News

Ranjan wins Most Distinguished Sports Media Award

Published

2 years ago

March 23, 2023

editor

The ‘Bernie Wijesekera Silk Award’ for making an outstanding contribution to sports journalism was awarded to Ranjan Paranavithana, the creator of Sri Lanka Mirror’s ‘Ranjange Mamber’ cartoon at the 8th ‘Silk Sports’ Awards Ceremony.

The award ceremony commenced in 2015 for the recognition of athletes who perform well in the field of sports in Sri Lanka. The award winners are selected by an impartial panel of judges including Prof. Rear Admiral Shemal Fernando and Dr. Harsha B. Abeykoon.

Eight major sports awards were presented at the awards ceremony and the Silk Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sri Lanka’s first World Cup cricket captain, Anura Tennakoon.

Why Ranjan is being awarded…

Meanwhile, veteran sports journalist Nishman Ranasinghe commented as to why Ranjan Paranavithana was felicitated in this manner at the award ceremony.

‘Annasi Maama’ or Uncle Pineapple is an extremely popular column in sports media. His writings are extremely subtle. He is able to get down to the bottom of an issue in a subtle way. These writings have been paused since he has been appointed a member of the Sri Lanka Cricket Junior National Selection Committee.

Annasi Maama continued as a cricketer, athlete and a football player for a long time. Ranjan Paranavithana, who worked as a cricket coach, was the driving force behind many players since Dulip Liyanage.

He entered the field of mass media as a storyteller and an artist. Annasi Mama, who is a wonderful writer, is also a talented cartoonist. The name of Annasi Mama became popular through ‘Ranjange Mamber.’ He is also well versed in both print and electronic media.

Later, as a sports journalist as well as a sports editor, Ranjan Paranavithana or Ananasi Mama was able to make a great contribution to the sports field through Lakbima newspaper. In the art of sports journalism, Ranjan became an expert in all sports. Due to his immense knowledge about those sports, his articles were rich in logic and the technical aspect of the sport.

Thanks to his writing and editing, many talented people have been able to achieve their goals and secure many opportunities. Considering all these contributions, the lifetime achievement award at this year’s Silk Awards ceremony was presented to Ranjan Paranavithana. He is loved by everyone and fondly referred to as ‘Ranjan Aiya’ irrespective of their age.

It is our wish that all future endeavours of Ranjan Paranavithana will be successful!

Video courtesy – Ada Derana

News

Kahawatta murder : 2 suspects remanded

Published

6 hours ago

July 17, 2025

editor

Two individuals arrested yesterday (July 16) over the abduction and murder of a youth in Kahawatta have been remanded until July 28.

They were remanded after being produced before the Pelmadulla Magistrate’s Court.

Four suspects were arrested in this regard yesterday and the Homagama Magistrate had granted permission to police to detain two suspects for 07 days for questioning while remanding the remaining 02 suspects until they were produced before the Pelmadulla courts today.

Related News :

4 suspects arrested over Kahawatta shooting ; 2 to be detained for questioning

News

Newborn found abandoned in paddy field in Paragahadeniya

Published

6 hours ago

July 17, 2025

editor

A newborn has been found abandoned in a paddy field in Paragahadeniya, Mawathagama earlier today (July 17), police stated.

A local resident passing through the paddy field had noticed the newborn lying under a tree in the field and subsequently informed the Mawathagama Police.

The baby was subsequently admitted to the Mawathagama Divisional Hospital.

A doctor who examined the infant had stated that the baby appeared to be one or two days old and following initial examinations, the baby was transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital.

News

SC annuls injunction over compulsory retirement age of nurses

Published

6 hours ago

July 17, 2025

editor

The Supreme Court today invalidated the interim injunction previously issued by the Court of Appeal preventing the enforcement of the former government’s decision to compulsorily retire nurses in four grades at the age of 60.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court also issued another order to the Court of Appeal to re-examine the petition filed before the court regarding this matter.

The Supreme Court issued this order when an appeal filed by the Attorney General, seeking to declare the relevant interim injunction issued by the Appellate Court as unlawful and invalid, was taken up for hearing today.

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva and A. H.M.D. Nawaz issued the order.

During the previous government, the Cabinet of Ministers had taken a decision to make government employees compulsorily retire at the age of 60 years.

The Court of Appeal, which heard writ petitions filed by the Public Service United Nurses’ Association and its President, Venerable Murutthettuwe Ananda Thero, had issued this interim injunction, preventing the implementation of the relevant decision.

The Attorney General had later filed an appeal petition in the Supreme Court, stating that the manner in which this interim injunction was issued is contrary to the law and that the Court of Appeal does not have the power to issue such an order.

After hearing the petition, the three-judge Supreme Court bench issued this order nullifying the interim injunction.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)