New Chairman for State Timber Corporation appointed
NewsPresident Maithripala Sirisena appointed Anuruddha Polgampola as the new Chairman of State Timber Corporation last week, Presidential Secretariat said. The new appointment came after the recent arrest of two top senior government officials, President's Chief of Staff Dr I.H.K. Mahanama and Chairman of the State Timber Corporation (STC) P.Dissanayake last week by investigation officers of Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC). Both were reportedly received Rs 20 million from an Indian investor as bribery in order to clear necessary procedures.
Source:Sunday Times
May 07, 2018 08:03 UTC
131 Sri Lankans detained in Malaysia
NewsThe Royal Malaysian Police Special Branch has confirmed that 131 persons believed to be Sri Lankans have been detained at Tanjung Gamoh, Sedili, in Johor Baru on May 1, Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed in a statement. Out of the 131 persons, 127 have been arrested under the Immigration Act 1959/63. The remaining 4 persons have been arrested under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act of 2007 and are also detained. At present, investigations are still underway, and officials of the Sri Lanka High Commission in Malaysia are working closely with the relevant Malaysian authorities in this connection. While the identities of the 131 persons are still in the process of being determined, initial information indicate that 43 of the 131 persons arrested hold identity cards issued by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Source:Sunday Times
May 07, 2018 07:41 UTC
Australia warns against softening stance on people smuggling
The boatload of 98 men, 24 women, four boys and five girls was believed to be bound for Australia or New Zealand. Mr Dutton used the intercepted vessel to attack Labor's approach to border protection. Mr Dutton warned New Zealand was now being marketed as a "definite destination" by people smugglers. "The people smugglers understand that and I don't understand why Labor can't get it," Mr Dutton told reporters. Mr Neumann said the government should be able to negotiate a resettlement deal with New Zealand akin to one struck with the United States.
Source:Sunday Times
May 07, 2018 07:18 UTC
Table Tennis: National shame as SL concedes W/O at for want of a player at WTTC
The teams were selected after a trial conducted among the Top 8 Men and Women Paddlers. The SLTTA had informed the selected players that, they will have to bear their own expenses on the tour. When the 'dropouts' inquired from the SLTTA, they were informed that the Ministry had issued only 6 air tickets for the team. Sri Lanka Men's team playing in the 1st Round lost 0-3 to Mexico, 2-3 to South Africa, 2-3 to Congo and 1-3 to Uzbekistan. The Women's team too met the same fate as their male counterparts, losing 0-3 to Norway, 1-3 to Bosnia, and W/O to Sweden.
Source:Sunday Times
May 07, 2018 03:56 UTC
NOC: Sports Ministry approval to become be a thing of the past
SportPolitical interference and patronage in the selection of sports teams for overseas competition could be a thing of the past with Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe pushing for a new sports law where Ministerial approval will not be necessary. This was the welcome news conveyed to Suresh Subramaniam, president of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka at a felicitation for the medalists at the Commonwealth Games at Temple Trees. “The Minister of Sports made a suggestion to the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister endorsed that the Sports Ministry should never be involved in selection and said steps would be taken to change the sports law,” Subramaniam disclosed. “The Prime Minister has assured all the medal winners will get a plot of land so that they can build a house. The six medal winners received a further windfall when the executive committee of National Olympic Committee decided to award cash grants.
Source:Sunday Times
May 07, 2018 00:56 UTC
NOC: Sports Ministry approval to become be a thing of the past
SportPolitical interference and patronage in the selection of sports teams for overseas competition could be a thing of the past with Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe pushing for a new sports law where Ministerial approval will not be necessary. This was the welcome news conveyed to Suresh Subramaniam, president of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka at a felicitation for the medalists at the Commonwealth Games at Temple Trees. “The Minister of Sports made a suggestion to the Prime Minister and the Prime Minister endorsed that the Sports Ministry should never be involved in selection and said steps would be taken to change the sports law,” Subramaniam disclosed. “The Prime Minister has assured all the medal winners will get a plot of land so that they can build a house. The six medal winners received a further windfall when the executive committee of National Olympic Committee decided to award cash grants.
Source:Sunday Times
May 07, 2018 00:56 UTC
Chess: Super Knights Challenge Trophy on May 19 and 20
SportThe All Island Individual Chess tournament organised by the Super Knights Chess Club for the Super Knights Chess Challenge Trophy 2018 will be held on May 19 and 20 at Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Kottawa. This event will be staged under the age categories of Under-7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 and an Open event for Boys and Girls in 11 groups. Registrations will be accepted on May 13 at Dharmapala Vidyalaya, Kottawa from 8.00am to 12.00noon. Details can be obtained from Yasiru Mihiranga on 0777 368882. E-mail: ymihiranga@yahoo.com.
Source:Sunday Times
May 07, 2018 00:56 UTC
Sumo: Karawitas win National Championship 2018
SportChamila Karawita of Matugama Sports Club and A.S. Malsha representing the YMCA were adjudged the Best Sumo players in the Men's and Women's categories at the second National Sumo Championship 2018 concluded at the YMCA auditorium. He went further to win the seven open events which made him the way to be adjudged the Best Player's award. Malsha, the elder sister of the Men's champ Chamila defeated Nayanarasi Karawita of Matugama Sports Club in the Open event final to be crowned the National Women Sumo champion. : Chamila Karawita; Open: Chamila KarawitaWomen's events winners:40kg. : Nayanarasi Karawita; Open: A.A.L.
Source:Sunday Times
May 06, 2018 15:11 UTC
Sumo: Karawitas win National Championship 2018
SportChamila Karawita of Matugama Sports Club and A.S. Malsha representing the YMCA were adjudged the Best Sumo players in the Men's and Women's categories at the second National Sumo Championship 2018 concluded at the YMCA auditorium. He went further to win the seven open events which made him the way to be adjudged the Best Player's award. Malsha, the elder sister of the Men's champ Chamila defeated Nayanarasi Karawita of Matugama Sports Club in the Open event final to be crowned the National Women Sumo champion. : Chamila Karawita; Open: Chamila KarawitaWomen's events winners:40kg. : Nayanarasi Karawita; Open: A.A.L.
Source:Sunday Times
May 06, 2018 15:11 UTC
Cricket: SLC profits soar over Rs 2 billion
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) began the year on a positive outlook, recording a Rs 63mn surplus in 2016. As at December 31, 2017, the board’s net profits stood at Rs 2.13bn compared with Rs 63mn recorded during the 2016 financial cycle. They now stand at Rs 1.16bn, a reduction of Rs 226mn when compared with the 2016 financial year (when they were Rs 1.39bn). The board spent Rs 284mn on development of stadiums, school cricket and other administrative grants over a mere Rs 42mn in 2016. In 2015, SLC deployed Rs 34mn on the sector but whittled it down to just Rs 10mn in 2016.
Source:Sunday Times
May 06, 2018 01:41 UTC
Athletics: Defence Ministry felicitates Commonwealth Games Medalists
SportThe Ministry of Defence (MoD) attaching national recognition to tri-service achievers at the recent 'Commonwealth Games - 2018', lauded their victories in a special ceremony at the MoD auditorium on March 27. State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardane was the Chief Guest, along with Defence Secretary Kapila Waidyaratne, P.C., State Secretary of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and the Army Chief of Staff who presented the awards. He cleared 114kg and 134kg in the 'Clean & Jerk' event at the Commonwealth Games, to qualify for the finals. SLA Boxer LCpl Ishan Bandara of the Engineering Corps, won Bronze in the Men’s 52kg Boxing semifinals. LCpl Bandara almost knocked out his Indian rival in a convincing manner, although he could not secure a Silver.
Source:Sunday Times
May 05, 2018 19:07 UTC
Modern Pentathlon: 12 Sri Lankans compete Level 1 Coaching Course
The Course was conducted by the Modern Pentathlon Federation of Sri Lanka (MPFSL), with support from the Ministry of Sports (MoS) and facilitated by the international body of Modern Pentathlon, UIPM which provided a resource person, Dmytro Kirpulianskyi, who is a UIPM Coaching Consultant, qualified Medical Doctor, an Olympian representing Ukraine in Modern Pentathlon, and member of the UIPM Athletes Committee. The Coaches were trained in theoretical classroom sessions, practical sessions and outdoor sessions for running, swimming, fencing and shooting. Twelve Coaches were certified as Level 1 Coaches until 2021, while 7 Coaches were certified pending another examination in 6 months. "This is a huge step forward for the sport of Modern Pentathlon in Sri Lanka, as it is in the early stages of development in the country. There were also representatives from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, along with Coaches representing Swimming, Fencing and Athletics from islandwide.
Source:Sunday Times
May 05, 2018 19:07 UTC
Cricket: Sri Lankans to train in Pallekele ahead of the Caribbean tour
SportSri Lanka's cricketers will head to Kandy on Wednesday (May 9) to begin a week-long training camp ahead of team’s tour to the West Indies. The training camp will be held at the Pallekele training center and will conclude on May 16. The national cricketers are among those domestic players currently honing their skills in the Super Fours Provincial tournament but expect to join the national team training on Wednesday. Meanwhile Sri Lanka Cricket has hired two Australians--Tim McCaskil and Peter Sleep as fast bowling and spin bowling consultants ahead of the tour. With team manager Asanka Gurusinha taking over as Chief Cricket Operations Officer, SLC is yet to name a replacement.
Source:Sunday Times
May 05, 2018 19:07 UTC
Horseracing: Local jockeys making great strides among foreigners
However, with the recent changes, local jockeys too are showing their keenness to improve in standards and techniques. It's important to maintain a slim body with an average weight, if you want to become a professional jockey," Perkins stated. It also paved the way for other local horse owners to bring down horses and jockeys, while some opted to make it a point to train local jockeys to become more competitive and professional. I believe the local jockeys have improved over the years through this," said a horse-racing enthusiast, who did not wish to be named. During their stay in Sri Lanka, both Singh and Perkins have graciously engaged and involved the local jockeys while training.
Source:Sunday Times
May 05, 2018 19:07 UTC
In pictures : Asymmetry
FeaturesThe cast of Silent Hands recently presented Ric Robinson’s Asymmetry, a story of human relationships that holds up a mirror to the audiences, where they will see, parts of their own lives- unfathomed and unnamed till then. For others still, the play will shed light on completely novel experiences of living and loving. Captured here are images from the production
Source:Sunday Times
May 05, 2018 19:07 UTC