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Richmond College Wins Thrilling Encounter Against Mahinda College UK Alumni

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A historic cricket match that has been a symbol of unity and sportsmanship among Sri Lankan cricket enthusiasts in the United Kingdom reached a significant milestone this weekend. The Annual Cricket Encounter between Richmond College and Mahinda Vidyalaya Alumni UK celebrated its 31st anniversary with a gripping showdown at the Amersham Cricket Club, Buckingham, England, on Saturday, September 9th.

In a match that kept spectators at the edge of their seats, the Richmond College Alumni team emerged victorious, clinching the prestigious ER Wijesuriya Challenge Cup. The Mahinda College Alumni team, batting first, showcased their prowess with a score of 135 runs at the end of 30 overs. However, it was the Richmond College team that stole the show with a remarkable reply, scoring 136 runs in the final over, securing a thrilling win.

The outstanding performance of Vikum Kaludora from Mahinda Vidyalaya, who took 3 wickets for just 6 runs, earned him the title of the Best Bowler of the match. Inshan Hadgie, who contributed significantly with 45 runs and also took 2 crucial wickets, was not only the Best Batsman but also the Man of the Match. His stellar performance earned him the coveted ER de Silva Challenge Trophy.
What makes this match even more special is its eligibility criteria – players must either be alumni of Richmond College or sons of alumni. This year, the event witnessed the participation of cricketing legend Champaka Ramanayake, a former fast bowler and bowling coach of the Sri Lankan team, alongside his son Sandesh Ramanayake, a popular school cricketer, both representing Richmond College UK OBA team.

This cricketing extravaganza, reminiscent of the historic Richmond vs. Mahinda encounters in Galle, Sri Lanka, which has spanned 118 years, found its way to the picturesque Chiltern Hills, nestled beside Shardeloes Lake in England. The Amersham Cricket Club served as the perfect backdrop for this friendly match, with a large number of Sri Lankans coming together to celebrate their shared love for cricket.

The Annual Cricket Encounter between Richmond College and Mahinda Vidyalaya UK Alumni has not only become a sporting tradition but also a platform for fostering camaraderie and preserving the rich heritage of Sri Lankan cricket. As the 31st anniversary edition came to a close, it left behind memories of spirited competition, outstanding performances, and the enduring bond of cricket.

Libya floods: Up to 10,000 dead, thousands missing in Derna

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The death toll in the devastated Mediterranean city of Derna has reached as much as 10,000, according to some sources.
The figure is expected to rise as recovery operations continue in Libya’s devastated eastern city.
IOM Libya says at least 30,000 individuals displaced in Derna by storm.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya said that at least 30,000 individuals have been displaced in Derna.

In a post on X, IOM added that 6,085 were known to have been displaced in other storm-hit areas including Benghazi, with the number of deaths still unverified.

“IOM & partners are immediately prepositioning NFIs, medicines, search and rescue equipment and personnel to the affected areas,” IOM said.

Libyans are coming to terms with the flood damage, which is “an unprecedented catastrophe”, said Al Jazeera’s Malik Traina, reporting from Tripoli.

One child in Derna can be seen asking where his mother is, “but no one has seen her”, said Traina.

Bodies washed into the sea can also be seen in the distance in the ravaged city, but it’s too dangerous to recover them for now, he also said.

Flags are flying at half-staff in Tripoli as aid from western Libya and other countries has started to pour into the east of the country.

People are blaming government negligence, Traina reports, but they are also hoping the devastation can finally unite the country’s rival politicians.

The death toll from the floods has risen to 6,000, with thousands still missing, a unity government official said.

Libya’s eastern administration said 5,300 bodies have been counted in Derna alone so far, with that number expected to rise and even double.

The sea at Derna is “constantly dumping dozens of bodies”, Hichem Chkiouat, the minister of civil aviation in the administration that runs eastern Libya, said.

He appealed for international help, saying Libya does not have the experience to deal with a disaster of this magnitude.

Massive destruction has shattered the Libyan coastal city of Derna, home to about 100,000 people, where multistorey buildings on the river banks collapsed and houses and cars vanished in the raging floodwaters.

The floods were caused by torrential rains from Storm Daniel, which made landfall in Libya on Sunday after earlier lashing Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Derna, 250km (150 miles) east of Benghazi, is ringed by hills and bisected by what is normally a dry riverbed in summer, but which has turned into a raging torrent of mud-brown water that also swept away several major bridges.

Mediterranean storm Daniel caused devastating floods in Libya that broke dams and swept away entire neighbourhoods in multiple coastal towns, the destruction appeared greatest in Derna city [Jamal Alkomaty/AP Photo]

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Oil ports closed due to storm reopen

Four major oil ports in Libya have now reopened since they were forced to shut down on Saturday due to the storm, port agent al-Omran International Maritime Agencies has said.

The eastern ports of Brega, Es Sidra and Ras Lanuf opened on Tuesday, while the port of Zueitina opened on Wednesday morning, al-Omran said.

Oil prices rose on Wednesday, as the market balanced supply concerns over the port shutdowns and OPEC+ production cuts against the global economic outlook.

Brega oil port is some 270km west of Libya’s eastern city of Benghazi [File: AFP/Getty Images]
Infrastructure in Derna not built to withstand storm, official says
The dams upstream from storm-hit Derna had not been maintained for more than two decades, and the city’s infrastructure was not built to withstand this week’s devastating floods, its deputy mayor says.

“The dams have not been maintained since 2002, and they are not big,” Ahmed Madroud told Al Jazeera.

According to Madroud, the first dam that failed was 70 metres (230 feet) tall. Once the water rushed past it, it accumulated behind the second dam, eventually causing it to burst.

AyurEx – Colombo 2023 Puts the Spotlight on Traditional Medicine in Sri Lanka

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The International Conference on Traditional Medicine, Educational Exhibition & Trade Fair was successfully held on 08th, 09th & 10th September 2023 at the BMICH in Colombo and was attended by the general public and interested parties. The ayurvedic exhibition was organised by the Ministry of Medicine, AyurEx Colombo 2023, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and was declared open at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Conference Hall on 8th September 2023. A large contingent including Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Minister of State for Indigenous Medical Sisira Jayakody, MP of Parliament Yadamini Gunawardena were gathered for the lighting of the traditional oil lamp opening ceremony.

Day 2 witnessed the International Conference on Traditional Medicine,Educational Exhibition with the presence of the Minister of Mass Media, Bandula Gunawardane and also Dr.M.D.J.Abeygunawardena.

The event served as a platform dedicated to showcasing the rich heritage and holistic principles of traditional medicine. With the increasing importance of Traditional Medicine to face today’s emerging health challenges, AyurEx Colombo 2023 offered the opportunity to exchange expertise, knowledge, and skills among academics, scientists, practitioners, entrepreneurs, and researchers through cutting edge research interventions and innovations. The AyurEx Colombo 2023 exhibition brought together renowned educators, practitioners, industry leaders and enthusiasts from around the world who expressed deep interest in exploring the ancient wisdom and modern innovations of traditional medicine in Sri Lanka.

By Nelum Buddhadasa

Sri Lanka’s long-awaited National Evaluation Policy finally commences after seven years

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The government initiates a comprehensive analysis of the spending in the 10 highest spending Ministries

Reports will be submitted to Parliament in all three languages to ensure transparency and accountability

The President acknowledged a significant void in Sri Lanka’s governance system—the absence of a national policy

In a significant development for Sri Lanka’s governance and policy landscape, the long-pending National Policy on Evaluation has finally been set in motion, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s mission for efficient governance. The policy, which was initiated in 2016 or 2017, was officially declared in 2018 during discussions in Parliament and now, in 2023, it is being hailed as a crucial step towards bringing discipline and consistency to government projects and policies.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, during his speech at the unveiling of the National Evaluation Policy Implementation Framework held at Temple Trees this morning (on the 8th), underscored the crucial involvement of the Ministry of Finance and the Project Management Department in the policy’s execution. This initiative aims to instil discipline within the government system. Currently, the assessment of expenditures in the top ten highest-spending Ministries is in progress, with the forthcoming reports slated for presentation in Parliament in all three official languages, ensuring transparency.

The President revealed plans to develop a foreign policy paper by the Minister of Foreign Affairs by the end of the year and a long-term defence policy for Sri Lanka by the Ministry of Defence. These initiatives aim to ensure a more consistent and enduring approach to policy-making followed by other ministries in producing a national policy framework.

He also stressed the importance of addressing policy adaptation issues at the ministry level, ensuring that national policies are effectively implemented.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlighting the importance of this landmark policy and its implications for the country’s governance stressed the need for a National Evaluation Policy, given the seven-year journey from its inception, which vividly illustrates the need for a comprehensive framework to assess the government’s actions. He lauded the dedication of those involved in crafting the policy, recognizing their remarkable work in making it a reality.

In his address, the President highlighted that the parliamentary session delved into critical matters, shedding light on one pressing issue: the haphazard nature of certain government projects. An illustrative instance brought up was the construction of a canal bridge, necessitating the demolition of three or four-story building. This example vividly exemplifies the challenges encountered in the planning and execution of projects.

President Wickremesinghe highlighted a significant void in Sri Lanka’s governance system—the absence of a consistent national policy. He emphasized the need for continuity in policies, suggesting that parliament-appointed committees should play a central role in creating a national policy framework.

This landmark step towards a more consistent and predictable policy environment in Sri Lanka is seen as essential for the country’s economic growth and overall development. The government officials expressed their commitment to the robust implementation of the National Evaluation Policy, emphasizing the importance of evaluating government actions effectively.

The implementation of the National Evaluation Policy will be overseen by the Ministry of Finance and the Project Management Department, with the objective of instilling discipline and order within the government system. The policy aims to ensure that policies remain consistent, even as governments change, in order to maintain a stable and predictable environment for economic and social development.

INS ‘Delhi’ arrives in Colombo

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The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Delhi’ arrived at the port September 2023). The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval tradition.

INS ‘Delhi’ is a 163.2m long Destroyer manned by a crew of 450 and the ship is commanded by Captain Abhishek Kumar. Meanwhile, the Commanding Officer of the ship called on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters this morning.

During the ship’s stay, the crew will take part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, with a view to promoting cooperation and goodwill between two navies. They are also expected to visit some of the tourist attractions in the country.

In addition, INS ‘Delhi’ has made arrangements to open the ship for the visit of school children. Further, training exchanges are scheduled to be held aboard, involving naval personnel from both navies. The ship is expected to depart the island on 03rd September and she will conduct a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a ship of Sri Lanka Navy, off Colombo.

International Workshop on Circular Leaf Spot Disease in Rubber Plantations

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IRRDB and Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka (RRISL) Organise International Workshop on Circular Leaf Spot Disease of Rubber Plantations in Colombo

The IRRDB and Rubber Research Institute of Sri Lanka (RRISL) officially commenced the International Workshop on Circular Leaf Spot Disease of Rubber Plantations in Marino Beach Hotel and RRISL at Colombo, Sri Lanka. The workshop is being held from September 4-6, 2023 and intends to provide scientists, researchers, and stakeholders a platform to exchange ideas and experiences in managing diseases of Rubber. It also provides exposure to various crop protection protocols such as screening for fungicides, clones, and other economically important diseases of rubber trees.The event was attended by Minister of Plantation Industries of Sri Lanka, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, who delivered a welcoming address expressing his gratitude to IRRDB and RRISL for organising the event.
Dr. Pathirana highlighted RRISL’s 100 year long presence and its significant contributions, especially in imparting knowledge to farmers across both traditional and non-traditional areas. The minister emphasised the crucial importance of rubber in the Sri Lankan economy, contributing through exports and serving as a focal point for important research and development efforts aimed at combating diseases affecting rubber production. Dr. Pathirana expressed his hope that the workshop would lead to long-term, and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the rubber industry, particularly in addressing prevalent diseases in rubber such as Circular Leaf Spot Disease scientifically known as Pestalotiopsis.
Furthermore, the IRRDB Secretary General, Datuk Dr. Abdul Aziz bin S.A. Kadir highlighted the pressing issue of Pestalotiopsis, which is a serious leaf disease in rubber that may result in 50-60% defoliation in plantations and reduce production to 40-45%. Given that 90% of global rubber production comes from smallholders, the most affected are these farmers compounding their difficulties. Dr. Aziz stated that the major challenge at present is finding effective solutions to help smallholders combat this fungus disease.
Meanwhile, Dr. Aziz expressed excitement in sharing that previous IRRDB meetings addressing Pestalotiopsis had yielded significant progress. The developments have encompassed a better understanding of the disease’s epidemiology, the testing of herbicides, and the exploration of potential applicators for disease control. He also emphasised the pivotal role of the youth in promoting natural rubber worldwide, advocating for increased rubber tree planting as a means to address climate change, as rubber trees help to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Present at the workshop were delegates from India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Thailand. The event will run from September 4th to 6th 2023.

Article by Nelum Buddhadasa

Inter House Sports Meet of Muslim Ladies College

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RUZAIK FAROOK

The eagerly awaited Inter House Sports Meet of Muslim Ladies College, Colombo took place at the St. Peter’s College Sports Complex recently. This event was a long-awaited opportunity for the students, who had missed out on the annual sports meet for the past two years. The day was graced by the presence of Upali Amarathunga, the Director of Education for Sports and Physical Education at the Ministry of Education, who served as the chief guest.

The atmosphere was one of excitement and enthusiasm as students from different houses competed and showcased their athletic prowess. Hajara House emerged triumphant, clinching the overall championship, while Fathima House secured the position of runner-up.

The event’s success could be attributed to the meticulous planning and support from the college administration. Under the patronage of the Principal Mrs. Nasriya Munas, Deputy Principal in charge of sports, Mrs. Akeeda Nauman, and the guidance of the Prefect of Games, Prasad Maduranga, and the teacher co-in charge of sports, Mrs. Shiny Adjumain, the event unfolded seamlessly.

This year’s event held special significance as it featured a groundbreaking addition: the first-ever karate display in the history of Muslim Ladies College. The participation of 58 students who actively learn Karate at the school highlighted the college’s dedication to nurturing diverse sporting talents among its students.

A major highlight of the day was the captivating drill display, which left a lasting impression on the audience, particularly the chief guest. The display was met with such appreciation that it was performed twice upon the audience’s request. The St. Peters Sports Complex was filled to capacity with spectators, prompting the chief guest to express his delight at witnessing such a grand event.

The grandeur of the occasion was marked by the final parade, led by Games Captain Amirah Milhar, alongside Assistant Games Captains Maryam Zulfikar and Salma Inthikab. This parade not only carried forward the prestigious tradition of the college but also highlighted the impeccable discipline and smartness of the Muslim Ladies College girls.

The Inter House Sports Meet not only showcased the athletic talents of the students but also provided a platform for camaraderie and sportsmanship. It will surely be remembered as a remarkable and successful event in the college’s history.

Indonesian Performers Enthral Audiences at The “Cultural & Charity Bazaar 2023” Held At The Indonesian Embassy

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Enthralling cultural and traditional dance performances by exquisitely decorated Indonesian artists along with Sri Lanka’s captivating up and low country dancers organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs, astounded the audience who had visited the “Cultural and Charity Bazaar 2023” on Saturday, 2nd September 2023 at the premises of the Embassy of Indonesia in Colombo 7. Both expats and local visitors braved the rain to witness the joint Indonesian-Sri Lankan extravaganza. The event was successfully organised by the Embassy of Indonesia together with The Sri Lanka-Indonesia Friendship Association (SLIFA) from 3pm to 10pm.

The proceeds from the “Cultural and Charity Bazaar 2023” will go to charity and is the second year running that it has been held,following the success of the previous event in October 2022. Her Excellency Madam Dewi Gustina Tobing, Ambassador of Indonesia, Ms Marleena Laxana, President of SLIFA, and Ms. Aruni Wijewardane, the Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were present at the colourful event. The “Cultural and Charity Bazaar 2023” offered an array of over 50 stalls displaying and selling a wide range of products from Indonesia and Sri Lanka which included Indonesian food, batik clothing, authentic noodles and sweetmeats,crafted shoes, and fancy and household items.
The “Cultural and Charity Bazaar 2023” event delighted both expat and local audiences of all ages with magnificent performances by the talented artistes showcasing traditional dances from different regions of Indonesia. Cultural dance performances included the Baris dance from Bali, the Tor Tor dance from North Sumatra and the Ratoeh Jaro dance from the Aceh region.

Sri Lanka’s very own Kandyan performers, drummers, fire dancers and low country dancers also added much excitement and glamour to the event with their spectacular performances. The family oriented “Cultural and Charity Bazaar 2023” provided much needed quality entertainment for those interested in the culture and traditions of Indonesia and also provided a platform to showcase local talent to the various expat communities in Colombo.

Article by Nelum Buddhadasa

78th Anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

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RUZAIK FAROOK 

The 78th Anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was held at the Lotus Ballroom, Shangri-La Hotel Colombo on Tuesday August 29th 

Chief Guest Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera along with Ambassador of the Vietnam Ho Thi Thanh Truc cut the anniversary cake.

Minister of Mass Media Bandula Gunawardana, Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation Nimal Siripala de Silva, Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, Members of Parliament,  Ambassadors, Media Personnel and Embassy Officials were also present.  

“Nolimit 17th Zahira Super 16 soccer 7’S 2023”

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Left to right

Kaleel Rahman- President of Past Prefects association

Trizviiy Marikkar- Principal Zahira college

Fawaz Mohamed -Marketing Manager Nolimit

Shafraz Niyas-Assistant Manager Retail Marketing

Rohan Gunarathna-Senior Executive Retail Marketing

Washim Ashraff- Project Chairmen Nolimit Zahira super 16

17th-Zahira-Super-16-Soccer-7s-2023-EnglishDownload
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