QUARANTINE
CURFEW AND ISOLATED AREAS
* Updated as at 10.00 p.m. on 2nd November
Source: Sri Lanka Police
Western Province Kurunegala District y Kurunegala y Kuliyapitiya y Pannala y Giriulla y Narammala y Dummalasuriya
Nuwara Eliya District
y Hatton town Ratnapura District y Eheliyagoda y Palabaddala Mannar District y Periyakadai y Pattitottam
The repatriation process, while still ongoing, has been significantly slowed down due to the second wave of the coronavirus domestically.
Contd. on page 2
Repatriation
sees drastic drop
The Department of Meteorology has stated that the ambient air quality over Sri Lanka had deteriorated over the past few days.
Contd. on page 2
Air quality still at
unhealthy levels
z
Public advised to exercise
caution outdoors
SRI LANKAN MIGRANT WORKERS
epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk
epaper.aruna.lk
www.aruna.lk TUESDAY,NOVEMBER 3, 2020
COVID-19
World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said yesterday (2) that he would undergo self-quarantine as he was identified as a contact of a Covid-19 patient.
WHO Chief in
self-quarantine
Five more Covid-19-infected people were reported from the Balapitiya Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Division, according to the Health Department of the Ministry of Health.
5 more test positive
from Balapitiya
The Government Information Department issued a set of guidelines to be followed in the areas where quarantine curfew has not been imposed.
Guidelines issued for
non-curfew areas
Eight more police officers at the Borella Police Station were identified as contracting the coronavirus, stated the Police yesterday (2).
Infected police officers
increase to 135
An employee of the Sri Lanka Insurance Company (SLIC) attached to the Union Place branch office tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday (2), the SLIC said in a statement.
SLIC employee tests positive
The Department of Immigration and Emigration announced its Battaramulla Head Office was temporarily closed for the public from yesterday (2) until further notice.
Immigration and Emigration
Dept. Head Office closed
The results of 225 PCR tests conducted by the Galle Medical Officer of Health (MOH) at the Galle Fisheries Harbour and on its associated fishing community showed no Covid-19 infections among the group..
225 from Galle Fisheries
Harbour test negative
The total number of coronavirus recoveries in the country crossed the 5,000 mark yesterday (2) as another 344 patients were discharged from hospitals following recovery.
Recoveries cross
5,000 mark in SL
The Government announced that measures will be taken to provide relief to low-income families in the Western Province (WP) where the quarantine curfew is in effect to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Rs. 5,000 allowance to
affected families in WP
Arrangements have been made to distribute essential items through mobile vendors, as was done earlier during the curfew period, stated Police Media Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana.
Mechanism to deliver
goods to curfew areas
SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2
*Stats updated as at 8.15 p.m. on 2 November
TOTAL
CASES
7,857
NEW COVID-19 DETECTIONS
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM
COVID-19
Suwasariya AmbulanceService
1990
Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Hotline 0113456200-4 Fax0112333066, 0114354882 [email protected]PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES
COVID-19
CASES IN
THE WORLD
TOTAL CASES46,972,765
DEATHS1,207,112
RECOVERD33,855,254
CASES DEATHS USA 9,478,422 236,505 INDIA 8,242,161 122,752 BRAZIL 5,545,705 160,104 RUSSIA 1,655,038 28,473 FRANCE 1,413,915 37,0195,953
DEATHS
21
5,249
RECOVERED
ACTIVE CASES
TOTAL CASES
11,224
Quarantine Unit
0112 112 705
Epidemiology Unit
0112 695 112
Govt. coronavirus hotline
0113071073 If showing symptoms 0117 966 366 Health Promotion Bureau
1999
For verified information on the coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any of the following authorities
SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 08.25 P.M. ON 2 NOVEMBER 2020
When contacted by The
Morning, Ministry of Health Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said the virus was
mutating and the current strain was also a mutation of the Covid-19 virus. When asked from which country the virus had come to Sri Lanka, he said that answer could only be given by a microbiologist or virologist. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has warned that the latest variant of the coronavirus is more dangerous than the earlier one.
Contd. on page 2
Probe continues
to identify strain
RE-EMERGENCE OF COVID-19
z
Current strain a mutation
of Covid-19 virus
z
Yet to pinpoint virus’
country of origin
BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA
Health authorities are proceeding with investigations to identify the exact strain of the Covid-19 virus that hit the country last month, after identifying that the current virus spreading in the country was a different strain from the one witnessed earlier this year.
Ministry of Health Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera
SLT Group net profit up
35% from Jan to Sept
See full story on page 3
REOPENING SCHOOLS
In light of the surge in cases due to the second wave of the Covid-19 virus, the third term for government schools, which was to begin on 9 November, has been postponed by another two weeks, Ministry of Education Secretary Prof. Kapila Perera stated yesterday (2).
Third term
postponed
by two weeks
PARLIAMENT SESSIONS
BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA
Parliament sessions will be conducted today (3), as scheduled, for a duration of two hours with additional Covid-19 measures,
including random PCR testing. Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said that PCR testing would be conducted on Parliament staff members.
Contd. on page 2
Limited to
two hours
z
Additional health
precautions taken
z
Random PCR tests
on Parliament staff
Curfew or Covid permit?
A large number of people who arrived at the Colombo District Secretariat yesterday (2) to obtain curfew permits due to the implementation of the curfew in the Western Province were pictured not following any quarantine rules
PHOTO ESHAN DASANYAKA
BY SARAH HANNAN
The Dambulla Economic Centre (DEC) yesterday (2) received a vegetable stock of 3,000-4,000 metric tonnes, the DEC Trade Association revealed.
State Ministry for Paddy and Cereals, Organic Food, Vegetables, Fruits, Chillies, Onions, and Potatoes, Seed Production and High-tech Agriculture Secretary L.L.A. Wijesiri, when contacted by
The Morning, stated that the
Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Trade had promptly taken measures to ensure that the supply chain was not disrupted and the vegetable stocks were distributed to other parts of the country without delay.
Contd. on page 2
z
Mechanism in place to
ensure no hindrance
to supply chain
z
Ministry of Agriculture
and Ministry of Trade
take prompt action
3,000-4,000 metric tonnes in Dambulla
VEGETABLE SUPPLIES
BUS FARES
Government buses will increase ticket fares in areas declared as isolated or with a high risk for
Covid-19 transmission, The Morning learnt.
Contd. on page 2
Increase in
Covid-19-affected areas
COVID-19
FISH STUCK AT FISHERIES HARBOURS
Over 80 tonnes of fish stocks that were stuck at various fisheries harbours are being released for processing and distribution.
Contd. on page 2
Over 80 tonnes
for processing
and distribution
A total of 50 healthcare workershave been infected with the Covid-19 virus so far within the country, contrary to the situation during the first wave of the coronavirus, according to the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).
Contd. on page 2
50 healthcare
workers infected
The Indian High Commission, Colombo yesterday (2) stated that a member of the auxiliary staff at the Commission tested positive for Covid-19.
Contd. on page 2
IHC Colombo
staffer tests
Covid positive
The Ministry of Health is yet to formulate a mechanism that would monitor PCR testing carried out in both state and private laboratories, it is learnt.
Contd. on page 2
Monitoring
mechanism
under discussion
PCR TESTING
Sri Lanka reported its22nd death from the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, yesterday (2), the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health confirmed. However, subsequently, Ministry of
Health Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera yesterday stated that the death cannot be classified as a Covid-19-related death since it was a death by suicide.
Contd. on page 2
Changes to deaths recorded
Kegalle district y Hemmathagama y Mawanella y Bulathkohupitiya y Galigamuwa The Hemmathagama, M a w a n e l l a , a n d Bulathkohupitiya police areas and the Galigamuwa pradeshiya sabha (PS) area of the Kegalle District, along with the Giriulla
police area of the Kurunegala District have been declared as isolated areas with immediate effect, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said yesterday (2).
the morning
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
2
NEWS
Cartoon of the day
Contd. from page 1
Mechanism...
“The methodology was developed between March and May/June. After obtaining the certificate from the grama niladhari and the divisional secretary in those areas, the Police will give permission to carry out the relevant delivery services in that area.“It has to be confirmed by the grama niladhari and the divisional secretary that they are engaged in some business, or it should be a registered business. It has been decided to allow such people to carry out deliveries.
“We, today, are developing a system for obtaining essential items such as medicine, food, vegetables, and fish, just as it was previously done,” DIG Rohana said yesterday (2).
When asked if wholesale traders are allowed to transport their goods, the DIG said: “Wholesalers of food, vegetables, animal products, and eggs are not barred from entering those areas. Licences will be issued for that. We have also informed roadblocks. You can bring wholesale goods to Kalutara or Colombo or any other place.
“The same goes for fishermen. On 31 October, the Police Headquarters issued a special announcement requesting to provide all the needed facilities to those who come to fishing ports to store or sell their harvest. “Just one or two individuals cannot enter Western Province. However, if the goods are brought in through lorries, they will be allowed to enter the Province.”
Immigration...
The public is requested to contact the relevant divisions through the following telephone numbers and emails from 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. on working days for the essential services to be obtained from the Head Office of the Department.Travel Division – 0707 101 060/0707 101 070; Citizenship Division – 0707 101 030; Overseas Missions Division – 0115 329 233/0115 329235; Visa Division – 0707 101 050, [email protected], acvisa1@ immigration.gov.lk, acvisa2@immigration. gov.lk; Ports Division – 0777 782 505; and for general instructions and information, visit www.immigration.gov.lk.
The regional offices in Kandy, Vavuniya, Matara, and Kurunegala will be kept open for passport issuance in cases of emergency. However, prior to visiting these regional offices, an appointment should be made through the telephone numbers: 0707 101 060/0707 101 070.
Furthermore, the public in the areas where quarantine curfew is imposed should not visit the regional offices at this instance.
The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration said all services are subject to policy decisions, curfew, and health and security decisions taken from time to time in view of the prevailing epidemic and the decisions regarding the provision of such services are subject to the revisions made from time to time.
SLIC...
Thereby, the branch office is closed until further notice for disinfection while all staff and other members related to the infected person were sent for PCR testing.
Furthermore, the SLIC stated that they are in co-operation with the health authorities to perform contact tracing of the infected person.
Rs. 5,000...
Accordingly, an allowance of Rs. 5,000 will be provided to families that lost their livelihood in the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara Districts, the Department of Government Information said.
Meanwhile, arrangements were made to provide a relief package worth Rs. 10,000 to all families under quarantine.
District secretaries, divisional secretaries, grama niladharis, rural committees, and the security forces will be co-ordinating the relief programmes.
Measures were also taken to implement a door-to-door marketing system for essential food items in order to meet the needs of the people in the Western Province during this period.
In addition, the Government announced that people engaged in the field of agriculture in the curfew-imposed districts will be allowed to carry out their activities without restrictions posed by the curfew, the Government Information Department said further.
Infected...
Reportedly, eight out of 10 PCR tests carried out on 31 October returned positive results for Covid-19.
Accordingly, a total of 14 officers have been identified as having contracted Covid-19 so far, stated the Police.
Over 130 police officers were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus infection as of last afternoon.
Last morning, Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said a new cluster was forming within the Sri Lanka Police.
“It (the cluster) was not created by police officers on duty. This was created by the police restaurant managers who visited the
Peliyagoda Fish Market and Special Task Force (STF) personnel.
“However, all of them have been sent to quarantine centres, or referred to barracks for self-quarantine. STF personnel were referred to the nearest quarantine centre while the others are being quarantined in the Kelaniya, Rajagiriya, and Kalubowila camps.
“It is from these that the new cases are now emerging. The number had risen to 135 as of this (last) morning,” he said.
Guidelines...
Issuing the guidelines, the Department said the Covid-19 situation is subject to change from time to time and that currently, Sri Lanka is at Alert Level 3, as per the Health Ministry.
The public in non-curfew areas are instructed to maintain social distancing, stay at home, and adhere to respiratory etiquette and aseptic practices.
Recoveries...
This includes 88 patients from the Neville Fernando Hospital, 59 from the Laggala Pallegama Hospital, 42 from the Lunawa Hospital, and 24 from the Iranawila Hospital.In addition to this, 18 patients from the Ambanpola Hospital, 17 from the Galgamuwa Base Hospital, 16 from the Teldeniya Base Hospital, 16 from the Pimbura Hospital, 16 from the Rambukkana Hospital, 13 patients from the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), and 12 from the Ichchilampattu Hospital were discharged.
Patients were also discharged from the Welikanda Base Hospital (six), Dankotuwa Hospital (five), Minuwangoda Base Hospital (four), Hambantota
District General Hospital (DGH) (three), Homagama Base Hospital (three), and Colombo East Base Hospital (two).
Accordingly, the total number of Covid-19 recoveries in the Sri Lanka rose to 5,249.
5 more...
Among the PCR test reports received on Sunday night (1), four tests belonging to residents of the Balapitiya area returned positive results, confirming they had contracted the virus. One other person was confirmed to be infected last morning (2), the MOH said.
The patients are fishmongers and their contacts. Measures have been taken to find the relatives of the infected persons and direct them to self-quarantine at home.
225 from...
Health officials said the tests were carried out on 28 October.
However, the Galle Municipal Council Health Division shared that the results of 197 PCR tests that were conducted on the 29th are yet to be received.
WHO Chief...
“I have been identified as a contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. I am well and without symptoms but will self-quarantine over the coming days, in line with WHO protocols, and work from home,” Dr. Tedros said in a tweet.He said it was critically important for everyone to comply with health guidelines.
“This is how we will break the chain of Covid-19 transmission, suppress the virus, and protect health systems. My WHO colleagues and I will continue to engage with partners in solidarity to save lives and protect the vulnerable. Together!” he said.
IHC Colombo...
“Currently, the person is undergoing treatment at a designated Sri Lankan Government medical facility,” it stated.
Given the nature of the duties of the concerned staff, the Commission informed that the person had minimal interaction with the chancery building and the officials. Moreover, the very few primary contacts have been being subjected to PCR tests or relevant procedures, as per the stipulated health safety norms.
The Indian High Commission has been functioning on reduced strength for the past few weeks in view of the evolving Covid-19 situation. It has sanitised the entire premises and reinforced all necessary measures as per the guidelines issued by Government of Sri Lanka.
It further stated that India remains
committed to assist and co-operate with Sri Lanka to effectively fight Covid-19 in all manners possible.
Changes to...
According to the Department ofGovernment Information, the deceased is a 27-year-old male residing in the Panadura area.
His death was determined as a suicide, according to the Department. He passed away upon admission to the Panadura Base Hospital on 31 October.
Subsequent PCR tests have posthumously declared that the deceased youth had been infected with Covid-19.
The Epidemiology Unit further reiterated that deaths due to Covid-19 and deaths by suicide must be classifed
and reported separately.
As such, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 in the country stands at 21.
50 healthcare...
The Association stressed that a proper mechanism to employ the healthcare workers on a shift basis should be implemented to maintain an uninterrupted healthcare system in the country.GMOA Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando told The Morning that the issues had already been communicated to the Director General of Health Services and the Health Minister and a suitable mechanism would be in effect to make sure that the system would run without any hindrance.
“Last time, there were no such issues with regard to the healthcare workers. We have noticed that in some hospitals entire units have been closed down due to quarantine purposes, and this shouldn’t happen. Therefore, we suggest a shift-based system to protect the healthcare workers,” he added.
In the meantime, the GMOA yesterday (2) also proposed three sets of proposals to the Health Ministry to avoid the spread of the virus within the country.
Accordingly, separate guidelines would be issued for high-risk and low-risk areas. In addition, health guidelines would also be issued for curfew pass holders and those who are crossing the borders to stop the spread of the virus around the country, the GMOA Secretary said.
– Maheesha Mudugamuwa
3,000-4,000...
“Following a meeting held in the morning
(2), we visited the economic centres that are located in and around Colombo and its suburbs to look at the possibility of reopening these centres, so the supply chain can continue without any hindrance and people will be able to make their vegetable purchases through a special mechanism that is currently implemented,” Wijesiri told The Morning.
A meeting was called by Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda Aluthgamage, which was also attended by State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, the Cabinet Ministry Secretary, secretaries from the Ministry of Trade, and Wijesiri.
Wijesiri said: “The Ministry is awaiting the results of the PCR tests that were carried out on the traders and will look at them reopening for trade, at the earliest date, with restricted access initially allowed only for supplier lorries and then wholesale purchasers only.”
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Matale District MP Rohini Kaviratne, in a social media post, had alerted that the traders will not be able to sell their produce due to the quarantine curfew that was in place and also due to the restricted movement that is observed across the country to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
DEC Trade Association Chairman Channa Arawwala, speaking to a provincial reporter last morning, noted: “There is a considerable reduction in wholesale buyers coming to the DEC. Following the outbreak of Covid-19, we received the highest stock of vegetables today (2) and are worried that we will not be able to move the stocks before it starts to perish given the present situation in the country.”
According to Wijesiri, immediate measures were taken to deploy sufficient lorries from all parts of the country that purchase vegetables from Dambulla on a day-to-day basis.
Increase...
“Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses will operate with increased bus fares in areas
which have been designated as isolated or where Covid-19 is prevalent,” State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Freshwater Fish and Shrimp Farming Development, Multiday Fishing, and Fish Export Kanchana Wijesekera told The Morning.
He said that buses in those areas would accommodate passengers only according to the number of seats available. “It will be limited to only the number of seats. As a result, we will be increasing the fares for buses operating in such areas. In all other areas, the bus fares would remain unchanged.”
He said this change would come into effect with the new Covid-19 transport policy.
“We are still drafting the policy and expect to have it finalised within the week,” he said.
– Skandha Gunasekara
Air quality...
The Air Quality Index (AQI) reached AQI on Saturday, 31 October when it reached unhealthy levels, with smog reported from several main cities in the country.
The ambient air quality will remain at the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups level with the forecast AQI standing between 122 and 145.
Yesterday’s (2) ambient air quality average reading over the city of Gampaha stood at 125 with pollutant fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reaching a concentration of 45.3 microgrammes per cubic metre of air
(μg/m).
The Dambulla AQI reading reflected 119 with PM2.5 reaching a concentration of 42.8
μg/m.
The Colombo AQI reading stood at 102 with PM2.5 reaching a concentration of 35.7
μg/m.
The level of pollution will remain at the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups level until tomorrow (4), with air quality expected to improve from Thursday (5) onwards, although the pollutants present in the air over the atmosphere of Sri Lanka will still remain at a Moderate level.
Gampaha and Colombo were the worst affected by polluted air circulating above the cities during the past four days.
The public is advised to exercise caution when going outdoors, with sensitive groups advised to wear a mask outdoors, keep windows closed to avoid dirty outdoor air getting inside the house, reduce outdoor exercise, and if available, run an air purifier.
– Sarah Hannan
Monitoring...
“The first round of discussions commenced yesterday (2) to formulate the mechanism of monitoring the PCR tests that would be conducted in state and private diagnostics laboratories. The team in charge of the testing mechanism monitoring is headed by the Director of the Medical Research Institute and all reporting will be done to him, after which records are to be analysed by the said team,” Ministry of Health Media Spokesperson Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara told The Morning.
With the increasing number of Covid-19-positive cases being reported across the country and the National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak requesting the Ministry of Health to keep a close watch on the credibility of the Covid-19 test reports that are being issued, a mechanism was suggested to be established recently.
Over the past week, the health services were burdened with the increasing amount of nasopharyngeal swab samples that had been collected randomly from the community and those who are observing quarantine, and due to the lack and malfunctioning of PCR machines to handle such a load, a backlog was created in test results being issued, delaying the persons from returning home after completing their mandatory quarantine period.
– Sarah Hannan
Over 80...
“The fish stocks are now being bought up by the private sector and being processed and canned,” State Minister of Ornamental Fish, Freshwater Fish and Shrimp Farming Development, Multiday Fishing, and Fish Export Kanchana Wijesekera told The Morning.
He said only the Beruwala Harbour was facing delays due to crewmembers
contracting Covid-19.
“Several crew members have been infected while fishing at Beruwala, so they cannot disembark until they have been cleared.”
He said that all the fish stocks would be gradually released.
“The stocks have been stored in proper conditions. The Ceylon Fisheries Corporation will buy up the stocks that are to be sold as retail.”
– Skandha Gunasekara
Limited...
“We will begin random PCR testing. This should materialise this coming week.” He said sessions would go forward as planned from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
“Tuesday’s sessions will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at noon. Two regulations under the medical ordinance will be taken up.”
He said that in Parliament, staff numbers have been reduced and no journalists or visitors are allowed.
“All journalists have been prohibited from attending this session of Parliament. In addition, we will be limiting the number of staff members to less than 500.”
Repatriation...
Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd. (AASL) Chairman Maj. Gen. (Retd.) G.A. Chandrasiri said that the number of returnees has dropped to less than 50 a day. “The repatriation process has not been stopped but has been reduced considerably. Most days, only around 20-30 people return. No more than 50 a day,” he said, adding that Kuwait Airways and Emirates are operating at present.
He said that outbound flights from Sri Lanka are considerably high.
“Around 300-400 people fly out of the country on a daily basis.”
Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Deputy General Manager and Media Spokesman R.K.K.M.P. Randeniya said that the number of expatriates wanting to return is increasing.
“There are more than 50,000 Sri Lankans registered to be repatriated. As the process has slowed down, the number of people awaiting to be repatriated has increased.”
– Skandha Gunasekara
Probe...
Health Ministry Secretary Maj. Gen. Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe said that the latest variant of the virus has been identified as B142, a subgroup of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome).
He said that this was confirmed by scientists at the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and the Allergy, Immunology, and Cell Biology Unit of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
Dr. Munasinghe noted that the viral load in a person is higher than what it was earlier.
When contacted, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando told The Morning
that they suspected the virus could be a different strain as the asymptomatic patients have also been identified as spreading the virus, contrary to the previous strain in the country.
“The university’s efforts should be appreciated even though the exact strain has not been identified. With the limited resources they have, it has been identified that the virus strain is similar to that of the one in Europe,” he added.
At present, 6,134 active cases continue to receive treatment at selected hospitals across the country.
Meanwhile, the total of Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 recoveries reached 4,905 yesterday (2) after 506 patients were discharged from hospitals as they had returned to health. The country has also witnessed 22 Covid-19-positive deaths.
business
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
3
Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT) Group released its financial results for the first nine months of 2020, recording a 35.4% Year-over-Year (YoY) growth in its net profit to Rs. 6.7 billion.
The group’s profit before tax (PBT) was recorded at Rs. 8.3 billion, a 18.9% growth compared to the year before, while profit after tax (PAT) was posted at Rs. 6.7 billion, demonstrating a YoY increase of 35.4%. The PAT margin went up to 10.0% from 7.8% for the same period the year earlier.
Group revenue reported was at Rs. 67.2 billion, a 5.2% YoY growth, displaying a resilient performance amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The broadband revenue of the group surged significantly over the same period last year, underpinned by the increase of FTTH (Fibre-to-the-Home) footprints across the country by the ongoing accelerated Fibre Expansion Programme by SLT and the increase of mobile broadband services by Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd. PEO TV revenues too soared during the period under review. However, the group experienced a de-growth in voice revenues in both SLT and Mobitel (Pvt.) Ltd.
The group’s stringent cost management measures maintained the group’s operating costs before depreciation and amortisation at the same level compared to last year, pushing the EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation) margin up to 39.3% from
34.9%. The EBITDA increased to Rs. 26.4 billion, up by 18.4% YoY. The depreciation and amortisation of the group increased by 9.8% YoY to Rs. 16.7 billion. The group recorded a growth in operating profits of 37.0% YoY to Rs. 9.7 billion, mainly due to the elevated EBITDA of the period.
The interest expenses and finance costs rose to Rs. 2.1 billion from Rs. 1.4 billion YoY, as a result of increased borrowings to finance the growing capital expenditure in order to align with the global technological trends and fulfilling the changing customer demands. FOREX losses of the group mounted to Rs. 0.8 billion from Rs. 58 million in the same period last year, stemming from the depreciation of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar, mainly due to the adverse impacts during the early stages of Covid-19 pandemic.
During the first nine months of 2020, SLT Group paid out a total of Rs. 11.8 billion as
direct and indirect taxes and levies to the Government of Sri Lanka.
SLT Group Chairman Rohan Fernando commented: “Our performance in the first nine months is strong evidence of SLT Group’s ability to navigate during uncertain times. This performance is a testament to the vital role that our products play in our customers’ lives. Our goal is to make SLT Group number one in the telecommunication and digital market. In order to realise that goal, we explore new local and international markets, join hands with new funding partners, and utilise/monetise the underutilised assets within the group. We need to build and improve positive attitudes in the mindsets of our customers, employees, and all other stakeholders to accomplish better than yesterday. The progress we have achieved in the first nine months will help us gradually reduce the accumulated borrowing incurred
on developing the National Fiberisation Programme.
This initiative which began in 2017 has placed the company on a strong platform to move further in the digital world.”
SLT Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lalith Seneviratne remarked: “As a group with widespread operations across the country in both fixed and mobile operating services, resourced with expertised human capital and physical capital, we strive to leverage the synergies within the group and thereby improve efficiency and lower operational expenses. We have already made several initiatives on the same and we will continue to reap the benefits of group collaborations over the years to come.”
SLT CEO Kiththi Perera stated: “SLT proudly launched ‘SLT GO’, the community WiFi network, recently, in partnership with Fon Wireless Ltd.,
the world’s largest community WiFi network operator. This solution provides an opportunity to SLT customers to access the internet anywhere from SLT GO WiFi hotspots in Sri Lanka and from 23 million WiFi hotspots all over the world. In addition, as a responsible corporate citizen, SLT is involved in many CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities including the ‘e-waste’ collection week in partnership with the Central Environmental Authority and the Department of Posts, and joined hands with Mobitel to transform discarded buses into libraries.
We always believe that delivering value to our customers, communities, and all other stakeholders is the most promising way to build long-term value.” SLT Chief Operating Officer (COO) Priyantha Fernandez added: “We have successfully commenced Phase 3 of the accelerated Fibre Expansion Programme to provide FTTH connections across the country, to provide an ultra-speed experience to our valued customers. We extended PEO TV GO services to our 4G LTE customers too to enjoy their favourite TV programmes. I’m pleased to announce that our cloud-based ‘SLT Storage’ facility reached one million files recently. Further, as the digital lifestyle partner of the country, SLT entered into the mobile gaming arena with ‘SLT Kimaki’ in partnership with Arimac Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd.”
SLT Group net profit up 35%
from January to September
SLT Group Chairman Rohan SLT Group CEO Lalith Seneviratne SLT CEO Kiththi Perera SLT COO Priyantha Fernandez
Amidst the severe disruptions triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important for economies to formulate and implement effective policies to mitigate the negative impacts induced by the crisis. As noted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the pandemic has intensified the need for fiscal policy actions at an unprecedented level. As such, governments must intervene to protect the well-being of people during this challenging period. The length and depth of global economic shocks can be shortened by prudent fiscal measures by governments, thereby providing a protective shield against the adverse effects on people’s lives.
Despite national-level policy responses, a sustained recovery cannot be assured unless co-ordinated action is pursued at the global level as well.
Given the fact that Sri Lanka is an aspiring upper-middle-income country (UMIC), this article examines fiscal
responses by affected countries including Sri Lanka, at different income levels – i.e. high-income countries (HICs), middle-high-income countries (MICs), and low-income countries (LICs) in line with multilateral financial institutions’ (MFIs) recommendations.
Mitigating the adverse impacts
Governments need to address different aspects of the economy at various levels, to prevent or limit a catastrophic economic collapse during disasters. An economy continues progressively with its activities only when the income flow of economic agents (households and businesses) is uninterrupted; a disruption to this flow results in the slowdown of economic activities. In such a scenario, government interventions are essential to minimise the adverse effects of this vicious cycle of events.
MFIs – the IMF and World Bank (WB) – recommend that governments follow specific fiscal measures to minimise the adverse effects arising from Covid-19. In a broader context, fiscal policy measures can be described as spending-side measures
(immediate relief-related spending on health and non-health sectors), revenue-side measures (tax deferrals, tax cuts, etc.), government-supported liquidity measures (cash flow support to businesses), and supplementary economic revival measures (relief to fast-track recovery). In particular, revenue-side measures and government-supported liquidity measures can help reduce the severity of the impact, while economic revival measures can help boost growth in the medium and long run. For instance, increased infrastructure expenditure can accelerate the revival of economic activities and create employment opportunities.
The global fiscal response
Globally, governments of Covid-19-affected countries have adopted various fiscal policy measures in line with the IMF/WB recommendations. However, each country’s policy responses vary depending on the income levels and its financial position. More advanced countries collect more revenue as a share of their gross domestic product (GDP) and spend more. Further, developed economies benefit from being able to borrow more without adverse risk factors. For example, advanced economies or HICs, emerging markets, and LICs have allocated on average 8.6, 2.8, and 1.4% of GDP as fiscal stimulus packages as responses to Covid-19, respectively.
Countries in all income groups have adopted an expansionary fiscal policy (loose fiscal stances) to accompany the key measures, and thereby to counterbalance the disadvantageous effects of Covid-19 (see Figure 1).
Sri Lanka’s response and the way forward Like other countries, Sri Lanka has also taken a range of measures to contain the spread of Covid-19, of which strengthening its health sector preparedness as well as adopting measures to minimise the economic fallout, have been priorities.
As of August 2020, the Government is estimated to have allocated 0.1% of GDP for containment measures and announced an additional allocation of nearly 0.25% of GDP for cash transfers for vulnerable groups, under its fiscal package.
In line with MFIs’ recommendations, policy responses are directed to spending and revenue-side measures (health and non-heath
spending, extending payment deadlines for income tax, and tax exemptions on health imports), government-supported liquidity measures (debt moratoriums and working capital loans), and supplementary economic revival measures (loans for investments at concessional rates to businesses in the IT, apparel, plantation, and tourism sectors). However, the available fiscal space has limited the adequacy of allocations. In fact, Sri Lanka’s fiscal package is relatively small compared with other emerging markets and MICs in the Asian region, such as Malaysia (17. 2% of GDP) and Thailand (11.4% of GDP).
The Covid-19 pandemic is expected to dampen growth substantially through reduced export earnings, private consumption, and investment in the short run. In these circumstances, it is a challenge to adopt effective policy measures.
Countries with relatively weak initial conditions such as Sri Lanka must therefore ensure that resources are utilised efficiently, taking into account the time path and feasibility.
In addition to measures implemented so far, some complementary measures that can be considered are the provision of financial assistance (government-supported liquidity measure) to start and continue e-commerce for industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and ICT, where new opportunities have emerged during the current pandemic; and increasing infrastructure expenditure (supplementary economic revival measure) given large employment multiplier effects.
In view of Sri Lanka’s limited fiscal space, denoted by high fiscal deficits and public debt ratios, such programmes need to be well focused and followed up with pre and post-implementation evaluation to ensure an optimum impact on the economy.
*This article is based on the Institute of Policy Studies’ “Sri-Lanka: State of the Economy 2020” report on “Pandemics and Disruptions: Reviving Sri Lanka’s Economy Covid-19 and Beyond”.
(The writer is a Research Assistant at IPS. She holds a BA and a MA in Economics from the University of
Peradeniya. She is a visiting lecturer at the Open University of Sri Lanka)
Covid fiscal policy: What can
we learn from the world?
By Chamini
Thilanka
Kanrich Finance Ltd. (KFL) announcedthat it will raise Rs. 2 billion capital through a private placement in order to fulfil the core capital requirement by the extended deadline of 31 December 2020.
The Central Bank stipulates, from time to time, the minimum core capital financial institutions need to maintain and accordingly, the minimum core capital that a registered finance company should maintain after 1 January 2021 is Rs. 2 billion.
Last week, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka granted approval to Kanrich Finance Ltd. to issue ordinary voting shares and redeemable,
non-cumulative preference shares. The private placement plans to raise Rs. 1 billion in ordinary shares and a further Rs. 1 billion in preference shares, which together will bring the core capital close to Rs. 3 billion.
Incorporated in 1971, Kanrich Finance was relaunched in 2010 and within a period of six years, the company managed to increase its asset base from Rs. 600 million to Rs. 12 billion and expanded a single location company into a finance company with 36 branches and over 1,000 employees.
The company has a lending portfolio comprising leasing, micro leasing, micro finance, pawning, and consumer loans. Currently, the company said it is concentrating mainly on lending in pawning and will start diversifying again once the share issue is complete.
Stepping on its 50th anniversary, the company will complete the share issue before the end of the year and said it is hopeful that the current economic climate would also improve by then and help the company in its growth path.
Kanrich Finance to raise Rs. 2 b
through private placement
The Sri Lanka Association for Software and Services Companies (SLASSCOM), the national chamber for the knowledge and innovation industry in
Sri Lanka, has launched a Global Referral Programme aimed at increasing export revenue for information technology (IT) and business process management (BPM) companies by connecting them with business opportunities via a global network of channel partners and influencers.
“Supporting our companies to make inroads into key
markets is a key priority of SLASSCOM. The referral programme was initiated by SLASSCOM upon the insight that there are Sri Lankans living and working across the globe who are willing and able to connect Sri Lankan companies with prospective business opportunities,” said SLASSCOM Chairman Channa Manoharan.
As the Board Director representing the marketing forum, Shiraz Lye stated that SLASSCOM keeps on exploring ways and means to increase export opportunities for IT-BPM sector companies in the country.
“Developing export business and partnerships through Sri Lankans living overseas has been successfully tried and tested by few member companies. With insights and lessons learnt, we have formalised the Global Referral Programme to scale up and benefit more of our members to get new export business to the sector. We will be collaborating with the Sri Lankan High Commissions in key markets along with support from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Commerce, the Board of Investment, the Export Development Board, and the
ICT Agency of Sri Lanka,” he added.
SLASSCOM Marketing Forum Head Mudith Uswatta added that the programme is targeted at SLASSCOM member companies which offer products and services that can cater to global market needs.
SLASSCOM members who enrol in the programme will gain a presence, targeting markets via the network of referrers it creates. The referrers will play an active role in promoting the company’s products and services of companies in the programme.
Uswatta further explained that the programme is driven by Sri Lankans living overseas and other foreign parties who will be bound by Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with SLASSCOM. Potential leads brought in by these parties will be matched with suitable local companies in the programme, thus facilitating targeted networking and optimal funnelling of new business opportunities.
The Global Referral Programme will kick-start with a limited number of companies at a nominal annual fee. During this initial roll-out phase of the programme, SLASSCOM will not charge any other fees for leads distributed or business won via introductions originating from the programme.
SLASSCOM launches Global
Referral Programme to boost exports
SLASSCOM Chairman Channa Manoharan
the morning
Tuesday , November 3, 2020
4
brunch
BY
NAVEED ROZAIS
The future is definitely virtual, at least for the moment, and professionals across all industries are embracing the power of going virtual.
Music is no exception. Having already gone largely digital in terms of distribution, now it is performing that needs to make this transformation – at least for the short term – during a time when physical gatherings have become taboo. Of late, DJs, labels, and independent artistes are taking to livestreams to stay engaged and encourage a sense of communal spirit.
Presented by Indian artiste management company Culture X, From the Scratch Online Music Festival is a virtual electronic music festival that captures the spirit of Electronic Dance Music (EDM) and takes it directly to EDM enthusiasts across Sri Lanka and India,
creating the rave music
experience online. From the Scratch is to take place on 14 November in partnership with Island Pulse, Banger Music, Phillip Gordon, BookMyShow, and Decibel.lk.
From the Scratch is bringing together electronic musicians from India and Sri Lanka to perform in a virtual arena that EDM fans can participate in from all around the world. This year’s set list consists of Sri Lankan musician Ambroz, and Indian musicians Mr. Bose and Revoic.
From the Scratch Organising Committee Member and Island Pulse Music Curator Kiran Hameed shared that From the Scratch is all about creating a stay-at-home experience for EDM enthusiasts. “It’s about getting into the rave spirit at home. Mr. Bose, Revoic, and Ambroz all have a big follower base. From the Scratch is mostly for people who are fans and who love the EDM scene. The DJs will be doing their own original songs which are available on iTunes as well as unique remixes of popular EDM tracks.”
From the Scratch will create a rave musical experience with each DJ performing their sets in front of a green screen with supporting visuals by Philip Gordon. Hameed shared that From the Scratch is the first
virtual music festival to take place in Sri Lanka. “We’re working with the Indian event company Culture X, which does the Sunburn Music Festival in Goa to create this first-of-its-kind online music festival in Sri Lanka given the current situation.”
From the Scratch will take place online through a private livestream shared only with festival attendees. “The response so far has been very good,” Hameed said, adding: “And not locally; Ambroz fans are really pushing the festival here in Sri Lanka.”
From the Scratch is being privately streamed through Sri Lankan independent music platform Banger Music. Banger Music is an online platform that specialises in promoting electronic music in Sri Lanka and helping empower independent artistes, DJs, and music creators/curators all across the globe.
From the Scratch Online Music Festival will take place on 14 November at 7.30 p.m. Tickets for From the Scratch may be purchased online through their ticketing partner BookMyShow and are priced at Rs. 250 each.
From the Scratch Organising Committee Member and Island Pulse Music Curator Kiran Hameed
From the Scratch
Online Music Festival
Taking the rave music experience online
BY
NAVEED ROZAIS
Renowned Sri Lankan
musician Rukshan Perera
premiered one of his most
popular recent concerts
“Ruskhan Perera Live in
Concert VI” on YouTube
on Sunday, 1 November,
giving Sri Lankan music
lovers the chance to
enjoy themselves from
the comfort of their
own homes during the
quarantine curfew that is
taking effect across much
of the country.
Taking Rukshan
Perera Live in
Concert VI online
Speaking with The Morning Brunch
following the premier of Rukshan Perera Live in Concert VI, Perera shared that the decision to stream the concert online was one that came about very quickly in light of the ever-evolving pandemic.
“From a Sri Lankan standpoint, we are under curfew right now,” Perera shared. “I thought this was a good time to be able to watch a concert online since we cannot get out. There was a DVD made of this particular concert anyway that people are able to buy, and others have seen some songs here and there on YouTube. They haven’t been able to watch the entire concert, and especially for Sri Lankans living abroad, I thought it would be a good thing to put on YouTube.”
Rukshan Perera Live in Concert VI was originally staged in 2016 and was the sixth concert in the Rukshan Perera Live in Concert series, a series of 10 original concerts with each concert held to raise funds for a deserved charity in Sri Lanka. Rukshan Perera Live in Concert VI was held in 2016 in aid of the Sunera Foundation, with the first song in the concert being dedicated to the differently abled children of the Sunera Foundation.
Rukshan Perera Live in Concert VI features songs focused on important Sri Lankan social values and awareness, bringing in different forms of music
including acapella, jazz scatting,
orchestral arrangements, etc. The concert features Perera playing solos on the guitar, the piano, the djembe, and the harmonica.
Perera shared that the response to the premiere of Rukshan Perera Live in Concert VI has been very positive, with over 1,300 views and counting as well as lots of warm responses from fans who have reached out both personally and on public platforms as well.
Dealing with the
pandemic
Perera spoke about the pandemic and the way it has impacted our lives, explaining that many of his plans for 2020 had to be adjusted.
Apart from the 10th in the Rukshan Perera Live in Concert series (which was the final concert of the series), Perera was to be part of a concert with popular Sri Lankan band Marians and members of the 1970s band Super Golden Chimes, the group with which Perera started his musical career. This concert, Marians with Legends, had been performed before in 2018 to great success and was to take place again in April 2019, but sadly, was postponed in the aftermath of the 2019 Easter attacks to 2020, and due to the pandemic, was again postponed to 2021.
Old plans did give way to new plans though, Perera shared, explaining that despite not being able to do scheduled concerts because of the pandemic, he was still able to do a concert to raise funds for medical professionals and the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH).
Looking to the future
Perera shared that streaming
concerts are likely to play an important role in music, and not just in the short term. “Streaming concerts have become the norm now,” Perera said, adding: “Instead of being seen only by a limited number of people, streamed concerts can be seen all over the world. I think it will become a way of life. Live concerts will always be there because the fans really want to see it live, but it will be very limited.”
The future is uncertain for many industries and especially the music and entertainment industry. Perera shared that musicians are struggling right now, not just in Sri Lanka, but globally. “Most likely for all of us, everything will come to sort a sort of normal – not the normal that was, but a new normal – after a vaccine is developed. That’s the time we’ll be able to really go forward and resume things. Until a vaccine is developed, I don’t think things will happen at all. Tourism has been jeopardised, hotels are suffering, musicians are suffering; not knowing what tomorrow is going to bring and how they can actually go forward and make a living being a musician. We can only rely on a vaccine now.”
Giving music lovers a taste
of the concert
experience at home
RUKSHAN
PERERA
LIVE IN CONCERT VI
PREMIERES
ON YOUTUBE
sports
Sports amid lockdown
Probably a blueprint for our health authorities to
follow: All 40 Football Association (FA) Cup
round-one ties, including those involving non-elite teams,
will play as planned from 6-9 November in England
despite the four-week lockdown from Thursday (5).
Elite sports can continue behind closed doors, but golf
courses, driving ranges, and tennis courts in England
have been told to close until at least 3 December.
the morning
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
5
Can LPL start on 21st?
Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva yesterday
(2) said that the staging of the Lanka Premier
League (LPL) on 21 November depends on their
discussions with the local health authorities this
week. “We’re planning to start it on the 21st.
The Health Ministry will give us an appointment
this week to make a presentation for them. And
after that, we will make a call on whether it can be held on the 21st or not,” he said.
Sports and politics
Former South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has
returned to prison as his 17-year prison sentence was
confirmed yesterday (2). He was found guilty on corruption
allegations that included a controversial pardon granted
to the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee to enable
the latter to lead PyeongChang 2018’s successful Winter
Olympic bid. Myung-bak served as the Korean President
from 2008-13 and was arrested in 2018 with charges of bribery, embezzlement, and tax evasion.
There’s not much cricket being played these days. There’s Zimbabwe in Pakistan. There’s the Indian Premier League (IPL). I hardly ever watch cricket but do like to know what’s happening internationally. Checking on the IPL and who is likely to make it to the postseason, if you will, I chanced on an interview with former Sri Lankan skipper Angelo Mathews or rather an account of what he said to Madhushka
Balasuriya.
Angelo was not speaking of himself.
He was speaking of Chaminda Vaas,
mostly. This is the line that stuck:
“Always looking to improve.” Vaas is a legend. This i s k n o w n . Angie sums up well: “An Asian seamer playing over
100 Tests and 300 ODIs and picking up over 750 international wickets – a lot of which came in sub-continental conditions – is an incredible feat.”
The lesson is in the ‘how’ of it all
Hard work. Phenomenal training. That’s basic. What tipped him over or made it possible to edge ahead of the pack was, according to Angie, the fact that Vaas “was hell bent on maximising every ounce of potential”. In other words, being the best that he could be.
Sometimes we don’t know how far we can go. This happens because we are erroneous in assessing our potential. We will get to know our weaknesses; we can count on the opposition to reveal these to us. We know the strengths but not necessarily how far
they’ll take us.
Vaas kept things simple, that’s one way of going about it. The “team” was important to him and if the best he could do was frustrate the batsmen by keeping things tight so someone else, typically Murali, could get the wickets at the other end, that’s exactly what he would do. Of course he did much more than that, as the stats sheet indicates, but what this means is that he never strayed from the basics. He built on them.
He was a bowler but a test average of 24.32 inclusive of 13 half centuries and a century does indicate that he placed a high price on his wicket. When he had to hit, he did, like in the glorious ODI in Nairobi where Shahid Afridi stamped himself as a very special cricketer, taking on the great Wasim Akram and almost getting Sri Lanka through to the final, but he will be remembered more for his dogged essays at the wicket.
Vaas may or may not have known that he had what it takes to be a more than useful tail-ender, but he probably figured that it would involve committing himself to acquiring the requisite skills and of course, mindset. In essence, then, having mastered his principal
role, that of opening bowler, having figured a training schedule to ensure he could generate top-quality performances, he looked to see what else he could do.
That’s the lesson. Especially for a bowler. A bowler is required to bat, but a specialist batsman is not called upon to turn his arm, except in a match moving towards an inevitable draw and then just for the fun of it. A specialist batsman, however, can always try to be the best fielder in the team. He could strive for a zero-error performance which inevitably would transform into him saving quite a few runs, making batsmen work harder and more wary of risking an extra run.
A specialist perimeter shooter in basketball could work on his defence. A tennis player who prefers baseline play can add net-play and finesse in placement to his arsenal. It’s not just about specific skills; one could always enhance one’s understanding of strategy. In other words, become a better student of the game. Whatever the game.
The greats were great students. From beginning to end. They knew that learning is never complete. They did the homework. They kept fit, honed skills, learned new ones, and became psychologists (of a kind).
They always looked to improve. Like Chaminda Vaas.
(The writer can be reached at [email protected] or www.
malindawords.blogspot.com)
InterCePtIon
by Malinda
Seneviratne
The Chaminda Vaas principle:
Always look to improve
Chaminda Vaas, the main strike bowler of the country since the days Sri Lanka won the Cricket World Cup (50 overs) in 1996
By ReVaTha S. SiLVa
The australian visa scandal exposed by herald Sun last week, involving former Sri Lanka club cricketer from Moratuwa Saman Kandage, alias “Sam’, who is now based in Melbourne, takes a noteworthy twist here in Sri Lanka.
The scandal, as exposed by the leading Australian daily on Friday, 30 October revealed that Kandage, with the help of another Sri Lankan named Kasun Gamlath, was involved in providing visas to young Sri Lankans to enter Australia – some occasions as mock first-class cricketers – and later settle down there, while charging from each nearly AUD 10,000 (Rs. 1.29 million).
Fake stats on internet
The Morning Sports reported on Monday (1) that the scam may lead to unravelling of further scams in Sri Lanka.
The Herald Sun report said: “Players must show statistical evidence via Cricinfo.” The report added: “Player stats are sometimes falsified in profiles at the Sri Lanka end.”
It also said that those stats have “mysteriously disappeared from some Sri Lankan players’ profiles about three months after they had obtained visas”.
View of our Melbourne sources
The Sri Lanka agents have provided meagre facilities to those who visited Australia, once cramping as many as 17 people
inside a single house with only three rooms. They have also allegedly taken a portion of the payment received by the players from their clubs.
As The Morning Sports
understood from our sources in Melbourne, the scandal has been taking place for many years.
There are two pertinent questions that can be raised in this regard:
1) Who at Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) issued those “fake players” the certifying letters, under its letterheads, to apply for visas?
2) Who manipulated the world’s leading cricket website, which is Cricinfo, as is mentioned in the said Herald Sun report, and, particularly, its player profiles and data (at least for the duration that their respective visas were being processed)?
SLC’s reaction
When we asked the first question from SLC CEO Ashley de Silva yesterday (2), he said that what they have done is only to issue a
letter on request to anyone who is to concern it, depending on the applicant’s Cricinfo player page.
“We cannot accuse anyone. We are carrying out an investigation. We don’t know who has made adjustments in the Cricinfo scores. It might have been done internally (within Cricinfo),” he said.
De Silva added: “When it comes to the visas, what happens is, when a player comes and asks for a letter, we issue it to whomever it may concern. We never issue a letter asking for visas directly.
“But they (SLC) look at Cricinfo and just put the statistics of the player and include them in the letter. Other than that, there is no involvement of the SLC as such.
“Nevertheless, we are carrying out an investigation to see whether there is anything wrong being done on our end. They (SLC) extract all the information from Cricinfo. If the Cricinfo information is wrong, automatically the letter that is issued to the player becomes wrong.
“The Australian cricket authorities have not written to us so far on the issue. So far, we haven’t heard anything from Cricket Australia. We have seen only the media reports.”
Cricinfo’s reaction
The following is the response to the second question above made by Cricinfo Sri Lanka Data Analyst Chaminda De Silva: “After this report appeared in Australia, some have asked me whether we can post a web page arbitrarily for a player or alter stats on a page. I told them that you can’t do it. What we can do is make a profile for a new player. That page is built up only when that player starts playing and when those details reach us in a scorecard (of a match). I’m also puzzled as to how a page in our site can be altered like that.
“Even when we make any alteration on a player profile on request, we check the identity of that player and send details to our Indian office to edit that page. Sometimes there can be a situation where one can get a screenshot of a Cricinfo page, alter it, and post it on Google so that it can be searched by typing his name.
“We start making a player page from the very beginning through the details given to us by the scorers. Then the page is gradually built up as the respective player continues to play matches.
“Another possibility of forgery is when a scorer provides us entirely false information of a player playing in a match. That is also impossible because if such a thing happens, the other players who played that match will instantly notice the wrongdoing.”
SLC
OR
CRiCiNFO!
Who is the ‘local culprit’
behind the Australian
visa scandal?
Cricinfo Sri Lanka Data Analyst Chaminda De Silva
