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Matt Kuhnemann’s Sri Lanka tour in jeopardy after thumb injury
Matt Kuhnemann is in serious doubt for the two-Test tour of Sri Lanka after the recalled spinner hurt his thumb playing for Brisbane Heat.
The left-arm offspinner ran from the ground in agony on Thursday night after attempting to field a Matthew Wade straight drive off his own bowling.
The injury occurred to his non-bowling right hand but appeared to be significant and left Heat and Test team-mate Marnus Labuschagne visibly distressed post-game.
“I just heard about Matt Kuhnemann, so that’s pretty bad,” he told AAP. “Thumb … it doesn’t look great. I really feel for him.”
Kuhnemann is due to fly out to Dubai for a pre-Test training camp alongside Labuschagne on Sunday. His absence would increase the prospect of a shock debut for allrounder Cooper Connolly.
Connolly spins the ball away from the right-hander like Kuhnemann and is highly rated by Steven Smith – interim captain in Sri Lanka – despite not yet owning a first-class wicket. Right-arm offspinners Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy are already part of the touring party.
Uncapped West Australian offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli, New South Wales legspinner Tanveer Sangha and Queensland’s Mitchell Swepson are among those pushing for a late call-up to the squad if Kuhnemann is ruled out.
Kuhnemann played three Tests in Australia’s 2023 tour of India, his style proving effective in sub-continental conditions as he claimed nine wickets, including 5 for 16 in the second Test.
Starved of Sheffield Shield opportunities given he was stuck behind Swepson at Queensland, Kuhnemann opted to move to Tasmania this season. It paid off, his 18 wickets in six games the most of any spinner in the competition as he pressed his case for a spot in the XI in Galle later this month.
“It’s someone I’m close to and he’s grown so much with his bowling and in Sri Lanka, he’s probably one of the first picked over there,” Labuschagne said. “I’m really gutted.”
Labuschagne tuned up for the tour with a BBL-best 77 from 44 balls, anchoring the innings before Hurricanes chased down their 201-run target on the final ball.
“I’m pretty confident, clear on my plans for how I’ll go about it,” he said of the spin test awaiting. “So it’s about cleaning that up in Dubai first.
“You can’t put your finger down on one thing; you need different options because in the subcontinent, you hit one good sweep and there’s two or three guys out there. So you trust your defence, trust your sweep and your game and mix it all together.”
[Cricinfo]
It has been reported that former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pilleyan’ has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
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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]
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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
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