Lanka’s cricket diplomacy: Indo-Pak bhai-bhai View(s):Cricket is not just a game; it is more than a passion in the South Asian subcontinent. The high-octane India-Pakistan clash in a packed stadium, electrified by fan emotions and patriotic fervor, makes every encounter between the two arch rivals unforgettable. The picture shows an Indian fan and a Pakistani fan making a friendship gesture near the Premadasa Stadium yesterday, ahead of today’s match — made possible also by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s successful cricket diplomacy, which led Pakistan to reverse its decision to boycott the match. Pic by Eshan Fernando

Downing the scalpel to wield the willow View(s):Surgeons from across the country take to the field to play the gentleman’s gameBy Kumudini HettiarachchiStrange bedfellows – a cricket bat and hard ball alongside a scalpel, a needle holder, a pair of needles and sutures! It may seem like two extreme worlds, one waving the scalpel and the other a bat, but they share common characteristics, he said. However, he laughingly added that when first they formed a medical cricket team in Sri Lanka, more than half comprised surgeons but only one or two were physicians. Negotiate without stoppages, was the plea from 79-year-old Mr. Tennekoon considered one of the greatest batsmen in the period before Sri Lanka achieved Test status. From 2000-2003, he also served as Chief Executive of the Sri Lanka Cricket Board.

The draft “Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill” (PSTA), published by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Justice in December last year, aims to replace the 1979 Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and was opened for public comments until February 28. The rapporteurs warned that this provision, when read with Section 8, could effectively criminalise legitimate media reporting on security operations, police misconduct, or human rights violations. The bill also enables protracted detention for up to two years, including a full year of administrative detention issued by the executive branch. The concerns outlined in this latest report echo sentiments expressed by local experts since the bill was released in December last year. Secondly, she argues that all three proposed draft laws are, in key respects, worse than the existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

When Kala Pola turned Green Path into a feast of creativity View(s):Where to stop, where to look? Art enthusiasts had a stimulating and enriching experience at this year’s Kala Pola which spread through the length of Green Path last Sunday and brought together artists from all over the country with a diverse array of styles encompassing art, sculpture and much more – a feast of creativity. Kala Pola presented by the George Keyt Foundation and co-sponsored by the John Keells Foundation, is easily one of the most anticipated events in Colombo’s already packed arts calendar. This was its 33rd edition. Share This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS

Uneven playing field View(s):My dear Jay Shah and the ICC,I thought of writing to you even though you must be very busy preparing for the game between India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup in Colombo tonight. Probably partly upset at India playing host to their ousted leader Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh asked to play all their games in Paradise. While all the other teams travelled around Pakistan playing their various games, India didn’t set a foot out of one ground in Dubai. With all respect to you, Jay, you haven’t convinced us that there was no one better than you for your job in all the cricket playing countries. Still, it is good that India and Pakistan are playing tonight though it cannot hide the fact that the ICC is now the ‘Indian Cricket Council’ and cricket is not played on a level playing field anymore.

‘Newburgh Ella – The Tea Factory Resort’ officially opened its doors to travellers from around the world on January 30, 2026, adding a distinctive new dimension to the town’s growing luxury landscape. Once a working tea factory, the century-old estate was originally established in 1903 by renowned Scottish planter George Thomson. Located on the Ella–Passara main road, close to the world-famous ‘Nine Arch Bridge’ and the ‘Pekoe Trail’, ‘Newburgh Ella -Tea Factory Resort’ features 41 thoughtfully designed rooms. With this level of investment, we expect to achieve a return within five to six years’ said Eksath Wijeratne, CEO of Browns Hotels & Resorts. The room rates at ‘Newburgh Ella’ range from Rs 78,000/- (BB) to Rs 103,000/- (BB)For more details log onto www.brownshotels.comYou can share this post!

Motorsports: Driving Performance beyond the track, Mobil at SLADA 2025SportMcLarens Lubricants Ltd, the authorised distributor of Mobil Lubricants in Sri Lanka and part of the McLarens Group, was proudly recognised at the recently concluded SLADA Championship 2025 Awards Night for its continued commitment to the development of motor sports in the country. These categories represent some of the most competitive segments in the Sri Lankan motor racing environment, showcasing performance, endurance, and reliability that Mobil products are renowned for both on and off the track. Through the Mobil brand, McLarens Lubricants played a vital role in supporting these events, reinforcing the importance of using high-performance lubricants that can withstand demanding racing environments. “Motor sports has always been closely aligned with the Mobil brand globally, and we are proud to carry that legacy forward in Sri Lanka. This recognition further reinforces Mobil’s legacy in performance engineering and McLarens Lubricants’ commitment to supporting sporting excellence in Sri Lanka.

Sports Diary for this week - February 12-18SportThe ICC Men’s T20 World Cup continues in Sri Lanka and India as co-hosts with three games lined up on each day. The 20-team world event will continue until March 8. The SLR-Maliban Club Rugby League 2025/26 will reach a decisive week as the final week’s games of the Super Round in the Cup and Plate segments approach this weekend. The FSL Champions League 2025/26 football tournament too has reached the Super 8 and Relegation stages. The four Super 8 matches will be played at the Racecourse ground, while the Relegation Round will be played at Kelaniya.

Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC welcomes ‘Walk for Peace’NewsThe Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC welcomed the ‘Walk for Peace’ on 10 February 2026, a walk by a group of Buddhist monks throughout the United States advocating world peace which was attracted by the people of the United States and around the world. The Embassy participated in the Danna organized by the Sri Lankan community in the DMV area, offering traditional Sri Lankan cuisine at the National United Methodist Church, where over 200 Buddhist monks were in attendance. Thousands of people were gathered around the Cathedral showing their support for the Walk for Peace. Embassy staff, together with members of the Sri Lankan community, offered flowers and extended greetings to the Walk. In addition, the Embassy distributed water bottles to all devotees participating in the Walk, a gesture that was warmly appreciated.

Enchanteur brings fragrance and fashion for Valentine’s SeasonBusinessThis Valentine’s season, Enchanteur is celebrating love across Sri Lanka with a unique islandwide promotion that blends the romance of fragrance with the thrill of fashion. In collaboration with some of the country’s leading fashion retailers, the campaign offers shoppers the chance to win exclusive clothing store gift vouchers, making Valentine’s shopping both stylish and rewarding. The limited-period promotion encourages customers to indulge in their favourite Enchanteur fragrances while enjoying the excitement of fashion rewards. By linking scent with style, the campaign creates memorable experiences, going beyond the traditional concept of gifting fragrance to bring love, self-expression, and style together under one roof. Through this initiative, Enchanteur invites shoppers to celebrate love in all its forms, whether treating a loved one or enjoying a moment of self-indulgence showing that fragrance and fashion can make everyday moments feel special this Valentine’s season.

Sri Lanka’s Central Bank warns against foreign exchange transactionsNewsSri Lanka’s Central Bank has warned against transactions conducted in foreign currency between residents, which is a violation of current rules and liable to a punishment. “The Central Bank has noticed certain instances where residents in Sri Lanka transact within the country in foreign currency, rather than in Sri Lanka Rupees. In this connection, the Central Bank wishes to clarify that according to the provisions of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Act all transactions executed between or among residents in Sri Lanka shall be made in Sri Lankan Rupees, unless otherwise authorised,” it said in a statement on Thursday. It said the Central Bank has not granted any authorisation for local merchants to receive any payments from its local customers to the credit of any Foreign Currency Account by converting Sri Lanka Rupees into foreign currency, including payments via Electronic Fund Transfer Cards (i.e. Accordingly, any person resident in Sri Lanka making payments to a merchant in Sri Lanka in foreign currency, and/or any merchant accepting payments in foreign currency from a person resident in Sri Lanka commits an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding Rs.

Netball: NFSL to conduct talent hunt ahead of 14th Asian ChampionshipSportThe Netball Federation of Sri Lanka (NFSL) will conduct a talent hunt to pick a preliminary pool of players as preparation for the 14th Asian Netball Championship to be held in Hong Kong from August 7 to 16. The NFSL, issuing a statement, stated that its Executive Committee is focusing on players with talent above the height of 5 feet 7 to select a preliminary pool that would accommodate 40 players or more. The NFSL will conduct a selection camp through its talent hunt process scheduled to take place on February 21 from 7:00am at the Sports Ministry ground in Torrington. You can share this post!

Shooting: Sri Lanka team arrives with two Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship medalsSportThe Sri Lanka shooting contingent arrived in Sri Lanka on Tuesday (10) night after claiming two medals -- a silver and bronze -- at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Championship 2026, held from February 2 to 14 in New Delhi, India. Sri Lanka claimed the silver medal in an Individual Event, while the bronze medal came from a Team Event. Umaya Kumarasiri won the silver medal of the 10m Air Rifle Women Youth event, finishing her event on 247.4 points, competing in Individual Events. In Team Events, Sri Lanka, comprising Sinadi Kodikara, Reinya Ranasinghe and Fathima Nuha Rahuman, won the bronze medal of the 10m Air Pistol Women Junior Team event. (From left) Medal winners Umaya Kumarasiri, Reinya Ranasinghe, Sinadi Kodikara, and Fathima Nuha RahumanOfficials of National Shooting Sport Federation of Sri Lanka were present at the Bandaranaike International Airport to welcome the team.

In Pix- Holy Devenimori Relics departed to India after expositionNewsThe Holy Devnimori Relics of Lord Buddha, brought to Sri Lanka on February 04, 2026, were returned to India today, after a successful exposition at Gangaramaya temple. The Relics were accompanied by Shri Mangubhai C. Patel, Governor of Madhya Pradesh and Shri Chowna Mein, Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on their return journey. The ceremonial departure in Bandaranaike International Airport, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Deputy Minister Gamagedara Dissanayake and High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha were present to see off the Holy Relics. By Akila JayawardenaYou can share this post!

Applications called to fill RTI Commission vacancyNewsThe Constitutional Council calls for nominations from civil society organizations, for a vacancy arising in terms of Section 12(1) (c) of the Right to Information Act No 12 of 2016, to be recommended to the President for appointment as a member of the Right to Information Commission. In terms of Section 12(2) (a) (i) of the Right to Information Act, the members of the Commission should be persons who have distinguished themselves in public life with proven knowledge, experience, and eminence in the fields of law, governance, public administration, social services, journalism, science and technology, or management, Parliament's Department of Communications noted. The nominations should be prepared in accordance with the nomination form, which is available on the website of Parliament of Sri Lanka (www.parliament.lk) with a quick link named ‘Appointment to the post of Member of the Right to Information Commission’, and the duly completed nominations should be sent to;Acting Secretary-General to the Constitutional CouncilConstitutional Council - OfficeParliament of Sri LankaSri Jayewardenapura Kotte. on or before 15th February 2026 by registered post or by e-mail to constitutionalcouncil@parliament.lk .On the top left corner of the envelope of the letter being sent, or as the subject of the email, it should be stated as ‘Appointment to the post of Member of the Right to Information Commission’. You can share this post!