News

Sandali Vitanage crowned first-ever Sri Lanka Women’s National Scrabble Champion

Published

5 months ago

2026/02/22

Sri Lanka marked a historic milestone in the world of mind sports as the Inaugural Women’s National Scrabble Championship was held under the guidance of Scrabble Federation of Sri Lanka President Dinithi Weeraratne. The event, hosted at the Women’s International Club, Colombo, on Feb 1 brought together the country’s top female Scrabble talent in a nationally rated tournament, reflecting the growing strength of the game among women.

Emerging triumphant as the nation’s first-ever women’s champion was Sandali Vitanage, a past pupil of Musaeus College, who displayed a commanding performance, finishing with eight wins out of nine games.

Second place was claimed by Kithnuli Amarasinghe of Ladies’ College, an exceptional result for a school-level player competing in a field of elite national contenders, finishing with seven wins. Kumari Goonesekere, the reigning Senior National Scrabble Champion, also secured seven wins to take third place, underscoring the highly competitive standard of the tournament.

The launch of a dedicated women’s national championship in Sri Lanka mirrors a growing global trend in Scrabble. New Zealand held its inaugural Women’s National Championship earlier this month, while countries such as Australia already run established, internationally rated tournaments.

According to organizers, the Sri Lankan edition provides a critical platform for female players to raise competitive standards, earn national ratings, and gain experience that could lead to future international participation. The tournament is expected to further strengthen women’s engagement in Scrabble, solidifying its place as a serious mind sport in the country.

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Colombo District Waste Management subcommittee convenes at Parliament

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/23

Priyan

The Colombo District Waste Management Subcommittee, operating under the Colombo District Coordinating Committee, convened at Parliament on 22 July with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.The meeting reviewed the current measures being implemented to address issues relating to the disposal of municipal solid waste in the Western Province, following up on matters discussed at previous meetings. Particular attention was also given to future plans for improving solid waste management. In addition, discussions focused on promoting the proper use of compost bins among the public.

Addressing the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to develop an effective mechanism to ensure the proper implementation of existing waste management policies. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of raising public awareness of citizens’ responsibility to dispose of waste appropriately.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara; Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Colombo District Development Committee Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi; Colombo District Secretary Ginige Prasanna Janaka Kumara; Chief Secretary of the Western Province Pradeep Pushpakumara; officials of the Colombo District Secretariat, the Waste Management Authority (WMA), the Urban Development Authority (UDA), the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), and the Colombo Municipal Council.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Government to coordinate Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya Sri Dalada Maha Perahera

Published

9 hours ago

2026/07/23

Priyan

A preliminary planning meeting for the Sri Dalada Maha Perahera 2026 of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya was held this morning (23) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The meeting focused on preparations for this year’s Esala Festival, during which the 126th Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya Sri Dalada Maha Perahera will take place. The annual procession is scheduled to commence at 8.00 p.m. on 12 September 2026.

Discussions centred on ensuring that the Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya Perahera is organised with due grandeur and dignity through the full coordination of the Government. Attention was also given to the necessary preparatory arrangements, institutional support and logistical requirements for the successful conduct of the event.

The meeting further reviewed the contributions of the various State institutions involved in the organisation of the Perahera, as well as the financial and logistical support to be provided by both public and private sector sponsors.

Among those present were the Chief Incumbent of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Rajamaha Viharaya and Deputy Registrar of the Sri Kalyani Samasri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha, Venerable Dr Aluthnuwara Anuruddha Nayaka Thera, Buddhist Affairs Coordinator of the Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Divisional Secretariat, Venerable Urugamuwe Dhammadassi Thera, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Harsha Vithanaarachchi, Mayor of Kotte Arosha Athapaththu, Chairman of the Maharagama Municipal Council Saman Samarakoon, Divisional Secretary of Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte Kasun Epa Senevirathne, together with representatives of State institutions, sponsoring organisations and senior officials of the security forces.

News

Navy seize Indian fishing trawler, nine fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters

Published

15 hours ago

2026/07/23

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy seized an Indian fishing trawler and apprehended nine Indian fishermen whilst engaged in illegal fishing having crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in Sri Lankan waters North of Talaimannar on Wednesday (22 July 2026). evening.

Over 50 Indian fishing trawlers had trespassed into the Sri Lankan waters South of Iranativu engaging in illegal fishing. During the operation, one Indian fishing trawler was seized, while nine Indian fishermen on board were taken into custody

The apprehended fishermen and the seized trawler were handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for onward legal proceedings.