Kuwait's ruler calls for Gulf unity to heal Qatar rift
WorldDUBAI (Reuters) - Kuwait's ruler called on Sunday for Gulf Arab states to overcome a diplomatic dispute with Qatar that has led to the worst regional split in years, saying all parties had a duty to preserve regional unity. Sheikh Sabah, a long-serving diplomat, said Gulf countries had "one destiny" because of their historical ties and cross-border family relations. These common interests gave Gulf states a duty to remain united, he said in the televised speech. He prayed for efforts "to preserve our Gulf states, their peoples and to avoid all that disrupts their strong relations and threatens their security and safety." FILE PHOTO: Kuwait"s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah addresses a plenary meeting of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit 2015 at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, New York September 26, 2015.
Source:Sunday Times
June 18, 2017 20:15 UTC
U-20 Hockey: Colombo ‘Reds’ and Kandy ‘Blues’ retain titles
In the penalty shoot-out which followed Colombo ‘Reds’ beat Matale ‘Golds’ 4-3. The goals for Colombo ‘Reds’ were scored by Diluka Mihiranga and Bodhika Dias during the normal run of play. Colombo ‘Reds’ qualified for the finals defeating Colombo Blues 2-0. In the girls’ final Kandy ‘Blues’ beat Colombo ‘Reds’ 4-3 on penalties. In the semi-finals Kandy ‘Blues’ beat Kalutara 3-0 and Colombo ‘Reds’ crushed Matale ‘Golds’ 5-0.
Source:Sunday Times
June 18, 2017 16:37 UTC
Lionel Wendt: Recovery and dispersal
Lionel Wendt: Recovery and dispersal View(s):By Manel FonsekaWhen I first wrote about Lionel Wendt in 1994, the person and the artist seemed to be almost forgotten. His memory was retained almost solely perhaps by those who possessed a copy of that beautiful book Lionel Wendt’s Ceylon. The search for WendtMy own search for Lionel Wendt came about quite by accident. The turning-point; August 1994It was not until August 1994 when Lionel Wendt: Photographs, an exhibition at the Lionel Wendt Memorial Gallery, took place, that the spotlight on Wendt unleashed a new wave of interest in his photographic achievement. It evoked great interest, especially from a younger generation of photographers who had never seen original work by Lionel Wendt.
Source:Sunday Times
June 18, 2017 08:07 UTC
Basketball: MSBA League gets underway
SportThe 27th edition of the Mercantile Services Basketball Association (MSBA) League Tournament 2017got under way on Monday (12), at Sir Edward Henry Pedris Stadium, Colombo 5. In the tournament openers, Mobitel Women, Kanrich Finance (Kanrich) Men and WNS Global Men recorded victories while Nations Trust Bank (NTB) Women Aitken Spence Men and Virtusa Men emerged winners on the Day 2. Women's 'B' Division:Mobitel beat John Keells Holdings (JKH) 82/7 (Halftime 51/2) in a one-sided game. Kasun Chamara (12), Minul Wimalagunaratne (12) and Andrew De Mel (8) excelled for Virtusa. Ashan Gunasinghe (20), Chamila Liyanage (17) and K. Kaushalya (15) were in top form for the winners.
Source:Sunday Times
June 18, 2017 04:52 UTC
MCA Cricket: Division 'G' 25-Over League Tournament weekly roundup
FFI's Lakshan Perera, the weekend’s top scorer, hit a belligerent 88 runs in 62 balls, with 6 sixes and eight fours vs A. Baur & Co (ABC). KC's Tharaka Marasinghe carried his bat out, scoring 83 not out in 47 balls, with three sixes and 13 fours vs Union Assurance (UA). SLT's Nirushan Ramachandran scored a brisk 80 runs in 52 balls, with two sixes and 10 fours vs debutants, JAT Holdings (JAT). CEAT's Shamil Jayalath finished with impressive figures of 5-0-19-5 to shoot out debutants, Waters Edge (WE) for 65 runs. The tournament will continue this weekend with a card of 26 half-day matches.
Source:Sunday Times
June 18, 2017 04:52 UTC
Russian sail training ship 'Nadezhda' departs Colombo harbour
NewsThe Russian sail training ship 'Nadezhda' which arrived at the port of Colombo on June 14, set sail from the Colombo harbor over the weekend. The ship that is 108 .6 m in length and 14 m in width, had got 120 training cadets on-board, the government news portal reported. During its stay in the country, the ship was open to visits of school children. Besides, the ships' crew had organized a photography exhibition on-board for the visitors to enjoy. Pic courtesy Navy.lk
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 21:45 UTC
Making music in the Himalayas
Making music in the Himalayas View(s):By Smriti DanielBack home from the remote Himalayan village he lives in most of the year, Stephen Philip is already thinking about the children waiting for him there. Making music in the form of singing, chanting, playing, composing or improvising fall into the category of active techniques. Since music affects pretty much every area of the brain, music therapy can, and does make large contributions to the lives of those with Cerebral Palsy. In the last year, I’ve observed that these communal music making gatherings tend to subtly contribute to a wider social change agenda, even when this is unintended. The fundraiser is primarily to meet my rent expenses for a new music therapy space, this coming year.
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 20:15 UTC
‘Thunsiya Hetaeka 361’ A theatre on the TV
‘Thunsiya Hetaeka 361’ A theatre on the TV View(s):Udyaysiri Wickremaratne’s theatre production ‘Thunsiya Heta-eka 361’, a satirical play on the television medium will be staged at 3.30 pm and 6.45 pm on June 24 at the Punchi Theatre, Borella. The cast includes Gihan Fernando, Umayangana Wickremasinghe, Ruwan Malith, Chamari Nisansala, Mihiri Priyangani, Susanga Kahandawalaarachchi, Rohitha Jayakoday, Kusal Maduranga, Ishara Wickremasinghe and Nayanthara de Silva. Music is by Lalith de Silva, set designing is by Llewellyn Vanderwall, costume design by Nipuni Preksha Mendis and lighting by Mihindu Madhushanka. The play is an insight into the mass media with special focus on television. The media which are supposed to disseminate truth to the people contributes in concealing and distancing the truth from the people in a society. The play is presented by Jude Srimal.
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 20:15 UTC
French Spring Festival is here
French Spring Festival is here View(s):“Mystic” an exhibition by photographer Marie- Caroline Senlis opened on Thursday heralding the start of the French Spring Festival 2017. Organised by the Embassy of France and the Alliance Francaise de Kotte, the photo exhibition is one of many exciting cultural events extending from photography, art, music, literature and fashion that will make up this year’s festival. Most of the events are free and open to the public. For more details –pls see www.lk.ambafrance.org or www.alliancefrancaise.lk or their Facebook page ‘French Spring Festival’.‘Mystic’ will be on today June 18 at the French Residence, 205, lake Drive, Rajagiriya. French Ambassador Jean-Marin Schuh with Marie Caroline Senlis (left) and other guests at the event.
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 20:15 UTC
Lee holds on to his lead stubbornly after eight counts
Lee holds on to his lead stubbornly after eight counts Singer-the Sunday Times Most Popular Schoolboy Ruggerite of the Year 2017 View(s): View(s):As the two winged competition of Singer-the Sunday Times Most Popular Schoolboy Ruggerite of the Year and Most Popular Rugby Team of the Year 2017 reaches the eighth week, star player Avishka Lee, the Wesley College three-quarter, continues to lead players’ list with 2559 votes. Lee added 117 to his existing count as his tally moves further away. Sasindu added a further 122 votes to push further his tally to 660 while Sumudu Rankothge, the Isipathana College three-quarter stands at third with 483 votes. Ovin Askey of Royal College is at fourth while Yuzraan Lantra of Zahira College remains at fifth. In the team competition Lee’s side, Wesley has 2556 votes while Ananda and Isipathana changed places from last week.
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 20:15 UTC
Poor fitness, overuse key to injuries- Prof. de Silva
Poor fitness, overuse key to injuries- Prof. de Silva By Champika Fernando View(s): View(s):Poor overall fitness levels among Sri Lankan cricketers–particularly in comparison with team members of other countries–could be one reason for frequent injuries, a leading sports medicine doctor said this week. “When compared with cricketers of Western nations like Australia, our cricketers are not that professional,” Prof de Silva said. Fitness training is not only about building your muscles. The injuries keep surfacing despite an army of support staff (including physios and masseurs) forming an integral part of the national cricket team. “I think they must focus on cricket-centric fitness training,” Prof de Silva said.
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 20:15 UTC
On a wave of luxury
On a wave of luxury View(s):Kumudini Hettiarachchi boards the ‘super-luxury’ M.V. Luxury and comfort in all their forms are provided to guests who have sought a “sea-going” vacation and boarded the ‘super-luxury’ M.V. Majestic Princess sedately cruising along the ‘Silk Sea Route’ on her 49-day maiden voyage from Rome in Italy to Shanghai in China. This luxury passenger vessel, the latest addition to Princess Cruises which is headquartered in Santa Clarita, California, United States of America – was built in the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Itlay. Earlier most of us have gazed in wonder at the sheer size of the Majestic Princess, getting a distinct feeling of what the Lilliputians would have felt on seeing Gulliver sprawled before them.
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 20:15 UTC
‘Tubelight’, a film created by Khans
‘Tubelight’, a film created by Khans View(s):‘Tubelight’, Bollywood movie based on a 2015 war-drama directed by Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gómez Monteverde’s ‘Little Boy’ will be released from June 23 in theatres in Colombo. Released for the season of Ramazan, the film tells a story of a man’s unshakable faith in himself and the love for his family. Produced by Salman Khan, the film is directed by Kabir Khan and stars Sohail Khan, Zhu Zhu and Salman himself. In a small picturesque town in North India, Laxman (Salman Khan) lives with his younger brother Bharat (Sohail Khan). Seeing the carnage around him and worried for his brother, Laxman decides he must stop this conflict and get his brother back.
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 20:15 UTC
A change in the order
However, when something does go wrong, like it did in the game against Pakistan, you have to take the blame. It is not as if Dayasiri – or even Thilanga – will offer to take some responsibility. For instance, he could take away Sri Lanka Cricket from Dayasiri and allocate it to the Ministry of Disaster Management! Maithri’s solution was to reshuffle his team of ministers and give them different subjects – and now we are all so happy. India will be visiting us in a few weeks – and you will need all the luck you can get!
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 20:15 UTC
Indo-Lanka talks lead to release of 42 Indian vessels
Indo-Lanka talks lead to release of 42 Indian vessels View(s):The Fisheries Ministry this week has decided to release 42 of the 140 Indian bottom trawlers, as the first phase of releasing vessels from Sri Lankan custody following ongoing discussions at joint India-Sri Lanka committee meetings, a senior official said. “We have taken this decision following the talks at the joint committee meetings held in both countries to find a long term solution to this conflict. With the release of these boats we will look at how we can come to a mutual agreement through this process,” Ministry secretary Mrs. W.M.M.R. Most of the vessels are in bad condition due to long anchorage at the jetties and need to be repaired before sailing back to India. Earlier Northern fisher leaders gave the green light to release the bottom trawlers seized years ago under strict conditions that the Indian fishermen would not return to engage in bottom trawling.
Source:Sunday Times
June 17, 2017 20:15 UTC