Latest News
Dhaka Test see-saws on curtailed Day 3
The Dhaka Test finds itself on a knife’s edge at the end of the third day as New Zealand counterattacked to cut the deficit and then picked two quick wickets before bad light brought an early end to the proceedings. Glenn Phillips’s 72-ball 87 pushed New Zealand just past the Bangladesh total before Ajaz Patel and Tim Southee picked two wickets to leave the hosts on 38/2 – with a lead of 30 runs – at stumps.
After the second day was completely washed out, wet outfield and bad light disrupted Day 3 too, with only 32.3 overs bowled in all. Yet there was plenty of action that moved the game along at a rather brisk pace. Glenn Phillips was at the heart of New Zealand’s strong riposte as he counterattacked Bangladesh’s spinners expertly. No play was possible in the morning session but when it did begin post Lunch, Bangladesh spinners looked to continue from where they left off on Day 1. There was ample turn and bounce for them to employ a couple of close in catches and attack the two batters with spin from both ends.
Phillips took the aggressive route against the viciously turning ball as he stood deep in his crease and played cut shots at deliveries that weren’t short enough, and unfurled the slog sweep at a whim. Mehidy Hasan was the recipient of the early carnage that dragged New Zealand ahead from the precarious position of 55 for 5 in response to Bangladesh’s 172. He got the scorecard moving briskly while Daryl Mitchell did enough to keep the outside edge of his bat away from the turning ball to stay put. After an initial nervous exchange, he too looked to cut loose and gave Nayeem Hasan the charge for a big hit down the ground but had to depart as Mehidy Hasan sprinted across from long on and took an exceptional catch.
Nayeem looked to speed up the end of New Zealand’s innings as he dismissed Mitchell Santner soon after to leave the visitors tottering at 97 for 7. Kyle Jamieson then walked out to put on a stubborn stand of 55 runs for the eighth wicket that ate into the deficit. During this alliance, Phillips brought up his 38-ball half-cetury – the joint-fastest for a New Zealand batter against Bangladesh. He also tried to shift gears further and dragged the team towards Bangladesh’s total. With spinners being dealt with, Najmul Hossain Shanto brought in pace from one end via Shoriful Islam and reaped instant rewards. On the first ball of his new spell, Islam got Jamieson to nick one to the keeper and depart for a 28-ball 20. Tim Southee dragged New Zealand’s essay in Phillips’s company before Shoriful ended the latter’s fine knock on 87 off just 72 deliveries.
Taijul Islam then returned to dismiss Southee, but by this stage New Zealand had gone past Bangladesh’s total to take a slender eight-run lead.
Southee didn’t waste any time in employing a spinner as Ajaz opened the bowling and struck on the third ball to dismiss Mahmudul Hasan Joy, caught by Mitchell at first slip. Zakir Hasan and Najmul Hossain looked to build a quick lead but the latter fell in the eighth over when he tamely drove on the up off Southee straight to Kane Williamson at mid-off. Right after this dismissal bad light stopped play. After a wait of more than an hour and thorough inspection by the umpires, play was called off. As it stands, Bangladesh head into the fourth day with a lead of 30 runs.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand 180 (Glenn Phillips 87, Mehidy Hasan 3-53) trail Bangladesh 172 (Mushfiqur Rahim 35; Glenn Phillips 3-31, Mitchell Santner 3-54) & 38/2 (Ajaz Patel 1-13, Tim Southee 1-8) by 30 runs
It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Latest News
Maintaining public trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department – President
Attending the passing out parade of the 82nd batch of the Special Task Force (STF) at the Katukurunda STF Training Camp in Kalutara on Monday (07), President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the need for a progressive transformation within the Sri Lanka Police to ensure the rule of law, order and authority.
The President noted that the public places its trust in the Sri Lanka Police to uphold the supremacy of the law and maintaining that trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, President Disanayake stated that how one serves and respects their profession is reflected in their career and urged the officers to embrace their professional duty in a way that contributes meaningfully to the transformative change the country requires.
Highlighting the current state of institutional breakdown in many sectors, the President pointed out that the people have already initiated change by altering the political authority, but reiterated that political transformation alone is insufficient. Instead, a comprehensive and positive transformation across all sectors is necessary for national progress.
The President further emphasized that new police officers carry the responsibility of meeting public expectations. He called on them to ensure public safety and security and to prevent the nation from falling prey to organized crime and drug-related issues.
He also stated that the younger generation must take responsibility for the motherland, bearing that duty on their shoulders and should strive to steer both their personal future and the future of the country in a positive direction.
President Disanayake concluded by saying that joining the regular service of the Sri Lanka Police today should be remembered by all as a significant and powerful step forward.
The President further noted that the service rendered by the Special Task Force (STF) on behalf of the public during times of emergency and disaster is highly commendable.
A total of 118 newly recruited Sub-Inspectors and 231 Probationary Police Constables who successfully completed their basic training graduated during the ceremony.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake awarded certificates and honours to officers who demonstrated exceptional performance during the training programme.
A commemorative token was also presented to President Disanayake, who attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest.
An operational demonstration by STF officers on a simulated battlefield was presented as part of the event.
Established in 1983 under the theme “Victory is Certain”, the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force is currently recognized as a prestigious unit deployed for VIP protection, crime and organized crime suppression and narcotics control efforts aimed at building a drug-free nation.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, STF Commanding Officer Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Samantha de Silva, along with other senior police officers, the parents of graduating officers and other invitees.
[PMD]
Latest News
National minimum monthly salary for private sector employees raised to Rs. 27,000/-, minimum daily wage to Rs. 1080/-
Parallel to salary hike of public sector officers by the budget proposals 2025, it has been proposed to increase the salaries of private sector employees as well.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Labour to revise the national minimum monthly salary and national minimum daily wage and follow other legal actions as follows:
• To raise the minimum national monthly salary by rupees 9,500/- from rupees 17,500/- to rupees 27,000/- with effect from 01.04.2025
• To raise the minimum national daily salary by rupees 380/- from rupees 700/- to rupees 1,080/- with effect from 01.04.2025
• To raise the minimum national monthly salary by rupees 3,000/- from rupees 27,000/- to rupees 30,000/- with effect from 01.01.2026
• To raise the minimum national daily salary by rupees 120/- from rupees 1,080 /- to rupees 1,200/- with effect from 01.01.2026
“Sri Lanka’s Economic Revival – Reflection on the Journey from Crisis to Recovery” by Mahinda Siriwardana presented to the President
Former state minister arrested by CID
President meets with senior officials of SriLankan Airlines
-
Business2 days agoColombo Coffee wins coveted management awards
-
Features3 days agoStarlink in the Global South
-
Business4 days agoDaraz Sri Lanka ushers in the New Year with 4.4 Avurudu Wasi Pro Max – Sri Lanka’s biggest online Avurudu sale
-
Business5 days agoStrengthening SDG integration into provincial planning and development process
-
Business4 days agoNew SL Sovereign Bonds win foreign investor confidence
-
Sports6 days agoTo play or not to play is Richmond’s decision
-
Features3 days agoModi’s Sri Lanka Sojourn
-
Sports5 days agoNew Zealand under 85kg rugby team set for historic tour of Sri Lanka