News

SL born Nishi wins Mrs. Universe New Zealand title

Published

2 years ago

October 31, 2022

editor

For the first time in the history of the New Zealand beauty pageants, a Sri Lankan has won the Mrs. Universe New Zealand title.
Accordingly, Nimakshi Sachindri Ranatunga (Nishi) will represent New Zealand in the Mrs. Universe pageant to be held in Bulgaria next year.
Since the pageant was not held last year due to COVID-19 pandemic, it has been held this year to cover both the 2021 and 2022 pageants.
Accordingly, two winners have been selected. One of the winners has been qualified for the 2022 Mrs. Universe to be held next month in South Korea, and Nishi has been qualified for the 2023 Mrs. Universe to be held in Bulgaria.
Nishi, who received her primary education from Bomiriya Central College and tertiary education from Visaka College, Colombo, moved to New Zealand in 2015.
She currently resides in Auckland and runs a dance academy called NZSL.
While in Sri Lanka, Nishi has worked as a teacher at Vidura College, Museus and Kotikawatta Asian Grammar School and is currently working as a teacher at a school in Auckland.
She excelled in badminton and basketball during her school days and acted in school plays as well.
“I also worked as a dancer in Sri Lanka. I learnt dancing from Channa Wijewardena. Later on, I acted in many music videos. I also participated in dance competitions in other countries representing Sri Lanka,’ she said.
Nishi, the younger daughter of Sri Lanka’s former ‘Miss Ceylon’ Chithra Kantha Ranatunga and businessman R.A. Premaratne, also wors as a fashion model.
She has acted in many short films in New Zealand, including international award-winning films.

News

Batalanda commission report handed over to the AG

Published

8 minutes ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The “Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme” which was recently tabled in Parliament, has been handed over to the Attorney General by the Presidential Secretariat following a directive from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.

The report, originally compiled over 25 years ago, was tabled in Parliament recently. The Government has taken a decision to take necessary action and as a result, actions have been initiated to hand over the report to the Attorney General’s Department today (29).

(President’s Media Division)

News

Ex-SLTB Vice Chairman granted bail

Published

12 minutes ago

April 29, 2025

editor

The former Vice Chairman of the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), L.A. Wimalaratne, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) earlier today (April 29), has been released on bail.

He was arrested in connection with an investigation into a house in Kataragama, allegedly linked to the family of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

News

Franchise agreements of Colombo Strikers & Jaffna Kings terminated

Published

13 minutes ago

April 29, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in collaboration with the event rights holder of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) – the IPG Group, has officially announced that the franchise partnerships of the ‘Colombo Strikers’ and ‘Jaffna Kings’ have been terminated.

According to a statement issued today (April 28), the terminations were made due to the respective franchises’ failure to fulfill contractual obligations outlined in their agreements with the IPG Group, which were established at the commencement of their participation in the league.

Accordingly, the forthcoming edition of the Lanka Premier League will feature franchises representing Colombo and Jaffna under new ownership, the statement notes.

As the event rights holder, the IPG Group retains the exclusive rights over the LPL franchise teams and, accordingly, is vested with the authority to transfer and/or assign the ownership rights of the said franchises to interested parties.

Sri Lanka Cricket and The IPG Group remain committed to upholding the integrity, standards, and success of the Lanka Premier League and look forward to an exciting upcoming season with renewed participation.