All measures would be taken to protect the businessmen thwarting the activities of underworld gangs and ransom seekers, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has emphasized. The Defence Secretary stated this at discussion held with businessmen of Colombo to identify the problems faced by them. Speaking further, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse stated he would personally look into the threats of underworld gangs faced by the businessmen.
(JNW)
September 19, 2011 at 8:59 pm
Trinidad & Tobago added to their list of happy memories in Hyderabad by taking a big stride towards qualifying for the main draw of the Champions League Twenty20 with a hard-fought win over Ruhuna. They first stifled Ruhuna by taking the pace off the ball, keeping the Sri Lankan champions to 138, but the same tactic worked for Ruhuna as well, until Sherwin Ganga clobbered 39 off 15 deliveries to seal a low-scoring game.
Ganga forged the game-winning partnership with Darren Bravo to drag T&T out of the hole they were in after 14 overs, needing another 58 runs with half the team dismissed. Bravo had played a relatively measured innings, entering in the first over and shelving the Hollywood hits that consumed several of his team-mates. He finished unbeaten on 44, leaving Ganga to play the big hits.
After a bunch of boundaries from Ganga got T&T back on course, a tight over from the previously expensive TN Sampath made it a challenging 19 to win off the final two. T&T didn’t even need one full over as medium-pacer Arosh Janoda was taken apart. Ganga powered the first ball to the long-on boundary where a jumping Sampath could only palm it over for six; he then scythed a high, wide full toss for four past point before rounding off the game by launching the ball over long-on for six more.
Trinidad & Tobago 144 for 5 (Darren Bravo 44*, Sherwin Ganga 39*) beat Ruhuna 138 (Chandimal 50) by five wickets
September 19, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Lanka IOC reduces the price of a diesel liter from a Rs.85 to Rs.82 from today(19), Lanka IOC said.
(JNW)
September 19, 2011 at 3:25 pm
44 Sri Lankans who have been living in India as refugees have returned to island today(19). They belong to 14 families, Air Port sources said.
(JNW)
September 19, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Sri Lanka Navy and Indian Navy have begun a joint naval exercise off Trincomalee today(19). The exercise code-named “SLINEX II” is aimed at enhancing interoperability of the two Navies. It will pave way for both Navies to rehearse the concept of joint naval operations and enhance own skills in order to gain from each other’s experience, the Navy said.
Two Offshore Patrol Vessels, one Fast Missile Vessel, two Fast Gun Boats and six Fast Attack Crafts from SLN and one Destroyer, one Frigate, one Missile Corvette, one Landing Ship Tank and two Fast Attack Craft along with one Maritime Patrol Aircraft from IN will participate in the exercise, stated the Sri Lanka Navy.
(JNW)
September 19, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Angelo Mathews crawled to his maiden Test century but Sri Lanka wasted valuable time on the fourth morning in Colombo, where they added only 45 runs to their overnight score. The hosts batted tediously for more than an hour and a half before the final wicket fell with the score at 473, giving them a 157-run lead.
Their main concern was that they had to bowl Australia out a second time and then potentially chase a target, and with just over five sessions left in a match they must win to level the series, time was against them. Mathews finished unbeaten on 105 after he lost three of his final four partners while en-route to triple figures.
The Australians were happy to set the field back, knowing Mathews would not take singles early in an over to expose the No.11 Suranga Lakmal, and it was a long drawn-out process for him to post his first Test hundred. Eventually, he got there from his 229th delivery with a drive through cover for four off Peter Siddle, and it was a relief for a man who had twice been out in the nineties.
The final wicket fell when Lakmal was bowled by Mitchell Johnson for 13, after Siddle picked up the early breakthroughs. Siddle started the day by bowling Shaminda Eranga for 12 with a fullish ball that caught the inside edge and cannoned on to the leg stump, and he followed up by trapping Rangana Herath lbw for 3.
Herath had the decision reviewed but to no avail, and a few overs later Chanaka Welegedara was run out in a major mix-up with Mathews. Welegedara pushed to mid-on and took off for a single but ended up at the bowler’s end alongside his partner Mathews, and the ball was relayed to Brad Haddin who whipped the bails off at the other end.
The session went as well as Australia could have hoped, but their openers were still walking out with a deficit of 157 runs. But on a good batting surface, time could well be on their side.
End of innings Sri Lanka 473 (Mathews 105*, Dilshan 83, Sangakkara 79, M Jayawardene 51, Siddle 4-91) lead Australia 316 by 157 runs
(ESPN)
September 19, 2011 at 11:45 am
Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya who was in en route for Haiti to inspect operational duties of the Peacekeeping troops serving the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti had a stopover at UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York and met Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, Military Adviser and UN Assistant Secretary for Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Army Headquarters said.
During his visit to the official headquarters of the United Nations as the first item on his agenda Army Commander had one to one discussion with Lieutenant General Babacar Gaye, Military Adviser and UN Assistant Secretary for Department of Peacekeeping Operations.
Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya during the meeting with the UN official recalled healthy relations and strong bonds of goodwill, being maintained between Sri Lanka Army and UN Peacekeeping missions ever since the first contingent of Sri Lankan Peacekeeping missions arrived in Haiti way back in the year 2004. Towards the end of the discussion, the Commander presented a memento to the UN Peacekeeping official as a token of memory of the meeting.
On the sidelines of the UN meeting, the visiting Commander had a brief meeting with Sri Lanka’s Permanent UN Representative in New York Dr Palitha Kohona on the same day. Major General Shavendra Silva, Deputy UN Representative was also associated with this meeting.
The UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti that has been in operation since 2004 is composed of 8,940 military personnel and 3,711 Police and concentrates on assisting the Haitian National Police, maintenance of law and order, provision of humanitarian aid, community projects, etc.
As at present, a 950 strong Sri Lankan contingent is serving in Haiti, the Army Headquarters disclosed.
(JNW)
September 19, 2011 at 9:19 am
President Mahinda Rajapaksa left for New York early in the morning toady (19) to attend the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly, the President’s Media Unit said. The UN General Assembly opened on Tuesday (13) at the UN Headquarters in New York with the participation of 193 countries.
An experienced Qatari diplomat, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser has been chosen by the world body to be the next President of the General Assembly. He succeeded Joseph Deiss of Switzerland.
The role of mediation in the settlement of disputes, UN reform and revitalization to meet current global challenges, improving disaster prevention and response, sustainable development and global prosperity, the situation of Palestine, humanitarian assistance and gender equality are among the key themes of this year’s assembly.
President Rajapaksa will be addressing the General Assembly on September 23, the President’s Media Unit disclosed.
(JNW)
September 19, 2011 at 8:40 am
It took until the third-last day of the series, but Sri Lanka finally delivered all the way through their batting order as Angelo Mathews, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene made half-centuries to grind Australia down at the SSC. Throw in a handy 46 from Prasanna Jayawardene and the 79 that Kumar Sangakkara completed on the third morning, and it made for a long, hot day in the field for the Australians.
But as the Australian bowlers walked off the field at stumps, ready to collapse into ice baths, they knew that their hard work had been worth it. Led by the indefatigable Peter Siddle and Trent Copeland, Australia prised out four wickets throughout the day on a pitch offering little to no assistance, and at least kept their side in the hunt for a draw, which would be enough for Australia to take the series.
By the close of play Sri Lanka had extended their lead to 112 runs, with Mathews looking solid and unbeaten on 85, and Shaminda Eranga, the first of the tail-enders, on 5. With two days to play, Sri Lanka needed to work out their best route to victory; a quick and significant increase in their lead on the fourth morning could be crucial to that goal. Much will depend on how well Australia bat on a friendly surface.
Sri Lanka 428 for 6 (Mathews 85*, Dilshan 83, Sangakkara 79, M Jayawardene 51) lead Australia 316 by 112 runs
September 18, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Australia picked up the key wickets of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene on the third morning in Colombo, but Sri Lanka remained on target to take a first-innings lead. At lunch, Sri Lanka had reached 250 for 4, and they were 66 runs behind, with the captain Tillakaratne Dilshan enjoying his move down the order, on 29, and Angelo Mathews on 15.
Dilshan had struck six boundaries, happy to use the pace of the new ball to his advantage with some well-timed drives, although the Australians knew he was a chance to be caught in the cordon. Michael Clarke relied exclusively on his fast men during the session, with a hint of reverse-swing during the first hour and then the new ball taken in the second hour.
Sri Lanka were looking good early as the Sangakkara-Jayawardene partnership continued to thrive. However, just after Jayawardene brought up his half-century with an upper-cut for four off Watson, he perished for 51 when he drove at Watson and edged behind when the ball moved just a fraction away from him.
Lunch Sri Lanka 250 for 4 (Sangakkara 79, M Jayawardene 51, Dilshan 29*, Mathews 15*) trail Australia316 by 66 runs
September 18, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya who is currently in New York will leave for Haiti tomorrow(19). He is set to visit Sri Lankan peace keepers stationed there, Army Spokesman Brigadier Nihal Happuarchchi said.
(JNW)
September 18, 2011 at 11:20 am
A four member special committee has been appointed by the Minister of Transport Kumara Welgama to look into cause of the train accident occurred near Alawwa railway station yesterday(17).
Three persons have died from the incident while 35 others have been injured. The driver of the Rambukkana bound slow train and his assistant are among the dead, General Manager of Railways B.P.A. Ariyaratne said. A French tourist has also died from the incident, Police spokesman SSP Maxi Proctor said.
If the investigations find certain party is responsible for the accident, stern action will be taken against them, Minister Kumara Welgama emphasized. Ministry of Transport said the estimated damage caused by the accident is Rs. 75 million.
Minister Welgama has instructed to pay compensation to the relatives of the two railway officials who lost their lives from the accident. Compensation will be granted to the injured as well, the Ministry added.
The accident occurred when Rambukkana bound slow train crashed into the rear of Kandy – Colombo intercity train when it was attempting to push a train with a technical failure near the Alawwa station.
Meanwhile, a person has died from an accident that occurred at the Mihinthale railway crossing this morning. The accident took place when a Lorry was hit by a train when it attempted to cross the railway crossing.
(JNW)
September 18, 2011 at 10:17 am
One person has been killed while 32 others have been injured from a train collision occured at Alawwa, Railway Control Room and Alawwa hospital sources said. The accident occured when the Kandy-Colombo intercity train was hit by the train heading to Rambukkana from Colombo at around 5.00 p.m. today(17).
A spokesman of the Alawwa railway station said number of injured passengers are still stranded in the ill fated compartments. The observation compartment of the Kandy-Colombo intercity train has also been severely damaged, he added.
25 out of the injured are receiving treatments at the Alawwa hospital while 7 persons who were in critical condition have been transfered to Kurunegala hospital.
Cause of the accident is still not known.
(JNW)
September 17, 2011 at 6:09 pm
There are few things Kumar Sangakkara has failed to achieve in Test cricket. As he walked off the SSC ground on the second afternoon of his 100th Test, he would have felt that one of those unfulfilled goals – playing in a win over Australia – was one step closer. Sangakkara has tasted victory against every other Test nation, and while plenty of work remains in this match, it could be his best chance to complete the set.
On a day that started with Michael Hussey’s 15th Test century and a four-wicket haul from the debutant Shaminda Eranga, Sri Lanka finished at a comfortable 166 for 2. They still trailed Australia by 150 runs, but with Sangakkara looking composed on 61 and Mahela Jayawardene on 31, Sri Lanka could certainly dream of building a first-innings lead.
The pair had put on 68, but on a surface offering little for the bowlers, there was no reason that figure couldn’t expand significantly on the third day. Sangakkara brought up his half-century from his 86th delivery, with a slashing cut to the boundary off Mitchell Johnson, one ball after he sent a similarly short and wide ball to the rope.
He and Jayawardene had come together after the loss of Tharanga Paranavitana, who on 46 drove Johnson off the meat of the bat, only to see Ricky Ponting at short cover take a terrific catch. Paranavitana had already survived one of the closest lbw reviews seen under the DRS, when on 14 he was given not out by Aleem Dar.
Australia wanted the decision checked, and while Trent Copeland’s delivery had pitched in line and was striking off stump, a fraction less than half the ball was hitting the middle of the stump, saving the batsman. The only early breakthrough came when Peter Siddle, playing his first Test of the tour, sneaked through the defence of Lahiru Thirimanne.
On 28, Thirimanne was beaten by a good fullish delivery that straightened off the pitch and rattled the stumps. It was a reward for consistently good bowling from Siddle, although the visitors had missed the injured Ryan Harris with the new ball.
Sri Lanka 166 for 2 (Sangakkara 61*, M Jayawardene 31*) trail Australia 316 (Hussey 118, Marsh 81, Eranga 4-65, Welegedara 3-75) by 150 runs
(ESPN)
September 17, 2011 at 5:45 pm
A 330 Air Bus has left for Moscow for the first time via Dubai today(17), Minister of Civil Aviation Priyankara Jayaratne said. Two flights will be conducted between Sri Lanka and Russia per week, he disclosed. One flight will leave for Moscow on Wednesday at 7.30 a.m. while the second flight will begin its journey at 7.20 a.m. on Saturday. This is the 52nd destination of the Sri Lankan Airlines.
(JNW)
September 17, 2011 at 9:10 am
Debutant Jonny Bairstow ruined Rahul Dravid’s final one-day international as England chased a reduced target of 241 to wrap up a 3-0 series win over India. Bairstow smashed three sixes in his 21-ball 41, while Ravi Bopara chipped in with 37 as England won by six wickets.
Earlier, Dravid had amassed 69, his 83rd one-day half century, in a 170-run partnership with Virat Kohli (107).
Graeme Swann dismissed both Dravid and Kohli in his 3-34 but Mahendra Dhoni’s 50 off 26 balls lifted India to 304-6.
England’s target was initially reduced to 270 off 40 overs and opener Craig Kieswetter raced to 21 but he was adjudged leg before to Vinay Kumar before more rain reduced the chase to 241 off 34 overs.
Cook, who was moving along at a run a ball, reached his half century with a delightful reverse sweep, before being inexplicably dropped by Dravid at short fine leg.
However, the skipper fell next delivery, deceived by a slower straight ball from Kohli, to leave England 106-2.
Jonathan Trott, who had earlier hit his first one-day international six off Munaf Patel, registered his second off Ravindra Jadeja while Ian Bell also clouted two maximums as they took 21 off one over from the slow left-arm bowler.
But Bell was eventually caught on the long-off boundary, ending his quickfire 26 and the 54-run partnership, and 160-3 became 166-4 as Trott miscued an attempted cut off Jadeja to RP Singh at point to depart for 63.
That brought Bairstow to the crease and the young Yorkshireman hit his fifth ball in international cricket for six and belted another into the River Taff as he and Bopara turned the game on its head.
England needed 75 off 50 deliveries when the duo came together, but their clean hitting saw England home with six wickets and 10 balls to spare.
(BBC)
September 17, 2011 at 6:01 am
Shaun Marsh justified Australia’s decision to keep him at No.3 by making a wonderful 81, but Sri Lanka finished the first day with a slight edge in a match they must win to draw the series. A day that began with changes galore for both sides and an unexpected decision from Tillakaratne Dilshan to send Australia in on a good batting surface finished with the visitors at 235 for 5, with Michael Hussey the key.
The Sri Lankans would have liked more than five wickets after Dilshan’s decision at the toss, when he expected seam movement after rain in the lead-up to the match, but they were still in a reasonable position with only Australia’s bowlers still to bat. Hussey, demoted to No.6 to accommodate Marsh and Ricky Ponting up the order, was on 63 when bad light forced an early close and he had Brad Haddin for company on 21.
It was one of the most evenly-contested days of the series. The Sri Lankans picked up Australia’s openers within the first ten overs, the seamer Shaminda Eranga getting a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket, before Ponting, Marsh and Hussey provided some fight for Australia. The major concern for Australia was the continued poor form of the captain Michael Clarke and the opener Phillip Hughes, who made a second-ball duck.
But the 70-run partnership between Marsh and Hussey, the centurions from last week’s Pallekele Test, steered Australia in the right direction, both men showing the sort of composure some of their colleagues had lacked. Hussey continued to look impenetrable, covering the spin against Rangana Herath and driving the fast men along the ground, and he passed fifty for the eighth time in his past 13 Test innings.
(ESPN)
September 16, 2011 at 5:55 pm
