LPL resumes in Dambulla

After a weekend of entertaining cricket in Colombo, the Lanka Premier League movesd to Dambulla, where another exciting phase of the tournament awaits. The North Central town will host nine matches, including double-headers over the weekend. The competition will then shift to Kandy before returning to Colombo for the business end, with R. Premadasa Stadium staging the playoffs and the final.

There were no clear frontrunners during the SSC leg of the competition, although Galle Gallants strengthened their position by winning both their matches. They remain the only unbeaten side after the opening round. At the other end of the table, Kandy Royals have work to do after losing both their games. Dambulla Sixers, Colombo Kaps and Jaffna Kings have each won one match and lost one.

Among the local players, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Janith Liyanage have been the standout performers with the bat. South Africa’s Reeza Hendricks and Australians Sam Harper and Ben McDermott have also produced impressive knocks. With the ball, Eshan Malinga, Akif Javed and Binura Fernando have led the way with a string of eye-catching performances.

The resurgence of Charith Asalanka augurs well for Sri Lankan cricket. The left-hander, who captained the national T20 side before being removed just ahead of the World Cup and subsequently lost his place in the team, has reminded everyone of the talent that made him one of the country’s brightest prospects.

More broadly, the tournament continues to serve Sri Lankan cricket well. While it provides players with a lucrative earning opportunity, it also prepares them for the demands of international cricket and offers selectors an ideal platform to assess emerging talent. Equally important, it gives out-of-form players the opportunity to rebuild confidence and revive their careers.

Sharing a dressing room with established international stars such as Shaheen Afridi, James Neesham, Gulbadin Naib, Rassie van der Dussen, Mohammad Nawaz, David Wiese and Moeen Ali can only accelerate the development of the younger local players.

The LPL was launched at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and although the tournament has experienced interruptions, largely due to franchise ownership changes, it has continued to make steady progress, attracting several high-profile players and coaches. There are ambitious plans to expand the competition to six teams once greater continuity and stability are assured. The tournament is overseen by SSC stalwart Samantha Dodanwala.

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Thushara four-for, Udara fifty hand Kandy Royals first points

A  34 ball 51 from Lahiru Udara and a four wicket haul by Nuwan Thushara helped Kandy Royals defeat  Kandy Royals defeat Dambulla Sixers by 34 runs in the sixth match of the Lanka Premier  League 2026 played at Dambulla on Tuesday [21st]

Scores:
Kandy Royals 194/6 in 20 overs [Kusal Perera 25, Lahiru Udara 51, Moeen Ali 24, Wanidu Hasaranga 29, Angelo Mathews 29, Vijay Shankar 13*;  Fazalhaq Farooki 2-20, Mohammad Wasim 1-42, Dushmantha Chameera 1-37, Maheesh Theekshana 1-39, Vishwa Lahiru 1-40]
Dambulla Sixers 151/8 in 20 overs [Shahibzada Farhan 74, Dinesh Chandimal 12, Niroshan Dikwella 26, Reeza Hendricks 27; Shaheen Shah Afridi 1-32. Nuwan Thushara 4-29, Wanidu Hasaranga 1-19, Duushan Hemantha 2-23]

 

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Constitutional Council calls for applications to fill HRCSL vacancies

The Constitutional Council has called for fresh applications from qualified and interested individuals for appointment to existing vacancies in the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL).

In a notice issued yesterday, the Constitutional Council said applications are being invited from persons seeking to be considered for recommendation for appointment as members of the HRCSL.

Applicants are required to submit their applications using the prescribed application form available on the Parliament website. The form can be accessed through the “Quick Access” section under the link titled “Recommendation to the post of Member of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka”.

The Constitutional Council said completed applications must be submitted on or before July 31, 2026, either by registered post or via email.

Applications sent by post should be addressed to the Acting Secretary-General to the Constitutional Council, Constitutional Council Office, Parliament of Sri Lanka, Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte.

Applications may also be emailed to the Constitutional Council at constitutionalcouncil@parliament.lk.

The Council requested applicants submitting forms by registered post to clearly indicate “Recommendation to the post of Member of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka” on the top left-hand corner of the envelope. Those applying by email have been asked to use the same wording as the subject line of their email.

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Tenth volume of ‘NEETHAM’ Law Journal of the University of Jaffna launched

The 10th volume of the ‘NEETHAM’ law journal, published annually by the Department of Law and the Law Students’ Union of the University of Jaffna, was launched at the Medical Faculty Auditorium of the university under the patronage of Supreme Court Judge Sampath Abeykoon.

The event was held with the participation of Court of Appeal Judge Sashi Mahendran, Deputy Solicitor General of the Attorney General’s Department Suharsha Herath, Additional Editor of the Attorney General’s Department Gunapala, Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Jaffna Nagadeepa Pradeepa, as well as several judges and lawyers from the Jaffna courts.

Yasara Pitawala served as the editor for the 10th volume of the ‘NEETHAM’ law journal, which was successfully completed under the guidance and instructions of the Head of the Department of Law, Kosalai Mathan, with the participation of many law students from the University of Jaffna. A notable feature of this volume was the opportunity provided for law students from other universities to include their research papers in the 10th volume of ‘NEETHAM’.

The 10th volume of ‘NEETHAM’ was digitized and launched on the web by the chief guest, Supreme Court Judge Sampath Abeykoon, making it accessible online from any university in the future.

In his address, Supreme Court Judge Sampath Abeykoon noted that all court proceedings are currently being digitized, which will make court activities more efficient and convenient. Additionally, the traditional dance performed by the law students, combining Sinhala and Tamil cultures, received special appreciation at the event.

By S.K Samaranayake

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Donald Trump health fears as president ‘tries to hide’ issue during major speech

The US president has insisted he is in 'perfect' health despite visible bruising on both of his hands, among other physical and cognitive ailments.

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Binura, Liyanage, Neesham take Colombo Kapps to victory

Binura Fernando, Hasan Mahmud and James Neesham shared nine wickets between them to restrict Kandy Royals to 179 after which Janith Liyanage (53*) and James Neesham (48*) helped Colombo Kaps to  reach the win need with six wickets in hannd in the fifth match of the Lanka Premier League 2026, played under lights at the SSC on Sunday.

 

Scores:

Kandy Royals 179 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 11, Lahiru Udara 53, Angelo Mathews 45, Vijay Shankar 15; Binura Fernando 4-45, Hasan Mahmud 3-31, James Neesham 2-42)

Colombo Kaps 182/4 in 19.4 overs (Kamindu Mendis  26 , Ben McDermott 22, Janith Liyanage 53*, James Neesham 48*; Angelo Mathews 1-21,  Nuwan Thushara 1-22, Wanudu Hasaranga 2-29)

 

 

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Taste of the Swiss Alps comes to Colombo

High in the Swiss Alps, where mountain landscapes shape both life and cuisine, Chef Heinz Rufibach spent more than four decades mastering the art of Alpine cooking. From the grand hotels of St. Moritz and Gstaad to the peaks of Zermatt, his career has been defined by a deep respect for tradition, local flavours and the quiet precision of Swiss craftsmanship.

Now, the chef. affectionately known as Le Cuisinier de Zermatt. brings that remarkable culinary heritage to Colombo for an exclusive Swiss dining experience at Bistro des Marées, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka.

From 23 to 26 July, guests will have the opportunity to experience a specially curated menu by Chef Rufibach, celebrating the authentic flavours of Switzerland’s Alpine regions and the dishes that have shaped his lifelong connection with the mountains.

A former Executive Chef of the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, Chef Rufibach has built a reputation as one of Switzerland’s celebrated culinary figures. Named Swiss Chef of the Year and a holder of a Michelin star for six consecutive years, his cooking reflects the balance between fine dining precision and the warmth of the traditional Alpine table.

For Chef Rufibach, Swiss cuisine is more than a collection of recipes. It is a reflection of place, people and generations of culinary heritage.

“Swiss cuisine is built on tradition, seasonality and a deep connection to the land. Through this menu, I hope to share the flavours and stories of the Alps with guests in Colombo and offer them a true taste of Switzerland,” he said.

The menu at Bistro des Marées takes guests on a journey through Switzerland’s diverse culinary regions, beginning with elegant starters, such as dried meat tartare with green asparagus and Parmesan, marinated salmon with mustard sauce and herbs, and the traditional Gommer Cholera, a Valais speciality of apple, leek and cheese baked in puff pastry.

The experience continues with comforting Swiss classics, including Valais white wine soup with dried apricots and Bündner barley soup, before moving into signature dishes, such as Swiss cheese fondue with bread cubes and potatoes, raclette with traditional accompaniments, and Zürcher Geschnetzeltes with rösti. Other highlights include Basel-style salmon with papet vaudois and fried onions, saffron-infused lamb ragout with mashed potato, and Ghackets mit Hörnli, a beloved Swiss comfort dish of braised beef mince, pasta and apple sauce.

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