Inescapable need to deal with the past

by Jehan Perera

The sudden reemergence of two major incidents from the past, that had become peripheral to the concerns of people today, has jolted the national polity and come to its centre stage.  These are the interview by former president Ranil Wickremesinghe with the Al Jazeera television station that elicited the Batalanda issue and now the sanctioning of three former military commanders of the Sri Lankan armed forces and an LTTE commander, who switched sides and joined the government.  The key lesson that these two incidents give is that allegations of mass crimes, whether they arise nationally or internationally, have to be dealt with at some time or the other.  If they are not, they continue to fester beneath the surface until they rise again in a most unexpected way and when they may be more difficult to deal with.

In the case of the Batalanda interrogation site, the sudden reemergence of issues that seemed buried in the past has given rise to conjecture.  The Batalanda issue, which goes back 37 years, was never totally off the radar.  But after the last of the commission reports of the JVP period had been published over two decades ago, this matter was no longer at the forefront of public consciousness.  Most of those in the younger generations who were too young to know what happened at that time, or born afterwards, would scarcely have any idea of what happened at Batalanda.  But once the issue of human rights violations surfaced on Al Jazeera television they have come to occupy centre stage. From the day the former president gave his fateful interview there are commentaries on it both in the mainstream media and on social media.

There seems to be a sustained effort to keep the issue alive.  The issues of Batalanda provide good fodder to politicians who are campaigning for election at the forthcoming Local Government elections on May 6.  It is notable that the publicity on what transpired at Batalanda provides a way in which the outcome of the forthcoming local government elections in the worst affected parts of the country may be swayed.  The problem is that the main contesting political parties are liable to be accused of participation in the JVP insurrection or its suppression or both.  This may account for the widening of the scope of the allegations to include other sites such as Matale.

POLITICAL IMPERATIVES

The emergence at this time of the human rights violations and war crimes that took place during the LTTE war have their own political reasons, though these are external. The pursuit of truth and accountability must be universal and free from political motivations. Justice cannot be applied selectively. While human rights violations and war crimes call for universal standards that are applicable to all including those being committed at this time in Gaza and Ukraine, political imperatives influence what is surfaced.  The sanctioning of the four military commanders by the UK government has been justified by the UK government minister concerned as being the fulfilment of an election pledge that he had made to his constituents.  It is notable that the countries at the forefront of justice for Sri Lanka have large Tamil Diasporas that act as vote banks. It usually takes long time to prosecute human rights violations internationally whether it be in South America or East Timor and diasporas have the staying power and resources to keep going on.

 In its response to the sanctions placed on the military commanders, the government’s position is that such unilateral decisions by foreign government are not helpful and complicate the task of national reconciliation.  It has faced criticism for its restrained response, with some expecting a more forceful rebuttal against the international community. However, the NPP government is not the first to have had to face such problems.  The sanctioning of military commanders and even of former presidents has taken place during the periods of previous governments.   One of the former commanders who has been sanctioned by the UK government at this time was also sanctioned by the US government in 2020.  This was followed by the Canadian government which sanctioned two former presidents in 2023.  Neither of the two governments in power at that time took visibly stronger stands.

In addition, resolutions on Sri Lanka have been a regular occurrence and have been passed over the Sri Lankan government’s opposition since 2012.  Apart from the very first vote that took place in 2009 when the government promised to take necessary action to deal with the human rights violations of the past, and won that vote, the government has lost every succeeding vote with the margins of defeat becoming bigger and bigger.  This process has now culminated in an evidence gathering unit being set up in Geneva to collect evidence of human rights violations in Sri Lanka that is on offer to international governments to use.  This is not a safe situation for Sri Lankan leaders to be in as they can be taken before international courts in foreign countries. It is important for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and dignity as a country that this trend comes to an end.

COMPREHENSIVE SOLUTION

A peaceful future for Sri Lanka requires a multi-dimensional approach that addresses the root causes of conflict while fostering reconciliation, justice, and inclusive development. So far the government’s response to the international pressures is to indicate that it will strengthen the internal mechanisms already in place like the Office on Missing Persons and in addition to set up a truth and reconciliation commission.   The difficulty that the government will face is to obtain a national consensus behind this truth and reconciliation commission.  Tamil parties and victims’ groups in particular have voiced scepticism about the value of this mechanism. They have seen commissions come and commissions go. Sinhalese nationalist parties are also highly critical of the need for such commissions.  As the Nawaz Commission appointed to identify the recommendations of previous commissions observed, “Our island nation has had a surfeit of commissions. Many witnesses who testified before this commission narrated their disappointment of going before previous commissions and achieving nothing in return.”

Former minister Prof G L Peiris has written a detailed critique of the proposed truth and reconciliation law that the previous government prepared but did not present to parliament.

In his critique, Prof Peiris had drawn from the South African truth and reconciliation commission which is the best known and most thoroughly implemented one in the world.  He points out that the South African commission had a mandate to cover the entire country and not only some parts of it like the Sri Lankan law proposes.  The need for a Sri Lankan truth and reconciliation commission to cover the entire country and not only the north and east is clear in the reemergence of the Batalanda issue.  Serious human rights violations have occurred in all parts of the country, and to those from all ethnic and religious communities, and not only in the north and east.

Dealing with the past can only be successful in the context of a “system change” in which there is mutual agreement about the future.  The longer this is delayed, the more scepticism will grow among victims and the broader public about the government’s commitment to a solution. The important feature of the South African commission was that it was part of a larger political process aimed to build national consensus through a long and strenuous process of consultations.  The ultimate goal of the South African reconciliation process was a comprehensive political settlement that included power-sharing between racial groups and accountability measures that facilitated healing for all sides. If Sri Lanka is to achieve genuine reconciliation, it is necessary to learn from these experiences and take decisive steps to address past injustices in a manner that fosters lasting national unity.  A peaceful Sri Lanka is possible if the government, opposition and people commit to truth, justice and inclusivity.

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'Idiot' Trump aide risks more fury for 'hosting more secret group chats'

One White House insider called Mike Waltz, a Green Beret veteran of the U.S. Army and National Guard, a "f***ing idiot" after the group chat became public.

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LG polls: EC receives 200 complaints

The Election Commission (EC) has received around 200 complaints related to the local government polls so far.

These complaints were lodged during the 10-day period from March 20 to March 30, according to the EC.

One complaint is about political violence, while 179 complaints were about election law violations.

The EC further stated that around 150 complaints had already been resolved, and action would be taken to address the remaining 50 cases.

by Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

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My Life-Changing Training in Japan

LESSONS FROM MY CAREER: SYNTHESISING MANAGEMENT THEORY WITH PRACTICE – PART 8

It was a selection by chance. I had barely completed my first year at the Ceylon Tyre Corporation when an opportunity arose to follow a three-month course in Japan. This course was for Industrial Engineers in Manufacturing organisations. As the Industrial Engineer at the Tyre Corporation it suited me well. I applied with much hope. But only to be informed that three years of service at the corporation is required to be entitled to a fellowship.

This was an internal rule at the corporation. My assistant applied and was selected, but some procedural delays prevented him from being selected for the final stage. The following year, he applied again, but something went wrong and he missed out again. I applied the following year because I had now completed three years. I was selected, and I ensured that there would be no slip-ups until the last step.

There seems to be some merit in the saying, “Your time must come.” It came for me, although I felt so sorry for my assistant, who missed it twice. The course was on “Industrial and Systems Engineering”. I was very glad to find that the other participant from Sri Lanka, was known to me at State Engineering Corporation. The course was organised by the Asian Productivity Organisation (APO) and implemented by the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS).

The APO was formed in 1961 as an intergovernmental organisation of Asian countries after it was noted that Asia’s productivity was very low compared to the West. Defining its role as a disseminator of productivity concepts and tools to play a catch-up game, the APO is very active and has been playing its role effectively.

Precise pre-departure preparation

The pre-departure documents were unbelievably precise. I had never come across such precision. This was a lesson even before departure. The documents included details such as what we must do just after baggage clearance on arrival at Narita airport. It included unique baggage tags, too. There was a map of the airport, a map of how we could find the limousine bus counter, and details of how much it would cost and how long the bus journey would take to the City Air Terminal (CAT) in downtown Tokyo.

Once we got to the CAT, we had to open another map which showed precisely where to find the taxi stand. Finally, there was another small slip we needed to give the taxi driver after getting into the taxi. It was all in Japanese, indicating our final destination, “Ajia Kaikan”, the Asia Centre Hotel. No words were needed. There were instructions about how to cash money at the airport and even suggesting the amount to be cashed. You can imagine how smooth the arrival was.

At check-in at the hotel, there was another packet including some preliminary instructions about the course, the weather forecast for the week, and a map showing the important places in the vicinity, such as restaurants, supermarkets, small grocery shops, coin laundries, post office, etc. All this made me resolve to do everything in the future with a similar high level of precision and demanded all my future subordinates to do the same.

Having arrived past midnight on a Saturday, my Sri Lankan colleague and I thought we would have a nap in the afternoon and then go for a walk in the vicinity. We were in deep slumber when the bed suddenly shook, and I felt dizzy. I jumped out and called my colleague, who had experienced a similar shaking. When we looked out of the window, everything seemed normal.

We went back to sleep and, going for a walk later, we found some pieces of ceiling plaster had come out, but everything looked normal. The streets were perfectly normal, and there were no signs of panic. Since Japan was famous for earthquakes, we just brushed it aside as probably a daily occurrence!

Responding to the earthquake

The next morning, we went to the lobby earlier than expected. That was to be the rendezvous for the APO officials to meet us. Reading the papers, we were shocked to find pictures of broken bridges, twisted highways, and major disruptions. There had, in fact, been an earthquake, but fortunately, it was far away from Tokyo.

The APO officials arrived and informed us that many resource persons arriving for the opening ceremony would not make it in time because of the disruptions, but they would use alternative routes and be present by afternoon. Therefore, the opening ceremony was rescheduled for the afternoon, and we began our lectures on the dot at 0900 am that day.

It was like giving us our first lesson: punctuality will be maintained whatever the disruption is. In contrast, I was involved in organising a seminar by Japanese experts at the Trans Asia Hotel in Colombo (now Cinnamon Lakeside), and even half an hour after the start time, only half the participants had arrived. The Japanese were uneasy and asked me what the delay was. I had to sheepishly say that it was raining outside, hence the delay in the arrival of participants.

College students volunteering to clean railway station toilets on Sundays

In Japan, even an earthquake was not a reason to delay, but in Sri Lanka, light rain is an excuse for a delay. We must change this habit rather than repeating “Sri Lanka time, no?” I have done my part: five minutes after the start of a meeting, I would lock the room door. I was always able to start meetings on the dot.

The Asian group

Although our group of about 20 participants were from the APO member countries in Asia, our cultures differed. Those of us from the former British colonies such as India, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Hong Kong were always dressed in office attire, formal in behaviour and manners; the Philippines and the Thai participants were more casual, perhaps due to the American influence. The Indians were more boastful and were show-offs, while the others, even with superior knowledge, were more humble. Studying the behaviours of the participants was itself a good sociological study. Despite these differences, we gelled well and often went out in the evenings and weekends.

The culture shock

The most striking feature of Japan was its widespread cleanliness and the Japanese obsession with it. Any country can be clean, but the difference here is that everyone cleans. Every place, every road, and every toilet was spotless. Their slogan was “Everybody is a janitor”. We, too, were taught the basics in an introductory video on cleanliness. If you use any facility in common areas, you are expected to clean the place so that the next user will find it very clean.

I have watched with amazement how the cleaning staff cleans the common toilets in Japan. It was not just a superficial cleaning; they would squat on the floor near the toilet bowl and carry out a thorough cleaning. In the hotel restaurant, every chair and table legs were cleaned daily to remove the marks made by the shoes. The concept was “bring it back to the original condition”. It was fascinating to watch. Every telephone in our training facility and the hotel rooms smelt of disinfectant. Cleanliness and hygiene were a high priority.

The politeness was terrific. It was a concept of respecting the other person and making him comfortable. This “other person gets priority” concept meant that you would never pour a drink for yourself first; you first pour for the other person. It is an endless list stemming from their culture of “Omotenashi“; selfless service to the other person. I was told that this culture of selflessly serving others and the obsession with cleanliness came from a synthesis of Shintoism and Buddhism. The Shinto influenced Japan long before Buddhism pervaded many areas of the Japanese culture, including their respect for nature and their detestation of waste.

The alien registration

All foreigners are “aliens,” and although I was quite amused by the term, we had no alternative but to register at the Alien Registration Office. I suppose it was to ensure that all long—and medium-stay foreigners were properly documented. It became necessary when we opened bank accounts, too.

The technology shock

Everything in Japan ran on advanced technology. Even the hotel bathrooms were high-tech. You had to figure out how to buy train tickets in an unmanned subway station. There were microcomputers for every two students during the course, and all the lectures, exercises and demonstrations were on these. The two of us from Sri Lanka had never seen such small computers before, let alone known how to use them.

The first exercise was one of three assignments: prepare a programme to rank a given set of marks, improve the execution time of a given programme, and make a beautiful design on the computer. Most students from South Asian countries and India were familiar with these microcomputers, but we were clueless. We decided to design the Singapore Airlines logo by programming line by line. That was all we could do. It worked, and we won competition number three, much to the chagrin of the Indian counterparts who challenged that it was not an original design. The challenge was overruled. Very soon, we were able to use these computers successfully.

A week after the course started, my Sri Lankan colleague and I were comparing Japan and Sri Lanka, wondering how long it would take to catch up with Japan of 1980. Perhaps 25 years, said my colleague. It is 45 years now, and we are nowhere near.

The next episode will continue with lessons in Japan.

by Sunil. G. Wijesinha

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The Paradox of Trump

By Uditha Devapriya

In a fortnight marked by dramatic shifts in US foreign policy, particularly on Ukraine and more predictably on Gaza, the changes being wrought by the Trump administration on its immigration policies should not come as a surprise. Yet immigration policies may become the lynchpin of Trump’s approach to the world and his allies. For it’s not just undocumented migrants, drug peddlers, and criminals who are facing the risk of detention or deportation: it’s also citizens of some of Washington’s key allies, including Germany and France. Most if not all of them have complained of harassment and aggressive interrogations, though US immigration officials have denied such claims.

The question is not how Trump can do the seemingly impossible – balancing between the withdrawal of US foreign aid from countries that desperately need assistance, harsh treatment of visa holders from US allied countries, and his rhetoric of being a peacemaker and a dealmaker on the world stage – but whether, in all seriousness, he wants to do it. The problem with many of Trump’s critics – on both the left and the centre – is that they rationalise his actions as part of a wider agenda, when that may not necessarily be the case. True, there is much more predictability – for better or worse – with his policies now, compared to his first term. Yet while there is much madness in his policies and the way he enacts them, there seems to be no proper, cogent method to them, yet.

The other problem is that Trump is launching a full-frontal assault on several fronts, and to isolate the one from the others would be ridiculous. It is hard to pick and choose because, at one strange level, they are all connected. They are implicitly driven by Trump’s brand of isolationism, in which might is right, big fish eat small fish, and, even in rhetoric, moral standards no longer constitute the weight of domestic or foreign policies. The danger with this approach, at least for the Trump administration, is that US institutions have been so used to the opposite of what they are trying to achieve that it will prove to be difficult if not impossible to see these policies through in the longer term.

The US is regularly promoted as a haven for migrants: it is what constitutes the “American Dream” and what has sustained the myth of the melting pot since at least the late 19th century. For better or worse, that myth has come to be accepted as concrete fact, and for the better part of the last century, it is what propelled US soft power on the world stage. Whatever its faults are, the United States has never been short on exchange programmes, fellowships, scholarships, and other initiatives, all sponsored by the State Department, which projected to the world a positive, benevolent image of that country. True, those among us who read and have read on US foreign policy and history know that there was a carefully orchestrated façade beneath these initiatives, that the US, like other powerful countries, has resorted to power and force in the most dubious of circumstances.

Yet immigration, especially during the Cold War, became a sine qua non of US diplomacy. Successive presidents starting from Truman and Eisenhower used their powers to admit migrants from Communist and other seemingly “authoritarian” states. Kennedy started the Peace Corps and USAID, and Senator Fulbright sponsored arguably the US’s most coveted global scholarship programme. All these developments took place against the backdrop of a never-ending battle of hearts and minds with the Soviets and the Chinese, culminating in the South-East Asian wars of the 1960s and 1970s and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The latter marked a turning point in the Cold War: it was the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union. Throughout this period, immigration enabled Washington to claim, not unjustifiably, that whatever its failings were, it at least allowed the young and independent-minded from other parts of the world to come in and prosper.

It is too early to say whether Trump will undo in five years what the country built up in 50. But the travel advisories now being imposed by the US’s staunchest allies, including Germany, indicate a turnaround that the world will take time to adjust to. What the last few weeks have demonstrated is the level of resistance to Executive overreach but also the degree to which the Executive can override otherwise independent institutions, including of course the Judiciary. Every other major official, from the president himself to Elon Musk, Marco Rubio, and Stephen Miller, not to mention the White House Spokesperson, have lambasted “radical left” judges for supposedly disobeying Trump’s orders, claiming it to be a usurpation of democracy. This has been especially true of the judiciary’s confrontations with Trump’s deportation policies and detention orders.

Trump is, in all respects, every US liberal’s nightmare. Yet he is the embodiment of the kind of disruptive politics that was bound to take root in Washington, sooner or later. If Trump’s first term indicated anything, it was that the Democrats need to shield themselves more proactively against the possibility of a second term. In this, however, they failed, partly because of their own willingness to go tough and swing to the right on many issues that Trump officials are doubling down on.

The Democrats now face the unprecedented dilemma of either opposing Trump, especially on issues like immigration, or being depicted by the right-wing press, and Trump’s acolytes, as evil incarnate. Chuck Schumer’s response to this problem was to support the Republican funding bill. If at all, such developments suggest that Democrats are still not awake to the possibilities of an unhinged Trump presidency, and that when they do wake up, it may be too late – both for themselves and the rest of the world.

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Three-day mosquito control programme enters its final day

A special three-day mosquito control programme has been launched in eight districts, starting Thursday (27), in response to the rising number of dengue cases, with over 11,000 reported cases this year. The programme targets high-risk areas, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Matale, and Matara, where mosquito density is significantly high.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) highlighted the ongoing risk of dengue transmission due to intermittent rains, stressing the need for immediate intervention. The programme will run until March 29 and will involve thorough inspections of homes, schools, workplaces, factories, places of worship, and public spaces to eliminate mosquito breeding sites.

The initiative, organised by the Ministry of Health and Media, in collaboration with the NDCU, also encourages the public to actively eliminate any potential mosquito breeding grounds on their properties. In addition to field inspections, the use of drone technology for mosquito control in hard-to-reach areas will be deployed with support from the Sri Lanka Air Force.

The campaign was officially launched Thursday, in Nugegoda, with Western Province Governor Haniff Yusuf and Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe attending the ceremony. Health professionals, the military, and the Sri Lanka Police are participating in the effort, which aims to curb the spread of dengue, especially with the upcoming monsoon season.

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JD Vance confirms what Washington insiders really think about Britain

Rumours of our friendship with America may have been exaggerated.

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Motion to appoint parliamentary committee to remove IGP Tennakoon enters Order Book

The motion to appoint a committee by Parliament regarding the removal of Deshabandu Tennakoon from the position of IGP by government party members has been entered into the Parliament Order Book.

The Addendum to the Order Book, issued on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, bears the signatures of 115 MPs and outlines 23 charges against Tennakoon.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the motion will first be discussed in the Parliamentary Affairs Committee. Following this, it is scheduled for a debate in Parliament after five days. It will then be included in the Order Paper and, after further debate, a vote will be held. To pass, at least 113 members must vote in favour. Subsequently, a committee will be appointed to investigate the charges and submit a report. The report will then be debated in Parliament, and it will be passed by a majority of 113 members of the House.

Minister Dr. Jayatissa confirmed that the relevant motion will be presented to Parliament on either April 8 or 9, and a vote will take place shortly after.

IGP Tennakoon, currently suspended from duty, has been remanded until April 3. He had been evading arrest for 20 days before surrendering to court on March 19 in connection with a 2023 shooting incident near a hotel in the Weligama area.

The motion includes 23 charges against Tennakoon, alleging that while holding office as the IGP, he abused his extensive powers and committed acts of misconduct and/or gross abuse of power. As a result, Tennakoon has fallen short of the high standards expected of someone in the role of IGP, rendering him unsuitable for the position. This conduct is considered an act of misconduct under Section 3(d) of the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002.

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Suspect nabbed with Kerala cannabis

A coordinated search operation launched by the Navy and Police STF at Paranthan in Kilinochchi on 26 March led to the interception of a lorry smuggling about 20kg and 150g of Kerala cannabis. The operation also resulted in the arrest of a suspect involved in the smuggling racket.

The search operation was carried out by the Naval Deployment Veththalakerni in the Northern Naval Command with the assistance of Kilinochchi Police STF. The joint operation led to the detection of the lorry smuggling the contraband and arrest of the suspect.

Meanwhile, the gross street value of Kerala cannabis held in this operation is believed to be over Rs. 8 million.

The suspect held in this operation was identified as a resident of Samanthurei, aged 47. The suspect, together with the haul of Kerala cannabis and the lorry, was handed over to the Kilinochchi Police for legal action.

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Govt: UK action complicates matters

Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath yesterday (26) told UK High Commissioner Andrew Patrick that unilateral action on their part would complicate the post-war national reconciliation process here.

Sri Lanka’s position was made known to HC Andrew when he visited the Ministry.

The following is the text of the statement issued by the Ministry yesterday: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism takes note of the Press Release, dated 24th March 2025, issued by the UK, Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) entitled “UK Sanctions for Human Rights Violations and Abuses during the Sri Lankan Civil War”. As stated in the press release, the UK government has imposed sanctions on four individuals, three of whom are former military commanders of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

It is also noted that the UK FCDO Press Release refers to “a commitment made during the election campaign to ensure those responsible are not allowed impunity”.

In this regard, the Ministry wishes to underline that this is a unilateral action taken by the UK government which involves an asset freeze and travel ban on the individuals concerned. Such unilateral actions by countries do not assist but serve to complicate the national reconciliation process underway in Sri Lanka.

The government is in the process of strengthening domestic mechanisms on accountability and reconciliation and any past human rights violations should be dealt with through domestic accountability mechanisms.

The position of the Government of Sri Lanka was conveyed by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath to the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism.

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Yuhansa, Sandithi win first round matches

ITF Junior Circuit J30 Week Three Tennis

Yuhansa Peiris and Sandithi Usgodaarachchi won their respective first round girls’ singles matches of the ITF Junior Circuit J30 Week three tennis tournament at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association clay courts on Tuesday.

While there were no victories in the boys’ segment for the hosts, Yuhansa and Sandithi kept alive hopes in the girls’ category.

Yuhansa beat Youyue Liu of Chaina 6-2, 6-4 in her match, while Sandithi overcame a second set defeat to edge out Amna All Qaayum of Pakistan 6-4, 5-7, 6-0 in her encounter.

Yuhansa Peiris (Pix by Kamal Wanniarachchi)

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TikTok star Joshua Blackledge dies at 16 as heartbroken girlfriend shares tribute

The family of the social media star, who had more than one million followers on the platform, revealed he had passed away.

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Donald Trump sends innocent athlete to El Salvador over a misinterpreted tattoo

Jerce Reyes Barrios, 36, was detained in the U.S. and deported to El Salvador after authorities mistook his tattoo for a symbol of a Venezuelan criminal gang

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IPL 2025: Ashutosh stuns Lucknow Super Giants as Delhi Capitals complete one-wicket heist

Ashutosh Sharma was going nowhere. He was on 20 off 20 balls. The required rate was over 12. Then he flicked a switch and decided to make Delhi Capitals’ opening game of IPL 2025, against Lucknow Super Giants in Visakhapatnam, all about him.

With 62 needed off 30, with four wickets in hand, Ashutosh went bang, bang and then some more as he smashed 46 off his next 11 balls to lead DC to an epic one-wicket win with just three balls to spare. Arms raised he was engulfed by his team-mates as a bewildered Rishabh Pant, DC’s ex-captain now leading LSG, looked on.

LSG, sent in to bat and riding on Nicholas Pooran and Mitchell Marsh’s whirlwind knocks, had posted 209 for 8. At one point, they had looked set for much more, even 250, but the DC bowlers came back in style, conceding only 48 runs off the last seven overs and picking up six wickets. While Pooran and Marsh accounted for 147 off 66 balls, the rest of LSG’s batters managed just 55 off 55 between them.

DC were reduced to 7 for 3 in their chase and at most stages looked down and out, but they found a new hero in the debutant Vipraj Nigam, who walked out at No. 8, with 97 needed in 45 balls, and thrashed 39 off 15. He fell with DC needing 42 off 23, but Ashutosh made sure to haul DC over the line, finishing things off with a six down the ground off Shahbaz Ahmed.

Ashutosh had been Punjab Kings’ finisher supreme in IPL 2024, playing blinders one after the other. But they often did not come in winning causes, with Ashutosh falling just short of the finishing line in thrilling chases against Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians. Now, playing for a new team, he entered the match as their Impact Player with DC in more than a spot of bother at 65 for 5 in 6.4 overs. He started slowly, taking time to find his touch, but made sure he didn’t throw his wicket away.

Vipraj Nigam sparked DC’s chase to life with 39 off 15 balls [Cricinfo]

Losing Tristan Stubbs didn’t help, and at 116 for 6 in 13 overs, ESPNcricinfo’s win probability for DC was 1.46%. But Ashutosh has made fighting the odds a habit. He got excellent support from Nigam, who actually got the chase going. The allrounder first took on Ravi Bishnoi, carting him for two fours and a six in the 14th over, and then hacked Shahbaz for a four and a six in the next.

While Nigam fell to fellow debutant Digvesh Rathi, Ashutosh was in no mood to stop. He went 6, 4, 6 against Bishnoi and the equation came down to a manageable 22 off 12, though DC only had two wickets in hand. It came down to the last wicket when Kuldeep Yadav was run out in an attempt to sneak a bye and get Ashutosh back on strike, but that sacrifice seemed worth it when Ashutosh hit the last two balls of that over, from Prince Yadav, for six and four to take DC into the final over needing just six.

No. 11 Mohit Sharma was on strike for the first ball, and he could have been dismissed when he overbalanced, looking to flick Shahbaz against the turn. The ball missed his outside edge and deflected off his back leg, causing Pant to fumble a half-chance for a stumping, but he took a review for lbw; ball-tracking suggested the ball would have just missed off stump. Mohit then managed to push the next ball away for a single, bringing Ashutosh back on strike. Ashutosh walloped Shahbaz straight into the sightscreen, and the DC dugout erupted with joy.

New DC captain Axar Patel had said at the toss that he was bowling first because he didn’t “want to take a risk with the dew later on”. Unfortunately for him, DC’s top order collapsed even before the dew could take effect. And it was Shardul Thakur who made the early strikes. Thakur wasn’t even supposed to be at the IPL. He went unsold at the auction, and was supposed to be playing County cricket for Essex while the IPL was on. But the injured Mohsin Khan was ruled out and Thakur found a way in.

And in his first over, he had Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel miscuing. There was excellent captaincy as well from Pant, who stationed a long-off for Fraser-McGurk. He miscued an outswinger in that fielder’s direction while attempting to go over the on side, and Ayush Badoni completed a good catch. Two balls later, Porel mistimed an outswinger to Pooran at mid-off.

Sameer Rizvi came in and creamed a cover drive first ball but fell soon after, giving the left-arm spinner M Siddharth his first wicket as DC slipped to 7 for 3 in the second over. Axar and Faf du Plessis did a repair job of sorts, adding 43 off 23 balls, but both fell in successive overs and DC were 65 for 5 in the seventh.

Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran added 87 for the second wicket in just 42 balls [BCCI]

In IPL 2024, LSG were often found lagging in the powerplay. This season, they are on a mission to fix that, and Marsh and Pooran took on the responsibility. While Aiden Markram fell early, Marsh took on his countryman Mitchell Starc. Marsh, who is playing IPL 2025 as a specialist batter, piled on the runs in the powerplay – 43 off just 19 balls, the most he has ever scored in the phase in the IPL.

Pooran came in at No. 3 and the onslaught came from both ends. While Marsh reached his half-century in 21 balls, Pooran took 24 to get there as LSG crossed the 100 mark in the ninth over. Pooran was particularly severe on the spinners. He smashed 60 runs off just 18 balls against them, at a strike rate of 333.33. That included a 28-run over against Stubbs, with Pooran smashing his offspin for four back-to-back sixes and then a four. At the other end, Marsh was brutal against the quicks, going at 255.55 against them.

Pooran struck six fours and seven sixes in his 30-ball 75, while Marsh hammered six fours and six sixes in his 36-ball 72. When they were together, even 250 seemed to be on for LSG.

But it would all go awry, soon.

At 161 for 2 after 13 overs, the sky was the limit for LSG. ESPNcricinfo’s forecaster had them scoring 246, and they looked like going beyond. But Starc and Kuldeep brought DC roaring back into the game. Kuldeep first took out Pant for a six-ball duck, as he toe-ended straight to long-off. Starc then rattled Pooran’s stumps with a full delivery that tailed in late in the next over, the 15th. Badoni took Kuldeep on in the 17th and failed to clear long-on, and two balls later, Thakur was run out. Starc took out Shahbaz and Bishnoi in his final over, and LSG only added 33 runs from overs 14 to 19 while losing six wickets.

That LSG even crossed 200 was down to David Miller thumping Mohit for two sixes off the last two balls of the innings. That took them to 209, and for the longest time it felt like it would be enough. It wasn’t.

Brief scores:
Delhi Capitals 211 for 9 in 19.3 overs  (Faf du Plessis 29, Axar Patel 22, Ashutosh Sharma 66*, Vipraj Nigam 39, Tristan Stubbs 34; Shardul Thakur 2-19,  Digvesh Rathi 2-31, Manimaran Siddharth 2-39, Ravi Bishnoi 2-53) beat Lucknow Super Giants 209 for 8 in 20 overs (Aiden Markram 15, Nicholas Pooran 75, Mitchell Marsh 72, David Miller 27*; Mitchell Starc 3-42, Vipraj Nigam 1-35, Mukesh Kumar 1-22,   Kuldeep  Yadav 2-20) by one wicket

[Cricinfo]

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‘Sri Lanka is a Union Country’, says global labour leader

ITF pledges expanded partnership with transport sector workers at Colombo Welfare Hub launch

In a landmark moment for Sri Lanka’s transport sector, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) unveiled The Palace—a brand new welfare facility for seafarers—while declaring its commitment to partner with the nation’s entire transport workforce.

ITF General Secretary Stephen Cotton delivered a stirring message at the launch on March 20, hailing Sri Lanka as “a union country” with robust labour laws and a resilient worker-led culture; a rare endorsement from a global labour leader.

“I call Sri Lanka a union country because it’s a nation that takes pride in its labor laws and collective strength,” Cotton declared to a room of policymakers, shipowners, ship crews, ILO officials, women seafarers and maritime stakeholders.

“The ITF doesn’t just want to support seafarers—we’re here to partner with all transport workers, from railways to ports, to build a fairer future,” he said.

Located in central Colombo, The Palace—a collaboration between the ITF, its Seafarers Trust, and the National Union of Sri Lankan Seafarers (NUSS) —aims to transform the lives of maritime workers. The facility offers affordable lodging, family reunification spaces, counseling, and recreational resources for seafarers transitioning to and from grueling voyages.

Boa Athu, President of NUSS called it a “long-overdue sanctuary” for workers who sustain Sri Lanka’s economy through foreign remittances.

Cotton emphasized the timing of the launch amid global instability: “We’re in turbulent times—geopolitical shifts, climate crises, and economic uncertainty. But here, Sri Lanka’s unions have shown what solidarity can achieve. He noted NUSS’s growth from 7 to 30,000 members, calling it a “phenomenal” model for worker empowerment.

The ITF’s vision extends far beyond the docks. Cotton revealed he had met with railway workers the day prior, signaling broader ambitions.

Transport workers were the lifeblood of the global economy linking supply chains and keeping the world moving, and they were vital to successfully responding to the challenge of Covid-19. We mustn’t forget the risks that transport workers faced on the frontlines. Now, we must ensure they’re shielded from crises like climate change,” he said, framing the climate emergency as a “workers’ crisis” requiring urgent re-training for green energy transitions.

ITF General Secretary, Stephen Cotton unveils The Palace, in Colombo on March 20.

With partnerships spanning the UN Global Compact and International Maritime Organization, the ITF plans a Singapore forum to accelerate fossil fuel phase-outs.

“Seafarers here are already training for new energy technologies—but placing them in jobs remains a challenge,” Cotton admitted.

Referencing global political volatility—including U.S. leadership shifts—Cotton stressed the need for “predictable” worker alliances like the ITF. He praised Sri Lanka’s push to grow its maritime economy, including government plans to boost container capacity and recruit women into skilled and rewarding roles.

“The Palace isn’t just a building—it’s a symbol of what’s possible when unions, governments, and global partners unite,” Cotton said. “Sri Lanka’s workers are its economy. Safeguarding their wellbeing isn’t charity—it’s strategic,” he said.

As the ITF expands collaborations in Brazil, Mexico, and beyond, Sri Lanka’s transport sector stands at a crossroads. The Palace offers immediate relief for seafarers, but Cotton’s message signals a larger ambition: positioning the island as a beacon of worker solidarity in an unstable world.

For Sri Lanka’s 30,000-strong NUSS members—and thousands more in railways, ports, and tourism—the call is clear: the fight for fair conditions is now a global alliance.

By Sanath Nanayakkare

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Donald Trump takes away major right from Joe Biden claiming he 'can't be trusted'

Trump said the move is "in the national interest" with a long list of people having special clearance revoked.

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Donald Trump to send illegal immigrants to Venezuela after deporting 200 'gang members'

The US government has remained tight-lipped about the identities and alleged crimes of the individuals it has deported.

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Sinhala film debuts in Tel Aviv

A special screening of Gamini Hewawitharana’s film “Yakada Diyaniyo” took place last week at Cinematheque in Tel Aviv, Israel, drawing a large crowd of Lankans living in the area. The event, which was attended by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara, as the chief guest, provided an opportunity for the Lankan expatriate community to view the much-anticipated film.

Speaking to Sunday Island, Nirosha Kumary Rathnayake (Niro), the producer of the film, shared that she had been living and working in Israel for several years. Given her long-standing ties to the country, she decided to host a special screening of the film while it is awaiting its debut in Sri Lanka.

The enthusiastic response to the screening has led Niro to plan additional shows in other Israeli cities, ensuring that more Lankans abroad will have the chance to see the film.

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Ambassador Bandara for his support and invaluable advice, which played a key role in making this event a success,” Niro said.

The film, which was produced at the request of Niro’s late son, Chathura Rathnayake, holds a deeply personal significance. Chathura, who had a passion for acting and boxing, requested his mother to produce the film so that he could take on a leading role.

Tragically, Chathura passed away at the age of 22 before the film could be screened. “My heart was broken, and I couldn’t bring myself to watch the film for three years. But I felt it was time to fulfil the promise I made to him,” Niro explained.

She shared fond memories of her son, who was a student at Vidyartha College in Kandy and an accomplished boxer. “He won numerous awards in boxing and was also a talented coach. His uncle, Anuruddha Rathnayake, represented Sri Lanka at the Olympics, and Chathura looked up to him as a role model,” she said.

The cause of his untimely death remains undetermined, though Niro speculated that it could be related to an allergy.

The producer expressed her gratitude to Mangala Madugalla for his support in bringing the film to life. Additionally, she emphasized her willingness to share “Yakada Diyaniyo” with international audiences.

“I would be more than happy to screen the film in other countries if requests are made,” she said.

Looking ahead, she hinted at the possibility of another film project, contingent on the interests of her second son, who is also passionate about acting and boxing.

By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London

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Singer wins SLIM Kantar People’s award for best brand

The SLIM Kantar People’s Awards was held at a glittering ceremony on Tuesday night at the Monarch Imperial, Sri Jayewardenepura. Renowned actor Sanath Gunathilake was the Chief Guest. Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC. was adjudged the SLIM People’s Brand Of The Year. The Chief Guest poses for a photograph with the Chairman, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC, Mohan Pandithage, SLIM President Gayan Perera, Marketing Director, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC Janmesh Antony, and Directors and staff of the compay.

(Pic by Thushara Atapattu) 

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Tesla orders largest ever Cybertruck recall as cars 'fall apart while driving'

The Cybertruck has been recalled eight times in the past 15 months for safety problems, including once in November after the drive wheels lost power.

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Advancing solar PV integration: A vision for a sustainable energy future

During the Eng. (Prof.) R. H. Paul Memorial Oration 2025, Prof. Lilantha Samaranayake emphasised the urgent need for advanced solar photovoltaic (PV) integration to create a resilient and sustainable energy future. Speaking on the Future of Renewable Energy, he highlighted projections from the International Energy Agency (IEA) that forecast global renewable electricity generation will exceed 17,000 TWh by 2030, representing an almost 90% increase from 2023. Solar PV is anticipated to become the leading source of renewable electricity, followed by wind and hydroelectric power.

Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of achieving 100% renewable energy. Policymakers are working towards a people-centric, equitable, and affordable energy transition. The government also aims to reduce electricity tariffs by 30% within five years, though no specific timeline has been set for net-zero emissions.

Challenges in Solar PV Integration—While renewable energy adoption is increasing, challenges remain. A major issue is grid stability due to solar energy’s intermittent nature. Grid stability refers to the ability of an electrical power grid to maintain a consistent voltage and frequency while balancing electricity supply and demand. One of the main challenges with integrating solar energy into the grid is its intermittent nature, meaning that solar power generation fluctuates depending on sunlight availability. This variability can cause instability in the grid.

Why is Solar Energy Intermittent? Solar panels generate electricity only when exposed to sunlight. At night, there is no generation, requiring alternative power sources. Cloud cover, rain, and seasonal changes affect solar energy output. On cloudy days, solar generation can drop suddenly, causing fluctuations in power supply. Unlike conventional power plants that provide a steady output, solar energy can vary within minutes, making it challenging to maintain a stable power flow.

How Does This Affect Grid Stability? The Electricity grids operate at a specific frequency (e.g., 50 Hz or 60 Hz). A sudden drop in solar power generation can lead to a decrease in frequency, potentially causing power outages. Solar energy injections can cause voltage levels to rise or drop unpredictably, affecting equipment performance and consumer supply quality. Traditional power plants have rotating generators that provide inertia, helping to stabilise the grid. Solar PV systems do not have this natural inertia, making the grid more susceptible to instability.

Prof. Samaranayake explained that Sri Lanka’s current power generation mix, as of November 2024, includes:

27% from hydroelectric power

19.6% from rooftop solar

14.3% from coal

13.6% from oil

5.1% from private oil plants

Smaller contributions from wind, biomass, and other renewable sources

A key concern is the lack of inertia in renewable energy sources. Unlike conventional power plants, solar and wind do not provide inherent grid stability, leading to frequency fluctuations.

Prof. Samaranayake proposed an innovative solution for grid stability: implementing Virtual Inertia using advanced power electronic control systems. This approach mimics the stabilising effect of traditional rotating generators, ensuring a steady frequency supply in the grid.

Other potential solutions include:

Adding rotating machines such as LNG or nuclear power plants

Energy storage systems like pumped storage, flywheels, and large-scale battery systems

Enhancing grid regulations to support the integration of rooftop solar PV systems

The introduction of advanced Virtual Inertia technology is expected to complement regulatory changes that relax statutory voltage limits and improve the quality of electricity supply.

Another controversial yet forward-looking strategy discussed was the possibility of nuclear energy. According to sources from the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board (SLAEB), the country’s first nuclear power plant, leveraging integral pressurized water reactor (iPWR) technology, could be operational by 2032. Given Sri Lanka’s proximity to India, which already operates nuclear plants, proponents argue that nuclear energy could be a viable option for stabilizing the power grid.

Prof. Samaranayake stressed the need for a holistic approach, as solar PV continues to be vital to Sri Lanka’s energy future. This involves investing in energy storage, enhancing grid infrastructure, and enacting regulatory reforms. He called on policymakers, engineers, and the public to collaborate in creating a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape.

The Eng. (Prof.) R. H. Paul Memorial Oration reminds us of engineering and innovation’s critical role in tackling global energy challenges. With strategic planning and technological advancements, Sri Lanka can pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The oration paid tribute to the late Prof. R. H. Paul, a distinguished academic and former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, who made significant contributions to electrical and electronic engineering in Sri Lanka. His legacy continues to inspire advancements in the energy sector.

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Lanka drops to 133rd in 2025 World Happiness Report

Sri Lanka has fallen to 133rd place in the 2025 World Happiness Report, dropping five positions from its 128th ranking in 2024. The report ranks 147 countries worldwide, evaluating global well-being and providing insights on how to improve it.

Published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford, in collaboration with Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and an independent editorial board, the World Happiness Report uses data from the Gallup World Poll. The global ranking is based on a simple question from the Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale, which asks respondents to imagine a ladder representing their best and worst possible life and to rate where they stand.

Finland maintained its top position in the rankings, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg, and Mexico rounded out the top 10. In contrast, Afghanistan ranked the lowest, with Sierra Leone, Lebanon, Malawi, and other nations also at the bottom of the index.

The 13th edition of the report was released in conjunction with the United Nations International Day of Happiness on March 20.

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Courtroom killing: More prison officers under investigation

Police investigating the courtroom killing of notorious drug trafficker and criminal gang leader Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias Ganemulle Sanjeewa, said that several prison and security personnel were expected to be arrested in the coming days.

The chief jailer, who was in charge of the prison guards assigned to escort Sanjeewa to Court on the day of the killing, arrested by officers from the Colombo Crimes Division on Tuesday, was remanded until Friday (21).

The police are examining the mobile phone records of 12 prison and STF officers who were on duty to ensure his security. On the day Sanjeewa was shot, he was brought to Court No. 9 of the Hulftsdorp Courts and was supposed to be transferred to Court No. 2 afterwards. However, the prison officers took him to Court No. 5 instead. The police allege that the prison officers had prior knowledge that the underworld hitman, who was intended to murder Sanjeewa, was in Court No. 5. It is also believed that the officers deliberately took Sanjeewa to that Court as part of a planned scheme.

The police have stated that further arrests of prison and security personnel involved in the murder are expected in the coming days.

By Norman Palihawadane and Hemantha Randunu

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Sectoral Oversight Committees: Four Chairpersons from govt., and three from Opposition

Parliament has passed a motion for establishing seven Sectoral Oversight Committees. As per the decision taken by the Committee of Selection, the motion in this regard was presented to Parliament on Monday (17) by the Leader of the House of Parliament and Minister Bimal Rathnayake, upon which the approval of the House was granted. Political parties reached an agreement regarding the distribution of chairmanships of these Sectoral Oversight Committees between the Government and the Opposition, M. Jayalath Perera, Director Legislative Services / Director Communication (Acting) said in a press release issued yesterday.

Accordingly, the chairmanships of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Economic Development and International Relations, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health, Media and Women’s Empowerment, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Science, Technology and Digital Transformation, and Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection were agreed to be allocated to the Government.

Meanwhile, approval was granted to allocate the chairmanships of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education, Manpower and Human Capital, and Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability to the Opposition.

Responding to a question posed by The Island, Perera said that defence and public security would come under Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection.

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Dialog Enterprise and LK Domain Registry strengthen partnership for cyber security

Dialog Enterprise, the leading ICT solutions provider in Sri Lanka, has deepened its partnership with LK Domain Registry, the sole administrator for web addresses ending in ‘.lk’ in the country. This collaboration is focused on enabling LK Domain Registry to better serve its clients by providing world-class cybersecurity solutions and secure data centre infrastructure, ensuring the protection of its critical digital assets.

Over the years, this partnership has driven innovation, resilience, and enhanced operational efficiency. LK Domain Registry has long relied on Dialog’s secure data centre services, entrusting the backbone of its mission-critical infrastructure to Dialog Enterprise.

As cybersecurity challenges grow, this partnership continues to evolve, ensuring that LK Domain Registry operates at peak efficiency while delivering reliable and secure services to its clients across Sri Lanka.

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Leader of the House: 50% public petitions go unaddressed

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament on Saturday that he believed that at least 50 percent of the public petitions received by Parliament had not been investigated.

Ratnayake said so during a crosstalk following a point of order raised by SJB Polonnaruwa District MP Kins Nelson, who argued that public petitions submitted to the committee by MPs were not investigated.

“We present the petitions we receive from the public to the House and to the Public Petitions Committee. However, many of them are not looked into. I recall that there were a large number of public petitions presented during the Ninth Parliament, but none of them were answered. Even in this Tenth Parliament, we see many MPs presenting petitions from the public at the beginning of each sitting day. These petitions do not receive any attention, and the grievances of the people are not addressed when these petitions are discarded without investigation. What is the point of presenting petitions if they are not even read? People send these petitions because they have no other way of seeking redress. Therefore, I call on the Speaker to pay attention to this issue and ensure justice for people’s concerns,” Nelson said.

Leader of the House and Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake: “This is an important issue. We call on the Speaker to allocate time for the Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee to update the House on the current status.”

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne then asked the Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, MP Gamini Ratnayake, to clarify the situation.

Ratnayake explained that 543 petitions had been received by the Ninth Parliament and they had remained unaddressed. These petitions were discarded following the dissolution of Parliament. So far, the Tenth Parliament has received 351 petitions, of which 57 had been looked into, and 34 issues had been resolved. Leader of the House and Minister Ratnayake: “I, too, have been a member of the Public Petitions Committee. Many petitions are received in each parliamentary session, and it requires a lot of manpower to investigate all of them. It is my belief that no Parliament has been able to address at least 50 percent of the public petitions. We suggest that the committee form subcommittees to process the petitions.

By Saman Indrajith

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Grammy nominee…in our midst

Yes, we had a Grammy- nominated artiste in our midst last week – Aloe Blacc, an American singer and rapper.

No…he wasn’t here, as a performer, but arrived in Sri Lanka mainly to seek investment opportunities in our part of the world.

At the 57th Grammy Awards, Blacc received his first career Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album for ‘Lift Your Spirit,’ which was his third studio album.

‘Lift Your Spirit’ was released on 25 October, 2013, and the album has charted in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, and includes production and co-songwriting from DJ Khalil, Pharrell Williams, Elton John, Theron Feemster and Rock Mafia.

Blacc garnered a big breakthrough in co-writing and contributing vocals to Avicci’s chart-topping 2013 hit, ‘Wake Me Up.’

Blacc also served as an advisor on Adam Levine’s team on season six of ‘The Voice’ and is a supporter of Malaria No More, a charitable organization that strives to end malaria in Africa.

With many other achievements to his credit, as a singer, let’s hope music lovers here would be given the opportunity of seeing Aloe Blacc, live on stage, as an entertainer.

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Harvard offers free tuition to families earning less than $200,000

Harvard University has announced that it is making tuition free for families who earn less than $200,000 (£154,000) a year.

For families earning less than $100,000, Harvard will also cover expenses like housing and health insurance.

The move is aimed at making Harvard more affordable for middle-income families, and it comes as the Trump administration targets university funding as a part of a crackdown on diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) practices.

“Putting Harvard within financial reach for more individuals widens the array of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that all of our students encounter, fostering their intellectual and personal growth,” said Harvard President Alan Garber.

The policy – which will begin in the 2025 to 2026 academic year – will help “make a Harvard College education possible for every admitted student”, Garber added.

The Ivy League school said the move will allow roughly 86% of US families to qualify for Harvard’s financial aid.

The median household income in the US was $80,000 in 2023, according to the US Census.

A number of elite universities in the US have taken similar steps in recent years, including the University of Pennsylvania and The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which also have free tuition for families making less than $200,000.

Harvard had previously made all university costs, including housing and medical care, free for families with incomes under $85,000.

The average price of a private university in the US for those living on campus is $58,000 per academic year, according to the Education Data Initiative. The average cost of college has more than doubled since 2001, the research group found.

The financial aid expansions come as the Trump administration has threatened to pull funding from universities over diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, research and coursework that they allege is a form of racial discrimination.

Under Trump, the Department of Education has said it is investigating 52 universities across the country for alleged “racial preferences and stereotypes in education programs and activities” as Trump attempts to get rid of DEI programmes.

The Trump administration has already pulled $400m in grants and contracts from Columbia University, alleging the Ivy League school failed to prevent antisemitism on campus as protests grew over Israel’s war in Gaza.

Last year, the US Supreme Court voted to overturn affirmative action. The practice favoured individuals in disadvantaged groups to help eliminate discrimination against marginalised applicants during the enrollment process and increase diversity among students.

Universities across the US have reported a decline in racial diversity since the court’s decision.

[BBC]

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Canada’s Carney makes statement by choosing Europe, not US, for first foreign trip

Two European politicians, dressed symbolically in red and white, sent a message last week to Canada on social media declaring “we’ve got your back”.

Also signalling support was King Charles, who planted a red maple tree on the grounds of Buckingham Palace and wore his Canadian medals during a high-profile visit to a naval warship.

Canada’s new Prime Minister Mark Carney has arrived in Paris before heading to London on Monday – a day after his 60th birthday – for his first foreign visit hoping to achieve more than symbolic encouragement. He wants solid support from allies.

Not only is Canada being targeted, like Europe, by a raft of swingeing US tariffs, but Donald Trump is making it clear he wants to take over his northern neighbour.

“We appreciate all the symbolic gestures but we need more public backing,” a Canadian official told me in a voice which underlined the nervous disbelief shared by most Canadians – Trump is not joking when he calls Canada the United States’s “51st state”.

The official messaging from Ottawa about Carney’s trip underlines his priorities – finance and fortifying security – a natural fit for the economist who headed the central banks in both Canada and the UK. A statement from his office said his visit is meant “to strengthen two of our closest and longest-standing economic and security partnerships”.

His itinerary is full of great symbolism too.

Carney revealed it on Friday during his first speech as prime minister when he hearkened back – with a shiny polish – to the origins of this former colony. He hailed “the wonder of a country built on the bedrock of three peoples: indigenous, French and British”.

So there’s a third destination on this whistle-stop tour – Iqaluit, the capital of Canada’s northernmost territory of Nunavut and homeland of its Inuit people. That stop, the statement emphasised, was to “reaffirm Canada’s Arctic security and sovereignty”.

Iqaluit, in the northernmost territory of Nunavut, is a focal point for Arctic security [BBC]

Spectacular Arctic and northern terrain makes up 40% of the land mass of the world’s second largest country. Protecting it is a critical Canadian concern in the midst of intensifying rivalry among world powers in the Arctic region, which has drawn in the US, Russia, China and more; it’s the cold war of all cold wars.

And there’s a personal twist. Carney was born in the small town of Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories, which lies next to Nunavut.

His schedule underlines that he also needs to be a quick study in a new skill – retail politics. A federal election, which has to be held by October, is expected to be called very soon. Carney needs to prove that he can engage with voters, in English and French, as naturally as he does with bankers and finance bosses.

And he needs a proper political mandate. He secured a whopping 86% of the vote when his Liberal Party chose to replace Justin Trudeau, who stepped down as [rime minister amid growing calls to resign from his own party after a decade at the top.

But Carney doesn’t have a seat in parliament; he still doesn’t have the vote of Canadians.

His Liberal party has just experienced a dramatic reversal, a “Trump bump” as well as a Trudeau one. The party which seemed certain to lose, and lose badly, is now tied with its main Conservative rivals in the polls.

Looking like a world leader, and understanding the world of tariffs and trade, is a good look when you are running for high office in the dark shadow of an external threat.

“I think part of the purpose of Mark Carney’s trip to Europe is to show that he can talk internationally to other like-minded powers at this very important moment,” reflects the eminent Canadian historian Margaret MacMillan.

Back home, voters will decide if that is what counts.

Carney is certain to talk Trump tactics, in private, with France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Britain’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. They’ve both taken great pains to flatter the US president in public, and press their case behind closed doors.

Many will be watching to see how Trump addresses Mark Carney – he recently referred to Canada’s former prime minister as “Governor Trudeau”.

Canada’s new top talker has been talking tough.

A week ago, when Carney won his party’s leadership contest, he invoked Canada’s national sport, ice hockey, which has long been locked in rivalry with US teams. “Canadians are always ready when someone else drops the gloves,” Carney declared to rousing applause.

“Make no mistake, Canada will win.”

But everyone knows this is no game. Carney described this escalating trade war as “the greatest crisis of our lifetime”. More than 80% of Canada’s exports cross the border to the US.

And while there have been a few reports of Canadians flying the US flag, a recent poll by the Angus Reid Institute underlined that a thumping 91% of Canadians reject becoming the 51st state.

On Friday, in Ottawa’s icy cold weather, Carney struck a warmer tone, highlighting how he and Trump share a background in business, including real estate.

“The president is a successful businessperson and dealmaker. We are his largest client in so many industries,” he remarked. “Clients expect respect and working together in a proper commercial way.”

Carney says he “looks forward” to speaking with President Trump. But the fact it will be a call, not a visit, is a measure of this moment. Traditionally, the first foreign visit of a Canadian leader is to the US – its closest neighbour and most trusted partner.

[BBC]

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IIHS partners with University of Surrey to transform healthcare education

The International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS), a pioneer in healthcare training for over 23 years, has partnered with the University of Surrey, UK, to revolutionise healthcare education in Sri Lanka and the broader South Asian region. This will create a world-class academic pathway for aspiring nursing and healthcare professionals, as well as young individuals seeking careers in the field. Under this agreement, IIHS and the University of Surrey will introduce a series of academic initiatives to enhance healthcare training and accessibility.

These include delivering internationally recognised nursing programmes that allow Sri Lankan and regional students to earn globally competitive qualifications in Sri Lanka.

Commenting on the move, Dr. Kithsiri Edirisinghe, CEO & Dean of Undergraduate Studies at IIHS, said: “This MOU marks a significant step in our mission to deliver world-class healthcare education to Sri Lanka and the region. IIHS remains dedicated to shaping the future of healthcare professionals and fostering global healthcare leadership.” Dr. Shelini Surendran, Associate Dean (International) at the University of Surrey, emphasised: “Sri Lanka is establishing itself as a regional education hub, and this partnership ensures students across Asia can access top-tier UK healthcare education at IIHS. By bridging academic excellence with accessibility, we provide students with a clear pathway to their professional goals.”

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Iftar gathering at Cinnamon Red

This Ramadan, Cinnamon Red Colombo welcomes guests to experience a truly special Iftar – A blessed gathering at Flavoured , the hotel’s signature restaurant during this holy month said at a press conference. Diners can break their fast with an exquisite buffet featuring a rich selection of Middle Eastern delicacies, international favourites, and irresistible sweet treats.

Designed to bring families, friends, and colleagues together in the spirit of Ramadan, the Iftar buffet at Flavoured offers a delectable spread that blends tradition with indulgence. Guests can expect authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, wholesome traditional Sri Lankan and international dishes, and a variety of delightful desserts.

Time:

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Venue:

Flavoured, Cinnamon Red Colombo

Special Offer:

4th person dines free

Ramadan is a time of togetherness, reflection, and gratitude. Cinnamon Red Colombo, takes pride in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere where guests can enjoy a carefully curated Iftar experience that honours tradition while offering an unforgettable culinary journey release said

Guests are encouraged to make early reservations to ensure they secure their seats for this special Ramadan dining experience.

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Sri Lanka makes outstanding appearance at OTM and SATTE 2025 in India

Starting its promotional work for 2025, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) added another feather into its cap of endorsements, by being recognized as the most innovative Tourism Board promotion in Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) . In parallel to that, several other sub events were held. The OTM was held in Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai—India, from 30th January to 01st February 2025.Before OTM, the Global Village – Global Exchange & Trade Exhibition was held at the Surat International Exhibition & Convention Centre , Sarsana, Surat (Gujarat – India , from 25th to 27th January 2025. This travel fair was organized by Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI).

Sri Lanka participated in both OTM and South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange (SATTE), held from 19th – 21st Feb 2025, in New Delhi, India . This was an excellent opportunity for Sri Lanka to promote it’s potential as a unique travel destination, especially for the Indian counterparts, as SLTPB has identified India as the number one source market for Sri Lanka, tourism bringing the largest number of tourist arrivals to the destination.

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Lanka faced rising threats of financial phishing attacks in 2024

Sri Lanka is increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks targeting businesses’ financial transactions, with 9,218 incidents of financial phishing detected in 2024 alone, according to the latest Kaspersky Security Bulletin. This figure highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals who are targeting businesses with deceptive online tactics designed to steal sensitive financial information.

Financial phishing attacks, which involve fraudulent notifications designed to impersonate legitimate financial institutions, have become a major concern for businesses worldwide. These attacks trick individuals and organizations into revealing critical credentials such as banking login details, credit card numbers, and payment information. Cybercriminals use malicious links or attachments to lure victims into falling for their schemes, often causing severe financial and reputational damage.

Sam Yan, Head of Sales for Asia Emerging Countries at Kaspersky. commented on the rising threat: “Financial phishing attacks in Sri Lanka is a clear signal that cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated. As businesses digitize their financial transactions, they must recognize the risks associated with phishing and other cyber threats. It is crucial that they adopt a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity to protect sensitive data.

He added, “Organizations across Sri Lanka must prioritize cybersecurity as a business imperative. Phishing attacks are among the most prevalent threats today, and they can have far-reaching consequences if not addressed. Businesses should take immediate steps to implement effective anti-phishing technologies and ensure that their employees are well-trained to recognize and avoid such attacks.”

Kaspersky’s report highlights that financial phishing, particularly in the business-to-business (B2B) sector, is on the rise. Sri Lanka has reported a significant number of phishing attacks aimed at B2B financial notifications, with 9,218 incidents detected in 2024. This places Sri Lanka in a critical position, urging businesses to adopt stronger cybersecurity practices.

To counteract this growing threat, Kaspersky recommends that businesses and financial institutions in Sri Lanka implement a series of proactive security measures: Deploy anti-phishing technologies to detect and block malicious communications in real-time. Invest in employee training to raise awareness about phishing tactics and how to spot suspicious activities. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of protection to sensitive financial transactions.

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Sciver-Brunt, Matthews power Mumbai Indians into second WPL final

Majestic batting from Nat Sciver-Brunt,  middle-overs acceleration from Hayley Matthews, and power-hitting from Harmanpreet Kaur helped Mumbai Indians post a daunting total of 213 in the Eliminator. That proved to be too much to chase down, and Mumbai’s 47-run win extended their head-to-head dominance over Gujarat Giants to 7-0 and powered them into their second WPL final in three years. On Saturday, they will face Delhi Capitals in a repeat of the 2023 finale.

Giants were without Deandra Dottin for their first knockout game in three WPLs after the allrounder hurt herself only five minutes before the toss, and was replaced by England’s Danielle Gibson. Giants didn’t do themselves any favours as they misfielded through the innings and put down four catches that cost them heavily. In the run chase, they lost their three top-scorers this season – Beth Mooney, Harleen Deol and Ashleigh Gardner – in the powerplay as Mumbai held on to their catches and effected run-outs.

Phoebe Litchfield scored a quickfire 31 off 20 balls, but once she was stumped off Amelia Kerr, Giants were all but out of the chase at 107 for 5, with the asking rate above 13 an over.

Put in to bat, Mumbai went back to opening with Yastika Bhatia, but it didn’t change her fortunes. After collecting three boundaries in her 14-ball stay during a sedate powerplay in which MI didn’t take too many risks, Bhatia pulled Gibson to midwicket to fall for 14.

The wicket brought out the in-form Sciver-Brunt, who didn’t bat an eyelid to get going alongside Matthews, who started with only 17 runs off her first 22 balls before taking off. Sciver-Brunt took the aerial route straightaway. She ended the seventh over with consecutive boundaries, which Matthews followed up by smacking three of her own off the next three balls from Priya Mishra to power the run rate past eight an over. Three of those five consecutive fours came off short deliveries, a length the Giants bowlers often bowled and got punished for.

Their sloppy fielding didn’t help either, leading to a number of boundaries. The first came in the ninth over when Sciver-Brunt drove to deep cover, where Simran Shaikh let the ball go through her. Soon after, Sciver-Brunt reverse paddled Gardner for her fifth boundary in 12 balls. Kashvee Gautam then let one through at point when Matthews cut one square. By then, Matthews had started to find her A game, and a six off Tanuja Kanwar’s short ball brought her fifty up off 36 balls, and the team’s 100 in 11 overs.

With Mumbai at 111 for 1 after 12 overs, Meghna Singh and Mishra brought some sort of balance back by conceding only 13 runs in two overs. But from the cushion of 124 for 1 with six overs to go, it was time to floor the pedal.

Harmanpreet Kaur smashed 36 off just 12 balls [BCCI]

Harmanpreet already had her helmet on in the dugout, and was shadow-practicing her big swings while waiting for her chance. Sciver-Brunt deposited Gibson over deep midwicket and long-on to raise a 29-ball fifty. Giants, meanwhile, continued their wretched run on the field when the reliable Gardner dropped Matthews on 57 straight down the ground.

Matthews made them pay immediately, hitting Mishra for back-to-back sixes over long-on and cover with deft footwork. Such was Mumbai’s luck that even a top-edge off the next ball went for four. But that luck ran out when Matthews edged Gautam behind for 77 off 50 balls, and Mooney took a sharp catch standing up.

Harmanpreet averaged nearly 79 against Giants before this game, and the number could have fallen had Mishra held on to a catch at midwicket when she was on 1. But Mishra didn’t, and Harmanpreet became Harmonster. She went deep in the crease and opened her stance to cart the ball around, whether it was in the slot or not.

Harmanpreet started the 18th over by hammering Kanwar for 6, 4, 4 – even that sequence included a misfield – before ending the over with her trademark slog-sweep for six. That over went for 22 in all. Sciver-Brunt also got a life in the next over – sandwiched between two boundaries off Gibson – when Kanwar made a mess of a skier. Giants were punished yet again next ball, but finally ended the partnership when Litchfield caught one at deep midwicket, leaving Sciver-Brunt seven short of 500 runs this season, and three short of 1000 in the WPL overall.

Harmanpreet was gifted two balls in the slot at the start of the last over, and she happily collected sixes off both. Meghna, however, finished well, giving away just two off the next three balls before nailing a yorker that led to Harmanpreet being run out for 36.

Danielle Gibson’s dive wasn’t enough for Amanjot Kaur’s flat throw from the deep [BCCI]

It took only five balls for the hosts to show their superiority in the field on the night, despite the presence of dew. When Shabnim Ismail drew Mooney’s edge, Matthews leapt to her right from first slip to grab the ball with both hands. When Harleen Deol and Gibson got into a mix-up in the fifth over, 20-year-old Sanskriti Gupta put in a dive at point and hurled the ball quickly to the wicketkeeper to find Deol short. And just before the halfway mark, Gibson also fell short when attempting a second run, and her dive wasn’t enough to beat Amanjot Kaur’s flat throw from the deep.

In between, Gardner lost her off stump against Matthews, which meant Giants were 43 for 3 in the powerplay. Litchfield was their only hope and she used her feet regularly against Kerr and struck two boundaries against Ismail that showed her class on either side of the wicket. But when Litchfield ventured out of the crease against Kerr once again and missed, Bhatia did the rest to
leave Giants 107 for 5.

Giants hardly had any steam left in their tank, and their poor running added to their misery. Next to fall short was Gautam, who was sent back when she hurried out for a quick single after drilling the ball to cover, from where Harmanpreet fired the ball back for the sixth wicket.

With another 102 runs to get from the remaining 42 balls, and their top five back in the hut, Giants’ only hope of getting anywhere close to their target was Bharti Fulmali. She started with a straight six off Amanjot, dispatched Kerr to the leg-side boundary, and flayed Matthews for consecutive boundaries behind square. But when Fulmali backed away looking for a third boundary in a row, Matthews beat her attempted cut and knocked the stumps over.

Mumbai continued their stellar fielding display as Harmanpreet took a diving catch to send Shaikh back, and Sciver-Brunt ran to her left at deep midwicket to seal victory in the last over.

Brief scores:
Mumbai Indians Women 213 for 4 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 77, Hayley Matthews 77, Harmanpreet Kaur 36, Yastika Bhatia 15; Kashvee Gautam 1-30, Danielle  Gibson 2-40) beat Gujarat Giants Women 166 in 19.2 overs  (Danielle Gibson 34, Phoebe Litchfield 31, Bharti Fulmali 30; Simran Shaikh 17, Tanuja Kanwar 16; Shabnim Ismail 1-35, Nat Sciver Brunt 1-31, Hayley Matthews 3-31, Amelia Kerr 2-28) by 47 runs

[Cricinfo]

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