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Latest News from Sri Lanka: Wish our readers a Peaceful, Happy and Prosperous Sinhala & Tamil New Year! ...
[Last Updated = Sun, Oct 1, 2023, 12:41 pm SL Time]
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LEGAL - SITUATION
Oct 01 (CP) Colombo- Ven. Baviligamuwe Sujatha Thero, who lived in Pothgul Templein Lihinigiriya, Pothuhera, was stabbed to death with a knife, the Pothuhera police said.
It is reported that the murder was committed in a private house belonging to Sujatha Thero in Potuhera Parabawila area.
Oct 01 (CP) Colombo- Acting Defense Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon has ordered an internal inquiry into the shooting at a female Perahera elephant by an officer of the Civil Security Department yesterday.
** Related Story ::Civil Defense officer arrested for shooting ‘Sita’ elephant
Sept 30 (CP) Colombo- Another police constable who allegedly assisted the notorious underworld criminal Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias Harak Kata in his plan to escape from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been arrested.
** Related Story ::Drug trafficker ‘Harak Kata’s attempt to escape from the CID thwarted, constable abetted him has fled
Sept 30 (CP) Colombo- Expressing its deep concern over the sudden resignation of Mullaitivu District Judge, T. Saravanarajah, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called on the government to conduct an immediate investigation.
Sept 30 (CP) Colombo- President Ranil Wickramasinghe has instructed President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to conduct a full investigation regarding the resignation of the Mullaitivu District Judge and Magistrate T. Saravanaraja who was investigating the complaint related to Mullaitivu Kurundi Vihara, claiming death threats.
Sept 29 (CP) Colombo- As the inclement weather is approaching, Sri Lanka Navy has deployed relief teams in certain areas in the Southern Province, to provide assistance and support to those who may be affected by floods.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- The Sri Lanka Navy has recovered over 100 kg of Kerala, during a special search operation conducted in the beach area of Pumattei on the Karainagar Island, in the dark hours of Wednesday (27th September 2023).
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- The Department of Wildlife reported that six (06) wild elephants have died in two separate accidents when two herds of elephants collided with trains in the areas of Galgamuwa and Palu Gaswewa yesterday (28th) night.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- The Colombo Crime Division of Police said that a person was arrested at Pannnaloka Mawatha area in Dehiwala with a stock of ‘ice’ (crystal methamphetamine) worth over one 10 million rupees.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka who was accused of sexual assault of a woman while in Australia for the T20 World Cup has been found not guilty by a Sydney court.
Judge Sarah Huggett found the 32-year-old not guilty of the sexual intercourse without consent
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka Customs officials at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake have arrested five people who were attempting to smuggle a stock of gold jewelry worth more than Rs 120 million this morning.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- An airman was killed in an explosion that took place on Tuesday evening at the shooting range of the Sri Lanka Air Force Training Camp in Kandakulia, Kalpitiya, the Police said.
Police media Spokesman Senior Superintendent of Police Nihal Thalduwa said that another person was injured in the incident.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court granted bail and ordered to release the former cricketer Sachithra Senanayake, who was in remand custody on match-fixing charges.
The Magistrate decided to release the cricketer on bail as it is not revealed that he has influenced the witnesses during the investigation period.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- Mount Lavinia headquarters police have arrested six people, including five school students, who attacked two police officers at Mount Lavinia beach.
A police sergeant and a constable who were injured in the assault have been admitted to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- Officers of the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Division last night (24th) arrested a Kenyan national who brought a consignment of cocaine estimated to be worth 300 million rupees at the arrival terminal of Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).
Sept 24 (CP) Colombo- The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called on the government to immediately withdraw the Anti-Terrorism Bill and the Online Safety Bill which were published in the Gazettes issued on 15th and 18th September respectively.
Sept 24 (CP) Colombo- Two men have been arrested in connection with the attempted escape by the organized criminal and international drug trafficker Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne alias Harak kata from the Criminal Investigation Department.
Sept 24 (CP) Colombo- Police say two persons traveling in a three-wheeler died and three others were seriously injured when it collided head-on with a private bus this morning (24th) in Galewela Beligamuwa area on the Kurunegala Dambulla main road.
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NEWS - HIGHLIGHTS
Oct 01 (CP) Colombo- In a message to mark the World Children’s Day today, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said commitments and efforts must be made not only on a day but in every moment to build a world for children.
“The best things are for the children. That is not only for a single day but for every day.
Sept 30 (CP) Colombo- Acting Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe says that the World Bank has agreed to provide $ 850 million this year to help Sri Lanka to emerge from the economic crisis.
Sept 30 (CP) Colombo- The ban on single-use and short-term use plastics is scheduled to come into effect from tomorrow, 1st October, said the Central Environment Authority (CEA).
Sept 29 (CP) Colombo- President Ranil Wickremesinghe held bilateral talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Thursday (28) during his official visit to participate in ‘Berlin Global Dialogue’.
FINANCE - TRAVEL
Sept 30 (CP) Colombo- SriLankan Airlines has entered into a first-ever interline partnership with Virgin Australia that will strengthen the airline’s network in Australia and offer customers extensive connections across the land down under and beyond.
Sept 29, Colombo: A delegation of 16 dynamic entrepreneurs, representing the Chamber of Young Lankan Entrepreneurs (COYLE) undertook a significant journey to Jakarta, Indonesia from 19to 24 September 2023.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jakarta facilitated the delegation aiming to foster economic collaboration
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- Acting Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe says that the debt restructuring has reached its final stage, and as soon as it is completed, foreign investors will have a great opportunity to become part of the fast-growing Sri Lankan economy.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- Fitch Ratings has upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC-’ from ‘RD’ (Restricted Default). Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to sovereigns with a rating of ‘CCC+’ or below. The Long-Term Foreign-Currency IDR has been affirmed at ‘RD’ and the Country Ceiling at ‘B-’.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- Acting Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe announced that negotiations to secure the second tranche of funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are progressing positively. He emphasized that the government’s economic reform efforts are currently under evaluation by the IMF.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- Seylan Credit Cards, the Essential Card for Heartfelt Essentials, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with Union Assurance, one of the leading Life Insurers in Sri Lanka. This collaboration aims to provide Seylan Credit Cardholders with an innovative and convenient Easy Payment Plan
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- A team representing Central Accounts at the Commercial Bank of Ceylon won the inaugural hackathon organized by the Bank in collaboration with Dialog Enterprise for employees of the Bank to develop and demonstrate their ingenuity and problem-solving prowess.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- The Colombo Port City Economic Commission (the Commission) recently published its Comprehensive Progress Report for the fiscal year 2023, spanning from January to August.
This period has seen remarkable developments within the Commission, Colombo Port City
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation stated that the construction of the first stage at the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port will be completed and its operations will begin from the first of June 2024.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka’s inflation, as measured by the change in the Colombo Consumers’ Price Index (CCPI) declined to 1.3 percent in September 2023 from 4.0 percent in August, the Department of Census and Statistics reported Wednesday.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- Seylan Tikiri, the cherished children’s savings brand of the country, recently joined hands with Aralaganwila Welayaya National School in an effort to instill a sense of financial literacy among the young minds.
On September 7th, 2023, the school premises came alive with the Seylan Tikiri Pola
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- The International Monetary Fund concluded its mission to Sri Lanka without reaching a staff-level agreement as the country has not assured full economic recovery despite early signs of stabilization of the economy.
Issuing a statement, the IMF mission commended the progress Sri Lanka has made in implementing difficult but much needed reforms...
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports increased by 6.98 % to US$ 1,091.6 Million in August 2023 compared to July 2023 as per the provisional data released by the Sri Lanka Customs.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- The Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has benchmarked a 500,000 ton volume in their bunkering business during the first eight months of 2023.
The throughput which is five times in volume compared to 2022, is attributed to the port’s strategic partnership with Sinopec Fuel Oil Lanka Limited (SFOL), for the supply and trade of marine bunker fuel.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- CDB was the Silver Sponsor, at the event ‘Back to Faculty’ organized by the University of Colombo’s Faculty of Management and Finance to celebrate the achievements and journeys of graduates during the past 42 years.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- The ‘INFOTEL Information Technology Exhibition,’ orchestrated by the Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS), is scheduled to take place at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall in Colombo from November 3rd to 5th.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his address at the 2023 Commercial Mediation Symposium at Colombo’s Hilton Hotel, emphasized the need for a cultural shift towards efficient dispute resolution in Sri Lanka.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- S&P Global Ratings on Monday raised its long- and short-term local currency sovereign credit ratings on Sri Lanka to ‘CCC+/C’ from ‘SD/SD’ (selective default).
At the same time, S&P affirmed ‘SD/SD’ long- and short-term foreign currency ratings.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- In a historic milestone, Sri Lanka witnessed the grand unveiling of its very first centrally-monitored, fully-automated, women-operated Lanka IOC Filling Station, recently. This event symbolizes empowerment, inclusivity, and technological advancement.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- The Sri Lanka Consulate General in Karachi in collaboration with the Marriot Hotel and Quality Event Pvt. Ltd. organized a Sri Lanka Food Festival at the Marriot Hotel in Karachi from 09 to 10 September 2023 with a view to showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Sri Lanka.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- Hayleys Solar, the renewable energy arm of Hayleys Fentons, expands its horizons to make solar energy accessible from the south to north of the nation with its recent strategic launch in Jaffna.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- SLT-MOBITEL is providing a groundbreaking opportunity, enabling customers with latest Apple iPhone devices to experience the best of 5G technology through its state-of-the-art 5G trial network.
Sept 24 (CP) Colombo- British Council IELTS test takers who do not achieve their desired results first time around will no longer have to re-sit the full test, after the launch of a game-changing new feature.
Sept 29 (Investing) Acting Finance Minister of Sri Lanka, Shehan Semasinghe, announced on Thursday that negotiations for the second tranche of funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are progressing positively.
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POLITICS - GENERAL
Oct 01 (CP) Colombo- The water level in Maussakelle Reservoir has risen rapidly due to the continuous rain falling on the western slopes of the central hills for nearly a month.
The engineers in charge of the reservoir said that as of this morning, there are about 10 more feet to reach the overflow level of the reservoir.
Oct 01 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has returned to the country, concluding his official visit to Germany.
The Sri Lankan delegation headed by the President arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport this morning, the officer in charge of the airport confirmed.
Sept 30 (CP) Colombo- The landslide warning notices issued for several areas of 8 districts have been further extended due to prevailing showers.
The National Building Research Organization stated that the landslide warning notices issued to several areas in Galle, Hambantota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, Matara and Ratnapura districts have been extended until 10 am on 01 October 2023.
Sept 30 (CP) Colombo- The establishment of the new system of issuing motor vehicle revenue licenses in Sri Lanka will be implemented in eight provinces of the island from October 3.
Accordingly, this new system will be implemented first in the Northwestern, Southern, North Central, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, Northern and Uva provinces.
Sept 29 (CP) Colombo- The opening ceremony of the 2023 National Law Week, which is organized annually by the Sri Lanka Bar Association with the aim of imparting knowledge about the law to the general public, was held Thursday at the Supreme Court complex premises under the patronage of the Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya and the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.
Sept 29 (CP) Colombo- The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has decided to seek public opinion regarding the revision of electricity tariffs proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board for 2023.
Sept 29 (CP) Colombo- The delivery of 100 houses built by the Railway Department to the people who were unlawfully living in the Railway land was done under the patronage of the Minister Transport, Highways and Mass Media, Dr. Bandula Gunawardena recently.
Sept 29 (CP) Colombo- Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera says one of the main factors affecting the increase in livestock production in the country is the lack of suitable animal species for the respective products.
Sept 29 (CP) Berlin- On the sidelines of the Berlin Global Dialogue forum, the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on Thursday held talks with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, the official Aqorda press service reported.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed the need for a comprehensive dialogue between Western nations and China, the United States of America and China and the European Union and China, as a critical component of a robust international plan capable of addressing the global challenges anticipated in 2024.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe says that in the next few months of this year, credit guarantees will be provided for the upliftment of the micro, small and medium scale enterprises that have been most affected by the economic crisis.
Sept 28 (CP) Colombo- Issuing a message to mark Milad-un-Nabi today, President Ranil Wickremesinghe urged all Muslim brethren in Sri Lanka to unite in working towards strengthening the path, to secure a developed Sri Lanka by 2048.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena instructed the provincial governors to take steps to fill vacancies in the province while giving teaching appointments.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, announced that Sri Lanka has formally committed to providing the essential funding for President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s 2048 Green Economy Programme.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- Mrs. Diana Gamage, the Minister of State for Tourism announced plans to launch promotional campaigns aimed at attracting 1.5 million foreign tourists to Sri Lanka by the year’s end.
Minister Gamage emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of tourists
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- During President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s official overseas visit to Germany, the responsibilities of the ministries under his purview have been temporarily entrusted to the respective state ministers.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- President Ranil Wickremesinghe left for Germany early this morning (27) to participate in the Leaders Dialogue session, the inaugural event of the ‘Berlin Global Dialogue., President’s Media Division said.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- A distinguished Sri Lankan delegation led by Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment. R.P.A. Wimalaweera, embarked on a four-day study tour to Indonesia from September 4-7, 2023 to assess that country’s employment social security system.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- Minister of State for Finance Shehan Semasinghe held a discussion on Monday with Faris Hadad-Zervos, Country Director of World Bank on the progress of the Aswesuma welfare benefits program.
Sept 27 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has left the island on a four-day official visit to Germany, the President’s Media Division said.
The President and the 12-member delegation have left the Bandaranaike International Airport early this morning.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says that the 2024 budget proposals will be presented to Parliament on November 13.
Accordingly, President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies will deliver the opening speech
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Plantation Industries took into consideration regarding granting permission in consultation with the National Gems and Jewelry Commission for gem mining activities in Embilipitiya Mahaweli lands during the post-harvest period.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- Member of Parliament Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on National Economic and Physical Plans, emphasized the need to establish a dedicated unit for overseeing institutions responsible for generating tax revenue, including the Inland Revenue Department.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appropriation bill for the financial year 2024 to be submitted to Parliament.
The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval at their meeting held on 31 july.2023 to draft the bill of appropriation for the financial year 2024.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- Singapore-based global non-profit, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste donated eight BeachTech Hydro Sweepy beach cleaning machines to the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) of Sri Lanka to clean up the beaches polluted by the MV X-Press Pearl shipwreck that occurred on May 20, 2021 in Sri Lankan waters.
Sept 26 (CP) Colombo- Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry on Monday said that Colombo has not given permission to a Chinese vessel to dock adding that Indian security concerns are "important" for Sri Lanka, ANI reported.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- President Ranil Wickramasinghe addressing the launch event of the book “The Right Eye,” authored by Mr. Manusha Nanayakkara, the Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment, said that along with the global labor movement, the Sri Lankan labor movement should also be modernized.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- The Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis instructs the Department of Samurdhi Development to conduct a quick survey to identify other poverty-stricken families who need to be empowered.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent visit to the United States has stirred controversy among the opposition, but according to Mr. Ruwan Wijewardene, Presidential Adviser on Climate Change, the nation stands to benefit significantly from the trip.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- The fifth Asia Pacific Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities, the largest regional environmental event in the Asia Pacific region will convene in Colombo from October 3rd to October 6th.
Sept 25, Colombo: President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighting the significance of preserving historical and cultural heritage emphasized the need for the country’s children to receive both modern education and knowledge about Sri Lanka’s rich cultural history.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- Shinnyo-en Lanka Preschool, a distinguished pioneer in early childhood education owned and operated by Shinnyo-en Japan, has announced the commencement of admissions for the academic year 2024.
Sept 25 (CP) Colombo- A special discussion between President Ranil Wickramasinghe and representatives of the International Monetary Fund on the first review of the Extended Fund Facility is scheduled to be held tomorrow (26).
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WORLD
Sept 29 (Reuters) - Suicide bombings ripped through two mosques in Pakistan on Friday, killing at least 57 people and injuring more than 60 amid events marking the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed, police and health officials said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, one of which trapped dozens of people under rubble, media said.
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Sept 29 (ABC) Michael Gambon, the Irish actor who played Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, has died at 82.
"We are devastated to announce the loss of Sir Michael Gambon," a statement from his family said. "Beloved husband and father, Michael died peacefully in hospital with his wife Anne and son Fergus at his bedside, following a bout of pneumonia.
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Sept 28 (BBC) Nearly 1,000 people have died of dengue in Bangladesh in recent weeks, in what authorities say is the country’s most severe outbreak of the disease yet.
Extraordinarily wet monsoons have made it easier for mosquitoes that carry the dengue virus to breed in dirty and stagnant water.
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Sept 28 (BBC) At least 94 people have died and 100 others are injured after a fire broke out during a wedding in Iraq’s biggest Christian town on Tuesday night.
Hundreds were celebrating at a banqueting hall in Qaraqosh, in Nineveh province, when the tragedy happened.
Witnesses and civil defence officials said the fire was sparked by fireworks set off as the bride and groom danced.
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About Sri Lanka ::-
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Introduction to Sri Lanka ::-
Sri Lanka is a beautiful island paradise in the Indian Ocean with white sandy beaches lush greenery, exciting adventures, amazing wildlife, cascading waterfalls and a rich heritage. The island of Sri Lanka is roughly pear-shaped. The total area of Sri Lanka is 65,610 sq km. Sri Lankas coastline is about 1,340 km (about 833 mi) around.
The people in Sri Lanka are warm and friendly. Sri Lankans are known for hospitality in all over the world. People in Sri Lanka ethnically fall into four main categories. The population of Sri Lanka is about 20 million. Sri Lanka has a tropical climate. Sri Lanka has a democratic government. Sri Lanka is mainly an agricultural country. Colombo is the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon.
In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Sri Lanka became a plantation economy, famous for its production and export of cinnamon, rubber and Ceylon tea, which remains a trademark national export. By 1996 plantation crops made up only 20% of export, and further declined to 16.8% in 2005 (compared with 93% in 1970), while textiles and garments have reached 63%. The GDP grew at an average annual rate of 5.5% during the early 1990s, until a drought and a deteriorating security situation lowered growth to 3.8% in 1996. The economy rebounded in 1997-2000, with average growth of 5.3%.
Sri Lanka, with an income per head of $1,350, still lags behind some of its neighbors including Maldives and Mauritius but is ahead of its giant neighbor India. Its economy grew by an average of 5% during the 1990s during the 'War for Peace' era. According to the Sri Lankan central bank statistics, the economy was estimated to have grown by 7% last year, although inflation had reached 20%.
More Information
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Oct 01 (CP) Colombo- “We are living in a very challenging era. Based on those challenges, we are now shouldering the program of building a prosperous country for the children of this country to inherit a beautiful childhood,” President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a message issued to mark the World Children’s and Elders’ Day which falls on today (Oct 1).
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More : FINANCE - TRAVEL
Sept 29 (BBC) When India first won the cricket World Cup in 1983, its bowlers were mainly all-rounders.
Many were called ‘bits-and-pieces’ cricketers (who could bowl a bit and bat a bit), but with a couple of exceptions - skipper Kapil Dev being the biggest one - most wouldn’t find a place in the team for their bowling alone.
Sept 28 (ESPNCI) Sri Lanka batter Danushka Gunathilaka has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting a Tinder date through the act of "stealthing".
Judge Sarah Huggett acquitted the 32-year-old as he sat at Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court on Thursday listening to the decision.
Sept 26 (SLC) Sri Lanka’s batswomen watched the Asian Gold Medal disintegrate before their eyes by reportedly overawed by the magnitude of the final in losing their cool to faltering despite a midway late rally by Hasini Perera in a 6, 4 and 6 25-run flurry off 22 crossing the boundary line on four occasions
Sept 26 (ESPNCI) It’s official - Sri Lanka will be without Dushmantha Chameera and Wanindu Hasaranga at the ODI World Cup. Dasun Shanaka, whose role as captain had been under much speculation over the past few weeks, will lead the side in India through October and November.
The rest of the 15-member squad has formed up as expected,