West Indies headline evenly matched quintet

Group C preview:

Two-time champions and co-hosts West Indies are grouped with New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.West Indies and New Zealand are the top-ranked teams in Group C, but will face strong resistance from Afghanistan, Uganda and Papua New Guinea as they aim to make it through to the second round.

West Indies

A series victory against defending champions, England, towards the end of last year revealed how dangerous a full-strength West Indies side can be. Despite their lacklustre performance in the 2022 edition, the Rovman Powell-led side pose a major threat this time around.

They are well covered in all departments with several all-rounders and big-hitters, capable of swinging games, adding to their x-factor. The surprise inclusion in their squad for the tournament was Shamar Joseph, uncapped in T20Is until featuring against South Africa recently, but clearly a supreme talent in the making as he showed in Australia during the Test series at the start of the year.

West Indies also get a fairly easier start to the tournament with games against the lower-ranked teams in the group, PNG and Uganda. If they start well, the co-hosts will be favourites to top the group.

Squad

Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

Fixtures

Sun, 2 June 2024 – West Indies v Papua New Guinea, Guyana, 10:30 AM LOCAL

Sat, 8 June 2024 – West Indies v Uganda, Guyana, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Wed, 12 June 2024 – West Indies v New Zealand, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Mon, 17 June 2024 – West Indies v Afghanistan, St. Lucia, 08:30 PM LOCAL

New Zealand

New Zealand made very little change from the 2022 edition to this one with their squad selection. It highlights the consistency in selection on the one hand, and also how well-rounded the Blackcaps unit is.

The team are also well prepared for the event with 36 T20Is under their belt since the end of the last T20 World Cup, the most among full-member teams.

The depth of talent at their disposal was evident in the recent T20I series in Pakistan, where a second-string squad managed to level the series.

Kane Williamson, who will be playing his sixth T20 World Cup, will lead a strong side that has a wealth of experience alongside the exuberance of youth in the likes of Rachin Ravindra, who sizzled with the bat in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and the exciting Finn Allen.

Veterans Trent Boult and Tim Southee will lead the pace attack that also has Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry. There are ample options in the spin department too with Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Michael Bracewell and Ravindra.

New Zealand open their campaign against Afghanistan in Guyana and then take on co-hosts West Indies in Trinidad.

Squad

Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears

Fixtures

Fri, 7 June 2024 – New Zealand v Afghanistan, Guyana, 07:30 PM LOCAL

Wed, 12 June 2024 – New Zealand v West Indies, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Fri, 14 June 2024 – New Zealand v Uganda, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Mon, 17 June 2024 – New Zealand v Papua New Guinea, Trinidad, 10:30 AM LOCAL

Afghanistan

Afghanistan are ranked 10th in the ICC Men’s T20I Team Rankings, but are more than capable of pulling off big wins.

They recorded series victories against UAE (twice), Pakistan and Ireland since the end of the last T20 World Cup and also reached the final of the Asian Games Men’s Cricket Competition, where they lost to India.

The squad is boosted by the return of Rashid Khan after the leg-spinner’s long injury layoff. He leads a versatile spin department that also has the likes of Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Nangyal Kharoti and veteran Mohammad Nabi.

Afghanistan begin their campaign against Uganda in Guyana on June 3.

Squad

Rashid Khan (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Azmatullah Omarzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Ishaq, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Karim Janat, Nangyal Kharoti, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Fareed Ahmad Malik. Reserves: Sediq Atal, Hazratullah Zazai, Saleem Safi

Fixtures

Mon, 3 June 2024 – Afghanistan v Uganda, Guyana, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Fri, 7 June 2024 – Afghanistan v New Zealand, Guyana, 07:30 PM LOCAL

Thur, 13 June 2024 – Afghanistan v Papua New Guinea, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Mon, 17 June 2024 – Afghanistan v West Indies, St. Lucia, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Uganda

Uganda secured a spot in the T20 World Cup by comfortably defeating Rwanda in their last match of the Africa region qualifier. With five wins in six games, Uganda was the standout team alongside Namibia in the Africa Qualifier as they sealed their berth in the mega event.

Uganda have a stellar record leading up to the tournament with 41 wins in their last 49 T20Is, a win percentage of 83.67 percent.

Led by Brian Masaba, Uganda will feature in the tournament with plenty of experience in the squad. The 43-year-old Frank Nsubuga aside, the squad also features Alpesh Ramjani, who was one of the nominees for the 2023 ICC Men’s T20I cricketer of the Year.

Uganda play their first three games in Guyana and have the opportunity to spring a surprise from Group C.

Squad

Brian Masaba (c), Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, Cosmas Kyewuta, Dinesh Nakrani, Fred Achelam, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ramjani, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassun, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah, Juma Miyaji, Ronak Patel. Travelling Reserves: Innocent Mwebaze, Ronald Lutaaya

Fixtures

Mon, 3 June 2024 – Uganda v Afghanistan, Guyana, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Wed, 5 June 2024 – Uganda v Papua New Guinea, Guyana, 07:30 PM LOCAL

Sat, 8 June 2024 – Uganda v West Indies, Guyana, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Fri, 14 June 2024 – Uganda v New Zealand, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Papua New Guinea

Like Uganda, PNG come into the tournament with an impeccable record of 14 wins in their last 18 games. They are led by the enterprising Assad Vala, PNG are set to appear for the second time at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Papua New Guinea maintained an unbeaten record in the qualifiers, winning six consecutive matches.

With plenty of all-rounders in the squad, PNG have a versatile unit that can test the bigger teams in the group.

Papua New Guinea kicks off their campaign with a challenging opening match against the host nation, West Indies, on June 2. They then face Uganda on June 5, followed by matches against Afghanistan and New Zealand.

Squad

Assadollah Vala (c), Alei Nao, Chad Soper, CJ Amini, Hila Vare, Hiri Hiri, Jack Gardner, John Kariko, Kabua Vagi Morea, Kipling Doriga, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sema Kamea, Sese Bau, Tony Ura

Fixtures

Sun, 2 June 2024 – Papua New Guinea v West Indies, Guyana, 10:30 AM LOCAL

Wed, 5 June 2024 – Papua New Guinea v Uganda, Guyana, 07:30 PM LOCAL

Thur, 13 June 2024 – Papua New Guinea v Afghanistan, Trinidad, 08:30 PM LOCAL

Mon, 17 June 2024 – Papua New Guinea v New Zealand, Trinidad, 10:30 AM LOCAL

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Heat kills at least 15 in India as temperatures near 50C

Several people have died due to heat-related ailments over the past 24 hours as temperatures continue to soar in northern and central India.

Ten fatalities were recorded at the government hospital in Odisha’s Rourkela region on Thursday, authorities told Reuters news agency.

Heat-stroke related deaths have also been reported from the states of Bihar, Rajasthan and Jharkhand and the national capital, Delhi.

The searing heat comes as India is holding its general election, the results of which will be declared on 4 June.

People gather around a water tanker in Delhi (BBC)

Mahendra Kumar, district magistrate of Bhojpur district in Bihar told the Times of India newspaper that three election officers and a policeman had died in the city on Thursday due to heat stroke.

“It was the hottest day, and despite having medical facilities at all centres, they collapsed. One home guard [volunteer policeman] became unconscious where he was staying,” Mr Kumar said, adding that the man died in the hospital while being treated by doctors.

He also said that around 30-40 people had been admitted to the same hospital on Thursday due to heat-related ailments. Hospitals in the region are recording a rise in admissions due to heat-related ailments.

On Thursday, a labourer admitted with a heat stroke died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Delhi.

India’s National Centre for Disease Control calls heat strokes a “life-threatening” condition with a mortality rate of 40% to 64%.

An autorickshaw covered with a cloth during a heat wave in Ahmedabad (BBC)

The heat in northern, central and parts of western India has been unrelenting for the past two weeks, with maximum temperatures hovering around 45-46C for days at a stretch and even climbing up to 50C in some areas.

Several regions are experiencing severe water and electricity shortages due to a rise in consumption. The soaring temperatures have led to a surge in fires across India and authorities are employing drones to monitor forest fires in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the past week, capital Delhi and surrounding regions experienced record-breaking temperatures nearing 50C.

Videos of residents in Delhi jostling for water from water tankers have been widely shared on social media. Many parts of the capital are also experiencing frequent power cuts.

Officials are still investigating whether the record temperature of 52.9C in the Mungeshpur area on Wednesday was a result of a sensor malfunction at the nearby weather station.

A hospital in Delhi has set up a room for patients suffering from heat strokes (BBC)

India saw a 55% rise in deaths due to extreme heat between 2000-2004 and 2017-2021, a study published in the medical journal, The Lancet, found.

Exposure to heat also caused a loss of 167.2 billion potential labour hours among Indians in 2021, the study noted.

While many parts of the country have regularly experienced heatwaves in summer, experts have said these are now becoming longer, more intense and frequent.

(BBC)

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Joe Biden lays out three-point plan to end Israel-Hamas war and 'rebuild' the Gaza Strip

President Joe Biden spoke from the White House on Friday and outlined Israel's plan for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

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Donald Trump being jailed would place US 'on brink of second civil war'

Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 counts in his historic New York hush money trial. High profile Republican Sarah Palin predicted this will spark a second civil war.

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Donald Trump hush money verdict LIVE: Ex-President found Guilty in historic first

A dozen New Yorkers were given the unprecedented task of deliberating over Donald Trump's hush money case, swearing to be fair and impartial.

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SL shipping munitions to Ukraine, claims RT

Poland is allegedly working through intermediaries to acquire surplus munitions from Sri Lanka for shipment to Ukraine, according to a recent report by Russia Today (RT) on its Telegram channel.

The RT report said that the munitions in question are reportedly past shelf life and would have their markings erased and repainted before being transported to Poland and eventually to the Ukrainian battlefield.

The deal reportedly involves a Polish company named “Level 11 SP. Z O.O” and a Lankan firm, “Cosmic Technologies Private Limited.” Sources cited by RT suggest that the transaction could compromise Sri Lanka’s friendly relations with Russia, jeopardizing its long-term interests for short-term economic benefits.

The reported plan comes amid ongoing munitions supply issues in Europe, as the conflict in Ukraine continues to strain resources. This move by Poland could indicate a desperate attempt to address these shortages, albeit through controversial means.

 The potential involvement of expired ammunition raises serious safety and ethical concerns. Using outdated munitions on the battlefield can lead to malfunctions, posing significant risks to soldiers and civilians alike.

Furthermore, this development could inadvertently draw Sri Lanka into the conflict, a scenario that might destabilise the nation’s security environment.

The geopolitical ramifications of such a deal could be significant, potentially inviting scrutiny and diplomatic repercussions from other nations, particularly Russia.

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'Incoherent' Joe Biden 'insults a reporter' before giving latest cringeworthy rant

US President Joe Biden ramped up his electoral campaign on Wednesday as he took part in a rally with Vice-President Kamala Harris.

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Netherlands field ineligible player in women’s T20I against Italy

The Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) has accepted responsibility after Netherlands fielded an ineligible player in a women’s T20I against Italy on Monday.

Netherlands thrashed Italy by 94 runs in the first T20I of a four match series on Tuesday, posting 178 for 4 before restricting their opponents to 84 for 9. But they did so while selecting a player who was not qualified under the ICC’s player eligibility regulations. The KNCB flagged this to the ICC after they had realised their error.

The board said in a press release on Wednesday morning: “The ICC has informed the Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) regarding an irregularity in the line-up of the Dutch Women’s Cricket Team in the match between the Netherlands and Italy on Tuesday, May 28.

“Although no additional details have been communicated yet, the KNCB acknowledges that it was correctly identified for this error and will make the necessary adjustments in the next match to comply with the regulations.”

The KNCB has not confirmed the identity of the player in question, but it is understood to be Madison Landsman the 20-year-old allrounder who made her T20I debut in the match. Landsman took a hat-trick for South Africa at the inaugural Under 19 Women’s T20 World Cup last year. ESPNcricinfo understands that the fault for the breach lies with the board rather than the player.

The ICC have not yet publicly commented on the breach of their player eligibility regulations. There are a number of possible sanctions including a suspension for the player and an “adjustment, overturning or amendment” of the result in the match.

The Dutch board also reiterated its support for its women’s team, saying: “The KNCB is committed to developing the Netherlands Women’s Cricket team and is ambitious for the team to continue to progress in ICC T20I and ICC 50-over World Cup pathway competitions.”

After their T20I series against Italy, Netherlands are due to play Papua New Guinea, Scotland and Hong Kong next month. They are ranked 15th in the world in the ICC’s Women’s T20I rankings.

(Cricinfo)

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Aruna Dharshana bags 400 metres title in China

by Reemus Fernando

Sprinter Aruna Dharshana won the 400 metres in comprehensive ease to achieve one of the targets of his first overseas competition of the season though lack of competition denied him the opportunity to have a crack at the direct Olympic qualifying standard at the Belt and Road World Athletics Bronze label Continental Tour event in Chongqing, China yesterday.

Dharshana led from the start and remained in the lead to stop the clock at 45.48 seconds to win.

His achievement is set to improve his current standing in the ‘Road to Paris 24’ Olympic rankings.

Dharshana has a seasonal best of 45.30 seconds from March and has the potential to clock a faster time provided that he gets better competition.

The 400 metres sprinters have a direct Olympic qualifying standard of 45.00 seconds. Those who have not reached the direct qualifying standard has to be in the top 48 in the ‘Road to Paris 24’ Olympic rankings if they are to book the ticket to Paris.

Dharshana is set to compete in the 200 metres final of the same competition today.

Javelin thrower Dilhani Lekamge too will be in action today.

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Social Security benefit for all workers over 55 – Manusha Nanayakkara

Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara announced that the Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide social security benefits to all workers aged 55 and above across various industries. This initiative includes the preparation of necessary legal provisions, which will be developed alongside the “Garusaru” program.

Addressing the press briefing titled “Collective Path to a Stable Country” held at the President Media Centre (PMC) today (28), Minister Nanayakkara highlighted the government’s commitment to social security and labor rights.

Minister Nanayakkara also highlighted the significant economic and legal reforms under President Wickremesinghe’s leadership, such as reducing bank interest rates from around 25% to between 12% and 8%, amending the Anti-Corruption Act, the Election Expenses Regulation Act, and the Assets Liabilities Act, and introducing bills on economic transformation and public finance management.

Furthermore, the government has addressed the wages of plantation workers, with a commitment to take back government estates from employers unable to meet the announced salaries and lease them to capable parties. The President has secured Cabinet approval to enact a law to facilitate this process.

 

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HNBA and HNBGI recognized as ‘Company with Great Managers’

HNB Assurance PLC and HNB General Insurance Ltd were recognized as “Company with Great Managers” at the CLA Leadership Excellence and CLA Great Managers Awards 2024, for the second consecutive year. This prestigious recognition was conferred in recognition of HNBA and HNBGI being benchmarked with best practices and a culture demonstrating great leadership and managerial quotient while providing an eco system to nurture great managers.

Furthermore, six Managers from HNB Assurance and three Managers from HNB General Insurance were honored as Great Managers during the ceremony. The recipients were Kamini Gunawardene – Head of Marketing, Kulunu Herath – Senior Manager Finance, Mahesh Rodrigo -Senior Manager Alternate Channel, Ranjeewa DE Z Gunawardena – Senior Manager Sales Support, S Paranthaman – Regional Manager, Adnan Izath, Manager Actuarial from HNBA and Subashini Duraiswamy – Senior Manager Reinsurance, Anushika Wickramasinghe – Senior Manager Motor Insurance and Prasad Rodrigo – Manager Broker Business Development from HNBGI.

Over the years HNBA has been committed to nurturing strong leadership qualities through training and development, aiming to empower managers to become inspiring and influential leaders. Sharing his thoughts on the achievements, Lasitha Wimalaratne, CEO of HNBA stated, “Firstly, I’d like to extend my congratulations to the six recipients of the Great Manager Award. This recognition truly reflects their passion and expertise in delivering business objectives while ensuring their teams thrive and excel.’’

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Following delisting move, Unisyst Engineering launches share buy-back initiative

By Hiran H.Senewiratne

Hayleys Group’s Unisyst Engineering PLC, which announced it would be delisting from the CSE last month, has submitted an offer letter to shareholders to buy back shares at Rs 6 per share.

“Exit Offer of Rs 6 per share has been made by Advantis Projects & Engineering (Private) Limited (“Majority Shareholder”) to the rest of the shareholders of Unisyst Engineering PLC (the “Company”), who may wish to sell their shares in the Company, the Hayleys Group said in a stock exchange filing.

The acceptance of the exit offer will commence at 9 am on May 28, 2024 and close at 1.30 pm on June 26, 2024, Hayleys said. Formerly Alufab PLC, Unisyst Engineering is an aluminium supplier in Sri Lanka.

Yesterday both indices moved downwards. The All Share Price Index went down by 37.52 points, while S and P SL20 declined by 14.48 points. Turnover stood at Rs 494 million sans any crossings.

In the retail market, the top seven companies that mainly contributed to the turnover were; Browns Investments Rs 41.6 million (6.4 million shares traded), Pan Asia Bank Rs 22.6 million (1 million shares traded), LB Finance Rs 21.8 million (309.000 shares traded), Nation People’s Leasings Rs 19.8 million (1.6 million shares traded), JKH Rs 16.6 million (79000 shares traded), Capital Alliance Rs 14.6 million (285,000 shares traded) and NDB Rs 13.3 million (169,000 shares traded). During the day 50.1 million share volumes changed hands in 8000 transactions.

Yesterday the rupee depreciated slightly to open at Rs 300.15/50 to the US dollar from Rs 300.10/30 the previous week before the long weekend, dealers said. Bond yields were down. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 was quoted down at 9.85/95 percent from 9.85/10.00 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 was quoted down at 10.25/35 percent from 10.25/40 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2028 was quoted down at 10.65/80 percent from 10.70/80 percent.

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Stormy Daniels says 'I wanted to die' amid avalanche of Donald Trump legal bills

Stormy Daniels reveals death threats she has received since Donald Trump's hush money trial.

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Message of Vesak: Misconduct of the powerful; wind power project in Mannar

Cassandra is very conscious she writes her Cry on Vesak day and her readers will read her when the aura of Vesak still surrounds much of this island. This aura is now a mixed one.

Change in cities

Cassandra nostalgically remembers the environmental ambience and the feeling that pervaded and prevailed in Kandy say fifty years ago. People paid homage to the Sacred Tooth in the Dalada Maligawa, not crowded then; with piety in heart and mind. Illuminations dotted the city and scattered locations: simple, dignified and traditional – the coloured bucket with a lit candle inside and the pol thel pahanas with their flickering light arranged in novel patterns. Ingenious persons proudly displayed attapattams. Often, notwithstanding the South West Monsoon prevailing, a brilliant moon shone down on a serene city with peaceful people with sanctity and the Buddha’s word in mind.

Cities are still pervaded with the aura of sanctity, as at dawn, white clad crowds wend their way to temples and meditation centres. Come evening, more so in Colombo, raucous life resounds; pandols compete with each other; and politics creeps in with political VIPs invited to declare them open. Danselas still abound with genuine charity giving meals or snacks. However, the aura is more of commercialism than sanctity. The simplicity that Buddha emphasised is overlaid and even obliterated by opulence. It is like the white paper atapattam that hung in its pure naturalness is now covered with glistening water proofing. Practical during this change of even rain patterns, but plainness as well as transparency is camouflaged, reflecting human nature now so changed from then.

Prevalent: anti Buddhistic traits

This change for the worse is seen most in the attitude and behaviour of those who are our representatives in the legislature. Many of them, mostly the Pohottu types, shout out the slogan ‘Sinhala Buddhist’ with its implied connotation of superiority and majoritarianism. They act against Sinhala culture, which is basically simple and genuine with honesty a top feature. They are un-Buddhistic, hardly observing even one of the Five Precepts. Many of them from top rungs to lowest have killed even humans and often do nothing to save the lives of sentient beings.

They grab what is not theirs and grow fat on ill-gotten gains. Sexually many are depraved, no two words about that, with, as most know, at least one girl put into trouble sent overseas or even killed to hide the fact. False pronouncing is of course a learned and skilled craft of theirs, and alcohol and drugs freely partaken of. Wasn’t an MP himself then, Ranjan Ramanayake, who in Parliament said many seated there were drug takers and dealers? But yesterday many would have been clad in pristine white and hosting bana in their homes or with due publicity ensured, visiting temples.

State Minister Prassana Ranaweera openly exhibited most of the despicable characteristics mentioned above with added hubris, exhibition of power and expecting kowtowing from all encountered. He slapped a poor porter. We know of the incident at Katunayake when his wife was leaving to visit their child, or one of their children studying overseas, it was said. It is like politicians using tax money to fly to Singapore for the slightest ailment when we have doctors here who hold their own with the best.

The ex-Minster of Health did this while importing unfit drugs to earn money that killed thousands of innocents. Cass refers to his going to Singapore at the first hint of ill-health and also us spending for his long stay in an Australian hospital after falling while negotiating a sly balcony walk. These new rich politicians send their kids overseas for even secondary education.

They all got away with much until now. Prassana R would have thought none would dare report his brutish behavior at the Katunayake airport on May 14. All Sri Lanka and overseas know he is crude minus any sensibility, and totally un-Buddhistic. But will he be punished? There’s the rub. He was not even pulled up and kept away from Parliament after throwing chilli powder at his rival MPs.

Urgently, and most necessarily these men as our representatives in Parliament must be changed. We need to send most of the present lot home. Their small houses were transformed into mansions. Sri Lanka cannot continue to be ruled by the scum of the earth. Most Sri Lankans are far above that depth.

Metta and Karuna

But all is not lost in this island nation, once a paradise but even now nurturing and possessing wonderful people: excellent in personality, very clever, educated, tolerant, and considering themselves Sri Lankan. The four major religions flourish alongside minor ones; the races coalesce well. These in spite of certain persons, mostly politicians and radical dangerous men in yellow robes, fermenting racial and religious conflict.

I refer here to one inspiring act that goes with the spirit of Vesak and the Buddha’s emphasis on nature and its protection and loving kindness to all beings.

A news item in the Sunday Island of May 19 gladdened the troubled heart. Titled: WNPS filed Supreme Court challenge against wind power project in Mannar Island. So apparently, all is not lost to Adani’s project to erect wind turbines all over that reserved area for birds and nature. Have most of the wind turbines still not been set up as planned? Environmentalists and zoologists and plain people like you and me cried out against so-called development, which was money making. Business before the good of the country in this case. The project was to go ahead, never mind harming forever birds, beasts, fauna, flora and beauty of this stretch of land and the seas around.

The dainty-walking, migrating flamingos were the main concern of the protesters against the wind power scheme in the area. Now, “In a significant move at protecting the unique ecosystem of Mannar Island, an environmental protection organization, the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society (WNPS), has filed a fundamental rights application in the Supreme Court. This legal action challenged the recent cabinet decision to award a wind power project in Mannar Island to Adani Green Energy Ltd. of India.”

The reason for the cry against Mannar Island being blistered over with gigantic wind harnessing turbines is because plenty of alternative sites are available almost all around Sri Lanka, so why in this strip of land in Mannar. Is the paramount reason for the insistence of this site proximity to India to send energy over there?

The season of Vesak is still with us, like the pandols continue to glitter, glimmer and shatter noise limits. So, Cassandra wishes everyone continued peace and hearkening unto, and taking to heart the message of the Buddha to do good and refrain from evil in thought, word and deed.

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Terrifying warning as one of the world's deadliest spiders is making a comeback

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A second retired Major General among nine arrested over mercenary recruitment

By Norman Palihawadane

The number of persons arrested and detained for involvement in human smuggling facilitating recruitment of former military personnel to serve on the Russia-Ukraine front increased to nine with the police taking into custody a retired Army Major General and his wife, police said on Friday.

Police said that hundreds of ex-servicemen had been misled by unscrupulous foreign employment agencies that promised them job opportunities in Russia and Ukraine now at war. Many of these former solders with war experience had expected to serve the military but not be deployed to the front. They expected the winter cold to be the main challenge they had to face.

However, they were finally sent to the front and faced drone attacks. The situation of most of the mercenaries in Russia and Ukraine is same, according to Lankans who had been able to flee the war front and return home, police said.

The police said that the arrests are part of a broader investigation into the network responsible for such illegal activities which is aimed at dismantling the human smuggling racket and preventing further exploitation of former military personnel.

The retired Major General along with his wife were arrested from Wattala on Thursday. The wife was released on bail on being produced before court. The total number arrested so far has now risen to nine and more arrests are anticipated, a senior officer said.

The suspects now arrested include two retired Major Generals and a Sergeant of the Sri Lanka Army. On Thursday, five suspects were produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court and remanded till May 30.

Earlier this month, the same court remanded till May 30 the five suspects, including a retired Major General. At least eight Lankans have died in the battlefront while more remain missing with their families unable to make contact, according to the latest information, police said.

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‘Buddham Saranam Gacchami’: An exhibition harmonizing modernity with tradition

High Commission of India, Colombo has organized a Special Exhibition, titled ‘Buddham Saranam Gacchami,’ showcasing works on the life of Lord Buddha by iconic masters of modern Indian art, as a part of the Buddha Rashmi National Vesak Festival at Seemamalakaya, Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo.

The Exhibition opened as the Buddha Rashmi Zone, jointly organised by the President’s Secretariat, Prime Minister’s Office and Gangaramaya Temple, was inaugurated by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The inauguration event was attended by High Commissioner Santosh Jha, senior Ministers and other dignitaries on 23 May 2024.

A highlight of the exhibition is a digital immersive experience captivating visitors into an exploration of visual allure and spiritual essence of Buddhist art, embodying universal values of wisdom, compassion, and peace. The exhibition was curated by the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi, India, with its first showing in New Delhi on the occasion of Vesak in May 2023.

The Exhibition is open for public viewing from 23 May 2024 – 7pm onward – until 26 May 2024.

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More South Korean job opportunities

The Foreign Employment Bureau said that 150 persons, including six female, left for South Korea early this week, thereby increasing the total number securing employment in South Korea to 2,829 so far this year.

The Bureau said that these jobs in the production sector were received in line with an agreement between the South Korea and Sri Lanka governments.

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Shahbaz and Abhishek spin Sunrisers Hyderabad into IPL final

“There’s nothing more satisfying than hearing a big crowd go silent.” Pat Cummins, November 18, 2023. The next day he took Virat Kohli’s wicket and made a ground with 100,000 people feel like a ghost town.

“We have earned the right to have one of those days and still win tournaments.” Pat Cummins, May 21, 2024. It’s taken a little while longer for him to walk the talk but boy when he says something we best listen. Sunrisers Hyderabad marched into the final of IPL 2024 and this time they did it with their bowling.

It looked like Rajasthan Royals had won a crucial toss and they did the right thing by opting to chase. One square boundary was significantly shorter than the other (61m vs 72m) and asymmetry like that makes it really hard to defend totals, especially if the dew came in, but it didn’t. All of a sudden SRH had a dry ball and a dry pitch. And they worked a miracle on that.

Shahbaz Ahmed originally came into this game to try and shore up a stop-start batting innings. It was the second time in two playoff games that SRH had to pull the Impact Player trigger early. He made 17 in a partnership of 43 with Heinrich Klaasen to push the total up to 175. But that total looked light when Yashasvi Jaiswal raced to 41 off 19 balls. The game was slipping away. Except it had also shown SRH a way to claw back. Jaydev Unadkat’s first over – the seventh – showed signs of how much the ball was gripping. SRH had no specialist spinner in their line-up but in conditions like these you don’t need specialists. You just need people that can turn the ball and hold a line. Shahbaz did that and more, winning a match-up he was second-favourite in. Bowling into the left-hander’s hitting arc, he handed Jaiswal his first dismissal to spin since IPL 2022.

Cummins brought Abhishek Sharma, who had bowled only three overs this campaign, from the other end. He even called Aiden Markram to roll his arm over. The pitch was now taking handsome amounts of turn and Cummins used any means in his armoury to exploit it. SRH produced a 33-ball period without a single boundary using bowlers whom they haven’t really had to turn to but were there now at this crucial time. This 33-ball period also included four wickets. Shahbaz who hadn’t picked up a wicket since April 5 turned up with 4-0-23-3 tonight. Abhishek, who had bowled his full quota of overs only twice before Friday, finished with 4-0-24-2.

SRH have one of the world’s best batters as a finisher and that played a big part in their win. Heinrich Klaasen does not need any protection. He does not need his entry point to be delayed because he has the ability to move through the gears. He can resurrect a failing innings with risk-free shots and still find ways to hit boundaries when he needs to. He was 21 off 20 balls in the 13th over. SRH were 108 for 4 at that point. Batting in Chennai is tricky because of the slowness of the pitches here. Mis-hits can still go for four in the powerplay when there are only two fielders outside the circle but that luck runs out once the field restrictions are lifted. Klaasen understood this nuance and waited for his moments; his match-ups. He has an excellent one against Yuzvendra Chahal and that’s whom he targeted, hitting two mighty sixes, including one to the long boundary. The back-foot drive over extra cover was breathtaking.

Heinrich Klaasen brought out his vertical-bat pull against spin (BCCI)

Looking back now, all the good work RR did feels bittersweet. Trent Boult gave them a first-over wicket for the seventh time this season breaking a partnership that has rewritten history. Abhishek and Travis Head have been scoring their runs at 13.64 an over, the best in IPL history (min 300 runs scored).

Sandeep Sharma bowled 18 slower balls in his spell for just 17 runs and picked up the wicket of Head. His yorker, where he changed his action to be extra slingy, slipped underneath Klaasen in prime hitting form and knocked out his stumps. RR gave away only 12 runs in the last two overs with Avesh Khan executing his yorkers near perfectly. He dismissed Nitish Kumar Reddy, who actually had a decent plan against those yorkers – the reverse scoop because there was no one on the deep-third boundary – by refusing to give him a ball to get underneath. It was high quality planning and execution.

RR’s strength in their bowling comes at a price. The batting depth. And they felt it all the more acutely because Jos Buttler has left to link up with the England squad to prepare for the T20 World Cup and Shimron Hetmyer has been carrying an injury. They tried covering up for it by sending R Ashwin at No. 6 but it didn’t work.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who was brought in to open the batting in place of Buttler, looked out of his depth, scoring 6 off 13 before being dismissed for 10 off 16. Sanju Samson made a mistake under pressure, looking to access the long boundary and getting caught for 10 off 11. Riyan Parag was facing 3.3 degrees of turn on average and he too made the wrong call, looking to hit across the line and getting caught off the top edge for 6 off 10. Dhruv Jurel fought hard for a while, scoring 56 off 35 balls, but the balance of power never really looked like it was shifting.

SRH have produced some scintillating performances in this IPL but this – winning with their weaker suit – was special. They’re going to be a serious threat to Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.

Brief scores:
Sunrisers Hyderabad 175/9 in 20 overs (Heinrich Klaasen 50, Rahul Tripathi 37, Travis Head 34; Avesh Khan 3-27, Trent Boult 3-45, Sandeep Sharma 2-25) beat  Rajasthan Royals 139/7 in 20 overs (Dhruv Jurel 56*, Yashasvi Jaiswal 42; Pat Cummins 1-30, T Natarajan 1-13,  Shahbaz Ahmed 3-23, Abhishek Sharma 2-24) by 36 runs 

(Cricinfo)

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India offers more academic courses for Sri Lankan students under Self Financing Scheme

High Commission of India, Colombo has invited applications from eligible Sri Lankan students (excluding PIO/OCI Card holders & NRIs) for Undergraduate Courses in MBBS, BDS, BE, B.Tech, B.Pharm, B.Arch, Diploma level Technical courses and Diploma in Pharmacy course under the Self Financing Scheme for academic year 2024-25.

The following is the text of the statement issued by the HC: “Candidates who wish to apply for MBBS/BDS courses need to have at least 50th percentile in NEET exam and 50% each in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English in A/L.

BE/B.Tech and Diploma in engineering candidates require a minimum of 60% each in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics and 50% in English in A/L.

For B.Pharmacy and Diploma in Pharmacy, minimum of 60% each in Physics, Chemistry and Biology and 50% in English in A/L are required.

B.Arch aspirants have to mandatorily clear the aptitude test prescribed by the Council of Architecture, New Delhi.

Interested candidates could obtain the application forms fromEducation Wing of the High Commission of India, Colombo on any working day between 1400 and 1600 hrs on production of G.C.E. O/L, A/L certificates and birth certificates.Last date of receipt of complete application forms with all supportive documents at the High Commission is June 18, 2024.”

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Aldi CEO reveals huge summer deal that has shoppers flocking to stores

Aldi will be reducing the price on 250 items as it looks to grow in newer markets.

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Dharshana, Kalinga edge closer to Olympic qualifying standards

By Reemus Fernando  

Asian Relay gold medallists Aruna Dharshana and Kalinga Kumarage will be closely following the ‘Road to Paris 24’ Olympic rankings during the next few weeks as they aspire to secure tickets to the quadrennial event in Paris.

Dharshana who was scheduled to return yesterday evening after winning two medals at the Asian Relays in Thailand will leave for two competitions in China and Taiwan on Friday.

Dharshana who won the 4×400 metres gold and the mixed relay silver at the first ever Asian Relays is the closest Sri Lankan to an Olympic berth as he is currently ranked 51st in the ‘Road to Paris 24’ rankings maintained by World Athletics. He needs to secure and maintain a position within the top 48 in the ‘Road to Paris 24’ rankings before the qualifying period expires on June 30.

‘We are looking forward to do well at the ‘Belt and Road Athletics Championship (from May 27 to 29) in China and at the competition in Taiwan (June 1 and 2),”coach Asanka Rajakaruna told The Island yesterday.

Dharshana has a personal best of 45.30 seconds and if he clocks sub 45 seconds he will be able to secure a direct berth.

Meanwhile, sprinter Kalinga Kumarage has earned 1177 points for his top performance at the recently held Kinami Michitaka Memorial Athletics Meet in Osaka. The veteran who anchored the men’s 4×400 metres team to gold at the first ever Asian Relay in Thailand on Tuesday produced back to back sub 46 seconds feats in the 400 metres in Japan. The World Athletics statistics did not list his  performance at the last meet in Tokyo.

The 31-year-old is currently ranked 56th in the ‘Road to Paris’ Olympic rankings in his pet event. He needs to secure a ranking position in the top 48 if he is to qualify for the quadrennial event.

However, the Asian Games medallist is four ranking positions behind Aruna Dharshana who is the highest ranked Sri Lankan.

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Saliya Ahangama; Jack of all trades

by Rex Clementine

Very few guys have mastered all key areas in cricket like Saliya Ahangama, former Sri Lanka fast bowler. He was an impactful swing bowler in his heydays and after retirement did commentaries, coached SSC and was Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket. Now domiciled in Australia, he is a fountain of knowledge having been amidst thick of things during several turning points of Sri Lankan cricket.

A product of S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia, Saliya’s house was a stone’s throw from the school. His older brothers were cricketers and it is by playing with guys who were older than him that he learned the fundamentals of the game. ‘Playing against older boys makes you tougher. I always believe the youngest in the family can go on to become the best sportsman because he has faced bigger challenges growing up and when he plays with his contemporaries, he comes out with his shoulders held high,” Ahangama recalls.

“At school, I had some very good coaches and that helped me immensely. Mr. Orville Abeynayake, Mr. George Ponniah and Mr. P.I. Pieris helped me grow as a cricketer and more importantly as a responsible human being.”

“I had self-confidence from a young age. I remember at the age of 17, I went up to my dad and said that I didn’t want to do higher studies but wanted to go and play cricket in England. Those four years in England toughened me up. You are all by yourself and you learn things quickly.”

Ahangama became an instant star in his first series representing Sri Lanka. He claimed 18 wickets against India in a three Test series in 1985 as Sri Lanka recorded their first ever series win in the history.”

“Mohammad Azharuddin came to Sri Lanka with a massive reputation. He had made three hundreds in a row in his debut series against England. I knocked off his helmet during a warm-up game. I knew I had the wood over him and in the SSC Test dismissed him twice.”

“It was a memorable series for us. India were the better team on paper but they weren’t prepared. We were well prepared. I remember at P. Sara Oval when we won our first Test, India had four wickets in hand and had to survive one session to save the game. When we came in for the tea break, Mr. Abu Fuard told captain Duleep Mendis to give me the new ball which was due after tea. So, I shared the new ball with Ashantha de Mel and claimed two wickets including that of Ravi Shastri, who was putting on a stubborn resistance.”

“Mr. Fuard was ahead of his times. He had made lot of enemies, but I can tell you that he only had the best interests of the game.”

“Lots of fond moments in that series. A 20-year-old Aravinda de Silva opening batting at SSC was told by Mr. Fuard that there’s no harm in losing a Test match trying to win it. I think that input helped shape Aravinda’s attitude towards the game. Then he goes on to face the first ball of the innings and hammers of all people Kapil Dev for a six. Mr. Fuard gave Aravinda the license to play his shots. That was like giving a ten-year-old the keys to the Kandos factory.”

“There was Ranjan Madugalle, a superb technician. We talk about Roy Dias, Marvan Atapattu, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene when it comes to technique but Ranjan was on equal terms with them.”

“We had good leaders thankfully. I remember once SSC had given me the cold shoulder and I was so angry for I had done well in the domestic competition. I wrote a letter to President J.R. Jayawardene, who was the Patron of SSC. Within a couple of days justice was done.”

“Then there was Mr. Gamini Dissanayake. There was a coup to get rid of the captain and Mr. Dissanayake sensed it. He called for a meeting immediately and said in no uncertain terms that the captain will not be removed on the behest of the senior players. With Mr. Dissanayake, it was either my way or the highway. You needed that kind of strong leadership at that point.”

Another character that Ahangama is so fond of is late Guy de Alwis. They were contemporaries at school and represented SSC after S. Thomas’.

“Guy was an amazingly gifted cricketer. More than anything his self-belief was his biggest plus point. A lot of people talk these days about M.S. Dhoni, who doesn’t bat during practices. Guy de Alwis did that some 40 years ago. He knew what he was capable of. While he worked extremely hard on his fitness and wicket keeping, he wasn’t bothered about his batting because he knew that was his strong point. Once the SSC captain told him that unless he practices batting during training he wasn’t going to get selected. Guy refused to toe the line. He was given an ultimatum. Guy then told off the captain and never played cricket again. He always called a spade a spade. We miss characters like that these days.”

“Once at SSC, there was a move to get rid of Ranatungas. The reason that was given was attitude, not runs or wickets. Everyone thought that I would back the decision as I was part of the Royal – Thomian group. But I disagreed. I was the vice-captain of the side and I refused to drop him. Then, I called up Mr. Anura Tennekoon and told him the problem. Mr. Tennekoon is a fair man and he ensured that players were picked on merit and weren’t dropped on flimsy grounds. We need honourable men like Mr. Tennekoon running cricket.”

Ahangama was SLC Secretary when the chucking controversy unfolded in Australia. He had many sleepless nights trying to resolve matters and clearing Murali. “It was a tough time. When Murali was no balled in Adelaide, a Sri Lankan in Adelaide called the team hotel and told Mr. Ranjit Fernando, the Manager that the umpire had taken leave from work for stress. That summed up our case. We argued how can a person on stress leave undertake an international match. The case was dropped.”

Ahangama, 64 now, is a grandfather. But that doesn’t stop his coaching. He is a highly sought after cricket coach in Australia.

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Thousands at Iran president’s funeral procession

Thousands of Iranians have gathered on the streets of Tabriz to mourn President Ebrahim Raisi after he was killed in a helicopter crash.

Mourners followed a funeral procession through the city in north-west Iran while waving Iranian flags and portraits of the late president.

Raisi and seven others were killed when a helicopter they were travelling in crashed in a mountainous area of Iran on Sunday.

Despite the huge crowds, not all Iranians supported the president and many celebrated his death on social media.

On Tuesday crowds of mourners followed a lorry carrying the coffins of Mr Raisi and those who died with him, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.

Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said in a speech: “We, the members of the government, who had the honour to serve this beloved president, the hardworking president, pledge to our dear people and leader to follow the path of these martyrs.”

From Tabriz, Raisi’s body will be flown to Qom, which is considered the second most sacred city in Iran after Mashhad. His body will then be moved to Iran’s capital Tehran.

Processions will be held in the city on Wednesday morning and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will lead prayers at a farewell ceremony.

Raisi is then expected to be buried in his birthplace, Mashhad, on Thursday.

The helicopter crashed on Sunday, close to the border with Azerbaijan, where Mr Raisi had been meeting the country’s President Ilham Aliyev.

According to local media he was there to open the Qiz Qalasi and Khoda Afarin dams.

State television announced his death in a report early on Monday. The bodies of the president and others who died in the crash had been recovered and search operations had ended, the Iranian Red Crescent also confirmed.

Killed alongside the president and the foreign minister were provincial officials, members of his security team and flight crew.

Raisi, 63, was a hard-line cleric and his election as president in 2021 consolidated the control of conservatives over every part of the Islamic Republic.

State media has said elections will be held on 28 June to choose a new president.

In the meantime, Vice-President Mohammad Mokhber has been appointed to assume interim duties.

(BBC)

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CEAT continues to support education of rubber farmers’ children

Donates shoes and school bags to students of four schools in Ratnapura and Elpitiya

Students of four schools in the Ratnapura and Elpitiya areas have received essential requirements such the shoes and school bags they need from CEAT Kelani Holdings under a community project to support the education of children in rubber cultivating regions.

The latest beneficiaries of the programme were the students of Batathota Vidyalaya – Batathota, Mahawatta Kanda Vidyalaya – Batathota and Lassakanda Vidyalaya – Erathna, all in the Kuruwita area of the Ratnapura District, and of Sri Dammathilaka Maha Vidyalaya – Divithura in the Elpitiya area.

A total of 236 children were presented shoes and school bags at these schools by CEAT Kelani, which manufactures half of Sri Lanka’s pneumatic tyre requirements sourcing 100 per cent of its natural rubber needs from local producers that employ 10,000 cultivator families.

Part of the ‘CEAT Cares’ portfolio of good citizenship initiatives, the programme’s first phase focused on the Matugama Educational Zone, and benefitted 119 children from two schools.

Commenting on the programme, CEAT Kelani Chief Operating Officer Mr Shamal Gunawardene said: “As one of the biggest users of Sri Lanka’s rubber in the domestic market, CEAT has always considered rubber cultivators a vital part of its value chain, making their wellbeing an important element of our success. This programme is one community initiative though which we engage and contribute to the quality of life of our rubber farmers and their families.”

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Radio signal off or not fitted on Iran President's doomed helicopter, says Turkey

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country's foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, were found dead following the crash on Sunday.

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Digitalisation best antidote to corruption in Excise Dept. – Harsha

SJB MP Dr Harsha de Silva has called upon the government to digitalse the Excise Department functions to prevent department officials from engaging in corrupt practices, including skimping collection of taxes from liquor producing companies.

“As of now the companies owe over seven billion rupees to the government. There are irregularities in excise officers collecting these taxes. To prevent these malpractices we have to digitalize the Excise Department’s work,” Dr de Silva said, addressing a seminar organised by the Advocata Institute in Colombo.

Dr de Silva said that Excise Department officers capitalised on the non-upgrading of department functions before the traditional method of collecting taxes where officers personally handle tax collecting. This process should have been digitalised many years back. We found this when questioning Exercise Department officers during sectoral oversight committees by MP Patali Champika Ranawaka and myself. We have found that mega scams are taking place in introducing revenue stickers on liquor bottles. These scams cannot be eradicated without introducing a digital system so that these functions could be monitored by others,” Dr de Silva said.

MP Ranawaka said that two parliamentary oversight committees had ordered a ban on the licences of non-tax paying liquor companies last November. “The excise department cancelled the licences of six companies. Within four days the companies had settled their dues, he said. Then, they again stopped paying taxes in December. State revenue could be boosted only if the Excise officials enforced the existing laws properly,” Ranawaka said.

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Have Trump prosecutors made their case at hush-money trial?

For nearly four weeks, Donald Trump has sat quietly in a New York courtroom while state prosecutors laid out the first-ever criminal case against a former US president.

Lawyers from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office have called on a cast of blockbuster witnesses and produced dozens of surreptitiously recorded conversations and documents to help corroborate their case.

They allege Mr Trump directed a hush-money payment to an adult-film star in 2016 to avoid a sex scandal he feared would derail his presidential campaign – and then authorised an illegal reimbursement scheme to cover it up. Mr Trump denies 34 counts of falsifying business records.

The prosecution’s final witness, Michael Cohen, will face further cross-examination on Monday before Trump’s lawyers get an opportunity to present his defence.

Legal experts say the prosecution has done an efficient job. But even with solid evidence and testimony, they acknowledge that a conviction in the complex felony case is far from guaranteed.

“The pieces are all there. But is it there beyond a reasonable doubt?” said former Brooklyn prosecutor Julie Rendelman. “I don’t know.”

“It only takes one juror,” she added.

Laying out the story

Though Mr Trump’s case centres on a reimbursement he made to Cohen, his former fixer, prosecutors spent the first weeks of the trial walking the court through what led up to the $130,000 (£102,000) hush-money payment Cohen made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels.

They started with David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer.

He described a series of meetings in Trump Tower where he, Cohen and Mr Trump hatched a plan to suppress negative stories about Mr Trump – including alleged sexual encounters – as he ran for president.

His testimony proved influential, said former Manhattan prosecutor Lance Fletcher. “He doesn’t have a reputation that’s been blown apart by this. And he came into it really seeming to be Trump’s friend,” Mr Fletcher said. “So I think he comes off as almost an impartial witness.”

From there, prosecutors called a host of others, including former Trump aide Hope Hicks and Daniels’ former attorney Keith Davidson, to corroborate the story.

“They sort of connected a fascinating novel … about how all of these characters interacted,” said Columbia Law School professor John Coffee. “And that was wise.”

They also interspersed evidence such as meeting logs, recordings and receipts of hush-money payments made to a Trump Tower doorman and Playboy model Karen McDougal to bolster witnesses’ stories.

Star witnesses air secrets

Prosecutors used weeks of storytelling and evidence to build up to the most highly anticipated witnesses, including Ms Daniels.

Stormy Daniels takes the stand in Donald Trump’s hush-money trial (BBC)

Mr Trump’s attorneys worked hard to limit Ms Daniels’ testimony.

While prosecutors pledged to tread lightly when quizzing her about the alleged sexual encounter at a hotel suite in Nevada in 2006, she still proved at times an uncontrollable witness, Judge Juan Merchan told the court. Mr Trump has denied having sex with her.

Her explicit testimony led to several unsuccessful mistrial motions from Mr Trump’s legal team and may have opened the door for an appeal, some legal experts said.

But others said that context helped prosecutors show why Mr Trump would be desperate to pay for her silence in order to protect his campaign.

“She got into some salacious details, which I thought went too far,” said Ms Rendelman. “But at the same time, the argument for the prosecution is the more salacious it is, the more Trump would want it to be shut down.”

Ultimately, Ms Daniels could only testify to what led up to the hush-money payment.

For the behind-the-scenes reimbursement, they had to rely on a problematic witness: a convicted felon who recently has made a living off attacking Mr Trump.

A calm and collected Cohen takes the stand

Members of the public held their breath earlier this week as Mr Trump’s former fixer-turned foe, Cohen, was called to the stand. Many anticipated the same character who authored fiery social media posts attacking Mr Trump, for whom he once pledged to take a bullet. But the man speaking in a blue suit and tie took them by surprise. Cohen appeared composed as he detailed his decades with Mr Trump.

“He is measured. He is reflective,” said Diane Kiesel, a former New York Supreme Court Justice and Manhattan prosecutor. “He has not let any bias or animus for Mr Trump show through.”

Cohen told the court of his initial admiration, working as Mr Trump’s personal attorney for 10 years. He acknowledged the lows as well, including lying on Mr Trump’s behalf, leading to regrets.

His composure boosted the prosecutors’ case, and his testimony was bolstered by a weak cross-examination from Mr Trump’s legal team on day one, experts said.

Mr Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, appeared disorganised at first, stumbling sometimes in his questioning, experts told the BBC.

But he appeared to make strides on the second day, Thursday, casting doubt on details of Cohen’s testimony, including an October 2016 phone call Cohen made to Mr Trump’s bodyguard in which he claimed to have to talked to Mr Trump about details of the hush-money payment.

It was a reminder of what experts said was one of prosecutors’ largest problems: Cohen’s credibility. The defence hammered home the point that Cohen is a convicted criminal, who spent time in prison after being convicted on several charges including lying to Congress.

Cohen was able to testify to a key part of prosecutors’ case – Mr Trump’s direct knowledge of the hush-money payment reimbursement scheme.

Cohen said former Trump Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg – currently serving a perjury sentence at Rikers Island prison – decided to classify reimbursements from Mr Trump’s account as legal expenses. Cohen testified that he heard Weisselberg get the OK from Mr Trump himself.

As Cohen spoke, prosecutors also displayed the dozens of cheques, ledgers and invoices at the heart of the 34-count indictment.

But Cohen’s story may not sway all jurors.

“You are relying on a witness who in many respects … comes with a larger load of baggage than others,” Ms Rendelman said. “It makes it a bit more difficult to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Connecting the dots

Other challenges remain for the prosecution.

In a relatively novel approach, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office elevated falsifying business records charges to a felony by claiming Mr Trump did so with the goal of concealing another crime.

To prove their case, prosecutors must show intent – that Mr Trump illegally classified records for the purpose of aiding his campaign. Several witnesses seemed to corroborate this.

“He wasn’t thinking at all about [his wife] Melania,” Cohen told the court. “This was all about the campaign.”

But prosecutors must make this connection clear to the jury.

“Essentially they have to connect these payments to a motive that links them to a campaign,” said Ms Kiesel. “This requires a summation of a lifetime, because you really have to connect these dots.”

Mr Fletcher said prosecutors succeeded in doing so, with witnesses arguing the hush-money payment and reimbursement was not made to protect Mr Trump’s family.

“This was all about the election,” Mr Fletcher said. “If I was going to bet, I would bet on a conviction. But I don’t think it’s a slam dunk.”

In the end, the verdict could come down to jury selection, experts said.

The 12 members and six alternates were picked from hundreds who expressed a range of political views and familiarity with Mr Trump and this case.

Jury members are often unpredictable, Ms Kiesel said. “It only takes one person to decide that the people have not met their burden,” she said. “The people have 12 jurors to convince.”

(BBC)

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Govt sees 15,000 tri-force absentees respond to amnesty; State Minister says no extension

ECONOMYNEXT –At least 15,000 Sri Lanka tri-forces absentees have come forward to obtain amnesty, responding to a one-month general amnesty call and the Defence Ministry has decided not to extend the period, State Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said.

The Defence Ministry last month declared a month long general amnesty from April 20 to May 20 for tri-forces absentees, enabling them to receive an official discharge from their respective services.

Absentees of the army, navy and air force will receive their discharge from military service after they settle any financial obligations or amounts due.

“So far, around 15,000 have come forward to obtain this amnesty,” Tennakoon told reporters in Colombo this week.

There have been around 26,000 absentees from the armed forces, the State Minister said.

“It is normal in any country. But we see a trend of more number of deserters rejoining the tri-forces than deserting in the recent months. This is something we have never seen for a long time,” Tennakoon said.

He said more state resources have been spent on producing military personnel and they have to abide by special military laws.

“Actions will be taken against those who have not reported under such laws,” the State Minister said.

Sri Lanka has already started “right sizing” its army gradually to 100,000 by 2030 from the current 208,000, while it wants to shrink navy to 30,000, and air force to 20,000 from the current numbers, the State Minister has said.

Sri Lanka’s 2024 defence budget of 423 billion rupees has been reduced to 6.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 compared to the last year’s 7.5 percent.

The 2024 budget also announced voluntary retirement for military personnel who had completed 18 years of service.Soon after the end of a 26-year war against separatist rebels, the defence budget was 13.5 percent of the GDP in 2010.

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Gurudev Shankar here on 3-day visit

Global spiritual leader and peacemaker Gurudev Sri Ravi Shankar will be visiting Sri Lanka from today to 20th May, on an invitation from Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena. This is Gurudev’s sixth visit to the country, organisers said.

Gurudev will address a public meeting at an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom’ at Taj Samudra on 19th May. At the event 12 skill development centres of The Art of Living across the country, will be inaugurated. These centres aim to empower over 5000 youth with skills to make them job-ready. At the same event, Gurudev will also virtually inaugurate The Art of Living Centre in Wattala, they said.

Gurudev will grace the ‘Kumbabishekam’ event in Seetha Amman temple in Nuwara Eliya and bless the community. He will travel to Trincomalee at the invitation of the Governor of the Eastern Province where community programmes have been organized in Gurudev’s honour.

Under the skills development project, skills training workshops will be organised at 12 technical colleges of Sri Lanka, where The Art of Living has equipped the centres with learning labs based on the latest technology. In phase one of the project, The Art of Living is providing skills training to over 5000 youth to make them ready for jobs.

The Art of Living, one of the world’s largest volunteer-driven non-profit organizations founded by Gurudev Sri Ravi Shankar, has been actively working in Sri Lanka to create a stress-free, violence-free, healthier, and happier society.

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SLT-MOBITEL reports marginal growth in Q1 2024 amidst cost optimization efforts

SLT-MOBITEL has reported a flat growth in Q1 2024 ending March 31, 2024, amidst a challenging business environment. However, the company’s proactive cost management initiatives have resulted in significant operational cost savings, enabling it to maintain profitability.

For the quarter, the SLT Group has recorded consolidated revenue of LKR 26.93 billion, reflecting a marginal 1.4% year-on-year increase.

However, compared to the fourth quarter of the previous year, i.e., Q4 2023, there was a modest increase of 3.7% in revenue, driven by enterprise and broadband revenues.

The Company has successfully implemented cost-saving measures, resulting in a decrease of 0.6% in operational expenditure (excluding depreciation and amortization) compared to Q1 2023. This was partly due to the decrease in dollar-denominated expenses such as Annual Maintenance Cost (AMC), international settlement, and internet backbone charges due to the rupee appreciation.

The first quarter of 2024 presented a volatile business landscape, with macroeconomic factors impacting the topline performance. However, SLT-MOBITEL swiftly implemented strategic cost optimization measures, which enabled the company to realize significant operational cost savings of 2.7% at the Group level.

SLT-MOBITEL’s cost-saving efforts comprised various initiatives, including rationalizing annual maintenance costs, vehicle hiring charges, international settlement charges, and repair and maintenance expenses. These measures contributed to an EBITDA increase of 10.3% year-on-year, showcasing the company’s commitment to operational efficiency.

Despite the increase in EBITDA, the Group’s operating profit declined by 1.9% due to higher depreciation expenses resulting from substantial investments in capital expenditure programmes. The company’s net Profit after Tax also experienced a year-on-year decrease, primarily influenced by lower operating profit and reduced interest income due to declining interest rates.

On a positive note, SLT-MOBITEL witnessed an increase in Profit after Tax when compared to the previous quarter (Q4 2023), driven by improved EBITDA and operating profit, as well as forex gains and reduced interest costs.

During the quarter, SLT-MOBITEL also made substantial contributions to the government through taxes, levies, and dividends, demonstrating its commitment to supporting the nation’s economic development.

Looking ahead, SLT-MOBITEL is confident in the long-term growth prospects of the Sri Lankan economy and the business with the significant investments made, particularly in the SEA-ME-WE 6 (South East Asia-Middle East -Western Europe) undersea cable system. The SEA-ME-WE 6 undersea cable system is expected to provide SLT-MOBITEL with increased international bandwidth capacity and improved connectivity, further strengthening the company’s position in the telecommunication industry.

As the company navigates the evolving business landscape, SLT-MOBITEL remains focused on operational excellence, strategic investments, and delivering innovative solutions to meet the ever-growing demands of its customers. The company is also well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities and deliver enhanced value to all stakeholders. (SLT-MOBITEL)

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Vroom mania

Thursday 16th May, 2024

The Parliament of Sri Lanka can hardly have a sitting without its members resorting to slanging matches and even coming to blows. They seldom see eye to eye on anything of national importance. But they readily sink their differences and work as one to further their own interests and safeguard their privileges. The government has reportedly decided to grant the MPs duty-free vehicle permits (DFVPs) while the people are struggling to meet their basic needs.

Never do the self-righteous MPs miss an opportunity to harangue public officials on the need to manage state funds frugally in view of the current economic crisis. A few weeks ago, they tore into the Central Bank employees over a triennial pay hike, which, they said, was unconscionably high. Their rhetoric and diatribe may have resonated with the irate public. Speaking in Parliament the other day, President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in no uncertain terms that the public sector workers must not expect pay increases this year as the government was without sufficient funds. The Local Government elections have been postponed on the grounds that funds cannot be allocated for them. Curiously, never do such pecuniary woes of the government stand in the way of the MPs enhancing their perks and leading the high life.

The MPs consider themselves ‘more equal’ than others and therefore they are likely to find ways and means of circumventing the rules and regulations that prevent the import of vehicles for private use. The superrich are known to have deep pockets when it comes to brand-new super luxury vehicles, which they cannot import at present. They will pay many times the market prices of such vehicles, and the MPs will be able to make a killing if they are allowed to import duty-free vehicles.

A group of civil society activists held a protest opposite the Presidential Secretariat, yesterday, against the government’s decision to issue DFVPs to the MPs. The police disrupted their agitation, and they had to go whence they had come after handing over a petition to a presidential aide. Their voice, we believe, is representative of all Sri Lankans who are struggling to keep the wolf from the door. Most people cannot even afford bus fares, which have been jacked up, but the MPs are given DFVPs and other perks.

A camel, in one of Aesop’s fables, empties its bowels while walking in a stream, and seeing its dung racing past it, it wonders how come what should be behind it is going ahead of it. Sri Lankans must be thinking likewise when they see the politicians they elect zing past them in luxury vehicles.

Sri Lanka, which has resorted to a debt default, must stop pampering the MPs who are leading whiskey lifestyles on the country’s toddy income. Their perks, which cost the taxpayer an arm and a leg, will make their counterparts in the developed world green with envy. The members of the present parliament cannot absolve themselves of responsibility for the current economic crisis, which did not come about overnight; the signs of it had been felt for a long time, and Parliament should have used its powers to ensure that remedial measures were adopted. So, its members are without any moral right to receive DFVPs.

The law that provides for the sale of DFVPs immediately after their issuance must be abolished; previously, it was illegal to transfer DFVPs before five years from the dates of their issuance. The Mahinda Rajapaksa government legalised that unlawful practice. The status quo ante must be restored.

Politicians had better stop testing the people’s patience, which is wearing thin.

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South Asian Foundation Scholarship for students and mid-level journalists in Sri Lanka

The Asian College of Journalism in India has announced the acceptance of applications for the South Asian Foundation scholarship for students and mid-level journalists in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, the Postgraduate Diploma course in Integrated Multimedia Journalism offered by the Asian College of Journalism in India starts on July 1, 2024. For further details on the programme visit www.asianmedia.org.

The Asian College of Journalism is looking for suitable candidates from Sri Lanka and Maldives to avail themselves of the SAF scholarship for its journalism programme beginning in July this year.

Those interested are requested to send their CV with a covering letter, recent photograph, passport details, educational qualifications, work experience, if any, and contact information via email to registrar@asianmedia.org.in

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Migrant-smuggler arrested after BBC investigation

One of Europe’s most notorious people-smugglers has been arrested in Iraq following a BBC investigation.

Barzan Majeed was arrested in Iraqi Kurdistan on Sunday morning, a senior government official said.

For several years, he and his gang were heavily involved in the people-smuggling trade – in boats and lorries – across the English Channel.

The BBC tracked down Majeed – also known as Scorpion – to the city of Sulaymaniya, where he said he had transported thousands of migrants across the channel.

“Maybe a thousand, maybe 10,000. I don’t know, I didn’t count,” he said.

A senior member of the Kurdistan Regional Government said that officials were able to use the BBC’s findings to locate Majeed.

“It was at 7am this morning that the arrest was made outside his home, they arrested him the moment he stepped out of the home and arrested him without any major problems,” the official said.

“We are now looking at charges against him here first and foremost, and then we will be discussing with European police and prosecutors who want to question him and deal with him.”

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) also confirmed the arrest.  “We are grateful to the BBC for highlighting his case, and remain determined to do all we can to disrupt and dismantle the criminal networks involved in smuggling people to the UK, wherever they operate,” it said in a statement.

Between 2016 and 2021, Scorpion’s gang is believed to have controlled much of the people-smuggling trade between Europe and the UK.

A two-year international police operation resulted in convictions for 26 members of the gang at courts in the UK, France and Belgium.

But Scorpion himself evaded arrest and went on the run.

In his absence, he was tried in a Belgian court and convicted of 121 counts of people-smuggling. In October 2022, he was sentenced to 10 years in jail and fined €968,000 (£834,000).

Majeed in 2012, working as a car mechanic in Nottingham (BBC)

Scorpion’s whereabouts were unknown, until the BBC found him.

In a call in April, Majeed seemed to show little sympathy for drowned migrants.

“God writes it down when you’re going to pass away, but this is sometimes your fault,” he said. “God doesn’t never say ‘Go inside the boat’.”

He eventually agreed to meet at a mall in Sulaymaniyah.  Here he denied being a big player at the top of a criminal organisation. He said other gang members had tried to implicate him.  “A couple of people, when they get arrested, they say, ‘We’re working for him’. They want to get less sentence.”

Majeed then invited Rob Lawrie, a former soldier who works with refugees and worked with the BBC on the investigation, to see the money exchange he worked from in Sulaymaniyah.

“Nobody forced them. They wanted to,” he said. “They were begging the smugglers, ‘Please, please do this for us.’ Sometimes the smugglers say, ‘Just because of the sake of God, I will help them.’ And then they complain, they say, ‘Oh this, that…’ No, this is not true.”

Ann Lukowiak from the public prosecutor’s office in Belgium welcomed the news of his arrest.  “At last we have a chance of seeing justice done in this case, of having him directly face his crimes and answer for them.”

(BBC)

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People are just learning what the 'i' in iPhone and iPad stands for

Apple has been around for almost 50 years - but people are only just learning about the 'secret message' it has been sending to its customers.

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Ahmedabad washout ensures top-two spot for Kolkata Knight Riders

A combination of lightning and rain forced the first abandoned game of IPL 2024 in Ahmedabad on Monday, and in the process confirmed two things: Kolkata Knight Riders’ top-two finish in the league stage and Gujarat Titans’ elimination from playoff contention.

Only a win could’ve kept eighth-placed GT in the hunt, but rain did not even allow for a toss. Such was the storm’s intensity that some floodlights were also affected; banners in the stadium that got torn earlier ended up wrapping the floodlights in such a way that they needed to be manually removed.

GT’s task was uphill anyway. With the season’s lowest net run-rate of -1.063, they were only mathematically alive as even two big wins in their last two games could’ve still left them short. KKR were almost assured of a top-two finish courtesy their dominating net run-rate of 1.428 after 12 games, but a 19th point in their tally sealed that.

This is the first time that GT have not qualified for the IPL playoffs since they joined the competition before the 2022 season. They have a consolation game against Sunrisers Hyderabad next on May 16.

Monday’s game could’ve given KKR a chance to ease Rahmanullah Gurbaz, the wicketkeeper-batter, into the XI. Gurbaz is the likely replacement in their XI once Phil Salt leaves to join his national team camp.

For KKR, their next aim is to finish the league stage at No. 1, something they have never achieved before. If they beat Rajasthan Royals in their last league game on Sunday, they are assured of that. They would also be assured of No. 1 if RR fail to collect two wins in their last two matches, which includes the KKR fixture.

Even if KKR do not finish first, they wouldn’t mind it much. The only two times they finished second on the IPL points table (2012 and 2014), they ended up as IPL champions.

(Cricinfo)

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