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’As responsible governments, we must ensure that public finance serves as a catalyst for advancing the rights of every child and securing their future.’ – Prime Minister

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the critical importance of child-focused public financing, noting that “Government budgets are among the most powerful instruments for realizing the rights and well-being of children as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. As responsible governments, we must ensure that public finance serves as a catalyst for advancing the rights of every child and securing their future.”

She made these remarks while addressing the two-day program on “Financing What Matters: Strengthening Public Financial Management for Inclusive Social Outcomes for Children and Families”, a Regional Knowledge Exchange held on 3rd and 4th September at NH Collection in Colombo under the EU-UNICEF Public Finance Facility. The event, implemented by UNICEF and supported by the European Union, served as a forum for dialogue between policymakers responsible for public financial management, budgeting, and expenditure processes across Asia, as well as international partners in this field.

In her address, the Prime Minister further stated:

“Our Government places children at the heart of our responsibilities, and as such, all our policies will reflect the best interests of the child. Being acutely aware of the continuing impact of economic challenges on our people particularly the most vulnerable, including our children the Government of Sri Lanka continues to pursue fiscal consolidation while prioritizing public investments in children and social protection.

In this regard, we have introduced specific child-focused budgetary measures in the 2025 budget. LKR 1 billion has been allocated to provide a monthly allowance of LKR 5,000 to children in institutional or guardian care—of which LKR 2,000 is credited to the child’s minor account, and LKR 3,000 provided to guardians for welfare expenses. LKR 500 million has been dedicated to improving capacity, infrastructure, and human resources in 379 certified child care institutions. A further LKR 1 billion has been proposed as a housing grant to support orphaned children in building stable homes or ensuring long-term security once they marry after the age of 18. In addition, LKR 250 million has been allocated to establish a child-friendly transport system, especially for institutionalized children required to travel to and from courts. LKR 200 million has been committed to establishing a specialized treatment center for children with Neuro-Developmental Disabilities (including autism) at the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, while LKR 250 million has been allocated to develop a model daycare center supporting inclusive early childhood development for children with NDD.

These allocations, together with historic increases in health and education budgets, reflect our Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable children, strengthening families, and ensuring every child in Sri Lanka has access to education, nutrition, healthcare, and psycho-social support. By embracing innovation, supporting vulnerable populations, and aligning fiscal policy with sustainability, we aim to transform today’s challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience.”

Speaking at the event, Myo Zin Nyunt, Deputy Regional Director of the UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, said: “By offering technical advice, training, and space for policy discussion, this Facility is helping countries like Sri Lanka make better budget choices, deliver services more effectively, and involve citizens including young people in decision-making.”

Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of prioritizing social sector spending, noting that without such investment societies will not be able to withstand future challenges.

The event was attended by the UN Resident Coordinator, Marc-André Franche, UNICEF Sri Lanka Representative, Emma Brigham, Dr. Harshana Sooriyapperuma, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, officials from the EU and UNICEF regional offices in Bangkok, as well as senior officials from the Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]



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India’s Sri Lanka Test tour set to begin in Galle on August 15

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India will play Tests in Sri Lanka for the first time since 2017. [Cricbuzz]
India are likely to begin their Test series in Sri Lanka in Galle later this year. Shubman Gill’s side is slated to play two Tests, with the Galle International Stadium in southern Sri Lanka, expected to host the opener from August 15 to 19. The two Tests will be part of the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The venue for the second Test has not yet been confirmed, but it is most likely to be given to the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in central Colombo. That match is scheduled to start on August 23. The two-Test series will mark India’s first Test tour of Sri Lanka in nine years, since 2017, when India, under Virat Kohli, had whitewashed the islanders.
While neither Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) nor the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially announced the itinerary, Cricbuzz understands that the start dates of the two Tests are broadly accurate, with Galle set to host the series opener. Cricbuzz had reported on May 18 that the first Test was likely to be played between August 15 and 19.
In addition to the two Tests, India could also play three T20Is, a possibility Cricbuzz has reported on previously and one that BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia recently alluded to. “There is a request for three matches and we will finalise the schedule soon,” Saikia told the media.

With the Lanka Premier League (LPL) scheduled to conclude on August 9, fitting in the T20Is after the Test series appears more feasible than staging them beforehand. SLC is understood to be working through the finer details of the tour, including the potential addition of the three-match T20I leg.
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US strikes Iran in response to downing of military helicopter

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An Apache helicopter was downed in the incident over the Gulf (file photo) [Aljazeera]

The US says it has carried out a series of strikes on Iranian military and surveillance sites in response to the downing of an American helicopter in the Gulf.

Air defence systems, ground control stations and radar sites were targeted near the Strait of Hormuz, the US military Central Command (Centcom) said.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it launched strikes on 21 targets at US bases in the region, one in Bahrain and the other in Jordan, while Kuwait’s army said it was also intercepting an attack.

The US has described its strikes as “a proportional response” for the Apache helicopter downing on Monday, while the IRGC described the attacks as “vicious”.

US President Donald Trump had earlier accused Iran of shooting down the helicopter and said the US “must, of necessity” respond. The two crew members survived and were rescued by an American sea drone.

According to US officials, Iran used a drone to launch the attack on the helicopter. But it is not clear whether the Iranian drone had deliberately attacked, an unnamed US official told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner. The semi-official Mehr News Agency reported that Iran had not claimed responsibility for the downed aircraft.

Trump said the helicopter had been patrolling the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping channel that was effectively closed days after the US and Israel launched its first strikes on Iran in late February.

On Wednesday, the IRGC said US strikes had damaged a telecommunications tower and two water tanks, and added the US had targeted the cities of Jask and Sirik, and Qeshm – an island in the Gulf.

US officials are yet to comment on reports of attacks on its bases and it is unclear if there has been any damage. Jordan’s military said it had shot down five missiles fired from Iran.

Earlier, an air raid alert was issued in Bahrain, according to local authorities who said Iranian attacks had been repelled.

Map of the Strait of Hormuz and nearby coastline showing parts of southern Iran, the UAE and Oman. Three locations in Iran - Qeshm island, Sirik and Jask -are highlighted in red as Iran said they were targeted by US strikes. Nearby cities including Bandar Abbas in Iran, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the UAE and Muscat in Oman are marked for context, along with labels for the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.

Iran’s foreign minister issued a threat to the US in the aftermath of the renewed US attacks, saying the country “will leave no attack or threat unanswered”.

“Despite its defeats on the battlefield, the US opted to test our determination,” Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X.

He added: “Leave our region if you want to be safe.”

In Washington, US House Speaker Mike Johnson said he was in the room with Trump when he decided that US attacks on Iran should resume.

“We lament that it became necessary,” said the top Republican in Congress, adding that “we’re going to have to take care of this business”.

Araghchi said on Tuesday that foreign forces near Iran’s territory were at “constant risk on account of their own human errors, plain accidents or potentially being caught in crossfire”.

“To reduce risk, best solution is for them [foreign forces] to leave,” the Iranian leader said in a post on X.

Minutes before Trump’s comments on the downed American Apache helicopter on Tuesday, Iran’s top negotiator in peace talks with Washington, Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, took to social media to signal retaliation.

“We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we’ll switch to what we speak best.”

“You ride the horse you saddled!,” he wrote.

It remains to be seen what impact the exchange of fire will have on the negotiations between the US and Iran.

But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqai told reporters on Wednesday that the US was “damaging this diplomatic process through the contradictory messages it sends, its repeated shifts in positions and demands, and, worst of all, through repeated violations of the ceasefire”.

He said Iran needed to re-assess the situation, adding that any diplomatic process required a minimum of stability.

The flare-up between the US and Iran comes after Israeli forces carried out strikes across southern Lebanon on Tuesday.

Tehran had warned that Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon would trigger another wave of retaliatory strikes.

Israel and Iran halted attacks on each other after exchanging fire over the weekend for the first time since April’s truce.

Trump publicly told both countries to “immediately stop ‘shooting'” because they were jeopardising negotiations between Washington and Tehran on a deal to end the regional war.

He said on social media platform Truth Social that Israel and Iran are looking to do “an immediate ceasefire” but peace is “subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way”.

On Tuesday he also told journalists: “We’re in the final throes of what will be a very, very good deal,” adding that it could take “two or three days” and the Strait of Hormuz would open immediately after.

[Aljazeera]

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Rana and Mosaddek star as Bangladesh end 21-year wait with crushing win

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Nahid Rana caused plenty of problems with his pace [Cricinfo]

Nahid Rana and Mosaddek Hossain combined brilliantly to secure Bangladesh a huge win against Australia in the first ODI in Dhaka. The 86-run victory, which eventually came via DLS due to a thunderstorm, was only the second time that Bangladesh have defeated Australia in this format; their previous win was in June 2005, known as the Cardiff Miracle. However, this win 21 years later was far from an upset as Bangladesh continued their impressive home form by completely dominating proceedings.

Mosaddek celebrated his return to the team after four years with an all-round showing that included an unbeaten career-best 86 and two wickets. Rana, who had taken three five-wicket hauls in the last three months, claimed 4 for 41 in a fiery performance where he was clocked at over 150kph.

Australia had a forgettable day at the Shere Bangla National Stadium. They dropped four catches and looked unlike themselves in the field. Then they couldn’t withstand Rana’s speed on a pitch that produced mostly even bounce and a bit of pace. Cameron Green ended unbeaten with 52 but the game had long since gone.

Taskin Ahmed’s peach of a delivery that moved slightly off the wicket castled Matt Short off the first ball of the Australia chase. Short became only the fifth opener to get out first ball in an ODI innings against Bangladesh, and the first in 17 years. It meant Australia had registered three consecutive scoreless opening stands.

Mustafizur Rahman trapped the struggling Marnus Labuschagne lbw with the second ball of the next over. Left-armer Mustafizur pitched it up to Labuschagne who played around the delivery. There was initial doubt about the review before captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz gave the signal and it was the right call.

Rana then bowled a perfect length to Australia captain Josh Inglis who edged to wicketkeeper Litton Das. Rana, who usually doesn’t react to his wickets too loudly, really went into a celebratory run, appearing to say something Inglis. He reacted to Rana’s outburst, before Mehidy escorted away his Australian counterpart. In the rest of the over, Rana bowled deliveries in excess of 146kph.

Mosaddek’s fine day continued when he removed Cooper Connolly in the 20th over with a delivery from around the wicket which slid into leg stump. Connolly, opening for just the second time in his ODI career, made 35 off 50 balls. Alex Carey was the next to go, nicking Rana to the keeper for 47 when he looked beaten for pace. In the 29th over, Rana bowled one delivery that reached 150kph.

Rana also removed debutant Liam Scott and Xavier Bartlett in the space of two overs. Scott fended a rising delivery to Tawhid Hridoy, who took a diving catch in front of him at gully, and Bartlett avoided getting hit when he gave a simple catch to Tanzid at square-leg off a 148kph delivery.

Meanwhile, Mosaddek had added his second when he trapped Matt Renshaw lbw for 2 with one which turned sharply to hit the back leg. Mosaddek capped off his brilliant day with a terrific catch running back from mid-off when Nathan Ellis top-edged Mustafizur.

After Bangladesh were sent in to bat, Mosaddek led the way in the latter part of the innings as he struck seven fours and three sixes in his unbeaten 86 off 70 balls. Mosaddek added 75 for the fifth wicket with Hridoy who contributed a sedate 31. The partnership revived the Bangladesh innings after they had slipped to 140 for 4.

Tanzid Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto had laid the platform with a 96-run stand for the second wicket after Bangladesh lost Saif Hassan in the second over. The left-handed duo kept the home side in the driver’s seat with regular boundaries throughout their stay. Shanto was initially the more aggressive of the pair, regularly coming down the track against the Australia seamers.

Tanzid played mostly from his crease, as he crashed the ball down the ground whenever it was pitched up. However, they were unable to push on, falling shortly after reaching their first milestones. Tanzid holed out to Bartlett at mid-on followed by Shanto chipping to long-off nine overs later. In between, Renshaw had taken a superb caught-and-bowled to remove Litton for 7.

Mosaddek and Hridoy batted positively while rotating the strike during their fifth-wicket stand, continuing their impressive form from the DPL. Mosaddek’s first boundary was a straight six off Adam Zampa although he was lucky, too, surviving dropped catches on 21, 38 and 73.

In between, he struck the ball hard down the ground. When he lost Hridoy and Mehidy in quick succession, Mosaddek didn’t panic, adding 65 with the lower order. Taskin supported him with a six and two fours while Mosaddek raced between the wickets whenever there was an opportunity to take a second run.

Brief scores:
Bangladesh 284 for 8 in 50 overs  (Tanzid Hasan 54, Najmul Hosain Shanto 67, Mosaddek Hossain 86*; Nathan Ellis 3-38, Liam Scott 2-57, Matt Renshaw 2-35) beat Australia 191 for 9 in 42.2 overs (Alex  Carey 47, Cameron Green 52*; Mustafizur Rahman 2-24,  Nahid Rana 4-41, Mosaddek Hossain 2-37) by 86 runs (DLS method)

[Cricinfo]

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