A conference titled ‘Riding the Indian Wave: World’s Fifth Largest Economy on Sri Lanka’s Shores’ was held today (March 27) at ITC Ratnadipa Hotel, Colombo. 

This conference was hosted by Verite Research with the support of the High Commission of India, Colombo and Hayleys Advantis.
The day-long conference in its three sessions explored how Sri Lanka can strategically leverage its proximity and connectivity to India – an emerging global economic powerhouse – to enhance exports, attract investments, and drive sustainable economic recovery.

Setting the stage, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, delivered the welcome remarks highlighting how India’s multi-sectoral advancements can contribute to regional prosperity. He underlined the ‘India Opportunity’ for Sri Lanka particularly in areas of technology, logistics and skill development.

This was followed with the keynote address by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment –  Arun Hemachandra, who emphasised the special bonds between India and Sri Lanka as a unique strength for Sri Lanka to ride the wave of India’s emergence. Proposing Joint Ventures as the way forward, he identified entrepreneurs and innovators to be leading this shared pathway.

The hybrid conference saw over a hundred participants, including senior policymakers, industry leaders, economic experts, members of think-tanks and media community from Sri Lanka and India. 

The conference is another initiative by High Commission of India to encourage and promote conversations at Track 1.5 and Track 2 levels in order to further enrich the canvass of the India-Sri Lanka partnership, engage community on both sides in formulating the future roadmap and enhance mutual trust and goodwill between the people of the two countries.

The World Indoor Cricket Federation (WICF) has awarded the Ceylon Indoor Cricket Association (CICA) the 12th World Cup 2025 on the back of having conducted a very successful World Masters’ Series only 5 months ago.

This event will be worked off under the following 4 categories:
– Men’s Open
– Women’s Open
– Under 22 Boys
– Under 22 Girls

Teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, England, UAE, Singapore, USA and hosts Sri Lanka will be seen in action.

The tournament will be held from the 27th of September to the 05th of October 2025 and games will be conducted at Austasia Sports Complex and the newly built at U Pro Arena, in Thalawathugoda.

Approximately 1000 players, officials & supporters are expected in the country for this prestigious event with an appreciable media coverage made possible in all major nations involved. Apart from being a major sporting event, it will also serve as a popular sports tourism opportunity for the host country at a time the tourism sector in the island nation is witnessing an upward trend in arrivals.

Over the last year there has been much activity relating to International Indoor Cricket in Sri Lanka. The England Asia Cup was followed by the Masters World Series, with the upgraded U Pro, Colombo & Austasia, Thalawathugoda facility producing exciting action on a daily basis.

The inaugural edition of the World Cup was held in 1995, in Birmingham, England with Bristol also hosting one in that country. Australia has witnessed 03 events in Melbourne & Brisbane, with the former being the venue for the last event in 2022.

Wellington was the host city when the Indoor Cricket World Cup was held twice in New Zealand. Johannesburg & Gauteng were the cities involved when South Africa acted as the host country on two occasions.

Dubai was also a venue once. Colombo is the host city for the 02nd occasion after a lapse of 21 years, bringing Sri Lanka into the limelight of Indoor Cricket World Cup action, this year.

Australia has won all world titles in both divisions up to now. In the Men’s category, New Zealand have been runners up on 08 instances, South Africa twice & Sri Lanka once. In the Women’s category, South Africa have been Runners Up 07 times while New Zealand have done so 03 times.

The overhead bridge at the Moratuwa ‘Egoda Uyana’ Railway Station collapsed last night (March 26).

The bridge had collapsed together with a power pole.

According to railway officials, the collapse had occurred just after the 7.40pm train to Colombo had left the station.

Fortunately, no deaths or injuries have been reported.

Work on removing the debris is underway.

(Pics : Accident1st)