Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harinia Amarasuriya on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok and sought Sri Lankan support in the Interim Government's efforts to bring back billions of dollars. The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and vowed to expand trade and cooperation between the friendly South Asian countries. The Sri Lankan Prime Minister narrated the efforts made by her country to recover stolen money. She said the Sri Lankan parliament has ratified a new law to expedite the recovery process. The two leaders also discussed various aspects of the July uprising and stressed the importance of people-to-people contacts between the two nations. Hasina’s extradition, border, water issues featured in Dr Yunus-Modi first-ever talks The Chief Adviser described the reform agenda of the Interim Government and his administration's plan to hold elections between this December and June next year. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin were also present during the meeting.

Jeewanthi Adikari initially aspired to a career in accounting but found her calling in hospitality after a three-month training program. Now, with over two decades of experience, the 42-year-old manages Sri Lanka’s first resort fully operated by women—a bold initiative aimed at addressing gender disparities in the tourism sector. Located in Dambulla, Amba Yaalu resort provides women with opportunities to develop careers in an industry traditionally dominated by men. Despite making up 52% of Sri Lanka’s population, women hold only 10% of jobs in the country's hospitality sector. Situated 160 kilometers (100 miles) from Colombo, Amba Yaalu employs 75 women who oversee all aspects of operations, from housekeeping to security—where a team of seven former military personnel ensures safety. The resort also offers training programs to help women build skills in hospitality. The concept was developed by hotelier Chandra Wickramasinghe, inspired by his mother’s resilience as a single parent raising eight children. “I knew what these women could achieve. We put together a strong team, and it worked,” he said, emphasizing the need for female leadership in the industry. Professor Suranga Silva of the University of Colombo highlighted barriers such as social stigma, language constraints, work-life balance challenges, and inadequate training, which have kept many Sri Lankan women from entering the hospitality industry. However, he noted a shift, with more young women showing interest in tourism careers. Millions of Muslims in Indonesia observe the beginning of holy month of Ramadan Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, once the country’s third-largest foreign exchange earner, has faced setbacks due to the 2019 Easter bombings and the COVID-19 pandemic. While the sector contributed 2.3% to the economy in 2023—down from 5% in 2018—female representation remains low. Kaushalya Batagoda, executive chef at Amba Yaalu, pointed out the shortage of trained female professionals in hospitality but noted growing enthusiasm among young women to pursue culinary careers. Women’s rights activists have praised the resort’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of safe employment opportunities. Silva stressed the need for collaborative training programs to improve women’s employability in tourism. At Amba Yaalu, some of these challenges are already being addressed. “This is purely about empowering women,” Adikari said. “We invite them to join, enhance their skills, and contribute to the industry.”

Steve Smith hit his 36th test century and shared an unbeaten 239-run partnership with Alex Carey as Australia powered to 330-3 at stumps on day two of the second cricket test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Friday. With a lead of 73 runs and seven first-innings wickets in hand, the tourists are in control. Smith anchored the innings with a sublime 120 not out off 239 balls, while Carey took the attack to Sri Lanka with a fluent 139 not out off 156. It was Smith's second ton of the series, while Carey notched up only his second test hundred in style. Australia had slumped to 37-2 before Smith and Usman Khawaja (36) steadied the innings with a crucial 54-run stand for the third wicket. Khawaja, who got a double hundred in Australia's huge win in the first test of the two-match series, looked solid against spin. However, an ill-judged pull shot saw him trapped leg before wicket to off-spinner Nishan Peiris, (2-70 off 21 overs) cutting short his promising start. BPL final: Fortune Barishal need 195 to win 2nd title Smith, too, took time to settle and had a nervy moment on 24, given out lbw before successfully overturning the decision on review. Once past that, he shifted gears and put the Sri Lankan bowlers under pressure. Carey remained a picture of confidence, stroking elegant shots on both sides of the wicket. His sweeps were particularly effective, while Smith, in contrast, relied on his trademark pulls and drives. Smith reached his century with a controlled pull to mid-wicket, while Carey brought up his ton with yet another assured sweep shot. Though Carey outscored Smith and looked the more fluent batter, Smith was ready to grind it out for the long haul. Cricket great Sachin Tendulkar tops the most test tons list with 51. Smith moved into a three-way tie for fifth with England's Joe Root and India's Rahul Dravid. “We know that Steve Smith is someone who has scored runs all over the world,” said Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis. “His numbers in Asia are unbelievable.” Carey was pushed up to No. 5 as Josh Inglis was unable to bat, having spent time off the field unwell. The wicketkeeper-batter seized the opportunity, smashing 13 fours and two sixes in his knock, while Smith’s patient effort included nine boundaries and a six. Earlier, Sri Lanka had been dismissed for 257 after opting to bat first, a total that looked below par on a decent surface. Kusal Mendis hit a fighting 85 not out. With the new ball due in the morning, Sri Lanka’s bowlers will be fresh and desperate Saturday to make an early breakthrough. “The new ball is around the corner and we need to nullify that and then go on and get as much as possible,” Carey said. “The quality of a player like Steve Smith is that he is a problem solver. He played some risky shots and executed them well.”

Asith Fernando and Maheesh Theekshana shared six wickets as Sri Lanka bowled out New Zealand for 150 runs in 29.4 overs to win the third one-day international by 140 runs Saturday. Fernando took 3-26 and Theekshana 3-35 to jointly knock the top off the New Zealand innings as it chased 291 for victory. Eshan Fernando also contributed 3-35 as Sri Lanka completed a comprehensive victory. New Zealand won the three-match series 2-1 in its last matches at home before the ICC Champions Trophy begins in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates next month. Earlier, Pathum Nissanka made 66 in an innings of two parts as Sri Lanka compiled 290-8 after choosing to bat first. New Zealand then slumped to 21-5 inside seven overs as Fernando helped Sri Lanka unpick the New Zealand top order. “It's a huge confidence boost for me and for the team as well because we haven't played well in the first two games. It's a pleasure to play like this,” Fernando said. McSweeney returns to Australia squad for Sri Lanka tour “We identified a few areas to be improved (after the first two games). Now we are going straight back to work to continue improving day by day.” Mark Chapman was the only New Zealand batter to stand against the chaos, making 81 at a run a ball. Chapman's 51-run partnership with Nathan Smith (17) for the eighth wicket was New Zealand's hope of making a game of it. The run rate never got away from New Zealand but it lost too many wickets early to seriously challenge Sri Lanka's total. Nissanka reached 50 from 31 balls but almost immediately fell to the ground in pain from an apparent groin or hip strain. He tried to bat on but was clearly impaired while running between wickets and was 50 not out when he was summoned from the field by Sri Lanka coach Sanith Jayasuriya to receive medical treatment. Matt Henry took 4-55 for New Zealand.

Nathan McSweeney was recalled to Australia’s test squad on Thursday to tour Sri Lanka, less than three weeks after being dropped from the top order. Australia’s selectors announced their squad Thursday for the two-test tour, with several fresh faces added to the group that played India in Sydney last week. Australia won the five-test series 3-1 a nd clinched a spot in the World Test Championship against South Africa at Lord's in June. Steve Smith will lead the squad to Sri Lanka while regular skipper Pat Cummins is on leave as his wife awaits the birth of the couple’s second child. Australia’s selectors concentrated on spin for the two Sri Lanka tests, with uncapped 21-year-old Cooper Connolly among the seven full or part-time slow bowling options in the 16-man squad. Connolly, a left-arm allrounder, has represented Australia in limited-overs cricket and has been called up for his maiden test campaign along with specialist spinners Todd Murphy and Matthew Kuhnemann. New Zealand beats Sri Lanka by 113 runs in rain-hit 2nd ODI to win series McSweeney scored 72 runs at an average of 14.4 in his first three tests against India, before being replaced by Sam Konstas for the Melbourne Cricket Ground test starting Dec. 26. The 25-year-old McSweeney has batted at No. 3 for South Australia state this season — averaging 97 — but has previously batted further down the order. Cricket Australia also said Cummins was “focusing on an ankle issue which was managed through the test summer" and fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood was continuing his recovery from a calf injury. Mitchell Marsh was omitted for the tour, joining Hazlewood in focusing on the 50-overs Champion’s Trophy in Pakistan which immediately follows the test tour. The first test begins Jan. 29 and the second Feb. 6, both at spin-friendly Galle International Stadium. A one-off one-day international is scheduled for Feb. 13, also at Galle. “Sri Lanka is a challenging and exciting place to tour given the different conditions players may be presented with," selector George Bailey said. “This squad provides several ways to structure the XI depending on what type of wickets we may encounter in each match.”

Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman made half centuries in a 112-run second-wicket partnership which helped New Zealand to a 113-run win over Sri Lanka in the second one-day international on Wednesday and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Ravindra made 79 from 63 balls and Chapman scored 62 from 52 as New Zealand reached 255-9 batting first in a match reduced by rain to 37 overs per side. Maheesh Theekshana became the seventh Sri Lanka player to take an ODI hat trick when he dismissed Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith and Matt Henry with consecutive deliveries across two overs late in the innings. Sri Lanka slumped to 22-4 but Kamindu Mendis made a career-best 64 before the team was dismissed for 142 in 30.2 overs. Mendis put on 57 for the fifth wicket with Janith Liyanage (22) and 47 for the sixth wicket with Chamidu Wickramasinghe (17) in a key partnership which was cut short by the second run-out of the Sri Lanka innings. Sri Lanka struggled against the pace and bounce of the New Zealand attack and its run rate required had crept up to almost 15 by the end. Showers and a wet outfield delayed the start of play by two hours. When Sri Lanka won the toss it made the natural decision to bowl on a greenish pitch at Seddon Park with the possibility of more showers to come. Pakistani batter Fakhar Zaman confident of returning at Champions Trophy New Zealand lost Will Young for 16 and was 31-1 when Chapman joined Ravindra. Together they kept the score ticking over steadily, reaching their 50 partnership from 44 balls and their century partnership from only 79 deliveries. The pair rotated the strike and worked the ball often into the onside where there were larger gaps in the field. Ravindra also showed he was in form with an early straight drive which was a perfect example of the shot. “I think it's a nice natural tempo to go out there and play cricket shots, even in the shortened game,” Ravindra said. "I do enjoy the ODI format, although you don't see many matches happening any more. “It's a format I grew up watching and I think it suits the way I bat.” There were signs Ravindra was coming into form when he hit 69 from 38 balls in the third Twenty20 between the teams and 45 from 36 balls in the first match of the ODI series on Sunday which New Zealand won by nine wickets. He found his timing early on Wednesday and hit nine fours and a six. Chapman hit five fours and two sixes, playing with increasing confidence at No. 3. Both players reached their half centuries with sixes, Ravindra from the bowling of Wanindu Hasaranga and Chapman from Eshan Malinga. New Zealand lost momentum after Ravindra and Chapman were out. Daryl Mitchell made 38, Glenn Phillips 22 and Santner 20 but New Zealand couldn't get back on top of the bowling. The third ODI is on Saturday at Auckland.

Avishka Fernando scored a gritty half century in an 87-run partnership with Janith Liyanage which helped Sri Lanka to 178 as it batted first Sunday in the first one-day international against New Zealand. Matt Henry took 4-19 from his 10 overs for New Zealand as Sri Lanka was bowled out in 43.4 overs. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner took a wicket, effected a run out and claimed three catches from Henry's bowling. Sri Lanka had slumped to 23-4 after being sent in on a greenish pitch at the Basin Reserve before Fernando's fifth one-day international half century and Liyanage's 36 gave some substance to the innings. New Zealand fielded a four-pronged seam attack and Henry, Jacob Duffy and Nathan Smith all took early wickets while Santner broke Fernando and Liyanage's stubborn fifth wicket stand. Sunday's match was played in bitterly cold, windy conditions and under the constant threat of rain. A potential sell out crowd was reduced substantially as only hardy fans turned out to watch the opener to the three-match series in wintry conditions. After a watchful start, Sri Lanka lost the key wicket of opener Pathum Nissanka in the fifth over. Nissanka made 141 runs at an average of 47 in the three-match Twenty20 series which New Zealand won 2-1. He had made only 9 Sunday when he tried to work a ball from Henry through midwicket but, as it seamed away, managed only to loop it to Santner at mid-off. Kusal Mendis, Nissanka's partner in a 121-run stand in the first T20, was 2 when he was bowled by Jacob Duffy off the inside edge. The ball cut back at Mendis at waist height and he was hurried in defense. Read: Rickelton smashes double ton as South Africa cruises to 429-5 in 2nd test against Pakistan Santner produced a sharp piece of fielding to run out Kamindu Mendis (3) and captain Charith Asalanka was caught by wicketkeeper Mitchell Hay from Smith's bowling. Asalanka was given not out by the on-field umpire but New Zealand reviewed and the replay showed the ball had just brushed the shoulder of the bat. Fernando and Liyanage steadily rebuilt the Sri Lanka innings, carrying it to 108-4 after 25 overs. The 26-year-old Fernando produced a defiant innings, reaching his half century from 52 balls with six fours and a six. Liyanage tried to hoist a ball from Santner over the off side but skied it from a top edge and was caught by the substitute fielder Michael Bracewell falling backwards at mid-wicket. Fernando was out in the next over, driving at a ball from Smith which sliced to Glenn Phillips at backward point. Read more: Bumrah sidelined but India builds 145-run lead after wild Day 2 of 5th test against Australia Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Wanindu Hasaranga put on 48 for the seventh wicket before Henry returned and dismissed Wickramasinghe on 22. Hasaranga made 35 from 33 balls in an innings full of adventurous strokeplay before he also fell to Henry. Eshan Malinga who made 4 on debut gave Henry his final wicket.

Kusal Perera scored Sri Lanka's fastest Twenty20 international century — from 44 balls — on Thursday to spur his team to a consolation win over New Zealand by seven runs in the the final match of the three-match series. Perera's career-best score in a century partnership with captain Charirth Asalanka lifted Sri Lanka to 218-5 — its second-highest T20 score, as it batted first for the first time in the series. New Zealand held a winning 2-0 lead in the series after winning the first match by eight runs and the second by 45 runs. New Zealand needed to achieve its highest run chase in T20s to complete a clean sweep of the series and was given a good start by Rachin Ravindra who made 69 from 39 balls. But it fell just short, held to 211-7. The Black Caps began at a pace to match Sri Lanka, reaching 60-0 in the six-over power play. But Asalanka slammed the brakes on the New Zealand innings when he dismissed Ravindra, Mark Chapman (9) and Glenn Phillips (6) in quick succession. Asalanka had figures of 3-25 after those dismissals but Daryl Mitchell hit four consecutive sixes from his final over to wreck his analysis and bat New Zealand back into the game. Wanindu Hasaranga then dismissed Mitchell Hay (8) and Michael Bracewell (1) in the 16th over to tip the match back in the visitors' favor. Asalanka took a superb diving catch to remove Bracewell and managed his bowlers well in a superb all-round performance. “I think it's a good win for us,” Asalanka said. "I think throughout the series we've played good cricket but couldn't manage to get a win. Finally we got it. I hope this is a momentum shift for us. Adapting to these conditions has been a key for us.” Read: William, Mahidul help Khulna beat Chittagong Kings New Zealand came to the last over, bowled by Binura Fernando, needing 22 to win. After taking six runs from the first three balls, one of which was a wide, Zak Foulkes hit the fourth ball for six, leaving New Zealand needing 10 from the last two balls. It was too much and the New Zealand batters managed only three more runs. The start of the match was delayed by 30 minutes by a wet outfield and when it began Sri Lanka lost the toss but had the chance to bat first on a good pitch at Saxton Oval. The tourists lost both openers, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, inside the power play. But Perera powered up the Sri Lanka innings in an outstanding batting performance, hitting 13 fours and four sixes in his 101 from 46 balls. One of the keys to victory was the 75 runs Perera and Asalanka hit between the 14th and 18th overs which proved vital in making the run chase just too much for New Zealand. The teams meet in the first of three one-day internationals in Wellington on Sunday.

The year 2024 has been recorded as the year with the highest number of Sri Lankans migrating abroad for employment in the nation's history, local media reported, quoting statistics from the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). Data shows that a total of 312,836 Sri Lankans left the country for overseas jobs during the year. Among them, 185,162 were male workers, while 127,674 were female workers, said the report on Wednesday. Data shows that Kuwait emerged as the top destination, attracting 77,546 Sri Lankan workers. The United Arab Emirates followed closely, with 51,550 individuals seeking employment there. Additionally, 7,098 Sri Lankans migrated to South Korea, 9,665 to Israel, and 8,665 to Japan over the past year, SLBFE data shows. The surge in migration has also led to a significant rise in remittances. Central bank data shows that by the end of November 2024, remittances from Sri Lankans working abroad reached 6.46 billion U.S. dollars reflecting a corresponding increase in the number of citizens employed overseas.

Sri Lanka's Secretary to the Treasury, Mahinda Siriwardana, announced on Saturday that the country has officially emerged from sovereign default. In a post on X, Siriwardana emphasized the importance of avoiding past policy errors influenced by rigid ideologies, unfounded beliefs, or misleading narratives, which often lead to unrealistic and unsustainable decisions. Sri Lankan envoy discusses trade opportunities with BGMEA With economic stability now restored, he highlighted the need to prioritize strategies that encourage inclusive and sustainable development. Siriwardana stressed that such initiatives are vital for job creation and income generation, aiming to support the recovery of all Sri Lankans. His remarks came after Fitch Ratings upgraded Sri Lanka's credit rating to "CCC+." The upgrade was attributed to the country's progress through a difficult path involving substantial reforms and a complex debt restructuring process. Sri Lanka's Marxist-leaning president appoints his Cabinet after a resounding election win On Friday, Fitch Ratings announced the improvement of Sri Lanka's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating, elevating it from Restricted Default to "CCC+." The decision was supported by successful restructuring of international sovereign bonds and stronger macroeconomic indicators.