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Shammi Silva, who was recently re-elected uncontested as the Chairman of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the fourth consecutive term, has been appointed to three key committees of the International Cricket Council (ICC). At a council meeting held yesterday (April 1), Silva was named to the ICC’s Human Resources and Remuneration Committee, Finance and Commercial Committee, and Nominations Committee. Silva’s re-election as SLC President extends his tenure for another two years, from 2025 to 2027. In addition to his role…

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has reported that a total of 229,298 tourists have arrived in the country in March 2025. Accordingly, the total number of tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2025 stands at 722,276. Throughout March, weekly tourist arrivals exceeded 50,000, with the highest single-day arrival recorded on March 28, when 8,619 tourists entered the country. Among source markets, India accounted for the highest share of tourist arrivals in March, contributing 17.1% of the total,…

A new government initiative to ensure food security and make nutritious meals affordable for the public was officially launched at the "Palessa" restaurant of the National Food Promotion Board in Narahenpita. This project is being implemented in collaboration with the National Food Promotion Board, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture. It also involves the support of existing restaurant businesses and is integrated with the "Clean Sri Lanka" programme. This initiative allows people to enjoy specially…

Wicketkeeper-batsman Prabhsimran Singh scored an explosive 69 off 34 balls as Punjab Kings cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Lucknow Super Giants for their second win this IPL. Punjab chased down the target of 172 set by Lucknow with nearly four overs to spare, and captain Shreyas Iyer remained unbeaten on 52 off 30 balls. "This is the start we required," Iyer said. "Boys actually played their roles well, they contributed to the best of their ability, and whatever we planned, they executed it to the fullest."…

Eighteen people were killed and five others injured in an explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in western India, officials said. The fiery blast sent chunks of rock and metal flying far from the factory complex in the town of Deesa in Gujarat state. "There was a huge blast in the factory causing the concrete roof to collapse, killing 18 people and injuring five others," government spokesman Rishikesh Patel said. The factory was operating without a licence, he added. Authorities have launched a probe into…

Tesla's sales in key European markets fell again in March, data showed, adding to signs that drivers are shunning Elon Musk's electric car brand as competition from China stiffens and some protest against his political views. New Tesla sales in France and Sweden dropped for a third consecutive month, contributing to its lowest first-quarterly sales figures in the two countries since 2021. Billionaire CEO Musk has stirred controversy by courting far-right parties in Europe, adding to Tesla's sales slump ahead of the…

The Board of Governors of the President’s Fund convened under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, has decided to provide financial assistance as an encouragement to ensure the uninterrupted education of children from families affected by daily incidents of elephant intrusions into their villages. Priority will be given to families who have lost a member or have individuals injured due to elephant intrusions. Additionally, children from families that have suffered property or crop damages as a result of…

A sparkling debut performance by medium pacer Ashwani Kumar, powered up by a single banana, helped Mumbai Indians register their first win of the IPL season, downing Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets. Kumar's 4-24 —and an overall disciplined bowling performance — restricted champions Kolkata to a modest total of 116, which Mumbai chased down with more than seven overs to spare. The 23-year-old accounted for Kolkata captain Ajinkya Rahane, Rinkhu Singh, Manish Pandey and the powerful Andre Russell. "I didn't…

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP)  welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Sri Lanka this week. Modi will begin a two-day visit to Sri Lanka on April 4. “This visit represents a cherished milestone in the timeless relationship between our two great nations,” a party statement said. The UNP said the visit presents an opportunity to strengthen the “India-Sri Lanka Economic Partnership Vision” adopted in July 2023. The UNP recalls that India’s provision of USD 4…

Under the Clean Sri Lanka Programme, the first phase of the Urban Forest Project was launched this morning (30) near the Kelaniya Bridge in Peliyagoda. This initiative was implemented in collaboration with S-lon Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, a subsidiary of The Capital Maharaja Group, aligning with the "Tree Guardian" project. It also coincided with today’s (30) Zero Waste Day, further reinforcing its environmental significance. Guided by the Presidential Secretariat, key government and private sector stakeholders, including the…

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was "pissed off" at Russian President Vladimir Putin and will impose secondary tariffs of 25% to 50% on buyers of Russian oil if he feels Moscow is blocking his efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Trump told NBC News he was very angry after Putin last week criticized the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's leadership, the television network reported, citing a telephone interview early on Sunday. Since taking office in January, Trump has adopted a more…

Mitchell Starc claimed his first five-wicket haul in T20 cricket and Nitish Rana smashed a 36-ball 81 as Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals registered victories in the IPL. Australian left-arm quick Starc returned figures of 5-35 as Delhi bowled out Hyderabad for 163, a target they overhauled with four overs and seven wickets to spare for their second straight win in this edition of the T20 tournament. In the second match of the day in Guwahati, Rana's batting blitz helped Rajasthan to 182-9 and then kept down Chennai…

A fitting response to the recent UK sanctions is recommencing the promised constitutional process, MP and Tamil Progressive Alliance leader Mano Ganesan says. The MP called upon the government to recommence the new constitutional process and achieve national reconciliation. "That would be the logical reply to UK sanctions," he added. The recent imposition of sanctions by the UK Government on four Sri Lankans for alleged human rights violations during the civil war has sparked considerable debate. The MP's reaction…

Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya was inducted as the 29th President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka on Saturday (29). He was elected as the new President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) at the election held on February 19, 2025. Amarasuriya previously served as the Secretary of BASL and has an extensive appellate court practice, specializing in public law and various branches of civil litigation, including contractual, commercial, property, taxation, and banking law. He holds multiple prominent…

Eid Al-Fitr, celebrated by Muslims worldwide after a month of fasting and upon sighting the new moon, holds great significance in the Islamic religious calendar. Fasting during Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam, embodies the values of sacrifice, self-discipline and simplicity by distancing oneself from worldly desires. This period serves as a reminder of the importance of generosity towards those suffering from hunger and as an opportunity for self-restraint and spiritual growth, which devout Muslims deeply…

Mark Chapman struck a sublime century and Nathan Smith claimed four wickets as New Zealand eased to a 73-run win over Pakistan in the first one-day international in Napier. Chapman's career-best 132 formed the foundation of an imposing 344-9 at McLean Park before Pakistan's promising chase capitulated, to be all out for 271 in the 45th over. The tourists looked on track at 249-3, at that point needing 96 runs to win, with more than 11 overs remaining. However, seamer Smith (4-60) helped to spark a late collapse,…

Fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna took two wickets each as Gujarat Titans thrashed IPL powerhouse Mumbai Indians by 36 runs for their first win this season. Gujarat rode on Sai Sudharsan’s 63 off 41 balls to post 196-8 after being invited to bat first at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad. Siraj then led the bowling charge to limit the opposition to 160-6 as five-time winners Mumbai went down to their second straight loss in the 18th edition of the T20 tournament. Siraj removed the Mumbai…

Saudi Arabia announced that the Eid Al-Fitr holiday will begin on Sunday, marking the end of the Ramadan fasting period. "The Supreme Court has decided that tomorrow, Sunday, March 30, 2025, is the first day of Eid Al-Fitr," the Royal Court said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency on X. The timing of Eid Al-Fitr is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon, in accordance with the lunar calendar. The UAE and Qatar also announced Sunday would be the first day of the holiday. Meanwhile, Oman and…

The battle in the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu will only be between the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), said TVK president Vijay on Friday (March 28, 2025). Speaking at the party’s first general body meeting in Chennai, Mr. Vijay said: “Politics is all about caring for each and every family in the State. Is it about just one family? Honourable ‘monarchist’ Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, if the BJP government at the Centre is fascist, then what is your…

A powerful earthquake rocked Myanmar on Friday, causing extensive damage across a wide swath of one of the world’s poorest countries and prompting officials to warn that the initial death toll — above 140 — was likely to grow in the days ahead. In neighboring Thailand, at least 10 died in Bangkok, where a high-rise under construction collapsed. The full extent of death, injury, and destruction was not immediately clear — particularly in Myanmar, which is embroiled in a civil war and where information is tightly…