August 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s preparations for the second match against India have been severely impacted with the news that cricketer Wanindu Hasaranga is ruled out due to injury.
Hasaranga sustained a hamstring injury during the first ODI, rendering him unavailable for the remainder of the home series.
Experienced spinner Jeffrey Vandersay has been named as his replacement and may feature in the playing XI on Sunday.
“Hasaranga will miss the rest of the ODI series due to a left hamstring injury,” stated Sri Lanka Cricket. “He felt pain in his left hamstring while bowling his 10th over in the first ODI. An MRI confirmed the injury. Jeffrey Vandersay joins the squad in his place.”
This injury follows the loss of fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka, who were sidelined a day before the first match.
Despite these setbacks, Hasaranga showcased an outstanding performance by taking three wickets and contributing valuable runs, helping Sri Lanka post a competitive 230-run total at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium.
August 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police are requesting public assistance to locate three suspects involved in a shooting incident in Athurugiriya on July 08, 2024, which resulted in two fatalities and injuries to four others.
Photographs and details of the suspects have been released.
Information on the suspects can be provided through the following contact numbers:
OIC – Western Province South Crimes Division – 072 4222223
OIC – Athurugiriya Police Station – 071 8591657
Suspect details:
Waruna Indika de Silva alias “Sankha” (NIC: 951350753V)
Peti Harambage Ajith Rohana alias “Chandi” (NIC: 199207801772)
Muthuwandura Tharindu Madhusanka de Silva alias “Bahirawaya”
The shooting incident went viral across Sri Lanka due to it being the cause of death of Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha’.
August 04, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, announced that 24 Sri Lankans, including event organisers and musicians, were arrested by Kuwaiti authorities at a gathering organised by the JVP-affiliated ‘Ethera Api’ organisation.
The minister stated on ‘X’ that he has reached out to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait, which is collaborating with Kuwaiti officials to secure their release promptly.
Further details regarding the arrests have not been disclosed.
I have been notified that Kuwait has arrested 24 Sri Lankans, including organizers & musicians, who attended an event organized by JVP-led Ethara Api organization. I have contacted our embassy & they are working with Kuwaiti officials to secure their release as soon as possible pic.twitter.com/UGIAJrNFdw
August 04, Colombo (LNW): A naval operation in the Iramathivu sea area of Kilinochchi on August 03 2024 resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of a dinghy carrying over 176kg of Kerala cannabis.
Conducted by SLNS Buwaneka and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron, the search uncovered 86 parcels of cannabis valued at over Rs. 70 million.
The suspects, aged 22 to 35 from Mannar and Valeipadu, have been handed over to Jayapuram Police for further legal proceedings.
August 04, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its weather forecast today (04).
Several spells of showers may occur in North-western province.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the island during the evening or night. Fairly heavy showers above 50mm are likely at some places.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo.
Winds:
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil will be fairly rough at times.
August 03, Colombo (LNW): The Montana National Guard and U.S. Pacific Air Forces, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Air Force and the Maldives National Defence Force, have commenced ‘Atlas Angel,’ a joint military exercise focused on enhancing preparedness and response to natural and man-made disasters. From August 5-9, over 70 U.S. personnel and two C-130 Hercules aircraft will participate alongside their Sri Lankan and Maldivian counterparts, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in disaster response and the U.S. commitment to fostering a resilient and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
Atlas Angel will feature six exercises, including urban and medical search and rescue, as well as airfield repair, culminating in a crisis management exercise on August 9. These activities aim to test and improve response capabilities across various scenarios, ensuring participants are well-prepared for real-world disasters. Following the main exercise, U.S. Air Force surgeons will engage in a knowledge exchange session at the Kotelawala Defence University in Colombo, sharing best practices with Sri Lankan military and civilian medical counterparts.
U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung applauded the disaster response cooperation, stating, “Disasters know no borders and are increasing in frequency and intensity worldwide. The United States is committed to enhancing disaster preparedness, recognizing the importance of international collaboration to minimize damage, protect lives and livelihoods, and foster resilience and prosperity in the region. By sharing our expertise through practical exercises like Atlas Angel, we strengthen communities’ abilities to respond swiftly and effectively when disaster strikes.”
Sri Lanka Air Force Commander, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, remarked, “Exercise Atlas Angel is one of the main combined exercises operationalized under the Montana State Partnership Programme. It provides space for greater engagement between Sri Lanka Air Force and Montana National Guard through subject matter expert exchanges, developing strategic foresight on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, as well as Search and Rescue missions, and promoting interoperability for collective security in the region.”
Montana National Guard Adjutant General Pete Hronek emphasized the critical role of training in disaster management: “Effective disaster management hinges on robust training that equips first responders, local authorities, and community members with the skills and knowledge they need to act decisively in times of crisis. Throughout this week, I look forward to working with regional counterparts and learning from their expertise as we go through realistic simulations, ensuring we are all ready to act in the event of an emergency.”
August 03, Colombo (LNW): The Oriental Dance Club of Asian International School (AIS) has achieved a remarkable milestone by being awarded the Best Performance Achievement at the 6th Korat International Folklore Festival Thailand Cultural Expo. This prestigious event was part of the Korat International Horticultural Expo, recently held in Bangkok, Thailand.
AIS dancers enthralled the audience with their high standard of dancing, exceptional execution, and impressive choreography. Their outstanding performance during the six-day festival earned them the Best Performance Award, showcasing their discipline and dedication.
Through their vibrant and colorful performances, the AIS dancers exhibited the beauty and traditions of Sri Lanka’s performing arts. The Colombo International Dance Festival Association played a crucial role in providing this exposure and recognition, helping to promote Sri Lanka’s rich cultural legacy to the world.
The AIS drummers added significant flair to the performances with their live music, making AIS the only country to feature live music at the event. This unique element set them apart and brought a special energy to the festival.
The talented dancers were expertly choreographed by Suranga Abeysinghe and Harun Suseru, under the guidance of the Oriental Dance Teacher-in-Charge, Ms. Prasadika Ediriweera. Their hard work and creativity brought Sri Lankan dance traditions to life on an international stage.
The AIS crew was invited to this competition by the Korat International Folklore Festival and the Federation of Thai SME Nakhon Ratchasima, in collaboration with the Colombo International Dance Festival Association. This invitation provided an invaluable opportunity for AIS to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.
This achievement is a testament to the talent and hard work of the AIS Dance Club, as well as the support and dedication of their mentors. It stands as a proud moment for the school and the entire country, celebrating the enduring beauty of Sri Lankan culture.
August 03, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced the immediate commencement of the “River for Jaffna” project, aimed at addressing the chronic water scarcity in northern Sri Lanka. This declaration was made during the inauguration of the Thalaiyady Seawater Desalination Plant, a component of the Jaffna-Kilinochchi Water Supply Project, on August 2.
Reflecting on the 15 years since the end of the civil war in the North, President Wickremesinghe emphasized the importance of ongoing collaborative development efforts. He expressed his ambition to transform the Northern Province into a developed region within the next 5-10 years.
The Thalaiyady Seawater Desalination Plant, managed by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board under the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, is financially supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Sri Lankan government. The plant is part of the broader Jaffna-Kilinochchi District Water Supply and Sanitation Project (JKWSSP), initiated in 2011 with backing from the ADB and the French Development Bank (AFD).
Currently, there are 2.5 million water connections nationwide, with the Water Supply and Sanitation Project aiming to add 60,000 new connections. The project’s primary goal is to provide safe drinking water to 300,000 people and improve sanitation facilities for 80,000 people in Jaffna and Kilinochchi districts. Since 2017, the project has completed the construction of 20 elevated water tanks, 186 km of water transmission pipelines, and 382 km of water distribution pipelines.
The contract for the desalination plant was awarded in January 2021, with the total project cost amounting to USD 266 million. The JKWSSP is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
President Wickremesinghe highlighted the significance of the new desalination plant, which will be the first of its kind in Sri Lanka. He expressed gratitude to the local residents who provided land for its construction and recommended establishing a separate Grama Niladhari Division for the village.
The establishment of the water purification plant is expected to significantly alleviate the drinking water issues in Jaffna. Future plans include the development of the Paliaru Reservoir to supply water to the Pooneryn area. The “River for Jaffna” programme, once fully implemented, alongside the desalination plant, aims to completely resolve the region’s water problems and restore the Vadamarachchi area to its former lush state.
To manage costs, the government plans to reduce expenses through solar energy projects and introduce Drip Irrigation Systems to promote modern agriculture. Additionally, efforts will be made to renovate the port of Kankesanthurai in collaboration with India, establish an investment zone at the former cement factory site, and develop Palali to boost tourism. The area’s potential for wind and solar energy production is expected to generate substantial income, contributing to Jaffna’s transformation into a developed region within the next 5-10 years.
President Wickremesinghe also noted that the provincial council has the capacity to establish universities in Jaffna, and urged unity in development efforts as the region moves beyond its war-torn past.
August 03, Colombo (LNW): The IMF announced yesterday that the recent Parliamentary approval of two significant pieces of legislation—the Public Financial Management Act and the Public Debt Management Act—will enhance fiscal discipline and prudent debt management, increasing transparency and accountability.
According to the IMF, developing a comprehensive debt management strategy and establishing a well-structured and integrated Public Debt Management Office will reduce the government’s financing risks.
In a statement following their visit to Sri Lanka from July 25 to August 2, 2024, the IMF delegation, led by Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer, noted that the country’s recovery continues, with real GDP showing three consecutive quarters of expansion and growth accelerating to 5.3 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2024.
“The economic reform programme implemented by the Sri Lankan authorities is yielding commendable outcomes,” the statement said.
The delegation observed that inflation remains below the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s (CBSL) 5 percent target and that domestic borrowing rates have declined. Their visit focused on discussing recent macroeconomic developments and the progress in implementing economic and financial policies under the authorities’ economic reform programme, supported by the IMF’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement.
“Fiscal revenue collections increased during the same period. Going forward, these improvements need to translate into better living conditions for all of Sri Lanka’s people,” the statement added.
“With Sri Lanka’s knife-edged recovery at a critical juncture, sustaining the reform momentum and ensuring timely implementation of all program commitments are critical to cement the hard-won economic progress to date and put the economy on a firm footing,” the IMF emphasized.
However, the delegation stressed that maintaining macroeconomic stability and restoring debt sustainability require further efforts to raise fiscal revenues.
“The 2025 Budget needs to be underpinned by appropriate revenue measures and continued spending restraint to reach the medium-term primary balance objective of 2.3 percent of GDP—a key requirement for restoring Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability. The planned relaxation of import restrictions on motor vehicles will support revenue mobilization in 2025,” the statement noted.
The delegation also suggested that tax administration reforms could further improve compliance, including the establishment of a functioning VAT refund system for exporters by April 2025. “Any proposed measure eroding the fiscal position needs to be offset by compensating measures of high quality. Avoiding new tax exemptions will reduce corruption risks and fiscal revenue leakages, ensuring a more predictable and transparent tax system. Continuing to maintain energy prices at cost-recovery levels is critical to avoid potential fiscal costs. Protecting the poor and the vulnerable through improved targeting and better coverage of cash transfers remains essential. Policy slippages could jeopardize the recovery,” the statement concluded.
