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Harshitha’s 69* helps SL make it two wins in two

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Bangladesh had had an excellent batting powerplay, but Chamari Athapaththu and Inoka Ranaweera slowed them down, and helped force the wickets that saw Bangladesh slump to 126 for 8, on a straightforward Newland surface.

Although there was an early wobble, Sri Lanka’s batters orchestrated a methodical chase. Harshitha Samarawickrama struck 69 not out off 50 balls to complete Sri Lanka’s second successive victory in this tournament.

Earlier, right-arm-seamer Marufa Akter had threatened to demolish Sri Lanka, as she dismissed three batters in her first two overs of the game, all inside the powerplay. She was the only bowler to take a wicket. None of Bangladesh’s batters, however, reached 30.

Harshitha’s magic

In the powerplay, she faced only 13 balls, but her effect on this match soon became clear. Where Athapaththu took it upon herself to raise the run rate, Harshitha’s job was to man watch the wickets column.

She did just that. At the end of the powerplay, she was 8 off 9 balls. By the halfway stage she was 22 off 22.

Finding her rhythm was what Harshitha did, for a while. Until in the second half of the innings, she began to find the boundary. Her most profitable stretch came in the 16th over, when she crashed two sixes and a four in the space of four deliveries. That burst put her innings into high gear, and she never climbed down, whittling away at Sri Lanka’s required rate, as Nilakshi de Silva kept her company.

The two put on a partnership worth 124 – de Silva making 41 of those runs. She had made a serious contribution too.

Marufa’s burst

If there’s any Bangladesh player who should feel aggrieved at a comfortable Sri Lanka win, it’s Marufa. After her first two overs, Bangladesh may in fact have had huge hopes of defending their modest total. She moved two balls away from Sri Lanka’s star batter Athapaththu, before bringing one back in at the left-hander and having her caught at mid-on – a classic dismissal.

Next over, she took two Sri Lanka wickets in two balls, and helped push the battle towards her side. In the end, she finished with 3 for 23 from her four overs.

Sri Lanka’s spinners leash the opposition

By this stage, it should be clear to opponents that some pitches are merely playing to type. But perhaps this was just good bowling.

Bangladesh got to 48 for 2 after six overs, and as such, could have been primed to get past 150. Instead the Sri Lanka spinners began to choke them.

Athapaththu was chief among the chokers, firing in accurate darts, as Ranaweera and Oshadi Ranasinghe tempted them into big shots. In the end, Athapatthu finished with 2 for 19 from her four overs. Which would have been the best figures, if not for Ranasinghe’s 3 for 23.

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President meets Gates Foundation delegation

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (July 10) met with Dr. Chris Elias, President of Global Development at the Gates Foundation, for high-level discussions focused on key areas critical to Sri Lanka’s development. 

The meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat, explored collaborative efforts in agricultural modernisation, nutrition, digital public infrastructure and rural technological integration.

Central to the discussions was the Inclusive Digital Agriculture Transformation (IDAT) initiative, which leverages data and technology to enable better decision-making and service delivery for smallholder farmers. The initiative represents a shared commitment to modernising agriculture, improving rural livelihoods and enhancing climate resilience.

President Dissanayake welcomed the partnership, expressing optimism about the country’s path forward. “We welcome the continued support of the Gates Foundation as we work together to build a healthier, more equitable and digitally empowered Sri Lanka. This collaboration is a testament to our shared commitment to sustainable development and improving the lives of all our citizens,” he said.

He further noted that the Government seeks the Foundation’s support for its broader programme aimed at integrating rural communities with modern global technology. 

Despite the economic challenges facing the nation, the President expressed gratitude for the Foundation’s engagement and emphasised that the visit would help identify and implement national development priorities.

Representatives of the Gates Foundation reiterated their commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s digital economy strategy. They highlighted that particular focus would be given to the digital transformation of the agriculture sector, with the aim of enhancing productivity and revitalising the economy. The Foundation also assured its full support for the wider socio-economic development agenda, including initiatives in the livestock and dairy industries.

President Dissanayake underscored the importance of connecting rural communities, many of whom remain unaware of global technological advancements, with the tools and knowledge needed for empowerment. He stressed the value of the Foundation’s global experience and technical expertise in addressing development challenges common to many countries.

“One of our Government’s foremost objectives is to extend advanced technology to all levels of society, not only to uplift the national economy but also to improve efficiency across all sectors,” the President noted.

Dr. Elias acknowledged Sri Lanka’s ongoing transformation and welcomed the opportunity for deeper engagement. “We value the opportunity to engage with the Government and local institutions as they pursue strengthened systems to support inclusive growth. Our continued discussions in areas such as agriculture, health and digital infrastructure reflect a shared interest in advancing impactful solutions. I would like to thank the President and the Government of Sri Lanka for their continued commitment to improving the lives of all those living in Sri Lanka,” he stated.

The Gates Foundation delegation included Dr. Chris Elias, President, Global Development Gates Foundation, Jamal Khan, Regional Representative for Policy & Government Relations, South and Southeast Asia; Archna Vyas, Director of Policy Advocacy and Communications, Thushan Wijesinghe, Director Enterprise Data Solutions and Chandita Samaranayake, Chairman Connect To Care. 

The Sri Lankan delegation included Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Mr. Eranga Weeraratne, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President; Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy; and Mr. Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President.

(President’s Media Division)

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TUs oppose appointment of Premarathne as new Excise chief

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Trade Unions of the Department of Excise have opposed the appointment of M.B.N.A. Premarathne, a retired Commodore of the Sri Lanka Navy, as the new Commissioner General of Excise.

TUs say that for the first time in the history of the Excise Department, a Commissioner General has been appointed from outside despite the existence of 03 senior, qualified officials within the department.

On July 06, the department’s TUs have directed a letter to President Anura Kumara Disanayake. urging to appoint an officer from the department to the post.

According to reports, Commodore (Retd.) Premarathne is said to be the husband of NPP National List nominee for the 2024 General Election – Prof. Wasantha Subasinghe. He is also said to be hailing from the President’s hometown of Thambutthegama.

The post of Excise Commissioner General fell vacant after Udaya Kumara Perera retired from public service today (July 10) upon reaching the age of 60.

On July 07, Cabinet approval was granted to appoint Commodore (Retd.) Premarathne to the post.

The proposal was presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

(Source : Lankadeepa)

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CCC calls for ‘continued engagement’ on US tariff reduction

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The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) says the reduction in the tariff rate from 44% to 30% is a constructive and important first step by the Government toward bringing Sri Lanka’s tariff structure for exports to the US closer to that of regional competitors.

“We encourage continued engagement with the U.S. administration to secure a further reduction by 1 August, especially given that several regional peers are expected to benefit from even lower rates,” it said, in a statement.

The CCC further said that progress in achieving a further reduction will be critical to strengthening Sri Lanka’s position in this key market, maintaining buyer confidence, and supporting sustained trade growth over the long term.

“The Ceylon Chamber stands ready to support the Government’s efforts in this regard through constructive dialogue, industry feedback, and coordinated advocacy,” the statement adds.

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