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Happy about fight back in first Test says Chandimal
REX CLEMENTINE at Old Trafford
Sri Lanka’s wicket keeper batsman Dinesh Chandimal told journalists that he was happy with the fight back shown by his team in challenging conditions at Old Trafford in the first Test against England. Sri Lanka lost the game by five wicket but were able to take the game deep.
“It was a good fight back by the boys. Probably we were short by 50 runs. The tail didn’t contribute in the second innings. If they had done we could have got there. When you come to England it will take time to get used to conditions.”
“In the first innings if we had scored 300 runs it would have been great. We lost three wickets in the first half hour. Very difficult when that happens. In previous tours too we have struggled to compete in England in the first game. But this time it was different.”
When Chandimal copped a nasty blow to his right thumb from a Mark Wood delivery, there were fears that a fracture might rule him out of the series. But x-rays revealed that there was no fracture and the former Sri Lanka captain resumed his innings.
“This is the fourth time my thumb has been broken. I thought this time too it was gone. The doctor told me that it was the previous injury. I told the doctor that I wanted to bat and he gave me an injection. I told the manager too that I wanted to bat. Probably my last tour to England. So, I was desperate to play.”
Chandimal was full of praise for his batting partner Kamindu Mendis with whom he added 118 runs for the seventh wicket.
“This is his first tour to England and scoring a hundred in the first game is unbelievable. He is world class. It took me two tours to score a Test hundred in England. He is a fine player. A positive mindset is his greatest asset. I spoke to him when we were having lunch. He said that he is in a very positive frame of mind. He is a player like that. It is good for us to have a teammate like him.”
Sri Lanka’s bowlers had done decently well but they lacked intent in the third morning and that allowed England to take a comfortable first innings lead of 122.
“We let the game slip away on day three in the morning. Can’t blame the bowlers actually. They bowled two hours and 45 minutes back to back sessions the previous day. We have not done that in the last ten years. The weather was tough too.
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IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
Showers will occur in the Eastern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa district
PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
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