More shocks in the pipeline

Saturday 21st March, 2026

Trouble is said to come in threes. For Sri Lankans, it seems to come in multiples of three. Close on the heels of crippling fuel price hikes, speculation is rife that electricity tariff increases are on the cards. The government is said to be contemplating another round of fuel price hikes as well.

The JVP/NPP talked the talk in the run-up to the 2024 elections, but it is now unable to walk the walk. In fact, the sobering economic reality has compelled it to do the very antithesis of what it promised during its Opposition days. It made a solemn pledge to bring down the cost of living immediately after forming a government and even tackle the country’s debt crisis expeditiously, without aggravating the people’s lot. There seems to be no end in sight to its about-turns, which are legion.

There is reason to believe that many people voted for the JVP/NPP, expecting it to fulfil its promise to lower taxes and tariffs among other things. Now that the government has reneged on that pledge and increased taxes and electricity and fuel prices substantially, they must be feeling that they were taken for a ride. Winning elections by making all the promises in the world is one thing, but fulfilling them to live up to the people’s expectations is quite another. There was no way the NPP government could slash taxes and tariffs, given the perilous state of the economy and the IMF bailout conditions, which are aimed at increasing state revenue severalfold and bring about debt sustainability. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government blundered by slashing taxes and fuel prices. Interim President Ranil Wickremesinghe had to rectify those colossal policy blunders that ruined the economy. However, the public naturally becomes livid when governments do not make good on their promises and they are left without the promised relief and benefits.

The Opposition has said President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday made a case for another round of fuel price hikes while addressing Parliament. A spokesman for fuel distributors has gone on record as saying that more fuel prices are in the pipeline. Such statements only cause panic among consumers and drive filling stations operators to hide their stocks with a view to profiteering. Yesterday, many of them claimed they had run out of fuel. There is no one the public can turn to. Unsurprisingly, when many filling stations claim to have no fuel, queues of vehicles near the others where stocks are available grow longer. It behoves the President, other government politicians and fuel distributors to refrain from predicting fuel prices hikes. It is also a mistake for them to predict price reductions, for the filling station owners do not place orders until the fuel prices are lowered. What the politicians and others should do is to guard their tongues and allow fuel prices to be lowered or increased.

Further fuel price increases will make the cost of living even more unbearable for the ordinary people. The government, which came to power, promising to do away with the taxes on fuel and halve the petroleum prices, ought to consider lowering the loss-recovery levy on fuel, amounting to Rs. 50 a litre, until the global oil market stabilises with prices returning to the pre-Middle East conflict levels. Thereafter, that levy may be re-imposed but in the form of a special commodity tax so that the Indian Oil Company, Sinopec, etc., which are said to control 43% of the local fuel market, will have to pay it, and the Treasury will gain. At present, the loss-recovery levy helps increase the profits of the private companies, ironic as it may sound.

It is hoped that government politicians and their officials will talk less and work more to increase the country’s oil storage capacity. The need to increase oil buffer stocks as a national priority cannot be overstated. Allowing the government’s private sector cronies to import oil cannot be considered a solution to the current energy crisis.

from The Island https://ift.tt/6jqInhx

Sri Lanka ranks among world’s unhappiest nations in 2026 report

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the least happy countries in the World Happiness Report 2026, placing 134th with a score of 4.0.

The latest report shows Sri Lanka slipping one position from 133rd in 2025, ranking alongside Ethiopia and trailing behind regional neighbours India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Finland topped the global rankings as the happiest country, followed by Iceland, Denmark, Costa Rica and Sweden. Norway, the Netherlands, Israel, Luxembourg, Switzerland, New Zealand, Mexico, Ireland, Belgium and Australia completed the top 15.

The report, compiled by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, is based on findings from the Gallup World Poll, which surveys respondents in 147 countries.

Participants are asked to evaluate their lives using the Cantril Ladder scale, ranging from 0, representing the worst possible life, to 10, representing the best possible life.

Researchers analyse six key factors; GDP per capita, life expectancy, generosity, and perceptions of freedom and corruption to explain differences between countries. Rankings are calculated using a three-year average to minimise fluctuations caused by major events such as conflicts or economic crises.

from The Island https://ift.tt/TEZLJvG

Sandeepa’s unbeaten ton powers Mobitel to mammoth win at DS ground on Saturday

15TH STAFFORD MOTORS – MCA T20 LEAGUE CRICKET TOURNAMENT

A blistering unbeaten 105 off 38 balls with eleven boundaries and seven maximums by Sandeepa Halangoda was the highlight of Saturday’s matches of the 15th Stafford Motors – MCA G division T20 league cricket tournament.

Saturday’s matches were played at four venues, the MCA , D S Senanayake College ground, Dharmapala College ground and SLC ground Bandaragama.

In the morning games,

JF&I packaging defeated Pyramid Wilmar by four wickets despite Umeda Madushan’s three wicket haul at the MCA grounds.

In a low scoring game at Dharmapala College grounds in Pannipitiya, CDB ‘B’ restricted Jetwing Travels to 78 runs and won the game with six wickets in hand and 11 overs to spare.

In a one sided game at the D S Senanayake College ground, Emar Pharma registered their third win in four outings by annihilating Synergen Health by 162 runs. Dushyantha Darshana contributed with a half ton and Desha Fernando captured four wickets for the winners.

At the Sri Lanka Cricket [SLC] ground in Bandaragama Maliban Biscuits took the lead of group A of the tournament with a net run rate boosting win over WSO2 . Maliban restricted WSO2 to 103 runs and passed the target in 8.2 overs.

In the evening games,

At the MCA grounds, Future Life Holdings led group D with a close 14 run win over Singer Sri Lanka. Srimal Peiris and Mithun Jayawickrema shared seven wickets between them to restrict Future Life to 152/8 but Singer fell short of by 14 runs.

Alaris Lanka and Wiley Global shared points at the Dharmapala College grounds as their game was abandoned without a toss due to rain and wet ground conditions.

At the D S Senanayake College grounds, Mobitel powered by an unbeaten ton by Sandeepa Halangoda [105*]and half tons by Dasun Bandara [55] and Sachin Bulathsighala [64*] overcame 99X by 141 runs.

In a rain shortened ten over game at SLC ground Bandaragama LOLC Insurance overcame Regnis Appliances by 21 runs

At MCA grounds:JF&I Packaging by four wickets

Pyramid Wilmar

132/9 in 20 overs [Sahas Vihanga 35, Malintha Peiris 14, Umedha Madushan 19,Vishal Akash 20, Udara Athapttu 17*; Dihan Darshan 1-16, Isanka Lakshan 3-21, Chamath Yatawara 1-21, Gayan Hasanka 1-25, Dinesh Vishwajith 2-10]

JF&I Packaging

133/6 in 19.3 overs [Chamath Yatawara 16, Dhanushka Kevitiyagala 14, Sarinda Malavige 22, Tiran Dhanapala 26,Gayan Hasanka 25; Budhdhika Herath 1-32, Umeda Madushan 3-36, Udara Athapaththu 1-14, Chandimal Chanaka 1-21]

Future Life Holdings by 14 runs

Future Life Holdings

152/8 in 20 overs [Kavindu Ranahasa 60, Neluka Dilshan 13, Savindu Rodrigo28, Praveen Wanniarachchi 10; Mithun Jayawickrema 3-22, Gimhana Hettiarachchi 1-25, Srimal Peiris 4-34]

Singer Sri Lanka ‘B’

138/10 in 19.3 overs [ Sheyal Imesh 27, Ahamed Rifad 11, Mithun Jayawickrema 21, Akila Samarakoon 19, SajithSanjeewa 18; Tharuka Sooriyarachchi 1-19, Sahan Ranasinghe 2-14, Neluka Dilshan 1-22, Praveen Wanniarachchi 2-21, Malshan Lakshitha 2-32, Prabath Wijesinghe 2-08]

At Dharmapala College grounds:

CDB ‘B’ by six wickets

Jetwing Travels

78/10 in 19.5 overs [Budhdhika Chathuranga 17, Ranusha Pigera 16, Dinuka Peiris 17; Vishwa Rathnayake 1-07, Chathuranga Dikkumbura 1-13, Themira Niyomal 2-13, Dhanushka Dharmasiri 1-08, Isuru Jayaranga 2-12, Chamod Madushan 1-09]

CDB ‘B’

79/4 in 9.0 overs [Isuru Jayaranga 13, Themira Niyomal 14, Saman Ambilimeegama 22*, Dhanushka Dharmasiri 10*; Sanjeewa Prasanna 2-09, Dushantha Prasadh 1-22, Ashan Wijerathne 1-22]

At D S Senanayake grounds:

Emar Pharma annihilate Syngern Health by 162 runs

Emar Pharma

201/7 in 20 overs [Deshan Fernado 46, Dushyantha Darshana 63, Janith Jayasinghe 29, Devinda Ayesh 29; S Thuwaragashan 4-37, Isuru Weerasinghe 2-30]

Synergen Health

39/9 [all out] in 8.1 overs [Chanul Gawwrawamanna 07*; Deshan Fernando 4-20, Chandana Dodangoda 2-16, Devinda Ayesh 2-02]

Halangoda’s ton powers Mobitel to a 141 run win

Mobitl Pvt Ltd

249/3 in 20 overs [Krisha Santhusha 11, Dasun Bandara 55, Sachin Bulathsinghala 64*, Sandeepa Halangoda 105*; Saranga Liyanage 1-62, Arjuna de Silva 2-35]

99X

108/8 in 20 overs [Yasith Fernando 26, Sameera Piyasundera 22, Arjuna de Silva 29; Sachin Indrarathne 1-19, Sanesh Ekanayake 1-07, Rangana Rajapaksha 2-15, Budhdhika Hewa 1-18, Krishan Santhusha 1-21, Sandeepa Halangoda 1-05]

At SLC ground Bandaragama:

Maliban Biscuits by eight wickets

WSO

2 103/10 in 19.3 overs [Osanda Herath 47, Sasmitha Dilshan 10, Shan Anjana 12; Chamara Rathnayake 2-14, Dilip Sandaruwan 1-05, Chathuranga Dewapriya 3-21, Tharindu Siriwardena 2-21, Dilan Chathurng 1-22, Mohamad Shilmi 1-19]

Maliban Biscuits

107/2 in 8.2 overs [Tharindu Siriwardene 17, Gihan Anuruddha 2-44, Mohamed Shilmi 26*; Brian Benett 1-29, Shan Anjana 1-27]

LOLC Insurance by 21 runs in 10 over game

LOLC Insurance

108/6 in 10 overs [Tharindu Mohan 31, Asanka de Silva 14, Dinesh Chathuranga 34; Tharang Dammika 1-21, Asela Sanjeewa 1-24, Imalka Fernando 2-07]

Regnis Appiiances

87/5 in 10 overs [Gaveen Yatawara 26, Tharang Dammika 13, Yahal Samantha 17, Nimesh Madushanka 12*; Dinesh Chathuranga 2-20, Tharindu Mohan 1-17, Neranjaya Madushanka 1-10, Vishwa Kumara 1-03]

from The Island https://ift.tt/MPk9drj

Sri Lanka’s 1996 fairytale still defies the odds

As Sri Lanka marked the 30th anniversary of their Cricket World Cup triumph, the odds they overcame remain the stuff of cricketing folklore. Barely 15 years into their journey as a full member of the ICC, they didn’t just compete – they turned the game on its head, blindsiding the cricketing world with a brand of cricket that was as audacious as it was effective.

With field restrictions in place for the first 15 overs, Sri Lanka cashed in like seasoned pros at the top of their game. They went after bowlers with a nothing-to-lose attitude, throwing caution to the wind and runs on the board. By the time opponents tried to plug the gaps, the horse had well and truly bolted, the damage was already done.

Arjuna Ranatunga had long been tipped for greatness. Sir Garry Sobers, Sri Lanka’s first coach after gaining Test status, had earmarked him as one to watch. While Ranatunga’s contributions with the bat were invaluable, it was his leadership that truly set him apart, a skipper who knew how to marshal his troops and bring out the best in each of them.

A towering presence in Sri Lankan cricket, Ranatunga, much like Imran Khan in 1992 was handed the reins and the freedom to build a side in his own image. More than half a dozen players in that World Cup squad hailed from outstations, many of them taken under the captain’s wing and housed in his own home, a gesture that spoke volumes of the unity and trust within the camp.

“I was very lucky to have guys like Duleep Mendis, Roy Dias and Ranjan Madugalle working closely with the team. We had developed this side for about two years and our batting unit from number one to number seven had collectively played over 1000 ODIs. We knew no team could match that,” Ranatunga told Telecom Asia Sport.

For Ranatunga, success was about spotting raw talent and backing it to the hilt.

“It was clear to me there was a lot of hidden talent in the outstations. You had to identify them and give them confidence. Take Sanath Jayasuriya; in his early years he struggled. I think he had just one half-century in his first 50 games. But we knew what he was capable of. Once he got his confidence, he was unstoppable,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s triumph was not built on luck or favourable conditions, it was forged in the fire of big-match pressure. They beat India twice in their own backyard, a feat that underlined their dominance.

“Why our win is special is because we beat India twice in that tournament, in their own backyard. They had a very strong side, but we outplayed them. Aravinda’s knocks in the semi-final and final were sensational. At that point, he was the best player in the world and I was fortunate to have played alongside him,” Ranatunga recalled.

The ICC recently presented Sri Lankan players
with medallions to mark the World Cup win.

Until 1996, Sri Lanka had never made it past the first hurdle in a World Cup. But in that tournament, they were unstoppable, brushing aside England in the quarter-finals, overwhelming India in the semis and then outplaying a formidable Australian outfit in the final.

Ranatunga, never one to shy away from a verbal duel, believed that taking the fight to Australia was half the battle won.

“I always tried to get under the Australians’ skin. I knew that if you gave it back to them, they could crack under pressure,” he said.

There was much chatter ahead of the final about how Sri Lanka would handle Shane Warne. But Ranatunga had his cards in place.

“We had four left-handers in the top seven, so we knew we could counter him. Australia rely on building dot-ball pressure when wickets don’t come. But we handled it well. Asanka Gurusinha stepped out to Warne and hit a few boundaries and from there, we had the chase under control.”

Three decades on, that triumph still stands tall, not just as a victory, but as a turning point. It was the day Sri Lanka didn’t just win a World Cup, but rewrote the script of one-day cricket, proving that even the underdogs can have the last laugh if they are willing to play with courage, conviction and a touch of madness.

(Telecom Asia Sport)

from The Island https://ift.tt/laC5UnP

Thirty years since the World Cup win

Today marks the 30th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s unforgettable World Cup triumph. Ask any Sri Lankan where they were on the 17th March 1996 and chances are they will recall it in vivid detail. It was a red-letter day for a small island nation that punched above its weight, became world champions and changed the course of its cricket forever.

‎‎It had been a crazy, turbulent month. The Central Bank bombing had shaken the country to its core, crippling the economy and casting a shadow over the tournament. Australia and the West Indies refused to travel to Colombo, forfeiting their games amid security fears. Yet capable hands steadied the ship. Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar and cricket board president Ana Punchihewa ensured the show went on, steering the nation through stormy waters.

‎‎Adversity, as it often does, forged resolve. The troubled times brought the country together and the team responded by playing the brand of cricket that would become their trademark; fearless, inventive and unapologetically bold. Sri Lanka went through the tournament unbeaten, finding a man for every crisis and a solution for every problem.

‎‎The signs had been there from 1994 onwards. Sri Lanka were knocking on the door, threatening to do something special, and when the big stage arrived, they did not merely walk through it, they kicked the door down.

‎‎Three years earlier, Sir Garry Sobers had been asked who might break his world record of 365 in a Test innings. The great West Indian reckoned the race was between Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar and Aravinda de Silva. Aravinda never quite threatened that particular milestone, but what he did in Lahore remains etched in cricketing folklore. His majestic century in the final, steering a tense run chase with the composure of a grandmaster, remains one of the finest innings played under pressure. Kumar Sangakkara may have better numbers, but for many Sri Lankans Aravinda remains the darling of their cricketing hearts. Travel anywhere in the cricketing world, India, Pakistan, New Zealand or the West Indies and once people learn you are from Sri Lanka, the inevitable question follows: “What is Aravinda doing these days?”

‎‎Then there was Sanath Jayasuriya, the man who turned the Powerplay into a demolition derby. Bowlers barely had time to loosen their shoulders before the ball was disappearing over midwicket. His whirlwind starts tore attacks to shreds and rewrote the playbook of one-day cricket. Such was his impact that England captain Michael Atherton famously suggested the ICC should intervene and rethink the playing conditions. Jayasuriya had simply taken the first 15 overs away from them, lock, stock and barrel. Limited-overs cricket has never quite been the same since.

‎‎At the helm was Arjuna Ranatunga, a captain cut from rare cloth. Leadership, after all, is not just about calling the shots on the field but about standing by your men when the chips are down. Ranatunga literally opened the doors of his house to more than half a dozen members of that World Cup squad, treating them like family and backing them through thick and thin. Like Allan Border, Clive Lloyd and Imran Khan before him, Arjuna was a leader of men whose tactical acumen and fighting spirit sometimes overshadowed his considerable contributions with the bat.

‎‎Every great side also has its unsung heroes. Asanka Gurusinha was one of them. Naturally an aggressive striker of the ball, he curbed his instincts and played the anchor role, allowing the stroke-makers around him to cut loose. That willingness to put the team before personal glory summed up the camaraderie and collective spirit that defined the side.

‎‎The World Cup win did more than fill trophy cabinets , it changed the game at home. Cricket in Sri Lanka turned professional almost overnight. Players who once juggled day jobs with the demands of international sport found themselves with central contracts and proper match fees. Schools across the island embraced the game and its popularity soared, inspiring a new generation to pick up bat and ball.

‎‎Some argue that Sri Lanka later rested on their laurels. While other nations took a leaf out of our book and modernised their cricket structures, we were slow to move with the times. There may be some truth in that argument.

‎‎But what is also true is that players of the calibre of Arjuna, Sanath and Muttiah Muralitharan come along perhaps once in half a century. And as for Aravinda, well, there won’t be another like him, not in our lifetimes.

by Rex Clementine

from The Island https://ift.tt/bIpB6gR

Iran, Lanka FMs discuss regional developments over telephone

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a telephone conversation with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Friday evening to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations.

During the discussion, Araghchi briefed the Sri Lankan minister on the latest situation following what Iran described as military aggression by the United States and Israel against the country.

He also expressed appreciation to the Sri Lankan government for the assistance extended to the crew of the Iranian warship Dena following the attack on March 4.

The Iranian foreign minister thanked Sri Lanka for its role in helping rescue crew members and for facilitating the repatriation of the bodies of 84 sailors who were killed in the incident.

The two ministers also discussed matters relating to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Iran and Sri Lanka during the conversation, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry.

from The Island https://ift.tt/DrpR8Mt

Sampath Bank and Apartner Bring Digital Payments to Sri Lanka’s Growing Condominium Sector

Sri Lanka’s condominium landscape continues to expand at pace, reshaping urban living across the country, yet many residential communities still rely on manual payment methods that slow down collections, delay reconciliations and limit financial visibility for both residents and management corporations.

Responding to this growing gap, Sampath Bank PLC has partnered with Apartner (Pvt) Ltd to digitise condominium payments in Sri Lanka, introducing a secure, real-time payment and settlement framework designed to support smarter, more efficient apartment living. The partnership integrates Visa’s Cybersource payment gateway with Sampath Bank’s API Manager, enabling seamless digital payment collection alongside instant outward settlements and reconciliations.

Speaking on the collaboration, Chirath Samarasekara, Head of Card Centre at Sampath Bank, stated, “Condominium living is becoming a defining feature of modern Sri Lanka and the financial infrastructure that supports it must evolve accordingly. Through Visa’s Cybersource payment gateway and our API Manager, this partnership enables real-time settlements and reconciliations that bring greater transparency, control and predictability to condominium payments while offering residents a secure and convenient digital experience.”

Deshan Dias Bandaranayake, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Apartner, commented, “This partnership with Sampath Bank allows us to remove one of the biggest operational pain points faced by condominium communities. Real-time payment visibility and automated reconciliation give management corporations confidence in their cash flows while residents gain convenience, security and peace of mind through a platform built for everyday living.”

from The Island https://ift.tt/B3bYRlx