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Wagner boss calls off march on Moscow; agrees to exile in Belarus
Aljazeera reported that Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has ordered his mercenaries to halt their march on Moscow to avoid “shedding Russian blood” and agreed to live in exile in Belarus – ending one of the biggest challenges to President Vladimir Putin’s decades-long rule.
Prigozhin said while his men were just 200km (120 miles) from the Russian capital, he decided on Saturday to turn them back to prevent killings. “They wanted to disband the Wagner military company. We embarked on a march of justice on June 23. Now, the moment has come when blood could be spilled,” said Prigozhin in an audio message. “Understanding responsibility for the chance that Russian blood will be spilled on one side, we are turning our columns around and going back to field camps as planned.”
Moscow braced for the arrival of the private army led by the rebellious mercenary commander by erecting checkpoints with armoured vehicles and troops on its southern edge. Red Square was shut down and the mayor urged motorists to stay off some roads.
Wagner’s lightning insurrection appeared to develop with little pushback from Russia’s regular armed forces, raising questions about Putin’s grip on power in the nuclear-armed nation even after the abrupt halt to Wagner’s advance.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko negotiated with the mercenary boss to stop Wagner’s troop movement after discussing the issue with Putin.
England won the toss and elected to bat first in the 3rd T20I in Pallekelle.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pavan Rathnayake, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Matheesha Pathirana
Members of the National Student Parliament met Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Monday [02nd of February] at Temple Trees.
The representatives of the National Student Parliament, representing schools from across the island, visited the Temple Trees following their visit to the Presidential Secretariat and the Parliament.
Expressing her views on the occasion, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated,
“The new education reforms were recently initiated starting from Grade One. Discussions are currently underway to include students entering Grade Six this year into the new education reform process in the future. The education reforms will not be halted, and the government is committed to implementing them in a systematic manner without shortcomings”.
She further noted that the reforms are being carried out under five main pillars, with the government’s key objective being to reduce disparities and provide children with quality education, while also nurturing a socially responsible community enriched with human values such as compassion, love for the environment, and a strong sense of civic responsibility.
The occasion was attended by the Deputy Director of Education Kasun Gunarathne, along with officials from the Ministry of Education and representatives of the National Student Parliament.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Where in other formats, Sri Lanka have had brief shining moments in the past few years, their T20I returns have been consistently modest. Since the start of 2022, there has not been a single calendar year in which Sri Lanka have won more T20Is than they have lost. This, despite some of their oppositions through this period not being especially highly-ranked.
(Sri Lanka arrive at this World Cup in now customary disarray. A captain has been switched. Or more accurately, circled back to [Dasun Shanaka had led Sri Lanka before, but had given up the captaincy to Charith Asalanka, who in turn was ousted to make way for Shanaka’s return.] Selectors have tried options out of nowhere and ditched them almost as fast. The coach and support staff are operating under pressure. In the last few months they have been beaten by Zimbabwe, trounced by Pakistan and in their most recent series, at home, England have been all over them.
When discussing Sri Lanka men’s teams of this era, you are frequently left discussing what could be rather than what is. Members of this top order – Pathum Nissanka, especially – have the potential to light up a global tournament. Wanidu Hasaranga’s quality is known, even if his recent returns have not been stellar. Dunith Wellalage has the broad skillset to impose himself in home conditions. And Dushmantha Chameera – when in good rhythm – is a reliable leader of the seam attack.
But together, these players have not put together winning performances. Glimmers of brilliance. Patches where the Lankan batters dominate attacks. A penetrative opening burst followed by an opposition resurgence through the middle overs. These have been the general trends. Up against the T20I pedigree other teams are bringing to this event, Sri Lanka are again in the position of hoping for magical inspiration.
Between 2009 and 2014, Sri Lanka made the semi-final of four men’s T20I World Cups, winning the championship in Dhaka. They have not progressed to the knockouts in any tournament since.
They have just lost a series to England on the back of drawing one against Pakistan, both at home.
Pathum Nissanka is one of the few batters in the world with an ODI double-hundred and a T20I century. That his triple-figure score in the shortest format came against India in an Asia Cup gives you a sense of his ceiling. There are also few batters who take on the short ball as effectively as he does.
Also making a charge is Pavan Rathnayake who struck an excellent ODI hundred and has shown signs of an enterprising style in T20Is as well.
This World Cup is likely to be the last for Kusal Perera. This is the only format he plays internationally and it is the one most suited to his batting, although in what has been an unusual, injury-riddled career, he is probably better known for that sublime Test innings – the 153 not out in South Africa. Kusal is not an automatic starter in the Sri Lanka XI (he has not played a T20I since November), particularly following Rathnayake’s arrival. But he will likely be required at some stage in this campaign.
Best XI
England will bat first in 3rd ODI
Members of the National Student Parliament meet PM
Sri Lanka aim to overcome disarray and end trophy drought
Mrs. I.J. Aberathne appointed Director General of the Department of Trade and Investment Policy
Cabinet gives green light to provide equipment for the promotion of Aesthetic Education in schools
Cabinet approves obtaining Technical Assistance of the Mahaweli Consultation Bureau for implementation of the Rural Community Water Supply Project.
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