News

No opening ceremony for 2023 ODI World Cup

Published

2 years ago

October 4, 2023

editor

There will be no opening ceremony for the 2023 ODI World Cup, Indian media reported today.

The last time there was an ODI World Cup in the sub-continent, in 2011, there was a grand opening ceremony in Dhaka.

While the ICC and the BCCI have scheduled a ‘Captains’ Day’ event involving all the 10 team’s captains (photo-op and press conference) at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday, a day before the tournament’s opening match between England and New Zealand at the same venue, there will be no function to mark the start of the mega tournament.

“There was never an opening ceremony planned for the World Cup. I can confirm that,” a reliable source told Times of India.

In April, the BCCI staged a big opening ceremony for the IPL, which saw the presence of many Bollywood stars. “In the case of the IPL, you can have a short opening ceremony, as the match starts in the evening. Here, the match starts in the afternoon,” said the source.

Meanwhile, there’s little buzz in the city, as well at the Narendra Modi Stadium, before the first game of the World Cup, perhaps also due to the fact the opening match doesn’t involve India. Things are certain to be completely different when India play Pakistan here on October 14 in the most anticipated clash of the tournament.

The star-studded ceremony was projected to feature Bollywood actors and singers including Ranveer Singh, Varun Dhawan, Arijit Singh, Tamannaah Bhatia, Shreyas Ghoshal and Asha Bhosle. Plans were also made for a laser show and fireworks.

As per the latest reports, BCCI will only have captains meet today. The event which will see the captains of the ten teams answering a few questions, is likely to be followed by a laser show.

BCCI are expectedly mulling over thoughts to make the India versus Pakistan clash in October in Ahmedabad an even bigger one. A glittery ceremony could be held before the start of the match at 2 PM IST. Organising a closing ceremony on November 19 at the same venue could be one more option for the BCCI.

However, due to security reasons, the organizers have been careful not to make any pre-announcements regarding the activities that will take place in the World Cup cricket tournament.

News

Maid at Keheliya’s residence, remanded

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today (June 11) ordered the remand of a woman who had worked as a maid at the private residence of former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, until June 17.

She was remanded over the case involving the misuse of public funds through fraudulent appointments to the Ministry of Health.

The suspect, Nipuni Krishnajina Rajapaksha, a resident of Embilipitiya, was taken into custody by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on June 11, 2025.

According to CIABOC, she is believed to be connected to a broader investigation into the alleged misuse of government salaries and overtime allowances through false Health Ministry appointments.

News

Ranil gives statement on Immunoglobulin Cabinet papers

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) this afternoon to provide a statement.

The statement was in relation to cabinet papers submitted by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella concerning the procurement of Human Immunoglobulin.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived at the CID at 3:00 PM and gave his statement over the course of approximately one hour.

The questioning focused on two cabinet papers presented on September 26 and October 25, 2022, which proposed the emergency purchase of Human Immunoglobulin and other medications.

The cabinet papers, submitted by Minister Rambukwella, cited a severe shortage of essential medicines in the country and emphasized the urgent need to procure additional stocks to prevent a worsening of the crisis.

(News1st)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

President AKD meets his German counterpart (Pics)

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2025

editor

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on an official visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, was warmly received today (June 11) by German President Mr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Upon his arrival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, President Disanayake was welcomed with full state honours including a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded by the German Armed Forces. The President also participated in the inspection of the military parade.

Following the official welcome ceremony, President Disanayake and President Steinmeier held bilateral discussions.

The bilateral talks focused on further strengthening economic and international relations between the two nations, with special attention given to enhancing cooperation in vocational training and the tourism industry.

(President’s Media Division)