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President meets International Lions Clubs President to strengthen child and youth mental health and social welfare
President Anura Kumara Disanayake met with Mr. Fabrício Oliveira, International President of Lions Clubs International, at the Presidential Secretariat today (26) to discuss strengthening collaboration on youth mental health and social welfare initiatives in Sri Lanka.
The discussions centered on expanding joint efforts to enhance mental health support systems and improve social welfare programmes targeting children and youth across the country.
Mr. Oliveira reaffirmed Lions Clubs International’s commitment to promoting mental health resilience and social well-being among youth. He highlighted the organisation’s ongoing efforts in Sri Lanka, including initiatives on food security, disaster response and education, which he said would remain key priorities moving forward.
President Disanayake expressed appreciation for the organisation’s sustained partnership and commended its contributions to national development.
Also present at the meeting were Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Economic Development; Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President; and a delegation from Lions Clubs International.
The Artemis II astronauts are bound for Earth after conducting a historic lunar fly by and witnessing a total solar eclipse from their spacecraft
Commander Reid Wiseman says the Orion spacecraft crew “saw sights that no human has ever seen” while pilot Victor Glover says there are “no adjectives” to describe what they observed
The spacecraft reached its maximum distance from Earth -252,756 miles [406.771km] – during the lunar fly-by. The crew had already broken the previous record for the furthest distance humans have travelled into space
The astronauts lost connection with Nasa while behind the Moon – the outage was expected and lasted around 40 minutes
“It is so great to hear from Earth again” said mission specialist Christina Koch as she broke the silence from the spacecraft
US President Donald Trump tells the astronauts that they have “made history and made all America really proud” – and invites them to the White House.
The astronauts are due to splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the US at 20:07 eastern US time on Friday (01:07 BST Saturday)
[BBC]
Matheesha Pathirana and Wanidu Hasaranga are among 15 Sri Lankan players under central contracts yet to take their mandatory fitness tests, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed. Six others are understood to have failed at least one attempt, which means that of the 45 centrally-contracted players, currently only 24 have passed the test.
The reasons for those yet to take the test vary from injuries to logistical issues. The timelines for Hasaranga and Pathirana remain most pertinent, with the pair set to represent Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively in IPL 2026.
Hasaranga’s scenario looks the most bleak, with sources close to the player saying it’s unlikely he will play “anytime soon,” while a source at SLC said that “Hasaranga has not as yet requested for an NOC (No Objection Certificate).” The legspinner has been out of action since tearing his left hamstring in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup opener against Ireland in February, and there is no clear idea on when he will undergo his fitness evaluation.
Pathirana, who strained his calf in the T20 World Cup match against Australia, is understood to have begun bowling in the nets as he ups his recovery, with sources close to the player hopeful of him being in India for the IPL by mid-April. While no date has been officially set for his SLC-mandated fitness test, it is likely to take place next week.
SLCs overhauling of their fitness culture has also extended to the domestic National Super League tournament, which began on Monday. The testing for that is less stringent; players only need to complete a 2km run and a skin-fold test. No points are allocated, they simply need to pass the minimum threshold. Whereas centrally-contracted players have a 20m sprint, a 5-0-5 agility test, and a Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) – each offering points ranging from one to five each – with a potential seven points each up for grabs in the 2km run and skin-fold test. Seventeen out of 29 points are needed to pass the test.
Of the 87 players taking part in the tournament, 23 failed to clear the minimum fitness requirements and have been given an April 19 deadline to pass the test. If they fail to do so, they will be allowed to continue playing but will be denied their match fees, with future representation in the tournament also likely to come under scrutiny.
[Cricinfo]
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Dehiwala, Maharagama, Pannipitiya, Padukka, Eheliyagoda, Maskeliya, Siyambalanduwa and Pottuvil at about 12:13 noon. today (07th)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07th) are Dehiwala, Maharagama, Pannipitiya, Padukka, Eheliyagoda, Maskeliya, Siyambalanduwa and Pottuvil at about 12:13 noon.
Artemis II crew head for home after travelling further from Earth than anyone before
Washout gives Kolkata Knight Riders first point after Bartlett’s new-ball burst
Hasaranga, Pathirana yet to undergo SLC-mandated fitness tests
Sun directly overhead Dehiwala, Maharagama, Pannipitiya, Padukka, Eheliyagoda, Maskeliya, Siyambalanduwa and Pottuvil at about 12:13 noon. today (07th)
Showers will occur at several places in the Northern, North-central, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces after 1.00 p.m.
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
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