceremonial role without the concurrence of the People and transfer powers to
the PM.
The crux of UNP-TNA-JVP & NGO argument against
October2018 dissolution and to protect the Govt they belonged to and the 19a
they wrote was that new Article 70(1) ruled over Article 33(2) c.
But Article 33(2)c is in Chapter 7 under President
while Article 70(1) is in Chapter 11 under Legislature. The People give power
to the President directly, the Legislature is elected by the People but the PM
is voted by within the Legislature and not directly by the People.
To dissolve Parliament, the President does have
restrictions but to recommend the President to dissolve Parliament, the
Legislature needed 2/3 majority as per new addition.
This is one of the architects of the 19a – surprisingly, he too is a dual citizen now gone to live in Switzerland and before leaving condemned the 19a too!
Therefore,
the calls to reconvene parliament jolts our memories of Oct2018 court case
decision, which to the surprise of all, went in favor of the petitioners
against allowing the supreme will of the people to prevail.
It
is in this backdrop and within this background context of characters that we
have to take stock of the current situation. These players are either holding
roles or want to return to their roles but they were all part of the Jim band
that totally ruined Sri Lanka since 2015.
The
PM’s statement on 18th April quite rightly pointed out how
uncooperative the Opposition had been in helping support the Government with
covid-19 and blocking every effort by the Government, therefore those that are
appearing on youtube & talk shows claiming Parliament has to reconvene to
lend support & to pass laws is all humbug and meant only to satisfy the
international gallery.
What
could Sri Lanka’s Parliament possibly do that is not currently being done by
the Health Services and Armed Forces & Police involved in hands on covid-19
operation by simply reconvening Parliament & spending Rs.4.6million for a
day’s Parliamentary sitting? The answer automatically comes in just picturing
the scenario. Between January & August 2019, Parliament had convened 70
times and out of the 225 Members only 51 attended over 60 sessions.
The
Parliament was dissolved simply to enable the people to cast their vote and
elect a new team of people. Let’s not forget the dissolved Parliament is full
of people who were rejected by the People in the August 2015 elections and were
brought in through the back door. No rejected contestant can be brought to
Parliament via backdoor through the national list.
In Oct2018 the reconvene
Parliament wanted to return Ranil to throne, what do the same players want this
time round?
The
current calls to reconvene Parliament is to undo a major faux pas that has
arisen as a result of submitting separate nominations. With UNP still to
announce who will lead UNP for the General Elections 2020, UNP-Ranil faction
handed nominations separately and SJB-Sajith faction also handed separate
nominations to contest all districts. What is likely to ensue from this is
nothing but hara kiri and UNP votes is likely to get split and UNP may even
lose its bloc vote. Having calculated the likely risk, the teams are obviously
frantically pursuing all options to cancel nominations that closed on 19th
March 2020. By reconvening Parliament, the nominations that closed will be null
& void and if President again dissolves Parliament fresh nominations will
be called and SJB will get buried and Sajith will return to UNP to contest
under UNP.
How can they build a case? For starters the Election Commission has
declared a date that is inconsistent with the provisions that allow him to
declare a new date if the date declared by the President is cancelled.
The
elections commission had 3 options (all which required date to be maximum 14th
May)
Upon
cancelling of the President’s declared date to give a new date 14 days from the
date of cancellation
The EC
gazette notification declared the new date would be 14 days from 30th
April
Section
10 of Parliamentary Elections Act gives EC maximum 7 weeks from closing date of
nominations to declare new date
None
of the 3 options fit into the 20th June date EC announced and this
allows any to challenge the decision as there is also a required date that
Parliament must reconvene (3 months from dissolution of Parliament)
So
the elections commissioner has erred in the issuing of dates which he needs to
revisit & correct, the Elections Commission is fully aware that Sri Lanka
is experiencing a situation not experienced previously. However, even in the
thick of terror Sri Lanka has held elections with big turn outs.
South
Korea held elections in April 2020 recording 66% turnout with 44m going to vote
and the ruling party recorded the highest seats since 1987. South Korea has
over 10000 covid-19 cases and 240 deaths. US is also going to polls in November
and already primaries are being held. US has close to 1m covid-19 cases and
over 53,000 deaths!
With everyone realizing that they need a change in mindset post-covid it is essential that the politicians also adjust their ways and depart from the bad behaviors that have become part and parcel of their lifestyle as a politician. This is applicable to politicians/political parties of all colours. The corrupt and incompetent manner that was a hallmark of rule since 1978 can no longer continue.
Sri
Lanka is facing multiple issues. At a global & local level there is
pandemic health crisis impacting the lives of all. Governance of country has
fallen into the hands of the President & the Public Sector which is why it
is important to have elections to enable a fresh government to join in the
effort. No one really wants a failed & unsupportive government with a track
record of corruptions & in competencies to reconvene & return to
Parliament. The Elections Commission is not helping the issue by some of its
dubious actions & statements.
It
is true Sri Lanka is facing a pandemic of unknown proportions. We suffered more
than 3 decades of human viruses but still conducted elections during the most
repressive years of killings.
10
local government elections (1983, 1991 1994, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008,
2009)
Elections
were held & People voted inspite of JVP & LTTE threatening to kill the
1st voter.
On 15 April 2020, South
Koreans went to polls with 44million eligible voters. The voter turnout was over 66%. The
highest turnout was 71% in 1992.
The
ruling party won 180 of the 300 seats to the National Assembly – an increase of
60 seats recording the biggest win by a ruling party since 1987.
South Korea has over 10,000
covid-19 cases and 240 deaths.
US is also due to have elections in November this year. US has so far recorded the highest covid-19 cases – close to 926,000 and close to 53,000 deaths.
USA has not indicated even
postponing elections.
Confusions
& contradictions of 19a – Election Commission
Sri Lanka Constitution Chapter 7 – Article 41B(6) amendment
by 19a says only the Election Commission is not answerable to Parliament (all
other independent Commissions are answerable)
Sri Lanka Constitution Chapter 9 – Article
104B (3) states “The
(Elections) Commission shall be responsible and answerable to Parliament in
accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders of Parliament for the
exercise, performance and discharge of its powers, duties and functions and
shall forward to Parliament for each calendar year a report of its activities
for such year.”
Is Election Commission responsible to Parliament? Article 41B(6) says
NO, Article 104B(3) says YES.
How will the
Supreme Court answer the question?
Article 103(1) was amended by 19a –
Elections Commission 3 members was
to be appointed by the President ON RECOMMENDATION of the Constitutional
Council.
Article 104(1) Quorum for Commission
requires all 3-member present
Article 104(1) a) states, Chairman
presides all meetings of Commission but in his absence another member can
preside. Isn’t this contradicting Article 104(1) Quorum requiring all 3 to be
present – if one is not present the meeting is illegal!
Article 104(2) b) states decisions
by majority present and voting if equal votes (how is this possible with just 3
members)
Article 104 (3) says the EC ‘shall have to act notwithstanding any
vacancy in the membership of the Commission, and no act or proceeding or
decision of the Commission shall be invalid or be deemed to be invalid by
reason only if such vacancy or any defect in the appointment of a member’. Quorum
requires all 3 presence, but is contradicted in Article 104(3) which says a
meeting without quorum is still legally binding and valid. Mind boggling
English comprehension!
Article 104A (a) and (b) states no
court shall have power or jurisdiction to entertain or hear or decide or call
into question on any ground and in any manner any decision, direction or act by
the Elections Commission, made or done or purported to have been made or done
under the Constitution or under any law relating to the holding of an election
or conduct of a Referendum in which decisions, directions or acts shall be
final and conclusive.
No legal suit or prosecution or
proceeding shall be taken against any member or officer of the Commission for
any act or thing which in good faith is done or purported to be done by him in
the performance of his duties or discharge of his functions under the
Constitution or under any law relating to the holding of an election or conduct
of a Referendum.
Can
Elections Commission be taken to Courts?
Under Article 104 A, Election
Commission can be taken to court over fundamental rights issues under Article
126 of the Constitution – the writ jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal in the
case of the Elections Commission will be exercised by Supreme Court and not
Court of Appeal with regard to petitions pertaining to conducting of
presidential elections, referendums or appeals relating to election petitions
pertaining to Parliamentary elections.
No wonder the architects of 19a are
fled the country while other architects are fishing in troubled waters they
created!
Let
us first look at the timeline of the dissolution of Parliament
02March 2020
President dissolves Parliament / Sets date for
Polls & Sets date to convene New Parliament
11 March 2020
1st covid-19 patient confirmed
12March 2020
Acceptance of nominations for General Elections
19March 2020
Nominations Close
19March 2020
Election Commission calls press conference
postponing elections without announcing date
20 March 2020
EC gazette notification 2167/12
refers to Parliamentary Election Act Section 24 (1) paras (a) and (c) and not (a) to (d)
21 March 2020
EC gazette notification 2167/19
states poll cannot take place on 25 April 2020 and the Commission will appoint
a day after 14 days from 30 April 2020 as the new day of poll.
28 March 2020
1st covid-19 death / 7th covid-19
death on 8th April
31 March 2020
Elections Commissioner writes to President
citing polls could be held on 27th or 28th May 2020
01 April 2020
Elections Commissioner writes to President to
consult Supreme Court on new elections date
08 April 2020
President’s Secretary replies reminding EC that
it is EC duty to announce fresh poll date and consultative jurisdiction
(Article 129) does not apply & the President does not wish to interfere
in duties of the EC while also highlighting shortcomings in EC’s gazette notification
of 20 March 2020
18 April 2020
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse issues
statement reminding Elections Commission of its duty to announce new polls
date
18 April 2020
TNA sends letter to Election Commission not to
fix new date
20 April 2020
Elections Commission sets 20 June as new polls
date
2nd March 2020: The President
dissolved Parliament / Declares elections for 25th April & sets
new date to convene Parliament as 14 May 2020
However,
9 days after the President’s declaration the 1st covid-19 patient
was confirmed (11th March 2020). But the President did not have
powers to postpone elections. The mandatory power to re-fix a polling date when
the date fixed by the President cannot be held, falls on the Elections
Commission via Section 24(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981. Amendment was
made on 24 May 1988 to subsection 10.
Note: The Elections
Commission has to fix a new date not postpone the poll without fixing a date.
Deaths from covid-19 in Sri Lanka:
1st
death – 28 March / 2nd death – 30th March / 3rd
& 4th Deaths – 2nd April / 5th death – 4th
April / 6th death – 7th April / 7th death – 8th
April (only 140 active cases and 42 recovered)
12th March 2020: Acceptance of
nominations for General Elections begin
19th March 2020: Nominations
close / Election Commissioner delays elections without date
Nominations closed
on 19th March 2020.
That very day Election Commission holds press conference and announces elections will not
be held on 25th April (date
announced by President) citing the covid-19 situation. He says EC will continue
to receive nominations.
The Elections Commissioner says the new date will be 14
days after the day on which elections was
set to be held (25th April was the date fixed by the President) He
states that the new date would be
announced on 26th March after discussions with health
authorities.
(Note
by 19th March no Sri Lankan had died of covid-19)
31st
March 2020 – EC writes to President
Stating
that the new Parliament should convene at least on 1st April 2020
& that the latest
dates on which the polls could be held was 27th or 28th May
2020.
1st April 2020 – EC writes to
President Rajapakse to consult Supreme Court on Holding Elections
The Election Commission states the new Parliament has
to convene before 2nd June (within 3 months of dissolution of Parliament) and citing the current situation in the country impedes holding of election by end
May.
8th April 2020 –
President’s Secretary responds to Election Commission via letter
Acknowledges letters received
from Election Commission dated 31st March and 1st April
Reminds that with proclamation of gazette 2165/8 (2 March)
Parliament was dissolved and new Parliament was to meet on 14th May
and date of elections fixed for 25 April
Consent to contest was given in letters by Political Parties and
independent groups, deposits made and nominations commenced – this signaled acceptance
of dissolution, acceptance of date for polls, and submission of nominations to
Returning Officers.
The Secretary highlights that the Election Commission
published a gazette notification 2167/12 on 20 March 2020 referring only to sub paragraphs (a) and (c) of Section 24 (1) Parliamentary
Elections Act –
but OMITTED including sub paragraphs (a) to (d) of Section 24 (1). (In publishing only (a) and (c) the Election Commission drew
attention to only poll taking place between 7a.m. and 4p.m. in each electoral
district and electoral districts the election is contested
Gazette 2167/19 on 21 March 2020
by Election Commission states poll cannot take place on 25 April 2020 and the Commission will
appoint a day after 14 days from 30 April 2020 as the new day of poll.
The President’s Secretary points out that as per Section 24(3) the
Commission has to specify another day for polls in the Gazette issued under
Section 24(3) if the poll cannot take place on 25 April 2020.
The President’s Secretary states that the new date has to be 14 days after the date of gazette publication
under Section 24(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act
The President’s Secretary
reminds the Election Commission that it
is NOT the President who is responsible for fixing new poll date but it is the
role of the Elections Commission and that the President does not wish to interfere in duties of the Election
Commission.
The President’s Secretary also points out that as per Section 24
(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, though the time period given for postponement
is not less than 14 days, polls could be held even on 15th day.
The President’s Secretary also reminds that it is the right of the
people to exercise their franchise right to vote.
The President’s Secretary ends letter by stating that Article 129
(Consultative Jurisdiction) in referring issue to Supreme Court by President
does not arise as the duties to fix new polls date lies with the Elections
Commission and not with the President.
On 18th April the PM issues a
statement conveying following:
Compared
the pandemic impact on strong economies of West against economic ruin following
yahapalana rule from 2015 to 2019 with debt burden increasing by 71%
Informed
that Parliament functioned without a majority since November 2019 Presidential
elections and without the support of the Opposition even for vote on account
Informs
that the saving grace was the financial powers vested in the President under
Article 150(3) which has helped to deal with the pandemic since 11 March 2020
& discovery of 1st covid-19 patient
Reminds
of the magnitude of the crisis is one Sri Lanka has never experienced and
impacting the lives of all
The PM
highlighted how the Opposition had tried to scuttle the situation – encouraging
protests against quarantine process, undermining Govt services claiming the
President did not have powers to allocate funds for services after dissolution
of Parliament, and present demand to rescind Parliament & reconvene it as
the new Parliament has to meet before 2nd June.
The PM
reminded how yahapalana delayed local govt elections for nearly 3 years by even
moving courts.
The PM
says that ‘Sri Lanka is also the only democratic country in the world where
political parties petitioned the Supreme Court to get the declaration of a
parliamentary election annulled”
The PM also cites that 11 of the 25
districts has no coronavirus patients.
(The situation may have changed slightly since this statement)
The PM
highlights the mandatory obligation that falls on the Election Commission to
fix a fresh date when the date decided by the President to hold the polls
cannot be held (Section 24(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act No. 1 of 1981)
18 April 2020: TNA writes to Election
Commission not to fix new polls date until assurance by local and global health experts that it is safe
to do so”
20 April 2020: Election Commission gazettes
notification 2172/3 notifying Parliamentary Elections to be held on 20th
June 2020.
The
notification cites Section 24(3) of Parliamentary Elections Act 1 of 1981. As
per this together with the amended Section 10 requirement to set a date not
less than 5 weeks and not more than 7 weeks from closing date of nominations,
the Elections
Commission cannot set a date beyond 14th May.
However,
Elections Commissioner has put 20th June 2020. WHY and does he have
powers to do so? If not, he must revise this date to comply with the very
sections he quotes in gazette.
Questioning the Actions of the Elections
Commission/Commissioner
Why
did EC not declare a fresh date for polls when he convened a press conference
on 19th March to cancel the elections scheduled for 25th April
declared by the President on 2nd March 2020?
Why
did EC overlook section 10 when citing Section 24(3) of the Parliamentary
Elections Act. (i) a day not less than 5 weeks and not
more than 7 weeks from the closing day of the nomination period. Since nominations closed on 19 March,
the Elections Commission had to set a new date not less than 5 weeks
and not more than 7 weeks from 19th March 2020 (which would
be 27th April or 14th May)
Why did EC
via gazette cite Section 24(3) applicable to ‘ANY DISTRICT’ in which a poll
cannot be held as Section 24(3) does
not imply ALL DISTRICTS.
Why does the Elections Commission need to
write to the President of Sri Lanka asking him to consult the Supreme Court
when the EC is well aware that it is empowered to declare a fresh date for
elections?
Why does the Elections Commission first write
to the President on 31st March informing him the latest date for
elections is 27th or 28th May and then write again on 1st
April claiming that Parliament has to convene before 2nd June and
then claim the current situation in the country impedes holding of elections in
end of May?
If by letter to President on 31 March 2020, the EC informs that the
latest date for elections can be 27th or 28th May, why
did EC declare 20th June as election date?
As per letter by President’s Secretary in
response to 2 letters sent by the EC – what explanation can EC give for issuing
gazette 2167/12 (20Mar) citing only Section 24(1) sub paras (a) and (c) but
omitting sub paras (a) to (d)
The PM also reminds the EC of the powers
vested in the EC to declare a fresh date for polls if the date declared by the
President is cancelled. But there were certain rules to follow in declaring a
fresh date. However, the EC declaring 20th June violates those
rules. EC must apologize and correct the error.
The Election Commission had to declare a date
14 days from 25th April or 14 days from 30th April (as
per EC gazette 2167/19 on 21 Mar claiming EC would appoint a date 14 days from
20th April) – but EC declares 20th June which is well
beyond the 14 days he is mandated to follow.
Bottom-line
is, the Election Commission had 3 options to fix a new poll date governed by
these rules
A date
no less than 5 weeks and not more than 7 weeks from nominations closing date –
meant he could have declared elections on 14th May
14
days following the cancellation of President’s declared election date 25th
April
14
days after 30th April as given in EC gazette notification.
Without
following above – why did EC announce 20th June as election date has
to be officially responded by the Election Commission & Election Chairman.
The
Elections Commission does have an option via Section 24 (3) under emergency
situation which allows Elections Commissioner to consider a staggered election
over a number of days dividing electoral districts into high risk/low risk as
some districts have no cases of covid-19.
Section 24(3) States: Where due to
any emergency or unforeseen circumstances the poll for the election in any electoral district cannot be
taken on the day specified in the notice relating to the election published
under subsection (1), the Commissioner may, by Order published in the Gazette,
appoint another day for the taking of such poll, and such other day shall not
be earlier than the fourteenth day after the publication of the Order in the
Gazette”.
Essentially this does not imply
island-wide therefore option of a staggered election is possible)
What Elections Commissioner cannot
do is DENY voters to exercise their franchise. If South Korea with higher cases
of covid-19 including 240 deaths went to polls with over 66% turnout and
completed an election, there is no reason why Sri Lanka’s Elections Commission
cannot hold elections under the same circumstances.
Battling COVID 19,
the pandemic disease sweeping Planet Earth, Sri Lanka has done an excellent job
thus far, in containing the spread of this highly infectious disease while limiting
fatalities to a single digit.
At the helm of
Sri Lanka’s anti-COVID operations has been Gota, credited by most for the
success achieved thus far.
Gota’s
successful strategy was based on the rationale that, as a poor country, Sri
Lanka’s resources by way of hospitals, ventilators, medical personnel etc. are
limited and that the number of COVID cases she could therefore handle, at any
given time, is very small.
If the number
of patients exceeded this numerical limitation, those ‘excess’ numbers falling
victim to the virus would not receive the medical attention their
health-condition demanded and given the signal feature of this virus, to spread
infection rapidly, Sri Lanka would conservatively have had, if not for the
medical-lockdown measures taken, thousands dying per day. Gota’s strategy and
the execution of that strategy very likely saved Sri Lanka a Million human
lives. Sri Lanka undoubtedly owes a debt of gratitude to him.
But then came
the surprise. It caught many flat footed when Gota took an inexplicable
decision to open schools and offices, while the virus continues to exist
unsubdued, while the medical exit-strategy from the current medical-lockdown,
proposed and spelt out in detail by the medics, has been ignored and while
measures have yet to be taken to expedite the process of testing and of cutting
down the time duration between ‘test’ and ‘result’; this latitude has put at
risk many people who have unwittingly exposed themselves to those unknowingly
nurturing the infection.
Commenting on
this decision, a shocked Gota loyalist said, This is absolute Hara-Kiri;
hara-kiri for himself, hara-kiri for the family name and above all Hara-kiri
for the Nation.”
Shaking his
head, this votary ruefully mumbled, All what Gota achieved is being brought to
naught by this decision.”
Why would Gota
act in such a self-destructive manner? Gota says that he took this decision to
revive the economy.
Has Gota not
come to terms with the stark reality that the old globalised economy is gone,
gone forever; that it has collapsed in the wake of an attack by a microscopic
bug and that we have to rebuild a new economy in a non-globalised scenario
while taking precautions against COVID 19 and any other bug that may assail the
world in the future.
The question
asked is ‘Why is Gota gambling with the lives of a million Sri Lankan people’?
How did the caring man suddenly become an uncaring man? If the worst-case scenario
were to happen, God forbid it ever should, the blood of the innocents will be
on Gota’s hands.
Gota needs to
follow strictly the exit strategy spelt out clearly by his medical advisors.
Attempting to
rationalize Gota’s wafflly conduct, some analysts concluded that Gota is in a
hostage situation and is being blackmailed by the Americans.
In February
this year, without a shred of credible evidence, the Americans
categorised and declared the current Sri Lankan Army Commander a war criminal.
This move
appeared to be a warning shot across Gota’s bow. It is but a step away for the
Americans to use the same yard stick and call Gota a war criminal.
The move appears to
have frightened Gota no end, what with his wife being an American citizen and
with Gota’s other interests in that country. The screws can be turned on the
wife of a war criminal and on her assets in that country.
Moragoda in the
meantime unsolicitedly drew up and gave Gota for implementation, Sri Lanka’s
National Security Doctrine and Sri Lanka’s Foreign Policy Doctrine; he is due
to hand over to Gota, on 30 Apr 20, Sri Lanka’s Post-COVID Economic Policy
Doctrine.
Moragoda,
exploiting Gota’s fears, has virtually taken over the Country. Some analysts
say that while the de jure President of Sri Lanka is Gota, the de facto
President is Moragoda.
Moragoda has
directly taken under his wings the Defence Ministry Portfolio, the Foreign
Ministry Portfolio, the Central Bank Portfolio and the Finance Ministry
Portfolio.
With National
Security, Foreign Policy and Economic Policy of Sri Lanka being the exclusive
preserve of Moragoda, the notorious CIA funded US Contractor, some analysts
argue credibly that the Americans have staged a soft coup d’état in Sri Lanka;
and the Sri Lankans are yet, blissfully unaware of the situation.
While Gota, the
de jure President, was elected democratically by 6.9 Million Sri Lankans,
Moragoda, the de facto President has been ‘para-dropped’ to the seat by an
American soft coup.
Gota does not
have to be fearful; the 6.9 Million Sri Lankan people, and more, will ensure
his safety and will lay down their lives for him.
Three current unavoidable circumstances that only anti-national
forces could exploit to stymie the government’s progress in its anti-Covid-19
drive thereby contributing to general oppositional efforts to destabilize the
Sri Lankan state are (1) the recent announcement of a new date for the
next parliamentary elections by the Election Commission, (2) the mobilization
of the health and national security departments for the containment of the
spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 or Covid-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, and
(3) the arrest by the CID of a lawyer in the course of investigations into the
Islamic terrorist bombings of April 21 last year (2019). These ‘issues’ have
created an opportunity for the opposition to resort to the controversial
sliding tackle move against the government, so to speak. (This is a personal
thought for what it is worth. Open to criticism)
The Election Commission has declared June 20 as the new polls
date. Earlier the opposition groups and individuals made an unnecessary ruckus
raising unfair allegations that the government was anxious to hold elections in
spite of the operation being deadly to the public because of the epidemic
situation. Groups loyal to the government naturally favour as early an election
as possible, but they are unlikely to subject people to lethal health hazards
in achieving that end. The preference of the opposition elements, on the other
hand, seems to be for cancelling the elections altogether. The still menacing
Covid-19 situation, though so far the government has managed it with
appreciable success, is the second issue that is being exploited by the
election-phobic opposition to attack the government.
The recent arrest of a lawyer named Hejaz Hizbullah by the
CID has also stirred up adverse commentary in some quarters. The online Colombo
Telegraph (April 19, 2020) ran an article by Chamika Madiwake under the title
‘CID Abuses Covid-19 Surveillance To Detain Top Lawyer: Habeas Corpus Petition
Reveals Terrifying Details’ (sic). Any reader looking for these so-called
‘terrifying details’ in the article will be disappointed. There is nothing to
show that the CID officers resorted to any illegal methods to detain him. No
less a person than His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had repeatedly
expressed his dissatisfaction with the way investigations were conducted under
the Ranil-Sirisena government into the April 21 terror attacks (and this
feeling was universally shared by ordinary people). Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, in his
election manifesto ‘Vision GR’ as presidential candidate, pledged to
re-investigate the bombings and bring to book the culprits behind the heinous
crime irrespective of their status in society. The first anniversary of the
multiple suicide terror bombings in three Catholic churches and three
5-star hotels, has just passed; investigations have been speeded up with three
more teams deployed to assist them. The Cardinal sounds confident that under president
Gotabaya Rajapaksa the needful will be done.
The arrest of the lawyer was no doubt a part of the investigative
process; there cannot be any political interference in the matter. This lawyer
(who is not so ‘top’ as Chamika M pretends) wouldn’t have been taken into
custody unless there was enough information to justify his detention. After
all, as a lawyer, he was allegedly legal consultant to Pettah trader in spices
Mohamed Yusuf Mohamed Ibrahim, and the latter’s two sons blew themselves up in
two 5-star hotels in Colombo killing some local and foreign patrons. Hejaz
Hizbullah’s arrest was not an arbitrary one contrary to what the obviously ill
informed or misinformed Chamika M alleges. He refers to a Jaffna lawyer in
support of his view of the arrest of Hejaz Hizbullah: ‘Jaffna lawyer and
academic K. Guruparan however called the arrest of Hizbullah and the way it
came about atrocious”’. How much this quote helps Chamika M establish his case
is not difficult to decide (that is, little). Chamika M must have been born
yesterday. He appears to be completely unaware or deliberately forgetful of how
the so-called Financial Crimes Investigations Division (FCID), illegally
instituted according as some legal experts have been pointing out, was
operating under the arbitrary direction of the then prime minister Ranil
Wickremasinghe, whose government squandered almost all of its time on keeping
political opponents at bay mostly through false litigation. People are
confident that no such politicization of the law enforcement agencies will take
place under president Gotabaya.
Chamika M expresses scepticism about Hejaz Hizbullah getting
justice. He concludes his potentially libellous article with this incredibly
nasty comment: QUOTE ‘The Court of Appeal is currently led by Abdul Hameed
Dileep Nawaz, a notoriously corrupt judge, and staunch supporter of President
Gotabaya Rajapaksa’. END OF QUOTE
(Note on the title for readers not familiar with the football term
used in it: A sliding tackle, also called a slide tackle, is a usually
controversial move in the game of football. When this tackle move is executed,
a player slides along the ground with their leg extended to push the ball so
the opposing player is prevented from doing what they want to do with it.)
Postscript:
The above was completed on April 23. The factual situation
regarding the lawyer’s arrest was explained to the media at a news briefing by
Police spokesman Attorney-at-law SP Jaliya Senaratne as reported in The Island
newspaper the next day (April 24): According to the Police spokesman there was
irrefutable evidence to link Attorney-at-Law, Hejaaz Hisbullah, who had been
recently taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in
connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings……. SP Jaliya Senaratne
denied accusations the arrest had been made without sufficient evidence”. The
arrest was made a week before the first anniversary of the Easter Sunday
carnage. The news report also mentioned the fact that the suspect’s father
Naina Hizbullah had recently filed a habeas corpus application against Hejaz
Hizbullah’s arrest.
The Sunday Times Political Editor wrote in his weekly column on 19th April said that {President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa did not go to Medamulana this year to celebrate Avurudu (New Year) with his brothers and instead he held several meetings in Colombo on measures to be taken to curtail the spread of the Corona Virus, steps to be taken to ease the economic hardships of the people and on opening up the country for economic revival.
President
Gotabaya Rajapaksa discussed revitalizing the economy while containing the
COVID-19 crisis with Principal Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga in an
interview recently. Following are excerpts:
Q: Ayubowan, Your Excellency! are you
satisfied with the course of action the State has taken over the past few
months to suppress COVID-19 virus from spreading? As you have a good
understanding of the progress of this course of action, I would appreciate an
analysis from you in this regard.
From the labourer in the health sector’s lowest rank to Public Health Inspectors, nurses, specialist doctors, and other officers have rendered a huge service to control this virus. The Tri-Forces, Police, Intelligence units too are contributing tirelessly to these efforts. At the same time, it has been the commitment of the public servants including secretaries to ministries, district, and divisional secretaries that have ensured an uninterrupted continuation of essential services.
Today, the reason we have managed to keep the situation under control is because of this difficult undertaking by all these personalities. I must also thank our citizens for bearing up with these difficult times.
The first case of the coronavirus or COVID-19 was
reported from Wuhan in China in December 2019. The Chinese Government understood
the seriousness of this virus by mid-January and warned the world about
it.
This presented us with the challenge of bringing back 34 Sri Lankans studying in Wuhan and their immediate families. We then sent a special flight to China on 1 February to bring them back. As soon as they landed, they were subject to a carefully organised quarantine program in the Diyatalawa Army Camp. Thereby, we ensured that this virus did not enter our country.
I, as the President of this country and my Administration, understood the danger of this epidemic early on and took decisive steps to control it. On 26 January itself, under my leadership as the President, the National Task Force was established bringing the Health Ministry, Tri-Forces, Police, Intelligence, and other related disciplines together. Their primary task was to advise the Government on the steps to control the epidemic.
On 27 January, the first COVID-19 patient was identified from Sri Lanka. She was a Chinese tourist. Even at that time, we observed that this virus had already spread to countries like Iran and South Korea where a large number of Sri Lankans were working. As many Sri Lankans were returning from these countries, there was a danger of this virus entering the country through them. Accordingly, we decided on 10 February that it is imperative for those arriving from Italy, South Korea and Iran to be quarantined in a quarantine centre.
On 16 February, we decided that everyone who arrives in Sri Lanka must be quarantined. On 12 March, we closed every school, university, and education centre for vacations for if one child got infected, it can easily spread among the other children. While the schools and universities were physically closed, we established a separate Task Force to facilitate distance learning
By 18 March, we have decided to ban
all arrivals from Airports.
However, the administration sympathized with
the 900 pilgrims who got stranded in India. Thus, a special flight was sent to
bring them back home. They were also sent to a quarantine centre. The first
‘Work from Home’ week for public servants was declared on 20 March to 27 March.
The reason for this was the all-island curfew that was imposed on 20
March.
The Chinese lady who was found infected with the virus on 27 January made a
complete recovery and left for China on 19 February. Thereafter, the next
patient, the first Sri Lankan was identified on 11 March. He was admitted to
the IDH. Since then, almost every day new patients were identified. Out of
them, 38 were those who had come from abroad and were already in quarantine
centres. Since then, another 79 from quarantine centres had been tested
positive for COVID-19. We also found another 139 outside quarantine centres,
who had got infected in various ways.
Q: Your Excellency, you have a piece of very comprehensive knowledge about the State machinery. You just explained with the timeline the steps taken to contain this crisis. It is clear to us that the administration has tackled this issue with awareness. I would like to ask you, what steps does the Government take when a person tests positive for COVID-19?
I receive a lot of data daily. I make my decisions based upon them. The Chief of Intelligence plays a major role in this process together with me. Since we had a proper mechanism from the beginning to control the spread of the virus, we have all the information about infected people. We can identify early how he was infected, what are the places he visited, who he associated with as well as who are vulnerable to be infected. This way we can send them for quarantine on time.
Discovering patients outside quarantine centres later shows that infected people had arrived in Sri Lanka even before this process began. Also, people had come from countries such as Indonesia. We have been able to identify them only after they had come to hospitals with symptoms. If someone shows signs of corona we send that person to IDH hospital and conduct PCR examination. Once we identify a patient, we send his family members, people who he associated with and people in the areas where he visited for quarantine.
We examine all the information about the person such as how he was infected, from whom he was infected. This method is called contact tracing. After identifying the infected will be sent to a hospital. People who he had associated will be separated from the rest and send to quarantine centres. Those who had a distant relationship with the infected will be subjected to self-quarantine. Public Health Officers and the Police visit these people at their homes.
If there is a threat that a large number of people to be infected we will have to isolate the area they live in. Most cases currently being reported are from these kinds of groups. We have been able to minimise the community transmission of the disease. This is due to the fact that we identify the infected earlier and direct for the quarantine process. I have read some articles which stated that Sri Lanka was successful in controlling the spread with the method of contact tracing with the support of Intelligence Services.
Q: Your Excellency, although social distancing prevented people from getting infected with this deadly disease, there is a notion in society that people have to face numerous hardships due to the ongoing curfew. We saw how people gathered in large flocks to purchase essential food items and medicine when the curfew was lifted. We witnessed how you were moved by this. How do you see this situation?
We are all aware that the current curfew has an impact on day-to-day life. But we as a nation have to battle against an invisible enemy. We knew that people will face the issue of storing food once the curfew is imposed. Hence, the Government took several people-friendly decisions. We especially took measures to reduce the price of dhal and tinned fish, two very common food items in the country. We knew beforehand that imposing curfew was imminent.
The Government took every possible measure to ensure the continuation of several sectors such as agriculture, which has a direct impact on the life of the people. We have granted permission to the farmers in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and other areas to continue their agricultural activities. We know many daily wage earners and self-employed people have been badly hit. That is why the Government took measures to grant Rs. 5,000 to them.
We set up a task force under Mr. Basil Rajapaksa to look into the matters of the people during the curfew period and provide solutions to them. The Government took several measures to ensure maintaining normalcy in civilian life. Salaries were paid on time. Loan installments were suspended. Pensioners were paid on time. People were also exempted from payments of loan installments. The daily wage-earners were given many facilities. The entire country is aware of these steps.
Furthermore, those who earn a daily income as three-wheeler drivers, school van drivers, and bus drivers were provided with concessions on payment of the lease. We have also provided assistance to private companies that we’re unable to pay wages to their employees. Such benefits were given to the people who were faced with economic difficulties.
It is true that there were some difficulties. We are carrying out these tasks amidst those difficulties. Hence, I appeal not to make use of those difficulties in order to achieve some other objectives. Although there are criticisms against the public service, I believe we have been able to provide these services because of the ability of the State sector.
Q: Now Your Excellency will have to take a fresh look at the economy. When you presented the ‘Saubhagyaye Dekma’ (Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour), your economic strategies were outlined in it. If we had continued to work on those strategies, we could have reached someplace. Now, we have to think again about new strategies. The entire country is waiting to see what the Government led by the President will do now. This is an issue affecting our people. Could you explain your new vision?
Several spheres of our economy have been badly hit. Now, after a period of one month, we have to think as to how the economy could be revived. Areas such as tourism, small and medium industries, the apparel industry, and others that earned foreign exchange have faced severe setbacks due to the coronavirus. This is a good opportunity for us to change economic strategy and direct it towards the indigenous economy. In the past, we have imported even the goods that could be locally produced. Now we cannot only be self-sufficient in agriculture, but we can also export our agricultural products to other countries.
When the economies of all the countries collapse, our economy too will collapse. Even if we bring our economy to a satisfactory level through systematic measures, we will still face difficulties unless the global economy becomes normal.
Let us take the tourism sector as an example. We especially welcome many European tourists, but now we do not know when they will be able to come. This is a good opportunity for us to think new and see what countries would recover first from this crisis. We have to think about how we could attract tourists from those countries to visit us.
Similarly, we may have to seek new markets for our exports. This is also a good opportunity to produce the protective clothing required in the health sector. Information technology is a sector that would continue unhindered. That is also a sector that could treble our export income while generating employment in the country. Food security is of immense importance. The entire world is keen to achieve food security. This is a good opportunity for us not only to be self-sufficient in food but also to export food items.
Then, there is the issue of increasing the income of farmers. This is a good opportunity for that. One is to introduce new technology to farmers. This is a good chance for us to introduce the latest agricultural technology to farmers and improve this sector. We can bring new technology and encourage the youth to enter the farming sector and develop agriculture-based industries. This is a good opportunity to build an indigenous economy.
This is a break to start farming every day. Public sector entities have large extents of State land. These companies are making losses. They must become profit-making ventures. There are also loss-making tea estates. We must ensure that these would become profit-making companies. We must make them efficient. They must grow in every unused cultivable land. They must also grow new crops under traditional crops.
We must be happy about the history of our Tea Board. It has, for the first time in history, conducted an online tea auction using modern technology. We have these types of indigenous economic models. We must change our strategies. We must seek new markets and develop them.
Q: There are no foreign flights coming now. The airport has been closed. There are many Sri Lankans living in countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, England and Belarus waiting to come to Sri Lanka. What are the steps that could be taken regarding them?
There is a plan for that. It has been prepared to take into consideration the priorities of those who want to come back to the country. The first priority is to get the students. A plan has been set in motion. They will have to undergo a PCR test at the airport.
After the PCR test, they will be sent to quarantine centers. Measures have been taken to ensure that nobody will get infected or infect others. However, we can bring only a limited number in a day. We have examined and prioritized them. We have already sought permission from those countries because their airports have also been closed. We have asked for our aircraft to land and once the permission is granted we bring them to the country.
Q: You have always expressed interest in preventing the economy from collapsing and bringing back normalcy to public life. What steps you will implement towards this end?
We have always taken into consideration the impact on the economy and the people when curfew has been imposed to keep the people indoors. We have discussed with economic experts, senior officials of the Central Bank, industrialists, and leading businessmen with sound knowledge on the economy and take these decisions. We have considered the requirement to contain the virus and the requirements when the country is opened again and balanced them in accordance with the situation and taken these decisions.
We examined the areas in which the patients were detected. We did not lift the curfew in Puttalam, Gampaha, Colombo, and Kalutara. In certain areas, we tried to limit the closure to Police divisions. But in certain areas, it could not be limited to Police divisions. We have imposed curfew in entire districts to cover those affected areas. In some districts, there isn’t a single patient. In some districts, there are one or two. They too have been infected during their visits abroad. We can easily open those districts. That is why we decided to lift curfew in certain districts. We took this decision in order to give an opportunity to open the industries. This was also done to ensure the transport of local agricultural products.
The public sector has been closed down for one month. The public sector has a big responsibility for providing services to the public. We have lifted curfew not for the people to travel unnecessarily. We can get the maximum benefit from the steps taken by the Government, health authorities, and the Police if the people act with responsibility. We have seen in media about the instances of curfew violations by some people. Some people have been detained. Vehicles have been confiscated. I urge with the responsibility to adhere to the instructions given by the health authorities. The threat of the virus is not over. We have managed and controlled it. But we need the support of the people to continue this process.
Q: Your Excellency, so far we have discussed the steps taken to control the spread of new coronavirus, the results thereof, the effects of the virus on the public and the economy, and the short-term remedial measures. Some people ask, why can’t this be delayed further?
The Western Province contributes more than 50% of our economy. The economic experts are of the view that if we delay this further, the economy will face a massive problem. The daily wage earners in society have been very badly affected. Hence, we decided to take this measure. I would like to extend the closure for another month if possible. But we had to make a grave decision. What will happen if a country is completely closed for a month?
If there are certain doubts about the opening up this time, the people will be able to remove those doubts. Why did we impose curfew? It was to ensure social distancing. If people take responsibility and adhere to these regulations, we will not have to face any problems. Now the Police and Tri-Forces have been deployed in Colombo District to control this situation. Earlier they were spread across the country. But I instructed the Defence Secretary to ensure that the situation remains under control as it was during the war and ensure that people would not make unnecessary visits and that they act in a disciplined manner.
Q: Your Excellency, When considering the long-term aspect, there should be a stable government. The Election Commission states that although the Parliamentary Polls scheduled were to be held on 25 April with the aim of successful completion of all these initiatives, it will not be possible to hold the elections on the scheduled day. What is your point of view in this regard?
I won the Presidential Election held on 16 November 2019 with a very clear mandate of 6.9 million votes. I have presented a manifesto called ‘Rata Hadana Saubhagyaye Dekma’ to the people. The majority of the people in this country have democratically elected their President to implement that manifesto. Even though the people had approved my vision for the country, I had to work with the Parliament elected in August 2015. That Parliament did not represent the present public opinion. Since there was no majority in Parliament, I had to form a minority government.
When I took office as President, there was no budget passed for the year 2020. The previous Government was ruling the country through a Vote on Account. At that time, the country was already facing a major economic crisis. A new budget or else an interim budget was needed to implement my policies as people expected. As we promised, to allocate more funds to develop the fields of education, technology, and agriculture, to generate new employment opportunities, to rebuild the collapsed economy, the Government needs to possess the ability of handling finance.
This is why I decided to dissolve the Parliament on 2 March at the first time I got the opportunity to do so according to the powers vested in me by the Constitution, and to hold an election on 25 April and to call the new Parliament on 14 May with the aim of depicting the true public opinion. Accordingly, the Election Commission was vested with the complete freedom and power necessary to conduct an independent election. The foremost obligation and duty of the Election Commission is to ensure the supremacy of the people by holding elections at the right time while respecting the democratic right of the people to elect their representatives by a vote. But all of you know that the Election Commission has taken steps to postpone the election indefinitely in view of the current epidemic situation.
According to the Constitution, the new Parliament should meet within three months after the dissolution of the Parliament. Consequently, the last date for the new Parliament to be convened is 2 June. It is the independent Election Commission that has to decide the date on which the elections will be held. The Independent Election Commission has the right to hold the election appropriately under the present circumstances. If they want, they can take several days for the election.
The Election Commission has wide powers regarding holding elections under the current constitution. I am not ready to pressurise the independent Election Commission to hold or postpone elections. I have done everything so far constitutionally and have announced the date for the new Parliament to be convened. Unless a new Parliament is elected by 2 June, I will not be able to summon it. It has to be done on a future date. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, I will not be able to recall the old Parliament. I don’t even have a legal right to do that.
To date, my Government has taken all the necessary steps to curb the new coronavirus. A number of groups including all the major parties in the country have submitted their nominations correctly for the election. Therefore, the responsibility of holding the elections is now with the Independent Election Commission. The Government has given it all the legislative support it needed in this regard. I am ready to call the new Parliament once the election is over and MPs are elected.
Q: Your Excellency, at the moment various Opposition groups are issuing statements to the effect that there is no environment to hold the elections and the Parliamentary Elections should be further postponed. They do not even state when it should be held. What is your opinion on this?
Today, the people have the opportunity to understand the disguised motives of those who dream that the country could be taken into a constitutional crisis by continuous calling for the postponement of the election. I remind everyone at this point that there is no special legal issue as to what the country needs and how it can be done and it is constitutionally very clear what should be done and who has the ultimate responsibility.
I hope to fulfill the promises made to the people by implementing policies included in the ‘Rata Hadana Saubhagyaye Dekma’ while successfully facing the threat of the new coronavirus which has brought the whole world to its knees. I expect all of you, who love the country, to render your valuable and necessary support in this regard.
UNICEF says that Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa is the leader who is very close to the hearts of children. UNICEF has initiated a program to enlighten the children of under 18 years of age about the Corona Virus. Under this program, children are requested to send their queries on Corona Virus in a voice tape of a maximum of 10 seconds to Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa’s official Facebook account and for which Mr. Rajhapaksa would respond via his Facebook account.
EDB of Sri Lanka should offer Trinco Harbour facility to
park oil rigs and oil tankers to generate foreign income
A request to investigate thas been sent to SLPA and to
the Task Force
IMPACT OF COVID-19
Due to the adverse effect of Covid 19 virus to the economy of the countries in Asia. Africa and the Middle East, there will be an enforced lull period in Oil Exploration leading to vessel /drillships being laid up for longer periods until
the global economy recovers. Sri Lanka, having established effective control of Corona spread
WHY TRINCOMALEE
The location of where to lay a vessel/ rig is essential to ensure its safety and protection with the following conditions considered. The location of where to lay up a vessel/rig is essential to ensure its safety and protection with the following conditions considered.
1.The lay-up site should be well sheltered from heavy
wind, strong current and swell.
2.The seabed characteristics should be such as to
provide adequate anchor holding power.
3.The sea bed should be free from obstructions,
wreckage or other projecting objects.
4.The depth at the site should give sufficient
clearance
5.Mooring bollards of sufficient strength
should be placed such to ensure proper lead
Trincomalee, is a natural deep-water harbour, is ranked as the 2nd best natural harbour in the world and is the only one of its kind in the Indian Ocean that is accessible to all types of crafts in various weather conditions.
SCOPE AND BENEFITS
Few companies are already involved in providing such facilities in Sri Lanka, in harbours such as Hambantota and Trincomalee. There are numerous inquiries from various operators worldwide requesting the lay-up facilities in Sri Lanka,
Health authorities can also impose a premium charge for treating and patients among the crew. Hotel Industry in the vicinity can also benefit by providing isolated facilities for Quarantine of the crew for a minimum period of 14/21 days. Insurance companies too can sell their products to the operators to cover such expenses.
Several oil exploration and drilling contracts have
been suspended and in some cases vessels have not been able to find berthing
facilities due to some ports having been placed under quarantine.
SRI LANKA AND ITS UNIQUE POSITION TO
TAKE THIS EMERGING TIMELY BUSINESS
Sri Lanka possesses the following key criteria to win the lay-up business opportunities from international vessel owners for short, mid and long-term lay-ups;
– Sheltered
from open seas (e.g. Trincomalee Port/Inner Anchorage,
– Minimal
tidal currents.
– Good
holding grounds for anchors
– Free
and open outside of a typhoon/cyclone belt.
– Sri
Lankan lay-up locations (Trincomalee, Hambantota, etc) are located
closer to major shipping routes – enables quick reactivation when business
commences
– Sri Lankan service providers are equipped with all critical engineering, vessel husbandry, crew management, bunkering, repairs, servicing, inspection and certification, etc to cater to all kinds of lay-ups.
– Sri
Lanka ability to give any vessel the best Security and Safety coverage
– Sri
Lanka already has 100% Sri Lankan own companies able to provide all the lay-up
services to international marine assets with experience and good track record.
Dr Sarath Obeysekera
CEO Walkers Colombo Shipyard
Colombo
Sri Lanka
Curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttlam districts will continue to remain until May 04 while curfew in all other districts will be relaxed from April 27, the President’s Media Division said.
Accordingly, it said the curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttlam districts will be in force until 5.00 am on Monday, May 04.
Curfew in all other districts will be lifted at 5.00 am on Monday, April 27 and will be re-imposed at 8.00 pm on the same day.
Thereafter, the curfew in these districts will be in effect between 8.00 pm to 5.00 am every day until further notice.
The regulations have also be relaxed to open state and private companies from May 04 in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttlam districts despite the curfew which could be in force.
All the state departments, corporations, statuary boards and private sector industries, working places, fish, vegetables and retail stores can also be operated under strict regulations.
The private sector entities should open to work at 10.00 am daily. The head of each organization has the freedom to decide who should report to work and the number of employees.
Only 1/3rd of the total workforce of the state organizations should report to work. All the employees of the state sector who are not required to report for work should work from home.
The responsibility to decide who should come to office and who should work from home lies with the head of the companies.
These organizations should strictly follow the Coronavirus prevention measures endorsed by health authorities.
Meanwhile, the PMD said public transport would only be allowed for the use of people who are travelling for work while others should stay at home.
People are permitted to go out only to buy medicines or essential goods to the places closest to their residence.Moreover, all schools, universities, tuition classes, other educational institutions and cinema halls should be kept closed until further notice.Earlier, the schools were scheduled to be opened on May 11.Meanwhile, the PMD said movement across Districts would only be permitted for essential services.All kinds of functions, pilgrimages, trips, meetings etc have been banned until further notice and religious leaders are requested to ban observances and events at places of worship.The Government requested the people to be humble enough to bear the inconveniences when implementing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. “Strick action will be taken against anyone who disrupts the well-being of the people and the society,” the PMD said.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has briefed the Maha Sangha on the measures taken by the Government to control the spread of COVID-19 virus and the progress made so far, the President’s Media Division (PMD) says.
During a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (24), the President has explained about the control of the spread, quarantine process, reliefs granted to people and future measures to revive the national economy.
The support rendered by every segment of the society including health, security and the entire state mechanism in the face of current challenges is enormous, President has said.
The President, stressing the necessity of a strong Parliament to fulfil the aspirations of the people bestowed on him with the landslide victory, has said that there are no Constitutional powers to reconvene the old Parliament but to convene a new one.
President also noted that he expects to meet Maha Sangha regularly on the third Friday of every month.
Nayaka Theros of all three Chapters have said that they approve the conduct of the President and the Government.
Stating that the country should not be put in jeopardy by reconvening the old Parliament, Maha Sangha unanimously agreed with the decision not to convene the dissolved legislature.
Ven. Niyangoda Vijithasiri Thero has emphasized that the previous Parliament should take the responsibility for the current financial crisis in the country, the PMD said.
Ven. Thrikunamale Ananda Thero, the Maha Nayaka of the Amarapura Sri Dharmarakshitha Chapter has said that when looking at the initiatives taken by the President to prevent the spread of coronavirus as well as for the future, it is clear that there is a new vision being implemented in the country.
Ven. Prof. Medagoda Abayathissa Thero was of the view that the measures implemented by the President to prevent the spread of the coronavirus could be an example for other countries in the world. The young generation of the country and other various groups have invented many new products. This is a golden opportunity for a better future”, the Thero further said. He also said that the Maha Sangha of the country will always support the steps being taken by the President.
Ven. Prof. Indugare Dhammarathana Thero presented a set of proposals comprising 12 points to make the island secure.
Ven. Dr. Diviyagala Yasassi Thero and Ven. Prof. TubulleSeelakkanada Thero pointed out the importance of creating an environment to celebrate the Vesak festival using electronic media while staying home. A decision was reached to appoint a Committee on the matter.
Maha Nayaka of the Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven. Wendaruwe Upali Thero said that the steps taken by the President to feed the hungry including the beggars are commendable.
The Maha Nayaka Theros and Anu Nayaka Theros representing the Tri-Nikayas and Maha Sangha participated in this meeting, the PMD said further.
Ongoing curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam districts will continue until 5.00 am on the 4th of May, the President’s Media Division (PMD) announced.
In a press release, the PMD stated that the curfew in all other districts will be lifted at 5.00 am on Monday (27) and re-imposed at 8.00 pm on the same day.
Curfew in these districts will be relaxed between 5.00 am and 8.00 pm every day until the 1st of May.
However, the curfew in Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara and Puttalam districts will be eased from May 4 in order to facilitate the functioning of public and private sector institutions.
Departments, corporations and statutory boards under the purview of the government, as well as private sector factories, building constructions, other work places, vegetable/fish grocery stores will be permitted to remain open.
Today, about 21% of the global population are in the so-called Western industrialized countries and 79% in developing countries. This small % of excessively greedy white men of the Western industrialized consume about 80% of the world’s natural resources and are also responsible for the production of about 80% of all waste and pollutants in the world. Therefore, it is clear who is the biggest enemy of the earth, and of humanity. Nearly 70 percent of the accumulated emissions of carbon dioxide in the last 50 years have come from the excessive consumption of energy of industrial countries. Carbon dioxide emissions are among the main culprits of global warming, now threatening the stability of people and ecological processes all over the world, particularly in tropical developing countries.
Besides global warming, the greatest environmental challenges faced by humanity today, are nuclear war, biotechnology, genetic engineering, cell and tissue culture technologies aimed at modifying living organisms, including animals and plant life, in addition to artificial intelligence and ever-sophisticated algorithms are tapping into our values, habits, tastes, desires and the very thought patterns that define us — all to control how we shop, what we read, and whom we vote for. The notion of free will is defunct. With the rise of Big Data algorithms, it becomes increasingly easy to hack humans, manipulate their feelings, and control their desires. It means an external system can know you better than you know yourself. It can predict your choices and decisions. It can manipulate your emotions, and it can sell you anything, whether a product or a politician. Previously in history, the most important resource was land, the natural environment. Now data is the most important resource. Politics is becoming the struggle to control data, and the future belongs to those who monopolize the data. One of the biggest political questions of our era is. How do you regulate the ownership of data?
If we consider the long history of colonialism, slavery, abuse, exploitation, and misery that, for centuries, have been imposed on developing countries by the main industrial nations, we could conclude in a gigantic environmental, economic and social debt, with which industrial countries have so far got away with. Environmental devastation is directly related to international economic and political relationships. The depletion of resources, and the environmental and social costs involved, are deliberately ignored by the established economic system in the West. Developing countries are the most affected by the growing social and environmental damages derived from decades of imposition of the established international economic order. Most of their economies are based on the ruthless exploitation of both people and natural resources, to feed industrial processes mainly driven by industrial nations. The interpretation that the population growth in developing countries is the culprit of worldwide environmental damage is a total fallacy. Such interpretations are at the bottom of foreign policies of industrial nations, as part of the overall attempt to preserve the established international economic order, regardless of how profoundly unfair it may be too much of humanity.
Nearly three-quarters of all people in developing countries are already below the poverty line. Over 14 million children, under the age of 5, die each year from hunger, thirst, malnutrition, or from easily curable or preventable diseases. An average of 26 children per minute. At the same time, nearly 14 million hectares of natural tropical forests are destroyed every year, also in tropical developing countries.
Massive and irreversible destruction, mainly due to the expansion of the agricultural frontier, in order to accommodate growing numbers of people in extreme poverty, practicing survival agriculture. The growing numbers of people involved are not only due to the increase in population. It is mainly driven by rampant unemployment and a dramatic economic impoverishment.
Dr.
Daya Hewapathirane
daya.hewapathirane@gmail.com
There is
widespread condemnation of clearance of the precious Wilpattu National Park to
resettle Muslim IDPs.
If the allegation
is true, the last two governments (2010 – 2019), and the ex-Muslim Minister who
is in the centre of the allegation, have committed a serious offence.
News emanating
from the North now shows that that the Muslim IDPs have been resettled in
Mannar District. Given that Wilpattu is primarily
located in the Puttlam and Anuradhapura Districts, if this news is correct, it
is a great comfort for those who love Wilpattu.
Nobody wants
Wilpattu – a national treasure and perhaps a World Heritage, to be disturbed in
any form or the other.
It is of paramount
importance that further in-depth investigation about this is carried out.
Why is it that
resettling the Puttlam Muslims in Mannar a good thing?
Puttlam is part of
the North Western Province and Mannar is in the Northern Province.
When Prabhakaran
chased out Muslims from the North (primarily from Jaffna) in 1980s and 1990s, there
were in excess of 1 lakh of them living there permanently.
Prabhakaran was
engaged in ethnic cleansing. He wanted the North and East to be confined to
Tamils only.
Many of those Muslims
went and lived in refugee camps in Anuradhapura and Puttlam. Some went to live with relatives in
Kurunegala, Negambo and Colombo.
After the war,
some of them were resettled in the North (primarily in Mannar district).
To preserve Sri
Lanka as one Nation, it is of paramount importance that Sinhalese and Muslims
live in large numbers in the North.
North and East is
a large area of Sri Lanka. It is about 1/3 of Sri Lanka’s total landmass and
2/3 of the coastal area. Separatists have not given up their desire to create a
Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka. The country
still suffers from that threat (not militarily anymore). Thus, we need large
Sinhala and Muslim populations living in the North and East.
Now is Sri Lanka’s
‘Populate or Perish’ moment.
TalaiMannar is Sri
Lanka’s prime Gateway. From time immemorial, South Indians have used this
Gateway to invade Sri Lanka (and we successfully chased them back, through the
same Gateway).
If Mannar District
is confined only to Tamils (like largely today), it is probable that eventually
the North will secede. Wigneswaran and
TNA are trying all tricks in the book to achieve this.
There are over 60
million Tamils living in Thamilnadu.
Given that TalaiMannar is about 25 km away from Sri Lanka, Tamil
separatists will do all they can to carve out a separate Tamil Eelam out of Northern
Sri Lanka. This could only be prevented
by allowing non-Tamils (Muslims and Sinhalese), who do not want the creation of
a separate nation in the North, to settle there.
Corono Virus is in
a serious situation in India. There is a likelihood that Thamilnadu Tamils may
flee to Sri Lanka to escape the pandemic. Northern Tamils may have no
alternative but to accept them. If there are Muslims and Sinhalese living in
the North, it will be very difficult for such illegal migration to take place.
The same rationale
applies in curbing illegal fishing by Thamilnadu fishermen in our coastal
waters.
During the Eelam war,
Muslims worked to preserve Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Muslim military men such as Nizam Muthalff, Tuan Nizam Dane and MZR Sallay come
to mind; they gave their lives for mother Lanka.
The bottom-line is
that Muslims have never demanded a separate state, only the Tamils.
Muslims have a better chance
of living in the North, and this must be encouraged (the fact that they speak
Tamil is an advantage).
It is believed that when the Sinhalese were ethnically
cleansed by Prabhakaran in late 1970s to early 1990s, there were at least
50,000 Sinhalese permanently living in the Northern Province (including the Sinhala
public servants).
For nearly 65 years, the Sinhalese
have been denied from settling in the North and East by Tamil politicians.
This has been a systematic, very successful campaign by them. The irony
is that both the Southern politicians (except DS Senanayake) and Sinhalese as a
community, have not shown the need to change this racist policy.
Today,
the number of Sinhalese families permanently living in the North should be less
than 1500; disregarding a further 2000 or so Sinhalese families that live from Nandimithragama
to Janaka Pura, largely in Vavuniya South and East. These villages include Nandimithragama,
Salalihinigama, Namalgama, Bogaswewa I and II, Veherathenna. Welioya, HelambaWewa
and Janaka Pura.
The writer understands that
according to the Delimitation Commission recommendations (set up by the previous
President in 2017), about 1200 Sinhalese villages in the Northern Province (Vavuniya
South Pradeshiya Sabha) may end up being reallocated to North Central Province.
The affected villages would include Namalgama, Bogaswewa I and II,
Veherathenna.
It is feared that Sinhapura and HelambaWewa villages (Padavi-Sri
Pura and Muhudu-Bada Patthuwa Pradeshiya
Sabhas respectively), that are currently part of the Eastern Province may end
up being reallocated to North Central Province.
There is the fear that Grama Sevaka
divisions of Athawetunu Wewa, Kiriibban Wewa and Kokilai, that are currently in
the Eastern Province (Sampath Nuwara Pradeshiya Sabha) may be reallocated to
North Central Province (to Padavi Sri Pura Pradeshiya Sabha).
If these proposed re-allocations eventuate,
the Sinhala populations in the North and East will be further eroded. Their numbers in the North Central Province
will increase. Then, the Separatists will have a greater claim both locally and
internationally that their demand for a Tamil Eelam is just and fair.
It is imperative that a country should have an unwavering, unshakable, and firm determined and dedicated leader with a firm backbone if that country is to progress. Unfortunately in the recent past, we have had three Presidents and a Prime Minister who have shamelessly and cowardly genuflected in front of foreign powers and our sworn enemies. For instance
J.R, Jayawardene who after adopting the 1978 constitution that became popular as the Bahbootha Vyawasthawa”, the Bizarre Constitution bloated saying that he is so powerful and he cannot only change a man into a woman and a woman into a man shamelessly and unblushingly bowed down before the hegemonic Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and agreed to conditions imposed by him including to force upon us the white elephant provincial council system utterly unsuitable for a small country like Sri Lanka, station Indian troops on our soil, and allow the country to be ruled under the dictates of Indian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka J.N.Dixit, who behaved like an uncrowned viceroy ;
R.Premadasa without any guts and willpower allowed him to be fondled by a tiger terrorist sympathizer and their behind the scene architect Paskeralingam and under his command brought the terrorists to Colombo for homey moon talks, ordered the IPKF out as it was decimating the LTTE, ordered over 600 odd Police officers serving in the East and belong to all ranks to surrender to LTTE as a result of which they got killed summarily, supply a massive stockpile of arms and ammunition and money to LTTE which were only used only to kill and maim our gallant soldiers, facilitated the assassination of Lt. General Denzil Kobbejaduwa who had a splendid record of operations against the LTTE terrorists. Along with him Brigadier Wijaya Wimalaratne and several illustrious high ranking officers also got killed, and nourished hardcore LTTE cadres to use his residence in Colombo as a haven for them and ultimately got dumped by a LTTE suicide bomber known as Babu whom he has fed and trusted as a confidante.;
Mrs. Chandrika was responsible for making the country suffer the biggest debacle due to her arrogant and astigmatic rule. The losses perpetrated by the LTTE during her rule were immense and e included entrapping over 40, soldiers of ours in Jaffna and compelling the country to seek Indian assistance to save them from their siege and bring them back to Sri Lanka, loss of the Elephant Pass camp, which was Sri Lanka’s largest camp in the North, and in this attack, the LTTE killed over 1,500 of our soldiers who were in that camp and confiscated all military hardware in that camp including artillery, multi-barrel guns, and heavy arms, loss of the: Pooneryn camp, sinking of several high-speed naval vessels with large numbers of navy personnel, shooting gown of several military aircraft that were flying out from Palaly airbase with armed soldiers and destruction of several passenger aircraft at the Katunayake Airport and many fighter planes and jets at the Katunayake Airport Hanger. This old hag, in obliging to LTTE demands was also was responsible for needlessly facilitating Norway to interfere in Sri Lanka under the guise of a peacebuilder.
In addition to the above referenced military debacles, she had a craziness and a passion to please the Tamil community at the expense of other communities. She seemed to be very fond of megalomaniac Prabhakaran and offered him to rule the North without any form of elections for a period of 10 years. She could not get Prabhakaran agreed to this offer as he was only interested in carving out a separate exclusive Tamil State called Tamil Eelam comprising 1/3 of Sri Lanka’s and 2/3rd of maritime territory. Then she commissioned another Terrorist ally, Dr. Neelan Thiruchelvam to formulate a new constitution called The Package” to grant regional autonomy to provinces with much emphasis on North and East. This proposal received strong opposition and condemnation from people belonging to all walks of life and Mt. Mahinda Rajapaksa held a long meeting with her and forced her to abandon that proposal.
When the Tsunami struck the country lots of funds were received and a mechanism named Post Tsunami Operations Mechanism (PTOM) was drawn up and she insisted and was adamant that PTOM activities in the North and East should exclusively be handled by the LTTE. Along with her sycophant quisling Mangala Samaraweera she also launched another program called Sudu Nelum (white Lotus) program with the support of Norway saying that its objective was to rebuild North and East.
Economically
her rule was the worst Sri Lanka ever had and the growth dwindled to a minus
growth rate for the first time in the country, which forced several key
Ministers of her government to quit and join the opposition.
Sometime last year she made a statement saying that in the parliament there are 225 MPs and the majority of them are Sinhalese. She said that during her tenure as President she couldn’t do much for the Tamils and hence in the future she would spend much time serving the Tamils.
Then we come to the period of Prime MinisterRanil Wickremasinghe which ran parallel to Chandrika’s 2nd term of presidency. This period was completely a period of genuflecting to the dictates of the tiger terrorists. Sajith Premadasa despite the fact that his father was killed by the LTTE fully associated with Ranil Wickremasinghe in all measures he took to please the tiger terrorists.
Ranil started his innings with blindly signing the ignominious ceasefire agreement (CFA) drafted by Norway under which the terrorists were made de facto rulers of the North and East. At the, megalomaniac terrorist leader’s post-CFA news conference for foreign journalists Balasingham told the media men that Prabhakaran is both the President and the Prime Minister of the North and East and Ranil Wickremasinghe is only the Prime Minister for the rest of Sri Lanka. Both timid Chandrika and Ranil remained silent over this remark. Under the CFA our soldiers were locked up in barracks and the terrorists were permitted to move freely carrying their arms. Our Air Force pilots and crew were forced to taxi terrorist leaders from North to East and vice versa, Under the CFA a monitoring mission was established manned by Scandinavians and there had been over 3,000 ceasefire violations by the terrorists but all these violations went uninvestigated and unpunished. During this period the government allowed the terrorists to bring in several container loads of material and these containers were allowed to be taken to the North unchecked. It is suspected that these containers contained dismantled light aircraft, artilleries, and sophisticated electronic modern communication and surveillance equipment, etc.
During this government, a conference named Sri Lanka Aid Conference was held in the Japanese capital Tokyo attended by several foreign countries and in which a program titled ISGA” (Internal Self Government Authority) was presented by the LTTE and Ranil accepted this proposal in return for U.S$ 4.5 Million promised by the so-called donor nations. This same proposal in toto was included in the 13 point formula by the TNA and other Tamil parties during November presidential campaign for which imbecile Sajith Premadasa wholeheartedly agreed and it was reflected in gratitude in the Tamil voted polled for him in the North and East.
It was under such a background the 5th President iron-willed Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa came to power on 18th November 2005 promising to take concerted action to end the terrorist aggression early and establish an honorable peace in the country. The terrorists misjudged his determination and dedication and attempted to continue with their old games. They made unsuccessful attempts to kill Army Commander Sarath Fonseka and the President’s brother the Defence Secretary Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa but managed to assassinate Sri Lanka’s internationally reputed former Foreign Minister Mr. Lakshman Kadiragamar. The determined government increased the troop strengths and liberated the Eastern province. When it was done Ranil Wickremasinghe and his cohorts undermined the achievement made by our troops and the liberation of the main terrorist camp Topppigala in the East was ridiculed by Mr. Ranil Wickremasinghe saying that Toppigala was an insignificant jungle.
Then the war moved to the Northern theatre and when our troops were advancing shattering terrorist posts again the UNP ridiculed the war and whilethat party’s vice President Ravi Karunanayake asserted that the troops are only going to Pa,amkada claiming that they are going to Alimankade (Elephant Pass) and going to Medawachchi claiming going yo Kilinochjchi, the notorious quisling and terrorist sympathizer and currently Sajith Premadasa’s senior advisor Mangala Samaraweera said that Sarath Fonseka was not fit to command our army but fit only to lead the Salvation Army and our troops will learn unforgettable lessons if they attempt to enter Kilinochchi.
It was under these circumstances our divisional commanders under the direction of the Commander in Chief the President and the guidance of the Defense Secretary our divisional commanders led our dedicated and determined troops to capture all forward line terrorist posts and drove the megalomaniac Prabhakaran and other terrorist leaders together with their remain9ing terrorist troops to Nabndekadal for the final encounter When this operation was going on the American Ambassador in Colombo Robert Blake wanted the President to halt the war and allow them to evacuate terrorist leaders through Mullaitivu to an undisclosed western destination which the iron-willed President rejected outright. At the same time, the British Foreign Secretary David Milliband and the French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner arrived in Sri Lanka to urge the President to halt the war. The President at this time was in Embilipitiya and maintaining his illustrious status he did not proceed to Colombo to meet them and wanted them to come to Embilipitiya if they want to discuss anything with him. Accordingly, they came to Embilipitiya and urged him to halt the war and allow them to evacuate the terrorist leaders. This demand was also totally rejected making Sri Lankans feel proud of having a defiant President who dared to stand firm boldly rejecting the demands made by the world’s three most powerful nations.
Apr 23 (FT) Over 200 enterprises in the Free Trade Zones, employing over 30,000 workers, are currently in operation and contributing to economic development, despite partial shutdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country, Govt revealed. Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said 217 BOI enterprises are functioning after the Govt allowed resumption of economic activities in the FTZs, subject to companies following strict health and safety guideline
I manage a shipbuilding and ship-repair facility in Colombo which is one of the pioneering industry under national export strategy I have lost millions of dollar income due to Corona Spread Few million dollars worth jobs cannot be secured and also existing jobs cannot be completed due to restrictions imposed by the state While maintaining discipline in the country state can help us in following manner Area police chief’s Whatsapp, number and email to be made available to all heads of industries who should have opportunity to contact them regarding issuance of passes for workers ,vehicle and parts materials which are necessary to complete the work For an example, I wanted to get some of the key engineers and skilled workers from areas with and without a curfew , but when they go to the police to get the passes they have to go physically to the stations endangering their health They often have to wait until OIC to return To office from the field where they are busy in arresting curfew violators and illicit brewers and booking them They wait hours in the police station and by that time ship is gone ( we say a train has left )
Shops selling parts for Repair based in Colombo are closed and they fear to supply materials due to possible prosecution One OIC of police in Galle area has said he cannot endanger Colombians going in and out because of fear of spreading I should have been able to send an email or WhatsApp message with some electronic signature which is approved by Task Force so that I can confirm the need I fully agree with the need to control but police need to be told that we need to earn money for future What Export Development Board can-do is to get CEO’s details forwarded to Task Force Corona for prevention who can send them to area police officers or army officers whom we should be able to send a request to issue permits to travel CEO should have right to contact with OIC in the case of doubts and get an officer to issue permit at his own justifiable discretion I sent a WhatsApp message to area OIC reg my own permit and for the last three weeks, he has not even opened the message World is developing depending on Digital Communication Tools where, we CEOs use Zoom Skype. Google hangout, Face time Emails, etc and we should be able to use them with law enforcement agencies to support the industries
Dr
Sarath Obeysekera
CEO Walkers Colombo Shipyard
Colombo
Sri Lanka
As of today in Sri Lanka, there are 417 confirmed COVID19 cases in the Island from which 107 have recovered and 7 deaths reported. COVID-19 cases count in Sri Lanka has hit 417 as another person tested positive for the virus as of 10.45 pm today (24), the Ministry of Health says.
Colombo, April 24 (newsin.asia) – The silent streets of Colombo captured by our photographer today morning April 24, 2020. Colombo continues to remain under a curfew due to a rising number of COVID19 cases detected from the city in recent days. The curfew may continue until the threat of the virus is eliminated.
As of today, there are 417 confirmed COVID19 cases in the Island from which 107 have recovered and 7 deaths reported.
Three risk categories, high, moderate and low, identified for a phased lifting of lockdown restrictions
Colombo, April 24 (newsin,asia): The College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka (CCPSL) on Friday submitted a scientific exit strategy to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for the COVID-19 affected Colombo Municipality area, which the most densely populated and economically important area in the island nation.
Colombo City Profile:
Colombo city is the economic hub of the country. It is the most populous city in Sri Lanka, with 650,000 –750,000 people living within the city limits. This is also added with a 500,000 daily floating population. People of Colombo City are from a multi-religious, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural background, representing a mix of several ethnic groups, mainly Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamils and Sri Lankan Moor.The City covers an area of 37 sq. km divided into six Districts. The Districts are further divided into 47 Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Wards for its administrative purpose.
District 1 Colombo North; 2. District 2A Colombo Central; 3. District 2B Colombo Central; 4. District 3 Borella; 5. District 4 Colombo East; 6. District 5 Colombo West.
The latest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) data as per 24th April 2020 indicate that 91 out of 334 confirmed cases are from the Municipality area. Considering the uniqueness of Colombo as the commercial capital of Sri Lanka and the urgency in establishing normalcy, an exit strategy unique to Colombo Municipality area is indispensable.
However, at the same time, the fact that Colombo Municipality area is the worst-hit geographical area due to COVID-19 epidemic should be taken into consideration.
Key objectives
The key objectives are; 1. Maintaining a low case load; 2. Returning to near normal public life; 3. Economic recovery.
Nagalagam Street and Gunasenghepura, from which cases were reported previously, are currently cleared” of cases. The case no. 21 was reported from Bandaranayake Mawatha on 16th April 2020. This is a typical watta” found within a CMC ward and is located in a 16–18 perch geographical area with 230 people living in 62 houses. A sudden death of a 37 year old male has been reported from the same locality on 27th March 2020. RT-PCR testings performed on selected people in Bandaranayake Mawatha resulted in 81 cases and the adjacent 146 Watta has found 64 cases. In Princegate, all the samples tested were negative.
The above information gives an idea of the behavioral pattern of people in specific locations within a CMC Ward, such as in watta” and the impact on the spread of the disease. Therefore, in addition to the caseload, it is essential to study the scatter of the households (families) and properties of people within Colombo Municipality area limits.
Properties within the city:
Residential Properties – 106,068; Commercial Properties – 35,604; Government Properties – 10,158; Exempted Properties – 3,671. Total Number of Properties – 155,501
High density low-income clusters (‘Watta’): The average population density of Colombo Municipality area is 172 people per hectare (Department of Census and Statistics, 2001). However, high-risk pockets for COVID-19, similar to Bandaranayake Mawatha located within some CMC Wards, show higher densities such as 974 people per hectare. The highest population density is in Colombo North, which is predominantly a low-income residential area.
Half of the population of Colombo Municipality area has been living for many years in low income settlements, such as ‘watta’. The 2001 Survey carried out by the Colombo MC and SEVANATHA has identified a total of 77,612 families living in 1,614 low-income settlements in the city.
A unique character of these settlements was that they are relatively smaller in size. Further, 74% of them have fewer than 50 housing units while the larger settlements with more than 500 units account for about 0.7% of the total low-income settlements in Colombo.
Household size
In such high-density low-income clusters, nearly 60% of families have 5 to 7 members, while 8% of the households have more than 10 members per unit. Twenty per cent of housing units have more than 2 families. Often, when children marry, they too settle down in their parents’ house. Some families have rented out part of their house to earn an additional income.
Less-density high risk clusters
In addition to the typical high-density low-income settlements, there a Less-density high risk clusters. In addition to the typical high-density low-income settlements, there are clusters smaller in size confined to a few streets in some CMC Wards. And also there are populations in urban new settlements. Flats, mostly in Modara, Maligawatta, Dematagoda, Bluemendhal, Wanathamulla, Ingurukade and Slave Island area. The socio-cultural contexts and health behavior of these communities may also be different from other areas in the city.
Economic Implications of the low income populations
The city needs services of the people living in low income settlements for the proper functioning of various sectors of the urban economy. About 45% of the income-earning household members engage in unskilled employment activities (waged laborers, CMC garbage collectors, road cleaners, helpers, etc.).About 9% of families do not have any source of regular income. As such, lack of a regular source of income is a problem for about 54% of urban poor families.
Situation in Colombo as per WHO criteria:
1.Disease transmission is under control: Stage 3 b ;
Health systems are able to detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact: Yes
Hot spot risks are minimized in vulnerable places: Yes
Schools, workplaces and other essential places have established preventive measures:
Guidelines formulated. Schools not started: Not yet
The risk of importing new cases can be managed”: Yes
Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to live under a new normal: Not sure.
Disease transmission is under control
The Colombo district, including Colombo Municipality area, has witnessed an increase in the confirmed cases during the past week. However, it is apparent that the stage of the epidemic is shifting from the level of family clusters to village clusters. But health systems are able to detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact.”
The Colombo Municipality area has the highest population density and has the highest movements of the people. A well-coordinated mechanism is essential in tracing not only cases and contacts, but also to capture possible community transmission.
Specifically, active case detection in CMC wards with lower socio-economic families should be continuously carried out. In addition, they should be targeted for testing at every given opportunity, such as when they report to work related to services (e.g. CMC labourers) and commercial/ business premises (e.g. manual labourers) within CMC sector. Currently, there is active surveillance conducted by the CMC health authrorities to detect infected persons in these high risk areas for COVID-19.
Categorization of the CMC wards as High Risk, Moderate Risk and Low Risk should be worked out based on the following parameters:
Number of cases reported within the last 28 days;
Extent of the primary / secondary contact load within last 28 days;
Geographical scatter of the households / families within a CMC Ward (Presence of Watta” communities or other less density high-risk clusters);
Judgment on the compliance of the resident population with epidemic control measures.
In addition to the above, following aspects should also be considered: 1. Pregnant women / Persons with chronic illnesses; 2. Age over 65 years population; 3. Skilled / unskilled work force in each CMC ward; 4. Location of essential services / industries within a CMC ward.
Within each of the areas according to their identified risk profile, the withdrawal of curfew / implemented measures / restrictions needs to be carried out in phases in a staggered manner, while ensuring the continuity of interventions carried out so far to contain the epidemic.
Exit Strategy for three categories:
Stringent restrictions in high risk areas
Moderate restrictions in moderate risk areas
Relaxed restrictions in low risk areas
The optimal operationalizing of the strategy will also need rigorous inputs of real-time epidemiological geo-spatial data originating from ward level. Further, the exit strategy should be time-bound and requires change depending on the emerging local epidemic data and will be revised by a team of multidisciplinary experts when appropriate.
Generic considerations (irrespective of the risk):
Following services should continue irrespective of the risk level or the geographical area:
Key essential services: Health / Transport / Water / Electricity / Gas / Postal / Petroleum / Telecommunication / Harbour/ Vehicle breakdown services /Road maintenance / Irrigation; 2. Essential industries (non-crowding): farming, fisheries, construction sites; 3. Selected market places / industries will be opened; 4. Control of daily floating population – This should be addressed by a specific mechanism with restrictions enforced on the presence of minimal staff working at essential services / government and private offices.
STRINGENTRestrictions for High Risk Areas:
Lockdown status 24 hour curfew will be enforced. If the ward includes mainly highly dense lower socio-economic families, they will be shifted to quarantined centers based on the judgment on their health behavior. Other families will remain in their houses under strict supervision of Police and Armed Forces.
Travel Inbound or outbound travel will not be allowed, unless for a specific humane reason. Other vehicular movement allowed without stoppage, if a main road is crossing the ward or if a ward is along a main road.
Personal level measures including hand-washing, respiratory etiquette and social distancing should be practised. No private gatherings for any purpose, no religious congregations and all places of worship shall remain closed. Transport: No public or private transport allowed. All offices government / private remain closed. Home delivery services to continue and to be more strengthened. Schools / Other academic institutes will remain closed. Small Businesses will remain closed. Banks should operate mostly via ATM, online or mobile services. No physical client services offered. Carefully selected industries will be allowed to function with 50% workforce.
Moderate Restrictions:
Modified 24 hour curfew will be enforced. Families will remain in their houses under strict supervision of Police and Armed Forces. Travel In bound or outbound travel–not allowed unless there is a specific humanitarian reason. Personal level measures including hand-washing, respiratory etiquette, and social distancing should be practiced. Only one person per house will be allowed outside the house premises at a time for a specific purpose. A token system should be introduced. Pregnant women should remain at home but allowed to attend routine clinics. Other vulnerable groups (persons above 65 years / patients with chronic illnesses are NOT permitted to move outside the house unless for medical reasons. They should obtain special passes if needed or may use the clinic record as a pass.
No private gathering for any purpose more than five persons, no religious congregations and all places of worship shall remain closed.Attendance at weddings and funerals should be restricted to 10 persons. No public or private transport allowed. All offices government / private remain closed. All pharmacies / General Practice / Medical Centers are allowed to open and should follow guidelines issued by Ministry of Health & College of GPs. Food & Groceries Home delivery services to continue and to be more strengthened. Schools / Other academic institutes all remain closed. Banks Should operate mostly online or mobile services.
Bank client services should be started with 2 sessions, 7.00 am – 12.00 N 12.30 N – 5.30 pm. Services offered once per week per customer. Different work hours may be introduced to reduce overcrowding in public transport. Daily wage-dependent employees are allowed with specific restrictions posed to employers on social distancing and basic hygienic measures. Carefully selected industries will be allowed to function with 50% workforce.
More Relaxed Restrictions:
These will be applicable to Low risk” areas. The curfew will be lifted day time. Supervision by police and Armed Forces will continue. No restrictions on inbound or outbound travel. Personal level measures including hand-washing, respiratory etiquette, and social distancing should be practiced. No restrictions on moving outside the house premises, but stay home” promoted. Pregnant women should remain at home but allowed to attend routine clinics.
Other vulnerable groups (persons above 65 years / patients with chronic illnesses are permitted to move outside the house for a specific purpose for a limited time period. No private gathering for any purpose more than 10 persons. Religious congregations and all places of worship will be opened for only 10 people at a time. Weddings and funerals should be conducted with minimal participants, complying with hygienic practices and maintaining social distancing.
Public transport (CTB / Private / Train) allowed for travel with 50% seating capacity within the area. Private vehicles / Taxi are allowed with only 2 passengers. Three wheelers / Motorcycles / Bicycles can carry only one passenger. All healthcare services (government and private) should be resumed with triage systems to care for patients with fever.
All workplaces (Government / Private) in the geographical area to resume work with 2 sessions 50% employees per session (one group per week of every other day:; 7.00 am – 12.00 N 12.30 N – 5.30 pm. Different work hours may be introduced to reduce overcrowding in public transport. Food & Groceries home delivery services to continue and to be more strengthened. Small groceries / shops allowed to open with minimal crowding.Larger food / grocery outlets (Supermarkets) –restricted entrance with one token card per family for a designated outlet / Token valid once per week for 1 hour. The catchment area and the catering population should be considered.
Economic Centers and other large scale wholesale food markets are kept open in compliance with safety health measures. Schools / Other academic institutes All remain closed. Non-grocery supermarkets, malls, Hardware and shops selling other merchandise like jewelry, textiles and electronics will be opened. Eating places, restaurants, tea shops, bakery will be opened. Eating allowed in-house for 50% seating at a time. Restaurants are allowed to open with minimal crowding.
Theatres, bars, etc. with closed air-conditioning will remain closed. Banks should operate mostly online or mobile services.Client services should be started with 2 sessions: 7.00 am – 12.00 N 12.30 N – 5.30 pm .Services offered once per week per customer.
Different work hours may be introduced to reduce overcrowding in public transport.Daily wage dependent employees are allowed with specific restrictions posed to employers on social distancing and basic hygienic measures. Lottery sellers & other street vendors –allowed with social distancing and basic hygienic measures.
Industries / larger factories to resume work with 2 or more sessions 50% or less employees per roster.Different work hours may be introduced to reduce overcrowding in public transport. Other Religious congregations, large events, political meetings or conferences or cultural gatherings shall continue to be prohibited.
In a broader perspective, Western Province is the economic hub of the country. With a high number of cases reported, WP is still considered as a high risk area. Even with the proposed strategy above for the Colombo Municipality area, it will take longer time to bring back the normalcy and the economic repercussions would be many. As such, a micro planned strategy with inputs from all the relevant non health stakeholders is indispensable.
Tourism is the third-largest earner of foreign exchange in Sri Lanka. The decline in tourist arrivals has hit the island nation’s tourism industry in a big way.
Sri Lanka is set to enter into an agreement with the Reserve Bank of India for a currency swap worth USD 400 million to boost the foreign reserves and ensure the financial stability of the country which is badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, a top minister has said.
The Cabinet has approved a proposal made by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Finance Minister to enter into an agreement with the RBI for the financing facility to meet short-term international liquidity requirements, Co-Cabinet spokesman Information and Communication Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.RELATED NEWS
Sri Lanka will enter into the agreement with the RBI for a Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement worth USD 400 million, Gunawardena said, adding the facility from the RBI is aimed at boosting the island nation’s foreign reserves.
The swap arrangement is a decision two countries reach while doing trade related payment.
Sri Lanka has placed critical economic measures to save the resources hit badly by the COVID-19 pandemic which has infected 373 persons in the country and the death toll reached 7.
Addressing the Cabinet media briefing yesterday, Gunawardena said the Cabinet meeting chaired by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa paid special attention to the control of the coronavirus pandemic, its success and the distribution of goods and relief to the people.
The minister pointed out that the whole world is now experiencing the economic collapse since World War II resulted from the COVID-19 outbreak and a single country alone cannot find a solution to the crisis.
So the Cabinet of Ministers has approved this proposal in order to ensure the financial stability of the country, Gunawardena said.
The country has ordered imports restrictions to prevent non-essential imports.
This is in view of the local rupee falling to its historical low against the US dollar. The rupee now hovers over 195 to the dollar gaining somewhat from being down to 200 mark.
The government has also announced talks with Asian Development Bank and China’s Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. A USD 300 million budgetary support is anticipated from the ADB, officials said.
The announcement for getting the USD 400 million financial facility from India came as the rating agency, Fitch on Wednesday warned Sri Lanka to reform its soft-peg and block the ability of its domestic operations department to inject large volumes of cash below the ceiling policy rate to stop monetary instability.
Last month, during a video conference of Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with leaders and representatives from SAARC nations, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said, Our economy has taken a severe blow due to the coronavirus, particularly in tourism… Our exports are also adversely affected.”
Tourism is the third-largest earner of foreign exchange in Sri Lanka. The decline in tourist arrivals has hit the island nation’s tourism industry in a big way.
Largely owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank recently forecast Sri Lankan economy to contract by 3 per cent this year as against a 2.4 per cent estimated growth last year, whilst the IMF predicted the global economy to contract by 3 per cent as well.
COVID-19 cases count in Sri Lanka has hit 417 as another person tested positive for the virus as of 10.45 pm today (24), the Ministry of Health says.
According to the tally, Sri Lanka has confirmed a record surge in coronavirus cases with 49 new infections within the day.
The 49 coronavirus patients identified today include 11 from Bandaranayake Mawatha in Colombo 12, 30 naval personnel from the Welisara Navy Base, 5 naval personnel who were on leave and a pregnant woman from Maradana area who had been admitted to De Soysa Hospital for Women in Colombo 8.
The five naval personnel who were on leave are from Hidilla Kanda in Ratnapura, Udapola in Polgahawela, Keeniyapola in Kurunegala, Rathkinda in Badulla and Athabodhiwewa in Dambulla.
The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry says that 301 coronavirus cases are currently under medical care.
In the meantime, the island has reported 109 recoveries and 7 fatalities due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 cases tally rises to 416 with one new case
Another case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Sri Lanka, says the Ministry of Health.
Accordingly, Sri Lanka has identified a total of 416 COVID-19 patients so far.
Sri Lanka saw a record daily surge in coronavirus cases today as 48 persons tested positive for the virus.
Earlier today, 11 coronavirus patients were reported from the Bandaranayake Mawatha in Colombo 12.
Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva later confirmed that 30 more naval personnel from the Welisara Navy Base have tested positive for the virus.
Subsequently, it was reported that 5 naval personnel who were on leave have also contracted the novel coronavirus. They are from Hidilla Kanda in Ratnapura, Udapola in Polgahawela, Keeniyapola in Kurunegala, Rathkinda in Badulla and Athabodhiwewa in Dambulla.
A pregnant woman from Maradana area, who had been admitted to De Soysa Hospital for Women in Colombo 8, also tested positive shortly afterwards.
The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry says that 300 coronavirus cases are currently under medical care.
In the meantime, the island has reported 109 recoveries and 7 fatalities due to COVID-19.
Record daily total of 47 cases in Sri Lanka today
Sri Lanka has confirmed a record surge in positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as 47 persons tested positive for the virus today (24), says the Department of Government Information.
Accordingly, the country’s total count of coronavirus infections has soared to 415.
Earlier today, 11 coronavirus patients were reported from the Bandaranayake Mawatha in Colombo 12.
Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva later confirmed that 30 more naval personnel from the Welisara Navy Base have tested positive for the virus.
Subsequently, it was reported that 5 naval personnel who were on leave have also contracted the novel coronavirus. They are from Hidilla Kanda in Ratnapura, Udapola in Polgahawela, Keeniyapola in Kurunegala, Rathkinda in Badulla and Athabodhiwewa in Dambulla.
Another positive case was then confirmed from De Soysa Hospital for Women in Colombo 8. The latest person to have contracted the virus is a pregnant woman from Maradana area.
Meanwhile, 109 COVID-19 patients have made complete recoveries while 7 persons died of the virus.
Another 30 naval personnel from the Navy Base in Welisara have tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as of today, says the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva.
Addressing the media briefing of National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 this evening, he said that the Welisara Navy Base has reported a record total of 60 coronavirus cases so far.
Sri Lanka saw the highest daily surge of coronavirus cases today, with 46 new infections including 11 from Bandaranayake Mawatha in Colombo 12. Accordingly, the country’s cases tally now stands at 414.
On Wednesday (22), it was reported that a Navy officer attached to the Welisara Navy Base tested positive for the virus upon admittance to Welikanda Hospital over a sudden illness.
Later it was confirmed that 29 naval personnel at the navy camp tested positive for the virus on Thursday (23).
The Army Chief says that a large number of PCR tests were carried out at the Welisara Navy Base since Thursday, leading to the detection of 30 new positive cases of coronavirus.
Welisara Navy Base has been put under complete isolation and every person within its premises are being quarantined, he added.
The Ministry of Health and the medical corps of Sri Lanka Navy are carrying out more PCR tests on the people who had been in contact with the coronavirus-infected naval personnel, the Army Chief continued.
He noted that all personnel of the Navy Base who recently went on leave have already been called back.
In the meantime, the families of these naval personnel have been directed to a separate quarantine centre, which was set up under the directives of the Navy Commander, Lieutenant General Silva said further.
Police headquarters said that that there was irrefutable evidence to link Attorney-at-Law, Hejaaz Hisbullah, who had been recently taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday suicide bombings.
Police spokesman Attorney-at-Law SP Jaliya Senaratne denied accusations the arrest had been made without sufficient evidence.
The suspect’s father, Naina Hisbullah, recently filed a Habeas Corpus application against the arrest, made about a week before the first anniversary of the Easter Sunday attacks.
Law enforcement authorities said that a group of civil society activists, too, recently issued a statement drawing the attention of the Chief Justice to Hisbullah’s arrest over the alleged involvement with those responsible for the Easter Sunday attacks.
SP Senaratne said that the suspect had been directly in contact with those responsible for the worst atrocity committed, since the successful conclusion of the war, over a decade ago. Among those who endorsed the statement was Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, JVP-led Jathika Jana Balavegaya (JJB) National List nominee for the 2020 general election Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, civil society activists Ruki Fernando and Dr. Carmena Gunaratne, former Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka member Ambika Satkunanathan, and Prof. Maithriee Wickremesinghe.
Responding to criticism of the lawyer’s arrest, SP Senaratne told The Island yesterday that Hisbullah had been taken in on charges of conspiracy and aiding and abetting in the Easter Sunday carnage, after comprehensive investigation.
Asked whether the attorney-at-law had been involved with Riyad Bathiudeen, brother of former minister and Samagi Jana Balavegaya parliamentary polls candidate Rishard Bathiudeen, arrested by the CID also in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, SP Senaratne said they weren’t connected though arrested over the suicide attacks.
Both Hisbullah and Bathiudeen were arrested, in Puttalam, on the night of April 14.
The near-simultaneous suicide attacks killed nearly 270, at six locations. The blasts wounded over 400 persons. Of the six locations, the Shangri-La Hotel, in Colombo, was targeted by two suicide bombers, including their leader Zahran Hashim.
SP Senaratne said that Paniyudeen Mohammed Riyad Bathiudeen, 41, was taken in from No 11, 10th Cross Street, Maraiikar Mawatha, Puttalam, and Hisbullah from No 02, 3rd Cross Street, New Settlement Road, Puttalam.
In addition to the CID, the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) is conducting inquiries into the Easter Sunday carnage. According to SP Senaratne, the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), too, was engaged in the investigation.
So far, about 120 persons had been taken into custody in connection with the attacks. Of them, about 40 were being held under Detention Orders and were under investigation by the CID, and about 80 by the TID, SP Senaratne said.
The government proscribed three organizations, including the National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) over the attacks.
Colombo, April 23 – Sri Lanka’s Army Chief, General Shavendra Silva yesterday said that opening schools on May 11 may not be possible as several logistics would have to be put in place to ensure the safety of children in classrooms.As of now I do not foresee that it can be opened on May 11. My belief is that 75 percent it may not be possible,” General Silva said, quoted in the Daily Mirror.
He explained that even if schools do re-open, there will have to be a first handed special operation put in place and guidelines will have to be set as Sri Lankan schools had a minimum of 30 to 40 children per class.A lot of logistics are required to think and practice before schools start. Everyone in the school will have to know exactly what they can do and what they cannot. There is a lot of planning to do before children can attend school. So considering all these logistics we wonder whether every school has that much of facilities to cope up and open.
This is the reason I believe we may not be able to open on May 11,” General Silva said.The government on April 11 announced that schools will be reopened for their second term on May 11, revising its decision to reopen schools on April 20.However Education Minister Dullus Alahapperuma explained that this decision would be reviewed again in the first week of May, by health experts and if schools were advised to remain closed considering the country’s situation, then the government would further delay its opening.Opening schools is not a political decision. We will let the health experts review the situation and advise us what to do. If schools cannot open on May 11, we will keep it closed further,” Alahapperuma said.
