News
SLC needs new constitution: Eran
The problem with Sri Lanka Cricket was too much political interference and the government must introduce a new constitution for that outfit, said SJB MP, Eran Wickramaratne addressing Parliament on the adjournment debate on Sri Lanka Cricket on Thursday (24.)
“Things are so bad that coaches have been asked to step down by politicians. So, we have a governance issue. We need to bring in a new constitution for Sri Lanka Cricket to depoliticise and clean cricket,” Wickramaratne said.
SJB Parliamentarian Hesha Withana moved a resolution on the alleged irregularities in Sri Lanka Cricket involving the T-20 international competition held in Australia in 2022.
Wickramaratne added that over 140 clubs are making decisions at the SLC but most of the countries in the world have 6-14 clubs involved in decision-making.
“Sri Lanka Cricket is not a private organisation as claimed by certain officials of the cricket board. It is a national organisation.
We need to go by the ICC guiding principles of good conscious, equity, common sense and simplicity enabling every member to grow with greater transparency. Those who are in the cricket say “oh.. government mustn’t interfere, they are not accountable to anybody because this is a private organization.” It is not private in that sense” he said.
He said that Sri Lanka Cricket is owned by Sri Lankans and that is why MPs are asking questions about cricket.
“Since there is a lot of money involved with cricket there is political interference. Today I heard a former Sports Minister saying we must not have political interference in sports. If that is the case, should politicians hold positions in sports associations. If you really want to stop political interferencem let the professional handle it leaving behind the politicians involved in sports associations,” he said.
The SJB MP said in 2019, Harin Fernando, who was the then Sports Minister, asked all cricket coaches of national team to step down soon. Wickramaratne emphasized that politicians should not be involved in removing national coaches.
“One time coach Asanka Gurusinghe is reported saying there was an overwhelming political interference which hindered the development of cricket. He has worked under three different Sport Ministers and due to disappointment, he has left his stint with Sri Lanka Cricket as a coach. In the same manner, another outstanding cricketer Hathurusinghe, who was taken as a coach, has also made similar sentiments,” he said.
Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.
The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.
The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.
The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.
The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)
A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)
Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.
(Straits Times)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.
The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491
Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut
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