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Deviating from present path of recovery could lead to another economic collapse – President

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In a special statement to Parliament today (13), President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the critical role of the government’s program, backed by assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and debt restructuring, in rebuilding the collapsed Sri Lankan economy. The President warned that deviating from this path could lead to another economic collapse, urging caution against the allure of political fairy tales.

President Wickremesinghe highlighted the success achieved through the proper handling of two fundamental factors: securing the support of the IMF and implementing debt restructuring. He asserted that by continuing this program, Sri Lanka has the potential to evolve into a developed nation.

The President announced that the approval of the second tranche of the IMF would result in the World Bank (WB) providing Sri Lanka with US $150 million for deposit insurance. This injection of funds is expected to significantly fortify the Sri Lankan financial sector.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by various taxes, including the Value Added Tax (VAT), President Wickremesinghe clarified that these decisions were made not out of choice but as necessary steps for the country’s future. He assured that as the economy strengthens, the government will implement measures to bring relief to the people.



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Brown University in US reports ‘active shooter’ situation on campus

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Law enforcement officials gather outside the Brown University on December 13 (Aljazeera)

Police and school officials in the United States are asking residents of Providence, Rhode Island, to shelter in place after an active shooter was reported on the campus of Brown University.

Multiple people are believed to have been injured in the attack.

Around 4:22pm local time (21:22 GMT), the Ivy League university issued an emergency update that there was a gunman near the Barus and Holley engineering lab.

“Lock doors, silence phones and stay stay hidden until further notice,” the university said in its update.

“Remember: RUN, if you are in the affected location, evacuate safely if you can; HIDE, if evacuation is not possible, take cover; FIGHT, as a last resort, take action to protect yourself.”

Later, at 5:27pm local time (22:27 GMT), the school reported that shots had been fired near Governor Street, approximately two blocks away.

The Providence Police Department announced a few minutes later, “Multiple shot in the area of Brown University.”

Earlier in the day, the university withdrew an announcement that indicated a suspect had been taken into custody. It clarified, “Police do not have a suspect in custody and continue to search for suspect(s).”

US President Donald Trump published a similar retraction on his online platform Truth Social, after erroneously posting around 5:44pm (22:44 GMT) that the suspect was in custody.

“I have been briefed on the shooting that took place at Brown University in Rhode Island,” Trump also wrote. “The FBI is on the scene.”

Law enforcement remains on site at the university. The incident is currently under investigation.

The shooting comes as the academic semester winds down at Brown University. The last day of classes was on Thursday, and the school is in its final examination period until December 20.

The seventh oldest university in the US, Brown is considered part of the prestigious Ivy League, a cluster of private research colleagues in the Northeast. Its student body numbers at 11,005, according to its website.

(Aljazeera)

 

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England security in airport clash with camera operator

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England players have had to get used to attention while in transit in Australia (Cricinfo)

A member of England’s security staff was involved in an altercation with a Channel Seven camera operator at Brisbane airport.

The incident took place on Saturday morning as the touring squad were departing for Adelaide ahead of the third Ashes Test, which begins on Wednesday.

Footage from the broadcaster shows the security guard pushing away the camera operator as he looks to get up close to the players, who had driven down from Noosa where they had been enjoying a mid-series break The trip itself  had been the subject of derision The trip itself had been the subject of derision after England went 2-0 down in the Ashes following their defeat at the Gabba last week.

Cricket Australia’s directive to all media during the series is that both teams should be respected when traveling between Tests, including at airports. All CA media briefing documents for the series contain the following: “The Australian and England teams will not be available for interview while in transit between matches during the NRMA Ashes series. All airport, hotel and transit is vision only, to be captured from a respectful distance.”

While the footage shows Seven had adhered to this protocol, the state of the series has ramped up the media focus on England, who must win the next Test to keep the series alive having been beaten twice inside six days of cricket.

Unofficially, England have urged their security staff to operate with a light touch, particularly given the number of well-meaning requests they have received for selfies when out and about. They were greeted in Adelaide by “eight to ten camera crews” at the baggage carousel.

Ever since arriving in Perth at the start of November, England have been subject to plenty of attention from local and national organisations, and reacted in good grace. Having been warned of the intense scrutiny on Ashes tours, a number of players have not batted an eyelid at various intrusions.

They indulged filming of their rounds of golf ahead of the first Test, joking that the use of drones made them feel like they were receiving coverage akin to professional golfers. In Brisbane, when skipper Ben Stokes and other team-mates were photographed not wearing helmets while using e-Scooters – a fineable offense in the state of Queensland – Stokes brushed it off, even when asked by a journalist if he and his team would apologise for the misdemeanour. When the transgression was put to Ollie Pope ahead of the second Test, he reacted matter-of-factly: “Just put a helmet on next time. Rules are rules.”

The squad were also confronted by media in Noosa over the last three days, both at the beach and bars of the Sunshine Coast resort town. Stokes even indulged a photo opportunity on the beach during a squad-wide game of football keepy-uppy (otherwise known as PIG), with radio station MixFM employees “Archie and Bretz”, who were wielding placards such as “FOR SALE: MORAL VICTORIES” while dressed in full whites.

This incident, however, is a break from that norm, at a time when England have come under fire for their poor performances.

Poor batting displays and a bowling attack losing their way have exacerbated annoyance from England fans at the team’s refusal to accept that their build-up for a series of this magnitude has been less than ideal.

They played a single warm-up match against England Lions at Lilac Hills ahead of vastly different conditions at Perth’s Optus Stadium. After choosing not to send their first-string to practice under lights against the Prime Minster’s XI in Canberra, England opted for five training sessions ahead of the day-night Test at The Gabba. After succumbing to a second eight-wicket defeat, head coach Brendon McCullum stated they had over- prepared.

There is a suggestion that England’s long lead-in to the second Test – which started with a previously unscheduled session at Allan Border Field – was triggered by the criticism of their preparation. This airport incident, however minor, speaks of a crack in their laissez-faire approach at the halfway point of the tour, with a month and three Tests to go, underlining the seriousness of what is at stake in Adelaide and beyond.

(Cricinfo)

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Sethmika stars as Sri Lanka under 19s crush Nepal by 8 wickets

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A five wicket haul by Sethmika Seneviratne  helped Sri Lanka under 19s register an 8 wicket win over Nepal in  their Under 19 Asia Cup opener in Dubai today (13).

Brief scores

Sri Lanka Under 19 84/2 in 14.5 overs (Dimantha Mahavithana 39*, Kavija Gamage 24*) beat Nepal Under 19s 82/10 in 28.5 overs (Cibrin Shesthra 18; Sethmika Seneviratne 5-25) by eight wickets

 

 

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