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Records galore as South Africa post 428/5
Highest total. Fastest hundred. Three hundreds in an innings for the first time ever. Those were some of the World Cup records set and slashed by South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, one of the slowest and lowest venues in India which last saw a 300-plus ODI total back in the 2011 World Cup. South Africa got to 428 this time around, redeeming their 99 all-out at the venue last year with scintillating hundreds from Aiden Markram (49 balls), Quinton de Kock (83 balls) and Rassie van der Dussen (103 balls).
Signs that the pitch was true came as early as the first over, when Temba Bavuma leaned into a drive and sent it racing away. But a searing inswinger from Dilshan Madhushanka accounted for South Africa’s captain and brought Van der Dussen early to the crease. In an early indication of what was to follow, Van der Dussen dispatched the first two balls he faced for boundaries and set the tone for a commanding 204-run stand with de Kock that left Sri Lanka out of their wits on a flat batting track. Little did they know that things were about to get from bad to worse.
De Kock got to his hundred in the 31st over but was dismissed next ball, mistiming a pull shot to mid-on. Van der Dussen, then on 96, was knocking the ball around and Sri Lanka sensed some control with a new batter at the crease. It all seemed to be going to plan when Dasun Shanaka brought himself on to bowl, pitched one in the slot and Markram chiped the ball over mid-off for a boundary. That was one of the many chip-drives Markram would hit on the night en route to his tally of 14 fours and 3 sixes.
Having Heinrich Klaasen at the other end only validated Markram’s aggressive methods in the middle. The two added 78 runs in only 35 balls, laying into Sri Lanka’s bowlers one after the other and setting South Africa up for a massive total on the board. Klaasen picked most of his runs against Dunith Wellalage and Kasun Rajitha while Markram compiled a fifty off 34 balls. That’s when the switch flicked. Matheesha Pathirana conceded 26 runs in the next over, with Markram hitting him for three fours and a six. The assault meant that Pathirana (1 for 95) found himself second on the list of most uneconomical bowling figures by Sri Lankans in World Cups.
Markram got to his hundred with a maximum, pulled into the deep square leg fence to bring up what was the third-fastest ODI hundred for South Africa. The innings lasted too long beyond that; a tired shot from him off Madushanka in the 48th over meant that he couldn’t see the innings through but David Miller and Marco Jansen combined to pick 32 runs off the last two overs, delivering South Africa to a total that would take some chasing.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 428/5 (Rassie Van der Dussen 108, Aiden Markram 106, Quinton de Kock 100; Dilshan Madushanka 2-86) vs Sri Lanka
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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