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SL raise security concerns about England Tests due to UK riots

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The Sri Lanka men’s team has raised concerns about the security situation in England in light of the anti-immigrant riots that have erupted in various cities. 

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has responded by reassuring Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the team about the security arrangements in place.
Players already in England for the pre-series training have also expressed anxiety about the unrest, particularly as they do not have a security plan covering this portion of their trip. This nine-person contingent – seven players and two support staff – have asked SLC to arrange for better security over the next few days, as they travel to and from a ground near London.

“Most of the issues seem not to be close to where we are but everyone is still a little concerned,” one player in England told ESPNcricinfo. “We can’t really go out to dinner or do anything like that. Mostly we stay in the hotel. No one wants to run into trouble and get beaten up.

“We’ve asked the board to try and ask for some security for us until the main team arrives, but we haven’t heard anything back yet.”

Most of the team is set to arrive in England for a three-match Test series on Sunday, at which point the ECB’s security plan kicks in. Sri Lanka’s team manager Mahinda Halangoda, who is still in Sri Lanka, told ESPNcricinfo that he had raised concerns with the ECB after seeing news reports from Manchester – where the team play their first Test from August 21 – in particular.

“I raised the issue with them, but the ECB responded very quickly and sent us their comprehensive security arrangements,” Halangoda said. “We’ll be having a security liaison on the tour from them as well.”

While some far-right protests have been marked by violence, there have, over the last few days, been large counter-protests aimed at protecting immigrant-owned businesses, places of worship, and other places immigrants frequent.

The United Kingdom government also assured sporting bodies that the country remained safe for sports, on an emergency call on Wednesday. The UK police has stated unequivocally that it will crack down on and prevent violence.

Sri Lanka are set to play three Tests in England which begin on August 21 in Manchester. The teams then head to Lord’s for the second Test from August 29 before finishing off at The Oval on September 6.

(espncricinfo.com)

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Animal rights activists slam removal of stray dogs

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Sri Lankan animal rights activists today (April 03) protested against the rounding up of stray dogs ahead of a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Activists point out that authorities in Colombo and the sacred city of Anuradhapura have deployed dog catchers to impound stray dogs.

The Indian PM, who will arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (April 04) is to receive an official welcome at Colombo’s Independence Square and is also set to visit the holy city of Anuradhapura to pay homage to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

Around a dozen protesters from the Rally for Animal Rights and Environment (RARE) waved placards outside President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s office in Colombo today after submitting a petition to the Indian High Commission in Colombo.

RARE Sri Lanka activists point out that most of these dogs have been vaccinated, neutered, and cared for by local residents, animal welfare organizations, and respective municipal councils as part of Sri Lanka’s humane animal population management efforts.

A statement by Panchali Panapitiya, Chairman of RARE Sri Lanka points out that although the cause of animal welfare were used in election campaigns of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and PM Harini Amarasuriya, not a single cent had been allotted by Budget 2025 for sterilization programmes of dogs.

“During AKDs Presidential election campaign, the National People’s Power (NPP) party used an advertisement featuring a man stopping his car to feed dogs on the street. This powerful image conveyed a message of compassion, empathy, and commitment to animal welfare, which resonated with animal lovers across the country. Similarly, the Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya also used themes of animal welfare and compassion in her campaign for the NPP,” the statement notes.

“Are you aware that AKD has  not issued a single cent from the Budget for Sterilization Programmes of dogs? All previous Governments have allocated funds for sterilization programmes since 2007,” the statement adds.

Meanwhile, a statement by Ms. Anusha David, Trustee of the Rescue Animals Sri Lanka has also slammed the move, questioning its rationality when PM Modi has clearly demonstrated his love of animals and while India itself has an estimated 70 million community dogs. 

“The so called People’s President has forgotten his election promises and proved himself to be no better than his predecessors . In the words of Mahatma Gandhi ” the progress of a Nation can be judged by the way it’s animals are treated “, it would behove our President well, to adhere to the principles of the Mahatma ahead of PM Modi’s visit, instead of trying to annihilate these hapless animals, most of whom have been sterilized, neutered , vaccinated and are 95 % human friendly,” the statement notes.

“Hope ran high prior to the elections that the People’s President would address a number of issues that have burdened the people of Sri Lanka starting with the COL – but no, their focus remains on destroying nature and wildlife. The appointment of the Prime Minister was greeted with much enthusiasm as she was perceived as a woman of intelligence and education and one who had a respect and regard for animals and nature – this perception has fallen by the wayside. The NPP’s Mayoral candidate this morning claimed that the clearance of the dogs has nothing to do with the govt but needs to be brought up with the CMC – but then as she is representing the CMC should she not be able to handle this burning issue which portrays our country in a most unfavourable light?,” the statement adds. 

In addition, The Blue Cross of India (BCI), which is a prominent animal welfare charity based in Chennai, India has issued a statement addressed to Sri Lankan President – Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the matter. 

Noting that it was India which gave the concept of ‘Ahimsa’ (non violence) to the world, in thought, word and deed, the statement notes that it is ‘most ironic’ that the government agencies of Sri Lanka are trying to remove community dogs from the streets to welcome the Indian Prime Minister.

The statement signed by the organisation’s chairman – Dr. S. Chinny Krisha also notes that the Animal Welfare Board of India, set up by an Act of Parliament in 1962,  has issued a warning two weeks ago that all community dogs must taken care of the communities they live in and that they cannot be removed or relocated.

“Our Prime Minister is known for his genuine compassion towards all life and his government has the only statutory body in the world to do the right thing by our animals – Animal Welfare Board of India, set up by an Act of Parliament in 1962,” the statement adds.

It further notes that India is also the “point of origin of the now well known ABC programme, short for Animal Birth Control programme which mandates that every local body=or municipality must implement sterilising the dogs in their areas.”

“As a former Vice Chairman of the Animal Welfare Board of India, may I implore you to please issue directions to the municipalities to please follow the ABC rules of India and not to resort to a knee-jerk reaction of resorting to the removal of dogs just because our Prime Minister is visiting your beautiful country,” the statement concludes.

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Gr. 5 Scholarship exam to be held on Aug. 10

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The 2025 Grade Five Scholarship Examination is scheduled to be held on August 10, 2025.

The Department of Examinations has said it will accept applications from candidates from tomorrow (April 04) to April 30.

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MRP issued for bottled drinking water

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has issued a Gazette notification stipulating the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for bottled drinking water.
As per the Gazette notification, the MRP is effective from April 01, 2025.

Accordingly, the MRP for bottled drinking water are as follows;

500 – 999 ml bottles – Rs.70
01 -1.499 L bottles – Rs.100
1.5 -1.999 L bottles – Rs.130
02 – 2.499 L bottles – Rs.160
05 – 6.999 L bottles – Rs.350

(Newswire)

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